<p>Hello! So I applied to several BFAs this year and was rejected from all of them. After assessing what happened I realized it wasn't because I gave a bad audition, but because I chose material that didn't show me off the best as well as only applying to reaches. So I've decided to reaudition for programs next year with a smarter list! My family is supportive of this, but they'd like me to take some performance courses at a local JC during my year, just to do some schooling. So if I were to take a mere 6 credits at a local junior college, would this put me in the "transfer" category when I would be reapplying to schools? I'm not looking for those performance courses to transfer over, I would merely be taking them to benefit myself as an actor. Or would I be considered a "freshman with hours" and be able to apply as a freshman? Would you recommend me just not putting the junior college courses on my application at all? I need some advice on what to do regarding this because I don't want to be considered a transfer because that will make it even MORE difficult to get into a program. I hope this all makes sense! Another thing is that I went to the counselor at the local JC and asked for some advice. He said on the first day that I should ask the teachers to "audit" the courses. So do you think I should try to get the teachers to audit them and then not put it on my application? I know this is complicated, I'm just trying to make the best decision regarding reauditoning since my family wants me to take courses at the JC, even though I've explained that a gap year would be more beneficial. Please give me some advice! Thanks CC</p>
<p>Actordude34, do you mean a community college? I’ve never heard the term ‘junior college’! As far as credits, you can’t earn more than 12. After that you would be regarded as a transfer student. That’s my understanding at least. I’d advise you to email some of the colleges you’re interested in and asking them your question outright–I say email so you have the answer in writing.</p>
<p>I’d also recommend that you hire an acting coach who would help you with this process. I hear what your parents are saying, but I’d advise against acting courses at a community college. Instead, I’d advise you to take foreign language or writing or another sort of core course that would benefit you going in and also show to the college you’re a good student. (Many BFA programs require such classes. Some don’t. But they can’t hurt). </p>
<p>I’d advise you instead to take private coaching lessons—this would give you most bank for the buck. (Do they still say this nowadays?) If your parents can’t afford the lessons, you can work during your gap year as well and earn money for the coach. We used Lisbeth Bartlett in Philly (she does Skype) but there are other coaches other people are very happy with as well.</p>
<p>If you live close to a professional equity theatre, often they have adult acting classes as well–look it up. These classes would benefit you as well, plus if you stayed with the same teacher, you could get a letter of recommendation from them. </p>
<p>You can audit courses if you want but I’m not sure what the purpose of that would be. Are you going to a community college to learn acting? Or is it to show your parents and yourself that you still are a serious student and serious about your future? If it’s the former, I’d really suggest you take some other class, and do the acting privately. If it’s the latter, well, yes, you can audit if you want. You wouldn’t wait until the first day-- For instance, my oldest son audited classes at a local Ivy and he emailed the professors directly before classes started to see if they’d be willing to let him. </p>
<p>Bear in mind that you can also be building for letters of recommendations, so when you take classes wherever you go, build a relationship for that. Good luck.</p>
<p>great advice but for the record, junior college used to be used at least in the south and midwest for community colleges. probably still is. </p>
<p>My son took a full 30 credits at Jr College - was careful to pick courses based on their ability to transfer. English, Science, Foreign Language - he transferred about 25 credits when he was accepted the following year to a 4-year BFA program (as a transfer student). It worked out really well - he was able to take a lighter load (13-14 credits per term), and still graduated last year with his BFA plus a minor in Creative Writing. Be careful about taking theatre courses at Jr college - might actually be a step below high school. Good luck. </p>
<p>I second the idea of getting your gen eds out of the way before enrolling in a Bfa program. My S came into his program with 24 AP credits which means that he can take a lot more dance electives. Not all bfas are at great academic schools, and you may not want to spend your time and money on so-so academic classes.</p>
<p>You have to be careful if you are looking for merit aid. Some colleges only give that to true freshmen, the ‘no credits after high school grad’ kids. Some colleges consider less than 12 hours fine. Others don’t take freshmen transfers and they will consider any classes taken, for credit, to be a transfer student. You have to check. It is hard to audition as a upperclassman and get into some programs. </p>
<p>Private lessons is a good idea, or maybe you could even audit some classes or join a local theater group. If you don’t have certain schools in mind, look for some non-audition programs to include for next year. My daughter loves acting, but she’s in a different league than many who post on CC that they’ve audition to 20 programs after 10 years of singing and dancing lessons. My daughter is a beginner, a student, so she picked a program that is right for her. She auditioned only for a department scholarship (which she got!) and she’s just as happy as someone going to NYU or CalArts because she picked a small program which is right for her.</p>
<p>Hi everyone! Thank you for getting back to me. To answer your questions, yes I meant “community college” when I said JC. So I’ve emailed some of the schools on my list and some have emailed back that even if I take a single college course out of high school, then I will be considered a transfer. However, some have stated that if I were to take these courses, if I got into the program I would have to start at the beginning of the track anyways (as a freshman). And some consider less than 12 fine. I wouldn’t be taking any acting courses, I would be taking three dance classes as well as a musical theatre technique class so as to benefit myself in areas I don’t feel as proficient, as well as weekly voice lessons with a private instructor. I’m also going to be using MTCA as a private coach this time around! I’m still looking to get a BFA in Acting, but am also, during this year, trying to improve in other areas of performance. So the bottom line is that I want to apply as a freshman next year, NOT as a transfer. Because it will only boost my chances of being accepted, so if some programs consider a student taking single course out of high school a transfer, then it would be in my best interest to audit these courses and not put them on my application, correct? Because, I am essentially taking a gap year, just with three dance courses and a musical theatre technique course at a community college. So, would a school who consider a student taking a single college level course out of high school a transfer, be able to see my dance classes and mt class even if my teacher allows me to audit them? Thank you all for the advice! I have been looking into adult classes and community theatre, but I just got a full time job, one I REALLY like, so I’m not looking to really be in a show right now! Moreso to focus on next years auditions and save money for when I inevitably do go to college.</p>
<p>A lot of financial aid and merit aid is based on your being a Freshman not a Sophomore. There are <em>way</em> fewer scholarships and grants for transfers.</p>
<p>If money is an issue at all, and/or if you have the potential to qualify for aid, I would <em>very much</em> caution against getting those credits. </p>
<p>To answer your question above, taking a single college level course would be totally fine. Even better if you get an A 
If you audit a class, you can talk about the class you audited and the teacher can give you a letter of rec. Some schools will also show the audit on a transcript, others won’t. Check with the community college.</p>
<p>Working full time is wonderful. Beware however about your money—Remember that the more you earn the less your financial aid will be. It’s a balance. Just something to think of depending on your own family circumstances.</p>