<p>So hai thar! I'm Sam, and I graduate in 2013. I have always done theatre, and want to always do theatre. I can't see myself doing anything else (except maybe teach theatre, of course X3). So I am auditioning to the following schools, in order of preference:</p>
<p>University North Carolina School of the Arts
SUNY Purchase
Shenandoah Conservatory
Oklahoma City University
Coastal Carolina University
AMDA</p>
<p>I also have several backup schools I know I could get into:</p>
<p>Belmont University
Milligan College
University of Tennessee
University of South Carolina
East Tennessee State University</p>
<p>I know of the big name schools, and am actually NOT particularly interested in Tisch, Boston Con, Pace, Julliard, Carn Mel, AADA, UCLA, et al. They are too expensive and not the right style or fit for me.</p>
<p>I live in East Tennessee, right on the border of NC and Virginia. I am looking for a highly intensive BFA in Theatre or Acting or MT. I prefer highly involved conservatory-style programs, because I learn better in the studio and on stage than I do in the classroom. I am by no means well off. I am also aware of the fact that looks can matter in schools such as these. I am not incredibly attractive, I have a handsome face, but am little (not alot) overweight. I was wondering, what are some other schools that do not charge too much (under 25,000), and are not known for only accepting sexy, unnaturally attractive people? (Also, name doesn't matter to me. It is the skills you learn and the career opportunities you make in college, not the college's name, that really make you great in theatre. As long as the program is great, I don't care if it's well known or not.)</p>
<p>University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, is out of your price range, but they do offer some talent scholarships (my son received one), that would bring them closer. Our financial burden is no greater than it would be at a state university other than our own. They have both Musical Theater and Acting BFAs available, and seem to draw a very diverse student body. They are somewhat less selective than, say, UNCSA or Purchase, and offer a lot of opportunities within the Philadelphia arts community (including annual productions at the historic Merriam Theatre).</p>
<p>Good luck! It sounds like you’ve done a lot of good thinking and planning.</p>
<p>It would help us if you gave an indication of your academic stats, so we can anticipate what you might get in financial aid. There are a number of schools that are less than the $50-60K of a CMU or NYU, but not as low as $25K - although they could offer you some merit or talent scholarships. </p>
<p>My D attends Adelphi University, which is one of the “slightly less” selective auditioned BFAs. The cost of attendance (COA) at Adelphi - including room and board - is about $38K, but they are very generous with scholarships, particularly if you have higher than a 3.3 and test scores over 25 (ACT) and 1800 (SAT).</p>
<p>You might want to look at some non-auditioned BFAs, particularly at public schools. University of Rhode Island is a good option for that, and it’s not that difficult to get into academically. Out of state COA is about the same as Adelphi; my D was offered scholarships that brought it down to about your price range (schools like that tend to court out of state students to build diversity).</p>
<p>Here is a thread that lists non-audition BFAs, if that is helpful:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1177128-non-audiiton-bfas.html?highlight=non+audiiton+bfa[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1177128-non-audiiton-bfas.html?highlight=non+audiiton+bfa</a></p>
<p>Thanks, Emmy and stagemum! 
I’m right at about a 3.3 but have a 28 on the ACT. Nothing fabulous, but decent. I’m really wanting more of a conservatory-type deal, but in a college/university. It’s not that I don’t have a chance for selective audition schools, it’s just that if you were to take a look at me, you’d say “nothing special”, attractiveness-wise. I’m just wondering about schools that look more at talent than the attractiveness of the actor. I know schools like UNCSA tend to try to pick out everyone so that they contrast: none of their 28 or so students look anything like each other. Things like that are good for people who really are passionate and have alot of talent, but don’t have those movie-star six packs/double d’s.</p>
<p>There’s a thread somewhere on this Forum about “looks” when it comes to auditions. I don’t think you should worry about it too much - first, you can’t do anything about it, and second, the consensus was that virtually all schools want lots of types and don’t discriminate about weight, height, etc.</p>
<p>Depending on how many schools you can apply to, you might want to think about a few of the schools that are mentioned here a lot - Adelphi, Hartt (University of Hartford), UArts, and others. They are moderately selective academically, and offer good scholarships to students with your stats. They have slightly better audition selectivity than UNCSA, Purchase (15-20% as opposed to 10% or less). Many of them also accept video auditions, which could ease your burden next year.</p>
<p>It never hurts to have super-reaches along with reaches and likelies on your list. Just give it your best and see what happens!</p>
<p>AndImJavert - Coastal Carolina definitely has actors of ALL types in their program! They certainly offer talent scholarships, but if you can get your GPA up to a 3.5 you would be eligible for the Provost’s Scholarship, which is $6,500 a year for out of state students.
</p>
<p>Don’t worry about looks. If you give an incredible enough audition, the auditors will admit you no matter what you look like.</p>
<p>All you say is that you are “a little overweight”. Theatre professionals all know that this can be corrected with the right costume and lighting.</p>
<p>If you are more than “a little overweight”, like me, that’s not a problem either, because there are plenty of “character” roles for men. I just have to be aware that I am Richard III, not Hamlet.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I just wanted to add a few more colleges that may work for you.</p>
<p>Catawba and Elon in NC</p>
<p>JMU in Va </p>
<p>Muhlenburg in Pa</p>
<p>And if you are thinking Belmont in TN…also check out Lipscomb. It is right down the road and has a great program!! </p>
<p>Alot of these schools give great scholarships so don’t let the sticker price scare you! </p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>