<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>This is my first post on CC. I am an incoming high school senior with a strong affinity towards an acting major. Eventually I plan on getting into film, as I have taken classes and auditioned multiple times at Mike Lemon Casting in Philadelphia. I have also done an independent film with some film student friends of mine (currently attending Syracuse, Emerson, UArts, and Temple) and enjoy acting for the camera more than anything else. </p>
<p>Some quick background for those of you who can hopefully lend me some advice/reccommendations. I am an honors/AP high school student with a fairly high GPA. My total SAT score was a 2000 (1310 core score, 12/12 on my essay), and I have a moderately long resume of leads in high school shows, as well as classes at reputable theaters and performing arts facilities. I am looking for BFA acting/drama program that accomplishes the following criteria: </p>
<p>First, that it is a BFA, though a flexible one that would allow me to minor in other areas of interest (poly sci, poly comm, general communications, public relations, marketing, business) to at least some extent. If it is a BFA program of national acclaim that may not support the latter options, like Juilliard, then I am still interested in it. </p>
<p>The next thing I’m looking for is strong integration between the acting and film departments. It is my hope to be around up and coming film students who are looking for actors in their student films. Also, integration between the communications department is a plus. Modern facilities are highly preferable.</p>
<p>I am not interested in schools that discourage acting in front of the camera (like the Hartt school in Hartford). The school of my preference (and most have this) should have study abroad programs either in London, NYC, or LA, and should present their students to casting agents by the end of their senior year through showcases. </p>
<p>I don’t totally object to schools that offer only a BA.</p>
<p>Location isn’t totally crucial for me; as long as the area is generally performance conducive, I am fine with it. I would prefer NYC, Boston, and L.A.</p>
<p>I have visited the following schools so far, and I will list them in the order that I rank them (in terms of fitting my needs):</p>
<li>Syracuse</li>
<li>Emerson</li>
<li>Carnegie-Mellon</li>
<li>Boston U</li>
<li>Hartt (not considering at this point)</li>
</ol>
<p>I’m sure some of you might be surprised to see CMU so low on the list, but they don’t offer study abroad in London, don’t let you perform until junior year, and make you dedicate your entire sophomore year to theater history, which I find trivial in an acting industry that demands fresh and cutting edge actors. This is not to say that it would not be an interesting program, but I don’t think it is for me. They also lack a film department.</p>
<p>I will be visiting NYU within the upcoming month.
I am also interested in UCLA and Northwestern, but am unable to actually visit the schools.</p>
<p>Based on everything you’ve read, here are my main questions…</p>
<p>What can anyone tell me about the following schools - i.e. am I looking in the right direction? I’ve been reading about these on the CC forums…</p>
<p>SUNY Purchase
Rutgers Mason-Gross
U of Evansville
Ithaca
Juilliard
Cornell
U of Michigan
U of Conn</p>
<p>maybe Yale? USC?</p>
<p>I’m wondering about my odds at getting into some of these schools, specifically the last two mentioned. </p>
<p>I really want to narrow the list down, save money on the audition process (for my parents’ sake), and start the application process to some of these schools!</p>
<p>Thanks for any/all feedback! I’ve been really stressed out about looking at the right schools - I don’t want to miss any!</p>