As application deadlines loom, I am trying to weigh the costs/benefits of BFA programs versus non-BFA schools that have good acting departments. Don’t get me wrong, I am first and foremost an actor. I love the craft, I am passionate, and I have no doubt about wanting to act beyond college. However, I am thinking that a traditional major in, for example, psychology or english, might be more beneficial depending on the quality of the school’s acting department.
Hypothetically, if I were to be accepted into both Northwestern and Ithaca there would be pros and cons to both. Ithaca has one of the best BFA programs in the country, but it is also small and remote in up-state New York – not my style. On the other hand, Northwestern has a good acting department, but does not offer the same acting rigor as Ithaca. Northwestern is located in Chicago where I could begin to make connections, and I could pursue a degree in Psychology while still acting in acting class/outside of school. This also brings up the question of potential MFA programs down the line, but I’ll worry about that later.
Bottom line – what are some good colleges (non-audition/BFA), that have good acting departments?
Thanks for any input!!