<p>I've recently been accepted into AMDA, and have plans to begin attending in October of 2011 at the LA Campus for a 4 year bachelor's degree in fine arts, the focus (either acting, musical theatre, or performing arts) hasn't been completely decided yet. I've heard before about it's certain, "reputation", and upon being reminded of it, I decided to see what the internet can tell me. Now, I've been up all night going to site after site, reading post after post about AMDA, often referred to as SCAMDA by those with negative reviews.</p>
<p>I feel a lot more informed, and here's a short summary of what I've learned putting in as many of the key details as I can.</p>
<p>1.) AMDA has its pros and its cons. And while the pros are indeed good, the cons, so I've read, are some pretty heavy duty ones. This includes the ridiculous cost, the bad reputation, bad housing situations, teachers that only teach because they are out of work, etc. (On a side note, the teacher issue is also seen as a pro, as they are working professionals that can teach how the business is today.)</p>
<p>2.) Most, nearly all in fact, of this information however, has been based on the NY campus. Including the housing situations. On the same note, it's all been about the conservatory programs, and most of it Musical Theatre based.</p>
<p>3.) Nearly all of this information is potentially outdated, to certain degrees. I've read less than 10 posts within the past year and a half, a good number between 2-5 years ago, and a number of others 5+ years old. I'm not sure what's changed, how much of what I've learned still applies, and just what to believe. Because, believe me, to say the reviews have been mixed is an understatement. </p>
<p>4.) A very common solution and highly logical conclusion to previous conversations has been stated as, "You get out of it what you put into it." </p>
<p>While that's a good way to summarize this scenario tons of people have faced, I'd still feel more comfortable hearing the recent and professional thoughts of anyone who thinks they have any advice or knowledge to share on the matter. Have there been any major changes in the past few years that may influence a person's decision? Is the LA campus and the bachelor's degrees it offers, as well as the conservatory programs, a bit more promising than some of the more negative reviews I've read on the NY campus as of 2008-2009 and earlier? And while many people feel good about the education and training they received, many of those satisfied people still say that the huge cost still isn't worth it. When honestly, I'm not exactly even sure of any other reputable performing arts institutions, conservatories, or colleges in or close to LA that could provide the same kind of experience AMDA could with getting myself into the city and my foot in the door. I'm not even sure where I'm going with this thread anymore. Just.. any thoughts out there? Information you think I should know? Advice, hopefully something more helpful than just, "Don't go"? I honestly just can not see myself doing anything other than acting and performing arts, so the idea of walking into something that may potentially kill my chances at a career doing that really scares me.</p>
<p>Thanks,
Newguy120</p>
Some complain that teachers can’t work professionally so they teach at AMDA…others complain that teachers are working so they leave to be in shows and there is no consistency. MAKE UP YOUR MIND ALREADY!!! My D had some VERY dedicated teachers from whom she learned an immense amount and some who drove her crazy and she learned less. Come to think about it there were those who drove her crazy but she still learned a lot! She did have a time or two when she had a teacher (dance) leave for a while to choreograph a show, but his replacement was a woman who picked up right where he had left off (they had teamed together before) and when he returned they had not missed a beat. </p>