thalioness

I apologize if this topic has been previously discussed. I tried to use the search bar for similar posts but could not find any. (It wouldn't allow me to search "B.A." - not very useful.) I am a 4th year undergraduate pursuing a B.F.A. in Painting and I am curious about the worth of this degree versus a B.A. in Painting. More specifically, I do intend to apply to graduate school and I would like to know the considerations that grad programs give to these degrees (if any at all), or what readers personally feel is more valuable to an artist in the making. I don't mean to say a B.F.A would not be valuable, but I am looking at it from this angle: With a B.F.A., I am due to spend another 2 1/2 years in school and I work to pay for college in cash. (Very opposed to student loans if I can get buy without them). A B.A. would be about a year a shorter, and $8,000 cheaper. Since I will be graduating in 5 1/2 years regardless, I will have taken all the studio courses a B.F.A. would need to take, including a secondary and everything in between, except that I would not have completed a Thesis or a Directed Studies. I'd have to build a comprohensive portfolio whether I'm in school or not, so I don't quite know if it's worth shelling out thousands of dollars to have it displayed in a student gallery for 3 days. So as a current undergraduate who seeks to eventually apply for graduate school, what difference does a B.A. or B.F.A. make for my future?

I don't have any opinions on either schools, but saw this link and thought I'd share. Lady didn't seem to care for SFAI very much. http://brooklyndays.blogspot.com/2006/01/why-i-do-not-have-mfa.html

Thank you! I appreciate the advice. I agree. I think undergrad is a time to build up skills for a strong painting portfolio, but I don't think I should limit my experimentation with other types of art.

I've been lurking on this site for a long time, and I know all of y'all are pretty busy right now. But if you could spare a few moments for an undergraduate that hopes to one day be a grad student, I have two questions . . . I'm a painting major and have yet to establish a secondary. My professor tells me that printmaking is the way to go, but our school happens to have a glass program. Do schools care about your secondary? If I managed to combine Kiln formed glass with painting, would this make me more competitive for graduate school and potential employment? Glass just seems more interesting to me (and far less accessible) than printmaking. I'd like to take advantage of an institution that offers these kinds of classes. I haven't seen any people on this board that have a background in glass. I know there are MFA programs for glass, but it makes me wonder if there aren't many employment opportunities for those who are interested in that medium. (Not many schools have glass programs.) I love painting, and want to one day teach painting, but glass just seems too interesting to pass up! And what if I find a way of combining and doing something interesting with both? Would I be hindering my future opportunities with a combination of painting and glass? You guys know more of what's "happening" at the moment . . .