<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I'm applying to both the BA and the BFA program at the USC School of Theatre.</p>
<p>If I'm applying to both, do I need to have two interviews, one at the audition, and a separate one on-campus?</p>
<p>If so, how do I set up the on-campus interview?</p>
<p>Thank you very much.</p>
<p>If you are a BFA acting major, you’ll sign up for an audition/interview. There is no interview required for the BA (or for any BA at USC). However, the admissions office (for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences mainly) does offer interviews for those who sign up in time. They are informational only (meaning, they do not evaluate candidates at these interviews).</p>
<p>The advantage to applying for the BFA is you will meet and be seen by all the decision makers at the School of Theatre. If they do not admit you to the BFA program for any reason, they can put in a good word to admit you for the BA.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Actually I had a similar question as I’m also applying to both the BA and BFA. On the Common App, it said that BA applicants had to or at least had the option of asking for an additional interview on-campus or phone. If we asked for an interview, even if it is our second choice major, does that weaken our BFA application?</p>
<p>I believe this option is open to all BA candidates applying to USC, no matter what their major. If it is like past years, this is an informational meeting (meaning–they answer your questions but do not evaluate candidates and add reports to your file) with a rep from the general admissions office. You should give them a call to clarify, because things may be different this year. If you are planning to visit USC anyway, and are great in interviews, (most acting folks are!), there’s no reason not to. Some think that opting for this interview will be showing interest, however USC clearly states they do not track interest. </p>
<p>If you sign up for this interview, it shouldn’t have any bearing on your application to the SoT for a BFA. You will schedule an audition for the BFA and meet the head profs at that time. They assume that anyone applying for the BFA as their first choice major isn’t kidding. That’s their first choice. They do explain at the auditions that some students who do not make it into the BFA program but have the right qualifications for USC will be admitted to the BA–and they talk up that program and answer many questions about what is offered and how it differs from the BFA. I’m not too sure the general admissions reps have so much detail on this, but some may.</p>