<p>My D is in love with NYU for lots of reasons, but one of the main ones is that she can get a BFA in theatre and still take academic classes. It seems to me that NYU is fairly unique this way, that other BFA programs offer little in terms of academics, although I am hearing mixed reviews regarding the academic side of NYU, too. Are there other schools where kids can really get great training but also have time and opportunity for academics? I have been telling her about some of the BA programs that seem to have great training and we will visit (she's a junior) but she doesn't believe she will have as much time in the theatre in these schools as she will in the classroom (and library.) I realize some of this has been addressed, but I guess my main question is if there are other schools structured similarly to NYU in terms of the ratio of academics to theatre training. Apologies for the rambling nature of my question!</p>
<p>SMU has strong liberal arts component with BFA program.</p>
<p>As you look at this issue, you may want to refine your question to hone in on what you mean by “academic classes”. Do you mean classes that are non-performance, classes outside of the department, classes in the humanities or social sciences, classes in the “hard sciences” etc. For example, many BFA programs require departmental classes in Theater History and Script Analysis. While these are classes within the program track, they are are non-performance classes that are academic in nature. Theater History is akin to a humanities class, Script Analysis akin to a literature class. Both with require extensive reading, written homework assignments and often research papers. In addition, you should look at the number of classes outside of the department the BFA curriculum requires or permits. There are many BFA programs that require students to take a defined number of classes outside of the theater department. (Parenthetically, from what I recall, one of the things that sets NYU apart from other schools is that the weekly schedule is set up so that the “academic classes” are taken on 2 days of the week while the studio work is done on 3 days of the week while other schools may have the classes interspersed with each other throughout the week.)</p>
<p>So for example, you have a school like NYU, a full university with segmented weekly scheduling. Then there’s Emerson where the first 2 years are heavy in liberal arts but the scope of liberal arts classes is not as broad as NYU. At Syracuse, another full blown university, BFA students in MT take 8 liberal arts classes outside of the department (may be more for acting majors). Then there are schools like University of the Arts, an arts college, where BFA students are required to take at least 1 academic class outside of the department from areas such as humanities, social sciences literature, languages with even some classes in science and math available where the difference between it and some other schools is that there are not separate departments for each “subject area” and the offerings in math and science are fairly limited while the offerings in humanities and social sciences are surprising broad. Even there, however, there are real, substantive “academic” classes required of BFA students.</p>
<p>As you look at these issues, take the time to look at the mandated BFA curriculum at each school to get a handle on how much space is allocated to classes outside of the department. Look at the BFA curriculum to determine how many of the classes within the department are academic text and writing based classes as opposed to studio. Put all of this in the context of the structure of the school itself (is it a full blown university like NYU and Syracuse, a more limited college such as Emerson or an arts university or college like University of the Arts). This type of detailed analysis may assist in determining whether any particular school provides the “academic classes” you desire.</p>
<p>FSU has a strong liberal arts component to the BFA program. All undergraduate students at Florida public colleges and schools have to take 36 credits of general education.</p>
<p>Montclaire State and Elon are BFA programs with a strong liberal arts component. You will find quite a few BFA schools that require a fair amount of general education. You are also right to have her look at BA programs with strong training. Each school is different in terms of requirements.</p>
<p>Thank you for replies, particularly yours, MichaelNKat. I guess it really takes a bit of digging, I’m not so sure I can get all the information on the curriculums off the web sites. And yes, by academic classes I guess I meant classes not having to do with theatre, although I am aware that there are many liberal arts-type benefits to classes in subjects like Theater History and Script Analysis. What is deceptive is that some of the conservatory programs in academically prestigious schools such as, say, Carnegie Mellon, don’t necessarily offer programs with much outside of theatre, at least in terms of requirements. What I am starting to realize is that a student could receive more of a typical liberal arts education at a school like Emerson than at CMU. It’s hard, putting together a college trip, to make sure we get a good look at a diverse group of choices. With the acceptance rates at most of the audition BFA programs being so low, I want to make sure my daughter has choices next year, not just one or two fallbacks or safeties. Also, forgive me, but what is SMU? Thanks!</p>
<p>HSN, Michael brings up probably the salient point about NYU in this regard. The way that the schedule is structured there lends itself very well to kids who want to take a variety of classes, and, of course, to those who are interested in double-majoring. Studio classes are held from 9-6 three days a week, and the other two days are for the ‘academic’ classes. I have not heard of another BFA program which has the same type of scheduling. One may exist but I haven’t seen one mentioned here on CC in all the years I’ve been around. :)</p>
<p>Ooops, for UArts my post should read “1 academic class outside of the department each semester”.</p>
<p>HSN, your conundrum is one of the selling points for a BA as opposed to a BFA, but as you are discovering, even within the world of BFA’s there is significant variance in the amount of liberal arts that is available depending on the school.</p>
<p>HSN – if you go to the online catalogs on each of the schools websites you will see what the curriculum requirements are for the program.</p>
<p>SMU = Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX</p>
<p>Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois (very close to Chicago) may be the school that you are seeking. Regarded by many as one of the top two theatre programs in the country, all School of Communications students are permitted to double major, add a minor or just take classes in the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences (Ivy League caliber academics with an average SAT score of 1445/1600).
Student auditions are often before 20 or more directors for 18 productions. Additionally there are film, musical theatre & radio auditions.
Admission, however, is difficult.
The other option is the Julliard School which allows students to take classes at Columbia University. But this is not convenient as Columbia is a 35 minute commute each way. Also Julliard only admits about 5% to its drama program–many of whom already have an undergraduate degree.
Northwestern University’s setting is right on the shores of Lake Michigan with two beaches for the students on a beautiful campus in an upscale community offering easy public transportation to anywhere in Chicago.</p>
<p>Just chiming in here as an NYU/Tisch parent to say how very pleased my D is (she is a freshman in the CAP21 – musical theater – studio) with the quality of both the training and the academics there.</p>
<p>She feels challenged on both the studio and academic sides, which was important to her. One reason she chose NYU over some of the other programs she was fortunate enough to be offered admission to is that she <em>wanted</em> (crazy? maybe!) to be stretched academically as well as artistically. </p>
<p>If I can answer any questions, I would be happy to, keeping in mind it’s only midterm of the first semester. :)</p>
<p>My school Marymount Manhattan College has a BFA in Acting and we have a mandatory 43 general education core classes that every major at the college must take. The BFA program requires 60 credits which leaves a good amount of credits to take electives or develop a minor. The Theatre department really encourages students to take an interest in their other academic studies as well as involve themselves with the other Theatre concentration that the school offers. They gave us an example of one of the BFA students who took a costume design class for fun and she loved it so she now has a concentration in costuming in addition to her BFA degree and was able to design the costumes in the recent main stage show. Other BFA majors have minors in a variety of non-theatre related subjects while still allowing them enough room to take an alternative acting course (aside from the mandatory ones) if they so choose.</p>