Transferring into a different MT BFA program after freshman year + gpa concerns

<p>Hey guys! :) So, getting straight to the point, it's pretty much a given that I will have to attend an in-state school for my first year or so of college due to my low GPA and lack of financial support. Luckily, my safety school is five minutes down the road and has a wonderfully supportive, albeit new and VERY small, BFA program. I'm actually in a summer production of Sweeney Todd with the college as Johanna, so I already have experience with the head of the theatre department there. </p>

<p>Now, my main question is would it be plausible to transfer to a bigger program after my first year of college? What concerns me is that many of the schools I'm looking at (Penn State comes to mind) still require high school transcripts, and I really don't want my GPA to affect their decision making process. As a rising senior, I have a 3.01/4.0 (please do not ask why) and even with 5 AP classes next year, I doubt my GPA would rise sufficiently. </p>

<p>so tl;dr, do I have a better shot of entering the program of my choice as a transfer student, should I just stick with my local college, or should I go ahead and audition for BFA programs anyway? </p>

<p>I have a few questions before I can really give a complete answer.</p>

<p>First, what year of high school are you in? </p>

<p>Grades - My daughter’s GPA was barely higher than yours and yet she was academically accepted to most of the 12 (?) schools she applied to. She even received merit scholarship offers here and there. Her ACTs were middle of the road, how are yours? The key is applying to programs where you also fit in academically. The good thing is that many MT programs are at schools that are not super competitive to get accepted into. Why are you planning to take 5 AP classes? There is so much work involved in doing well in just one or two. It is self-defeating to take 5. There is no way you can do well in all of them. Most colleges we looked at consider merit scholarships based on unweighted GPA, so you may be hurting yourself more than you know by taking 5 APs. They could bring your GPA down significantly. </p>

<p>Financial support - What do you mean by “lack of financial support?” And why will that change after the first year of college? There are programs that, after merit and/or talent scholarships, could bring tuition, room & board into the same price range as in-state tuition. Do you qualify for financial aid? Have you had a talk with your parents about what they are willing/able to do for you both as a college student and in the application process? Are you currently earning money? </p>

<p>Skills - What are your skills like? Do you think you will be prepared for auditions?</p>

<p>Local college - Would you be living at home? Will you be getting the training needed to grow and become marketable as a MT actress? Can you see yourself happy there?</p>

<p>Research the MT schools out there regarding grades/scores/GPA. There ARE schools out there that will accept you academically – BUT!-- you also must get accepted artistically to join their BFA programs. My son’s GPA was about the same as yours. He had a very diverse school list for that reason, and – yes-- some of those he wasn’t admitted to academically, and it was a big “ouch.” Several on his list that he was academically accepted to before his auditions were Ball State, Coastal Carolina, Point Park, Ohio Northern (and I know there are more-- so do your research). </p>

<p>Keep in mind, too, that if you’re thinking of going the transfer route-- Many schools will make you start again as a freshman. So, plan on possibly having to pay for 5 years of undergraduate work.</p>

<p>Personally, I wouldn’t recommend 5 AP classes this year. Your GPA is pretty much set, unless your school recalculates the GPAs after each semester (my son’s school didn’t. His end-of-junior-year GPA was what was sent to all of the colleges he applied to.) If you’re serious about applying to an audition-based MT program, those 5 AP classes are going to drain you, quickly. Senior year for MT majors is exhausting and you WILL miss school. Major prep work is needed starting NOW to get you ready for auditions that will start mid-November and continue thru mid-March.</p>

<p>So, to answer your initial question-- Yes-- apply to that school down the road, AND apply to the others you’re interested in-- but do your homework first regarding those grades of yours. Having a choice of schools come April will be best for you.</p>

<p>Ah, thank you very much for your advice! I’ve already started incredibly rigorous prep work on audition material and am considering dropping 2 of my AP classes for dual credit courses (which are said to be easier- plus, no bothering with the College Board.) I have a list of 10 schools that I absolutely will apply to, all with relatively high acceptance rates. I believe my two most selective schools are FSU and Penn State- and both schools still claim to accept a little over half of their applicants. I’m just hoping my gpa won’t completely destroy me, as I have good SAT scores, extra curriculars and strong essay writing skills. </p>

<p>I am very worried about becoming physically and mentally exhausted over my courseload. If I’m not worrying about my grades and gathering enough money to even go to college, I’m worrying about setting my audition materials and completing my prescreen videos. </p>

<p>Check out the “Sticker Shock” thread if you haven’t done so already. The financial part can be tricky, and final decisions may be made because of financial aid, or lack there of. Some schools outline what stats are needed to qualify for merit aid, and you may find you will qualify. Talent awards will vary school to school, and I suspect at times, student to student, so those who plan on a talent award to bridge a gap may find it was not a sound idea. My son had a couple of long shots (financially and artistically) on his audition list, but the rest were schools that we could afford based on the information the school provided on their websites. </p>

<p>You have a great head on your shoulders, and I think you will manage to create a list that will work for you. Keep the questions coming and scour the MT and Theatre/Drama threads and the specific school threads found at the top of the MT forum.</p>