<p>I am a rising freshman at a state school in my hometown, studying theatre performance with a music minor. The program is a Bachelor of Arts program, not a Bachelor of Fine Arts program, and so I want to transfer into a BFA in Musical Theatre for fall of 2015. I already have a pretty bulky list of schools, but I was wondering if anyone had particular suggestions for a transfer student. </p>
<p>Here's my big criteria:</p>
<p>-close to NYC and/or in a big city
-lots of show opportunities while in school, whether through the school or through local theatres
-strong triple threat program (I have strong dance background and have been involved in music, i.e. private lessons/choir, for a very long time, plus pretty good acting training)
-senior showcase for MT students</p>
<p>That's all, really. </p>
<p>I'll have at least three semesters of college credits (I'm in summer school right now) by the time I'm applying, and I have a 4.0 GPA right now in the classes I'm taking. I'm working very hard to keep that up, and I also will be involved in lots of extracurricular clubs and such through my university. Because of that, I'm not too worried about getting into a school itself (except for my reaches), just the musical theatre program and whether or not my credits will transfer into a BFA program from a BA program, etc.</p>
<p>I should also note that I'm 16, so by the time I go to audition for schools I'll pretty much be the same age as the average senior in high school. I'm essentially using the upcoming years to really improve in my training and build my performance r</p>
<p>Most schools will have you start as a freshman. There are a few that might take you as a sophomore. You can do a search on the thread since this has been covered frequently and I’m sure others with specific knowledge will chime in.</p>
<p>There are lots of schools that meet your criteria if being in any city is ok and not just NYC…</p>
<p>BUT if you will be in college, trying to train and build your resume, all while researching MT programs and preparing for auditions, be careful about overextending yourself with extracurriculars. It is a hugely daunting, time-consuming process…</p>
<p>many BFA programs will have you start over as a freshman-but not all. There have been many past threads on this topic so take some time to look through this forum.</p>
<p>As others have stated - expect most schools to have you start as a freshman. Some of the classes you have credit for may go towards your gen Ed requirements but expect to start at the beginning in a BFA program. Some schools you may want to consider include Rider, Montclair State, Hartt, they are all close to NYC. UArts is in Philadelphia if you consider that a city you want to be in/near. Ccpa in Chicago. Of course NYC has many schools including Pace, NYU and Marymount Manhattan. There are many more schools to choose from but maybe this list will help get you started.</p>
<p>As others have stated, many BFA programs make you start over as a freshman and others may allow you to come in as a sophomore (I know some transfers into NYU/Tisch, for example, who came in as sophomore standing, though had to do the first year track in the conservatory part of their program). As noted above, do a search of the MT forum here and there are many threads on this subject. </p>
<p>However, I am curious why your plan is to transfer into the fall of 2015 class, and not fall of 2014? I think it would be more efficient and less money to not wait until after two years at your present college to transfer and just do one year and then try to transfer. </p>
<p>I’m not sure why you didn’t apply to BFA programs from the get go as you seem to know before you even began your current school that you want a BFA, and it is not as if this came about after dissatisfaction at your current college. </p>
<p>Make sure to check with each college on your list as to if they take transfers for the BFA and what their policy is for placement into the program. I would suggest inquiring directly with each program that interests you to have the most current information.</p>
<p>One other suggestion is to perhaps consider transferring into a BA in MT program so you would not lose “years” and yet get to major in MT. For example, there is Wagner, Marymount Manhattan, American, UNH (close to Boston)…and James Madison (the latter is not in a city).</p>
<p>Oh, wow! Thanks everyone for the responses!</p>
<p>I’ve discussed this with my parents a lot and we’re prepared for me to start over in a BFA program if that’s necessary, I’m just hoping I’ll be able to enter as a sophomore or even a junior (unlikely).</p>
<p>@soozievt, as I stated in my first post, I’m only 16. My parents weren’t ready for me to move across the country to start in a BFA program, even if I was, and on top of that there’s the money issue. Right now, I’m at a school in my city where we’re saving money with a fee waiver and in-state tuition, and I’m living at home. Also, my high school history is rocky, and after a year of college that wouldn’t matter anymore because most schools don’t look at high school transcripts when you have over 30 college units.</p>
<p>@Calliene, thanks for the warning! Most of my extracurricular activities that I’m planning could probably be described as co-curricular - the theatre majors’ association, dance club, etc. I didn’t audition to attend this school, so I’m trying to make what I want out of it until it comes time to transfer.</p>
<p>I’ll do another search to look at threads about transferring, too! I looked before I posted, but went ahead with it because it seems like my situation is a little bit different due to my age and such.</p>
