I live in CA. I applied to 10+ Musical Theater schools. I was accepted into NYU Tisch - my DREAM school, but I can’t afford it, even with the financial aid they gave me :"( I was also accepted into Rider University, in NJ into the MT program, alot less $ than NYU but still a good amount of $ and I really struggle with going into debt with knowing that my career of choice is extremely competitive and has a very high UN-employment rate. My hearts desire/passion is to be on Broadway and live in NY. University of California of Irvine accepted me into the Drama Department and I would have to audition to get into the MT program - which is the same for Cal State Fullerton. Both of those schools are more affordable. Any thoughts, recent personal experiences with UCI or Cal State Fullerton MT programs ?
I would not go into debt to attend Rider, especially going into such a difficult to break into field.
you should post this in the Musical Theater forum – under the college majors.
Go to a Cali school. I don’t see the point of you draining all of your money for undergrad when you could use your saved money to move to NYC after graduation. (Good luck though, rent is the highest it’s ever been, but I still love my city).
Moving to MT forum
Teal Wicks Elphaba on Broadway and currently in Neverland went to UCI… 
I know of 3 working actresses in NYC I’m friends with who are very talented and very successful that went to UCI.
SO MANY people on Broadway went to UC Irvine (some in the MFA program, some BFA)–Beth Malone who is in Fun Home, Jenn Collella, who was in If/Then and other shows, the guy taking over for the lead in Kinky Boots right now, someone in Beautiful. I could go on and on! Also, don’t sweat studying in the drama dept. if you don’t get into the MT program. Lots of people on Broadway went to acting-only schools and are in musicals. Also, with the money you save by going in-state, if you need to supplement with voice or dance lessons, you could do that!
The only thing to be aware with UCI is that the MFA students audition and are often the ones cast in the university’s shows. You are all in the same audition pool. So stage time might be limited. This does not mean it’s a bad thing, just something to be aware of.
@AngeloT New York is not going anywhere and it is the training you get hat is most important. Congrats on being accepted to so many great schools, your home state schools are excellent options! No debt after college will allow you transition more easily to a NY home base if that is what you want. Save while in school in CA, learn and train and then come to NY to continue your training and audition after that. Your gut is leading you the right way, listen and trust your own voice.
There are thousands of kids who are studying/have studied at programs that are no where near NYC. Do what works of you and your family’s circumstances. Acquiring a huge debt would be much more of a roadblock to future success when compared to the “handicap” of not studying on the east coast.
In the near past, Cal Fullerton has had a pretty sweeping cut program after a couple of years in MT. That might be something to investigate, as it has never made sense to me why you would want to go to a school where there is a chance you might not be able to finish there. It has been different than how most school juries are conducted, but I’m currently a bit out of the loop . . .perhaps someone else is more familiar as to if that still exists.
Fullerton does still have the aggressive cut program, according to their web page. 75% of the people admitted to the program won’t make it into the junior year.
Take a look at CSU Chico. It’s a fairly new program, so not a lot of connections yet, but I was impressed with their facilities, they’re a really nice bunch of people, and as a CSU it’s the same cost as Fullerton.
I would stay away from Fullerton due to their cuts- but UCI is a great option!
The other thing about CSUF is that we were told by the head of the department that it is rare to graduate in 4 years. The classes are so impacted that you will very likely spend more time and money graduating.
We know a girl at UCI currently studying in NYC with the BFA MT program cohort. I think it’s a great program!
Thank you - I wasn’t feeling a strong connection there.
Ok, new to this site - I did post it there after this post - but it was pulled - apparently you are limited to how many posts you can have related to the same topic.
I agree - thanks!
Very true - thanks! ;.)