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bfa vs. ba??

sequin pillow
Swing
joined:3/29/18
Swing
joined:
3/29/18
bfa vs. ba??#1
Posted: 5/24/18 at 1:57pm

I just graduated high school, and I have been accepted to a few different colleges. I need some advice.

I would love to do theatre as a career one day. I have been accepted into St. Mary's College of MD, and Sweet Briar College. I am waiting to hear back from Shenandoah University but I think I might get in. My grades are really good. (I never auditioned for Shenandoah University because I applied kinda late, so if I end up going there, I'll probably go as an undecided major and audition for the Musical Theatre B.F.A program for Fall 2019.)

So anyway, do you think BFA or BA really matters? I don't know what choice to make. I might just end up going to a local community college for a year. Does my decision of going for a BFA or BA change how far I can advance in my career?

MarioSonic24601
Swing
joined:11/13/17
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joined:
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bfa vs. ba??#2
Posted: 6/3/18 at 11:16pm

This is what I've learned from my personal experience (I am a college student myself and in no ways a professional):

BA vs. BFA, there's really no difference for which one you receive in terms of career success. The only difference is that BFA is more intense and involves stricter training, while the BA is more flexible when it comes to training options.

But that's all I know. Again, I'm no professional. But I hope this helps.

Sage5
Swing
joined:7/22/18
Swing
joined:
7/22/18
bfa vs. ba??#3
Posted: 7/22/18 at 5:59pm

i was never interested in going that route but in hs i had a friend who was and based on her experience the bfa is harder to get into than the ba and therefore the bfa would look better on a resume & sound more prestigious than a ba

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John Adams
Broadway Legend
joined:4/1/13
Broadway Legend
joined:
4/1/13
bfa vs. ba??#4
Posted: 7/25/18 at 2:36am

My opinion:

The degree you earn isn't as impressive as the school you attended, and who you studied with. I say that because both are examples of networking. Both are tangible connections that can trigger specific familiarity. In other words, "it's not what you know, but who you know".

Ultimately, your talent will be what gets you hired. I have a B.A. in Elementary Education, but I worked my way through college doing summer stock and theme park shows. My degree didn't open up any audition slots for me (none, in fact), but I did work with some really fine actors, directors and musical directors who opened other doors for me. Also, having their names on my resume opened up conversations during auditions.