<p>Ruthie, thanks for clarifying some things. Yes, if your time in high school was rocky, it is good that you are establishing a fine college record before transferring. Also, if your parents are on board about the possibility that you may have to start as a freshman in a BFA, then that’s going to work. It sounds like your present college is not that costly and so it won’t be like paying six years of school at a pricey college. </p>
<p>I understand the age thing and it makes sense. Every case is different. My own kid started her BFA program while still 16 and moved to the Big Apple having grown up in a rural area. It worked for her, but it is not for everyone!</p>
<p>Meanwhile, both at your college or simply locally in your city, keep up with the voice, acting and dance training and participating in theater productions.</p>
<p>It seems to me that you should be able to receive a lot of transfer credit for your Gen Ed classes that you are,and will be, taking this year. They ought to transfer just as AP classes would. While you would very likely have to begin as a freshman in your theatre/conservatory courses, I am guessing you would want to anyway, and this way, most of your core academic requirements would be dispensed. I know I say this a lot, but for accurate planning and to avoid surprises, I think the best thing is to call admissions directly at a couple of schools you’re considering, and ask them. I find they’re usually very glad to help prospective students- just make sure you ask to speak with an admission counselor and not only one of the very nice folks who answer the phone because they’re usually students and while they can be enormously helpful and have insights into many aspects of the process, for this line of inquiry, you need to talk with someone who can speak with authority on behalf of the university. I think this will help you a lot in your planning, and you sound like an incredibly accomplished young woman! Very best of luck!</p>
<p>Ruthie, Point Park University fits the criteria you list very well. </p>
<p>Pittsburgh is not a huge city, but it is a good size and it has a great theatre community.<br>
Lots of show opportunities in the program, in student shows, and in the many theatre companies in and around Pittsburgh. Strong triple threat program. Senior showcase, but not everyone is involved in the showcase because some students do not audition for showcase, and they only take a certain number of seniors.</p>
<p>@soozievt, my net price is very, VERY low compared to the schools I am looking into for transferring, so we definitely wouldn’t be paying, say, 40k a year for six years. (Though hopefully we won’t be paying that much for four years! Yikes!) That’s great for your daughter, as well! I was hoping my parents would let me do that, but I think it’s for the best that they aren’t–this way I have more training time in a college setting.</p>
<p>@lightingmom, thank you so much for your advice! Once August comes around I’ll start contacting schools so I can prepare for transferring. I didn’t know that about students answering the phones, but it definitely makes sense when I think of my past phone calls to admissions offices! </p>
<p>@collegesearchdad, I looked into Point Park ages ago, but totally forgot about them until you brought it up! I have them on my list now after perusing their website. :)</p>
<p>Speaking of lists, here is mine:</p>
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</p>
<p>It feels like a lot of schools, but I guess it isn’t for this field being how it is! I have to look into which of them go to Unifieds to see how many auditions I can do at a time, otherwise that’s a lot of travel for auditions.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions/comments/concerns? You’ve all been amazingly helpful!</p>
<p>Ruthieruthru- My D transferred to Penn State and was able to enter as a sophomore. She had enough credits for Jr. status, but was only allowed in as a sophomore. She ended up doing pretty much the Freshman track her 1st year and then joined her class as a junior. The one advantage was that she did already have all of her GE requirements done so was able to fit in extra dance and acting classes.</p>
<p>DD and her roommate have both transferred to a conservatory BFA. DD attended a state college BA program for 2 years. The new school took all of her Gen Eds except a 200 level Philosophy course (still working on that) but only a few theater classes. They accepted some 200 & 300 level as theater electives and some theater history too. They are working with her to make sure she only has to do 3 years. But be prepared to have to produce a class syllabus for any disputed transfer credits, if you are waiting to enter in 2015 then make sure you collect those syllabus now, they will be much harder to get from professors if you wait. DD’s roommate had most of her theater classes transfer (she was in a BFA program) but not her Gen Eds so she is going through this process now.</p>
<p>My D is in the same situation as takeitallin’s D, she will do the freshman track then join her junior class the following year. She will also be adding extra classes in place of the Gen Eds she doesn’t have to take. </p>
<p>I do know Hartt will not admit a transfer as a sophomore but Shenandoah and UArts will. No school will admit a MT transfer as a junior.</p>
<p>Not currently on your list, but Coastal Carolina does go to Chicago during Unifieds. It does not meet your criteria for being close to a big city, but it does meet all of your other. They do sometimes admit students in as sophomores.</p>
<p>I have looked extensively at Rider, MTTwinsinCA! I’m keeping my options open, but I really like the look of their program so far. </p>
<p>austinmtmom, I will do some more research on Coastal Carolina. I had looked at it before but never added the school to my list because of its location, but I suppose if the program is phenomenal then the location doesn’t matter as much.</p>