<p>I'm making a list of colleges to apply to in the fall and need some help.</p>
<p>I love acting and definitely want to major in it - specifically a BFA programme rather than a BA as I hope to have a career in acting and feel that the intensity will help me to better prepare for the future. Also BA programmes are usually less competitive to get into and are looked down upon by casting directors who favour the BFA. However I am also academically talented and consistently achieve the highest grades and actually like to study. So I'm searching for a university that's highly ranked both academically and is also renowned for its acting programme. </p>
<p>I have looked at conservatory-style programmes, for example Carnegie Mellon and SUNY Purchase, but neither leave enough time for general studies and I would like to take a minor in a different field such as business studies, creative writing or philosophy along with my BFA in acting as I am also interested in these areas. </p>
<p>If possible I would like the programme to include some form of screen acting as my true passion is acting for the camera as supposed to theatre. </p>
<p>So far the only university I can seem to find that fits all of my criteria is NYU Tisch - which is my first choice as it is located in New York City (my favourite place in all of America). I've heard that the programme is extremely selective so I need to apply to several other universities in addition. </p>
<p>I would prefer to study in New York but am willing to look at different states providing the university is a good fit - although there are some places that I would not choose to study in such as Texas, Ohio, California and Los Angeles (personal preference - I don't mean to offend anybody!). </p>
<p>Before anyone suggests Boston University, it does not offer financial aid to international students and, although I am originally from the US, I am now a British Citizen. My family are not extremely wealthy but we can afford $40,000 a year without difficulty (including housing etc.). But I am still going to apply for more expensive universities that do offer financial aid, so please suggest any universities that sound good for me and not just ones that are within my budget.</p>
<p>If screen acting is what you want, it doesn’t really matter all that much where you go to school as long as you develop solid basic acting skills. Any reputable BFA or performance oriented BA will generally do unless you’re someone who has the potential to show a lot of range on-camera (most can’t) in which case you’d have a better shot at developing it at a conservatory which you’ve said you don’t want. An LA or New York showcase can definitely be a boost when you get out, but there are no guarantees with that. At least a couple of faculty members who have some practical, recent, real world experience in that arena is a plus as well. Another plus would be if it shares a campus with a decent film school or is located in a city with an active independent film scene. The fact is, even the top conservatories do a pretty sorry job preparing students for the realities of what we actually do on-set and what we have to do to get there in the first place. That usually takes some additional training in the studios no matter where in the US you go. </p>
<p>It seems like the new BFA program they’re staring at UT Austin has some potential since Austin has one of the more active indie scenes around. You could possibly get some solid experience there and emerge with a good starter reel and clip collection. Also maybe look into schools around Seattle, New Orleans and Albuquerque. There are also apparently BFAs specifically focused on screen acting at Pace and Chapman. They’re new and to this point unproven, but might be worth a look. If you can afford to go to Tisch without crushing your future with debt, you can probably afford them, too. Of course, there are always the famous expensive LA schools, too, like USC and UCLA who have fairly strong liberal arts components.</p>
<p>“we can afford $40,000 a year without difficulty (including housing etc.)”</p>
<p>Most American universities that offer acting (private, and even state schools, for out-of-state students) will run you 40K+ a year. NYU’s costs are nearly 70K. You may be able to get a talent scholarship to alleviate some of the costs, but it could be unrealistic to assume you can to to NYU for less than $40k a year. </p>
<p>As a side note, American families often cannot afford to pay these tuitions out of pocket, or from savings, and generally end up taking loans.</p>
<p>I have looked at Pace and the programme sounds perfect and just what I’m looking for - but there are mixed reviews as to how good the school is in general. How highly regarded is it in your opinion?</p>
<p>In general, it’s a very easy academic admit. People may disagree to some extent but I’d be very surprised if anyone would go so far as to call PACE “highly-regarded” academically.</p>
<p>Pace is getting more difficult to get into because it is located in NYC and many people are applying to just NYC schools academically. I’d say if you have mostly A’s and some B’s you’ll get in with a pretty good scholarship. If you have mostly B’s and a few A’s/C’s you’ll get in especially if you’re not applying for Financial Aid. Just try to keep your grades up, it’s getting difficult to get into all colleges these days, not only the “highly-regarded” ones.</p>
<p>Academically Pace is an okay school, NYU by far is the best academic schools with BFA in NYC. You might want to check out Marymount too, academically it’s not on NYU’s level, it’s more on Pace’s level. Marymount is a small school on the UWS.</p>
<p>When you are looking at BFA programs, you are looking a small part of the school. Remember, the number of kids accepted into these programs is very low, the the admission rate is much different. I can assure you, 85% of the kids who audition for Pace do not get accepted.</p>
<p>She knows. The conversation had turned to academics and where Pace stood in that regard. Interesting point about those being rejected from the BFA attending the school anyway and then being disgruntled. I bet that does happen a bunch.</p>
<p>I know the pace BFA acting program consisted of 27. The director of the program told my daughter that they were only calling the 27 people they were admitting first. Then they would get in touch with others if they need to. So the program is selective and in no way accepts 85%. Maybe the BA programs in theater arts accept a lot more.</p>
<p>I know I used Pace, but really, this goes for any BFA program, their acceptance rates are low and most programs accept between 20 and 30 kids, may accept 10-15, the numbers are insane.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure the 85-percent is for the school as a whole. Academically it is not selective. Anecdotally, I know someone with a 3.2 who got an honors scholarship so that says a lot about stats. The BFA and all the new BFA’s they talk about are very selective but probably not academically challenging. This thread if I remember started with someone wanting a BFA and well-respected academics. Pace is not that combo IMHO.</p>
<p>Yeah, probably most. But there a handful that make more sense for someone who wants the combination. It’s very annoying to be a high-achieving high school student and then find out that no-one cares if you plan to study theater.</p>
<p>Act…18, check photomom’s post she said 85 % of the Performing Arts applicants do NOT get accepted. Considering that about 2000 audition and each of the programs have from 18- to something like 25 or so students in each program. I’m not sure precisely since its possible some of the programs may have more than 1 section. I think Photomom’s pretty accurate. Pace does not appear to have a reputation for high academic selectivity but acceptance in the Performing Arts programs is very selective. </p>
<p>Z… where did you hear that international students don’t get aid from BU? Have you looked into merit scholarships? TalentScholarships? I’m not sure of this answer but you should google “merit scholarships” “talent Scholarships” and BU School of Theatre. Bu has fabulous opportunities for acting for film since Bu’s film program is fabulous as is Ithacas. Others may know better how this pans out for students in the acting program in relationship to those particular schools, so a question on those school’s threads could be helpful.</p>
<p>I believe you should look at colleges in the US which have strong film directing and producing programs in addition to strong theatre programs. These are sometimes located in Schools of Communications. There will be more opportunties to be involved with on camera acting if this is going on at the school. Also, check the curricula of the theatre programs for how many on camera courses are offered for either the BA, BFA, and the various acting programs offered. I’d also search on this forum for threads on scholarships, financial aid, talent scholarships for international students.</p>