<p>For those who really think they want a double major, the most appropriate degree program is a BA one where there is a theater performance major and a journalism major as well. Very few BFAs work well with a double major. It is possible at a couple of schools but not many. A BFA with a minor may be more possible but you have to check with each school directly. You are only a freshman in high school and so while it is good to find out these basics, you don’t have to be making any decisions yet.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! Why is it NYU allows a double majors with a BFA while others don’t?</p>
<p>Well, early_college, that’s because NYU is FABULOUS! (Disclaimer: my kid goes there and thinks it’s “all that,” so I am biased.) :)</p>
<p>Seriously, one reason that NYU can allow double majoring is because NYU requires even BFA students to take a pretty good amount of academic classes. So, at least in theory (and in practice, for some), you can use those academic credits toward a second major. NYU’s approach is that a more well rounded education makes for a better actor and a more informed, involved artist in general. So NYU/Tisch requires actors and MTs to take academic classes in addition to studio/acting/performance classes.</p>
<p>That’s substantially different than the approach at, say, Carnegie Mellon, where a very high percentage of an actor’s classes are studio classes and it would be very difficult to still fulfill all the BFA requirements and a double major in the regular four years.</p>
<p>early_college…your chances of doing a double major are going to also be more difficult if you follow your plan to go to college to Simon’s Rock for two years and then transfer. I think a transfer student would have a hard time satisfying a double major at a university where he/she did not matricuate as a freshman. As well, it is very hard to transfer into BFA programs.</p>
<p>Also, since you say money is a factor, it is going to cost more to go to college for two years at Simon’s Rock, then transfer into a BFA which may make you attend for at least three years to complete the BFA or even three years at a BA if you want a double major. In my view, you would do better to go to high school and apply to the type of degree program you are interested in from the get go after high school. </p>
<p>I also know you said you could not graduate from your HS early due to increased graduation requirements but it may be doable to meet those requirements or even attend summer school if you are intent on graduating early. My daughter graduated in three years. I have a student whom I am advising for BFA admissions this year who is also graduating HS in three years (she is a junior now and just finished all her college auditions).</p>
<p>I agree that NYU wants their drama students to also be good at academics as well. A good actor who is also intelligent and well-educated is desirable. However, I think that the other part of the reason that so many Tisch kids do a double major is that the way that the schedule is set up makes this more possible than it is at other colleges. At Tisch, you will be in studio classes three days a week from 9-6, and then your ‘academic’ classes are held on the other two days. This isn’t to say that double-majoring is easy, it’s not, but it IS possible.</p>
<p>Early_college:</p>
<p>I think if you have a NEW topic or question, you need to start a thread on a specific topic…example: double majoring for theater majors…or graduating HS early…etc. The way the forum is organized is that there are threads for various topics. This thread is about UMinn/Guthrie Callbacks. While a discussion can morph into other topics, we try to keep separate threads on different topics. So, if you have a new question on a new topic, please start a thread about the new topic with an appropriate subject heading, thanks.</p>
<p>I agree that double majors are hard at Tisch but definitely possible. I also agree that NYU/Tisch values the academic component for their actors. It was one of the attractions of the school for my daughter.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. But actually I could go to Simon’s Rock for free. I would be appyling for a scholarship, so if I get it I could get most/all of the tution payed off. So, 2 years would cost a lot less money.</p>
<p>The thing is …you cannot count on the free ride scholarship. I read their scholarships and they have several. But the free ride full tuition scholarship would go to the most outstanding applicants of all those who apply. That is often difficult to get at any school. I think your GPA is going to have to go up to have a chance at that and even so, it is nothing you could count on. Full rides are difficult to get unless you are at the top of the heap. They have partial scholarships, however. Go for it but be realistic and do not count on a free ride at any college.</p>
<p>I would apply for the AEP scholarship. If I don’t get it I won’t be going. That’s why I’m looking at other options if it doesn’t work out. Also, at Bard it’s more than grades. They want to see if your ready for college and your essays and teacher recommendations. The average GPA for the school is around my GPA. But that was just was semester and my GPA will go up this semester. I am guessing around a 3.3-3.4 UW GPA. I am also going to take one or two more AP’s next year. I took an Ap this year as a freshman.</p>
<p>If your stats are in the ballpark for the school, that bodes well for admissions. The issue with ANY college is that if you are to garner their highest merit scholarship, particularly a free ride, you are not as likely to get it if you are merely in the ballpark but you have to stand out above the majority of applicants. That is something to just realistically keep in mind when it comes to merit scholarships and particularly the free rides and highest scholarship a college offers. Try to plan accordingly.</p>
<p>I do understand. And they also look more into grades for this particular scholarship. My GPA should be a 3.6 UW GPA the time I apply. I would apply in January 2009. That’s why I’m looking at back up schools if it doesn’t work out. So, that’s why I want to know what BFA programs except transfers. I think Northwestern may be my best bet and I could double major and get a BA.</p>
<p>Early_College, You’ll want to check with Northwestern’s Theater department regarding their transfer policy. When we spoke to the Theater department last year (Jan 08), they stressed that they admit very few, if any, transfers into their conservatory based BA program as they want you in the program for the full 4 years. The number mentioned last year was 2 transfer students that year (one from elsewhere in the university and one from outside). Theater is a VERY popular major at NU, and even though it’s a BA, it’s my understanding that they cap the incoming enrollment at 100 students each year. It is also a very difficult school to get into academically with no audition to help you along. I personally know 2 kids this year with very strong theater backgrounds, great GPA’s (solid 3.7/3.8) and very good ACT/SAT scores that were denied. Of course, things may change, so I do recommend that you check directly with the school.</p>
<p>Thanks, but how does a BA take that long? I would like to double major with journalism, but they said it was common to double major as a journalism major. I would be a junior transfer, but I may want to get my BA/MA in journalism, so this way I may get the BA in acting too.</p>