An acrylic composition, or star acrylic polymer, includes the reaction product of an initiator, a first compound, and a highly-branched, polyfunctional core molecule. The initiator has a radical-forming portion and a functional group. The first compound, which includes a vinyl functional group, is reactive with the initiator to form a functionalized intermediate. The core molecule is reactive with the functionalized intermediate to form the acrylic composition. A method of forming the acrylic composition via free-radical polymerization includes the steps of reacting the initiator and the first compound to form the functionalized intermediate, and reacting the core molecule with the functionalized intermediate to form the acrylic composition.