<p>One of the schools that I have heard raves about is Columbia Chicago. I know this is a non-auditioned program, at least to be admitted into, and their acceptance rate is generally high, but I swear I have never heard anything but impressive responses about the school. I have not yet visited, but I plan to very soon. I have done my research though, and they offer many majors and minors in theater arts. With that being said, I saw they had a 20% retention rate. Someoine quoted on College Review website that it is not a difficult program to get into, but staying in the program is tough sometimes. They do not, from my knowledge, have a cut, but they seem to encourage a switch in a major and/or lose several students after freshman year.
One of the things I can rave about is the amount of connections that you seem to gain at Columbia. My friend is a sophmore there, and she cannot shut up about how many performance opportunities are handed out like candy. She is also very impressed with the resume she has gained just by being there for 2 years.
As I said, I am speaking from word of others. I have no one-on-one experience with this school, and only know what I've heard from my friends and website reviews. I did hear that everyone begins in the BA program, and then chooses if they want to pursue the BFA during sophmore year. Correct me if I'm wrong!
I am really impressed with this college, not only because of the high remarks I personally have heard about their theater programs, but how they generally give the vast majority of people the opportunity to go after their dreams. I am fine with audition-schools. It's a realistic system. As an actor, you audition. It's the way it usually is, and it is a VERY bitter-sweet lifestyle choice. Also though, 17-18-19 year old freshman need a sense of "the real world," but many schools don't even allow talented students to have the opportunity to pursue this. They are simply in search of "the best." Oh well, that's life, but in my opinion, "the best" is different in everyone's eyes. Most schools can't accept everyone, but that limits many people. Columbia doesn't accept EVERYONE, but they also dig deeper than a one-time audition. Audition programs are realistic, but it's a lot to put on a freshman. Many school only accept 10-15% of applicants, which is tough.
Anyway, I'd like to hear what other have to say about Columbia. Any additional information would be marvellous. I'm currently a junior, and I've been performing for 10 years now, and I'm completely sure that I want my BFA in Acting. </p>
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<li>Thanks :)</li>
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