BFA Acting Programs in NYC

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

<p>Hey guys! </p>

<p>I'm getting ready to enter my senior year of high school and I need to start applying/auditioning for collages soon. </p>

<p>I want to go to collage in NYC (Although, I am looking into ohter places) and I want a BFA in acting. </p>

<p>The main school I've been really looking into that seems amazing is Marymount Manhattan. I've looked at a few 2 year programs like AADA, Circle in the Square..ETC. however, I think the route for me is a BFA. </p>

<p>My question is what are some other schools that offer a BFA in acting that I can look into in NYC? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Check out Pace University and NYU.</p>

3

<p>Also two great programs that aren’t directly in the city but close enough for an easy commute about 30-40 mins are Rutgers University and Suny Purchase.</p>

4

<p>Even closer would be Montclair State University in NJ, about a 20-minute train ride.</p>

5

<p>BroadwayDiva, </p>

<p>You can get a lot of information here on this forum as well as the one for MT. I will caution you, though, that location should not be your primary factor for determining where to apply. Admission for BFA programs is very selective so it’s wise to cast your net far and wide, so to speak, when applying. There are many excellent BFA programs around the country, so, being in NYC, although it has its benefits, is not necessary for the college years. Most kids seem to audition for 8-10 schools these days. If you compile a well-rounded and realistic list, where you also have a couple of academic safeties that are non-audition, you should have some success.</p>

<p>Have you done any college visits yet? What schools, other than Marymount Manhattan are on your list? Have you looked at the curriculum at each? Investigated what method/methods are employed there? Faculty bios? Talked with current/past students? Explored info on working alumni? Is a showcase important to you? Have you compared your academic stats to the accepted student profile at each? Financial aid information? </p>

<p>These are all items which an applicant should familiarize themselves with, prior to applying, and which are likely to influence what schools end up on your final list. Although location can be a consideration, at some point, in your research, in my opinion, it should be low on the list of considerations. My advice would be to read, read, read here on CC, as well as on the websites of the schools which interest you. You don’t say in your post what other schools you’ve looked at other than the two year programs, but I’m guessing you’ve looked at some and have ruled them out? Many/most kids who will be auditioning this year have their lists compiled, many visits finished, have started on their application process, and are working on audition material. You’ve got your work cut out for you if you’re just beginning the process now but, with a concerted effort, you should be able to get yourself prepared.</p>

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<p>SUNY Purchase is a great program that is about a twenty minute train ride from GrandCentral Station in the heart of New York City.</p>

7

<p>I really really really wish that I would have started sooner on all this collage stuff. I can’t beat myself up though, I just have to work really hard now.</p>

<p>I’m picking out monolouges and looking up auditions dates and seeing what is required at audtions and what the school requires…ETC.</p>

<p>I spent at summer at BU doing their summer theatre insitute and that is my top choice out of NYC. I’m from Florida so my “safty” schools are FSU and University of West Florida. Marymount Manhattan is my top choice as of right now. I think I’ve ruled out NYU (Although I’m still going to audition). As of right now the schools I’m 100% for sure auditioning for are Marymount, BU, Pace, NYU, SUNY Purchase, AADA, and FSU. I’m still looking to add more to my list, though.</p>

<p>Do you have any other advice for me? (other than what you’ve already posted)</p>

8

<p>Please be aware that any school that requires an audition cannot be considered a “safety” school. A true safety school is one which doesn’t have an audition requirement, and which you qualify for academically. It’s important to have at least one of these on your list – and it should be a school that you would be happy to attend, not just one that is a last resort if all else fails.</p>

9

<p>If you like FSU, and it can be considered an academic safety for you… Your HS counselor should be able to help you with that information… You should find out if it is possible to attend FSU as a BA Theatre student if you are not accepted to the BFA. If it is possible you should also find out if BA students can take some of the same classes as BFA students, audition for shows, etc… In Florida you may also want to look at UCF. They have a strong BFA program. It is by audition, so could not be considered a safety, unless you ask the same questions as FSU in terms of BA student opportunities, and you HS counselor about whether it is an academic safety.</p>

10

<p>My daughter is in the BFA Acting program at Brooklyn College - well I dropped her off on Thursday :)</p>

<p>She is in the Macaulay Honors College of CUNY which also gives her free tuition.</p>

11

<p>BroadwayDiva, I’m in the same situation just with different school. My choices, because i have no money, are mostly in Florida-and then some. My choices are New World School of the Arts, U of Miami theatre arts, AMDA (in LA), Mason Gross (under Rutgers University, in NJ), Rollins (saftey school), UArts (in Philly, idk about auditoning but it is a choice), and UNCSA. I have others floating in my head, but we’ll see. NYCseems a bit too hard to get in so I rarely even think aboutit. Plus I have get my grades up this year (im asenior as well) then i’ll be more confident lol</p>

12

<p>FSU does have a BA Theatre. It is a more general theatre degree and not performance based. It is by "application " not audition. I do not think it is terribly competitive to get in if it is really the program for you. When my daughter inquired about the degree she was talked out of applying (by the FSU administrator) since she really only wants a performance based BFA which this definitely is not. I think it was very fair of them to be honest with her. If you are in a BA program where there is a BFA offered you will not be in the same classes and take the same curriculum as the BFA students. I know FSU’s BFA musical theatre is incredibly competitive with a class size of 8-12, I don’t know about the BFA acting.
Javon…I noticed you mentioned Florida schools due to your financial situation. Remember UofMiami is a private school and very pricey. NWSA on the other hand is attached to a Miami-Dade community college and a totally different experience. What about UCFof Uof Florida? Good luck in your search!</p>

13

<p>I second onstage’s recommendation of Montclair State, which is located in New Jersey quite near NYC (one of its buildings has a great view of the Manhattan skyline). It has a very well-regarded BFA program (as well as BA and MT programs) and reasonable tuition. </p>

<p>A Purchase student whom we met when my son was auditioning there said he wished he had known about Montclair when he was auditioning for college programs. He did get into Purchase off the waiting list, but he was not accepted at a number of the other schools he auditioned for. When he learned more about Montclair, he said he would have been very happy to go there if Purchase had not come through.</p>

<p>Broadway Diva, if you really think you have ruled out NYU, perhaps you should cross it off your audition list. The expense (audition fees of over $50 at many colleges in addition to the application fee), the time, and the stress of auditions is quite considerable. I’d advise you to audition only for programs you’d really like to attend.</p>

14

<p>I looked at Brooklyn but housing was not offered although I heard they have an excellent program. My J will be 18 and I don’t think living alone in an apt. is the way for him to go first time out the box. I’d feel more comfortabe with on campus housing the first year.</p>

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<p>[YourNabe.com</a> > Archives > Brooklyn > BC dorm could open this coming spring](<a href=“http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2009/09/28/brooklyn/brooklynnhtffjw09282009.txt]YourNabe.com”>http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2009/09/28/brooklyn/brooklynnhtffjw09282009.txt)</p>

<p>Monday, September 28, 2009 12:25 PM EDT

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