<p>I find it interesting that there are so few references to British schools which are also top class in their training. They offer a BA Hons and are three year programs which tend to save one money.
My D is applying to the following:
In the USA - Juilliard, SUNY Purchase, UCLA, AMDA, USC
In the UK - RADA, LAMDA, RSAMD, Guildhall</p>
<p>All the UK schools come to the US to audition and typically admit 2-3 from the USA every year. They are as competitive as the top US BFA schools.</p>
<p>Would any one care to comment on why so few Americans try for admission to the UK schools?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Ian</p>
<p>I had thought about auditioning for schools in the UK last year, and I ended up opting not to. Although they do accept Americans, it is EXTREMELY rare that they accept them from right out of high school for full time undergraduate programs (from what I have been told about RADA and LAMDA at least)...Americans accepted are usually older or with established professional experience. Also, the cost of attending is high and Americans usually can't get scholarships or aid. If the cost isn't an issue, it's probably worth a try though...you never know.</p>
<p>I must admit that I have never heard any stats as to American acceptance at RADA and LAMDA. Is the 'EXTREMELY rare' observation hearsay or based on some numbers that you have? When one translates the pound sterling cost to US dollars it does not seem too much out of line witht hecosts in the US.</p>
<p>There is one CC member whose son attends RSAMD and there has been quite a bit of info and chat about that school including the number of Americans and their backgrounds discussed. I think it's over at the MT threads.</p>
<p>It's true that even though the dollar is weak the tuition ends up about the same since it is 3 years vs. 4 years in the US. However, we did the cost analysis and once travel was factored in it was considerably higher.</p>
<p>We actually toured RADA and RSAMD last summer with the expectation that DD would audition for them and have decided that it would be best to save them for post graduate study for mostly personal reasons.</p>
<p>I think there are probably a couple of reasons why there isn't much discussion here about schools in the UK. The cost can be significantly higher if you are depending on not having to fund the entire amount of your child's college education. The other issue that deters many is the fact that the student is so far removed from the U.S. theatre scene for the college years. The inability to be available to audition for summer work in the U.S. is a concern for some. Probably the biggest obstacle is what happens after graduation. The theatre business is so largely dependent on establishing relationships, connections, and contacts, and that is difficult to do from overseas, if you plan on working in the U.S. Staying to work in the UK after college is pretty near impossible so that shouldn't really be looked at as a viable option. The opportunity to study abroad for a semester or a summer or even for a year is the choice of the vast majority of students who want to include this type of experience in their college training.</p>
<p>I agree with what alwaysmom said on this one. The inability to network in the US while studying, combined with the inability to work in the UK post-grad, would be a significant issue. </p>
<p>In addition, if a student knows they will not get US gov't financial aid, then going to uni in the UK (or in Canada) can work out, financially. But if they think they will get some aid via the FAFSA, then staying in the US can make far more financial sense.</p>
<p>Because they'll learn to talk funny.</p>