<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>My daughter is a Junior, intending to apply to BFA programs next year. I know this is a very general question, but I am wondering whether BFA programs tend to require any subject SATs? Does anyone have any experience with this? There are so many schools to consider, and so many variables to keep track of. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>It’s not very common, but some do. You have to look at the website for the individual school. Often, it goes by program. Students applying to certain programs need subject SATs, whereas other applicants to the same school might not.</p>
<p>Given that she’s a junior and non-audition BA safeties should be considered, I would say that she should take one SAT subject test just in case. Or I guess she could skip the subject tests and just not apply to any school that requires one, be it a BFA or BA program. Personally, I would like to keep the options open.</p>
<p>Another option is the ACT. Most colleges will accept ACT in lieu of SAT + subject tests. My daughter had a number of BA safeties, some quite competitive, and all of them accepted the ACT without SAT subject tests.</p>
<p>In general–not always, but in general–BFA programs are going to emphasize the audition, resume and interview more than they do academics. Don’t underestimate the audition, this is very difficult and very competitive. I hope your daughter has already started thinking about it. I think this is more important than SAT subject tests for BFA programs, in general.</p>
<p>On the face, when the focus is on admissions, SAT Subject tests may not appear to be “necessary”. Regardless of what us CC posters say about what is necessary, please please go to the websites or better yet the admissions officers of each school and ask if it is helpful in any way. Different ranges of Merit scholarships often hinge on SAT, ACT or SAT II score. When we are talking about ticket prices of 50 to over 60 grand, if the score on an SATII takes your S or D over that hump to the next bracket of a merit scholarship, it could mean the difference of affordability for many families. Please search for “merit scholarship” and the name of the schools on your S or D’s lists and find that out for a fact for each specific school. This will not be apparent on any specific BFA page, it has more to do with the college in general which I know many of us overlooked during our searches when our focus was on BFA admission. Yes the audition may be the most important factor for actual admission, but then comes all these other details. Best of luck.</p>
<p>I agree with mom2gals. A few things to consider: As a Junior, you don’t yet know what you definitely want, so it’s best to play it safe. You may discover a college you fall in love with that you haven’t even heard of yet, or you may decide later on that actually you want a BA. Keep your options open.</p>
<p>If you happen to be taking a subject this year that appears on the SAT II, take the test now. For instance, if you are taking Honors Biology and you are strong in it, take the SAT II Biology this year, when the subject is most fresh. Or if you are strong in US History, take the SAT II in US History right after you’ve finished the full course. Make sure to purchase a practice book and take several tests as practice so you are familiar with the content. Look over the SAT II subjects tested and the timeline, and see what you’re strong in, and plan ahead.</p>
<p>My own approach is to always take the test to be on the safe side. You can always not report the test. Just make sure to prepare for test. Just walking into an SAT II Subject without preparation is not a good idea. </p>
<p>As far as the ACT: it is a very different test from the SAT. It is not true that one is easier than the other (even if it were, statistically it wouldn’t matter, as both are on a bell shaped curve). They are just very different. My advice is to decide early on which test you prefer. This is a <em>personal</em> thing. Take the sample tests in both, in your Junior year the latest. Self-assess if you cannot afford a tutor. Then analyze your own performance to see which test you’re stronger in and which you have the most potential to improve. Two key differences: the ACT tests science and math knowledge much more than the SAT, and the lay out and tempo are very different. See for yourself.</p>
<p>If you don’t need financial aid or scholarships you can follow KEVP’s advice, as admission to auditioned programs is rarely, if ever, predicated on SAT II (subject test) scores. I’m not sure that SAT II scores will increase finaid, either, but regular SAT scores <em>will</em> earn you automatic merit scholarships at some excellent programs (as will high ACT scores.) </p>
<p>And there are some schools that will give full-tuition scholarships to National Merit Scholars. (Your student is already past that window, but others may benefit from reading this.) My youngest daughter did not take the PSAT, as it was not offered at her school, and at the time no school on her list offered NMS grants. But she ended up choosing Fordham, which gives full-tuition scholarships to students, even theater and dance students, who are NMS scholars. Fordham was not even on her radar until November of her Junior year-- too late! I tend to think she would not have had this distinction, given the state we live in and her testing ability, but one always wonders. </p>
<p>Of course, the ACT is not easier than the SAT-- if it were, everyone would that instead, or colleges would not recognize it. The reason I suggested looking into the ACT is that it’s one-stop shopping. If the test works for you, you spend one Saturday (unless you repeat), instead of 2, 3, or more.</p>
<p>Just an aside…my D took both tests (because we thought the ACT would be more up her ally after taking the SAT) and she got the EXACT same score on the ACT as the SAT…</p>
<p>^My son did too, Bisouu. He thought the ACT was interesting, though–oddly enough, he was intrigued by the differences. But his composite ACT score was the precise equivalent of his SAT superscore.</p>
<p>Also, just my two cents, but if you are going to bother to take SAT II subject tests, you should probably take at least 2 not just 1 because in my experience, the colleges that recommend or require those tests typically ask for 2 plus the SAT I.</p>
<p>M D (who is the theatre person of the family) did better on the ACT than the SAT (although not substantially) and did relatively less well on the SAT II tests (even on subjects where she had gotten “5” on the AP exam).</p>
<p>Don’t see this mentioned and apologies if it was, but in order for the ACT to count as a stand in for the SAT plus subject tests, you must take the ACT WITH WRITING.</p>
<p>Good point, Half!</p>
<p>glassharmonica, sorry, wasn’t implying you were saying ACTs were easier–I should have written that better. I wrote it too quickly, in between things. I was more discussing ACT vs SATs and bringing up general questions people have, in my experience as a tutor. I can’t tell you how many times clients have told me they’d heard ACT was easier, so maybe their child should take that rather than SAT! My answer was a response to that - as people consider which test to take - rather than to your post. I totally agree with your own points.</p>
<p>I didn’t think you were saying that, connections–sorry if I implied so! But I agree, the ACT has a reputation for being “easier” and I don’t think that is so. Unless you count the fact that it requires fewer Saturday hours. (For my daughter who is a musician, ACT was practical because she could not skip many weekends at her pre-college.) There are many ways to skin this proverbial cat!</p>