<p>Hi, everybody! I need some help choosing a good acting program. I know it's ultimately up to me, but I'm indecisive when it comes to schools. I need the opinions of people who have visited the schools, current students, former students, guidance counselors, etc. So...the schools I will DEFINITELY apply to are:
SUNY-Purchase
Marymount Manhattan
NYCDA</p>
<p>Does anyone know of any others in NY? I definitely want to go to school in NY, so if anyone has any opinions/knowledge, PLEASE let me know! Thanks!</p>
<p>Welcome! You will find tons of info here - you will need to use the Search function! Call up threads about the schools you are interested in. Go to the schools’ websites and read them thoroughly. By then, you will have more specific questions that people can try to answer.</p>
<p>@Marbleheader - Thanks! I looked at some of the threads…and it increased my indecisiveness I need to find an acting program with good financial aid. I could probably pay $10,000 out-of-pocket, but my parents can’t give any aid. Our EFC is kind of skewed since it doesn’t take into account past unemployment/debt acquired because of it.</p>
<p>I’m kind of leaning towards SUNY-Purchase, but I’ve heard that it’s highly competitive. Any info on SUNY-Purchase Financial Aid? Thanks, all!</p>
<p>If you are saying that you cannot qualify for Need based aid due to your families EFC then what you want to do is google around for the term “Merit Aid” or “merit scholarship” and the name of the school you are interested in and see what kind of merit aid there is available in each program. You also want to find out if the schools will accept you as a Freshman or a Sophomore. All of the schools allow you to explain your situation as to why you should be evaluated for more Merit or Need based aid and sometimes they offer more. You should probably check around on the financial aid forums here to get an idea of what kind of criteria are helpful. If your parents aren’t paying towards your college, then you may be in a different category. I would imagine if you spend a few hours in the financial aid forum you may get some answers or some direction. The Financial Aid counselors in colleges may be your best guide towards approaching this, it may be a good idea to give a few colleges a call and explain your situation.</p>
<p>Purchase is indeed difficult to get into as is NYU but you are in a different category because of your Comm College so if you distinguish yourself with a killer audition you never know what your options may be but the critical thing is to have an awesome audition and to start preparing for that now.</p>
<p>NYCDA is not an inexpensive option except that attending for 2 years is obviously less than a 4 year program. I do not believe they are generous for financial aid but they can tell you that if you call them. </p>
<p>We can help you more in your quest to find a “good acting program” if you told us a little more about what you are looking for in a program? Are you interested in the classics, contemporary, film, are you a playwright, do you dance and or sing, do you want to direct, produce, do tech work? Do you have any idea of what you want to study? Are you interested in academics in addition to studying acting?</p>
<p>Marymount Manhattan gives decent scholarships for academics and talent awards for BA and BFA Theatre programs. The academic scholarships ($8000 a year) are guaranteed all four years if you meet the initial criteria and then keep your grades up once you’re there. The talent awards are not guaranteed to all entering students, but some receive them. ($1000 to $4000 a year). There is some merit aid you can get beyond that if you qualify financially and you can ask for more if you don’t feel like your EFC adequately reflects your situation. They might not award more, but they’ve been known to. Their total cost is around $45,000 per year. </p>
<p>Marymount and SUNY Purchase, like most BFA or auditioned BA Theatre programs are not easy to get into and they only pick a few students (25 or so) for their program each year out of several hundred auditions. You will need to choose carefully the schools that you can find out offer good merit and financial aid, but keep in mind that it is no guarantee that you will get in, even if you have good grades. The audition is the key. </p>
<p>Pace University is also in NYC as is The New School and Fordham and all have strong theatre programs, also auditioned. I’m sorry, I am not familiar with their Financial Aid processes and levels of merit awards, etc. But someone on here will know and you can always search the school threads out on here too.</p>
<p>Marylandchick, you will to think outside of the box. Instead of basing your search on being in NYC, think about what you are looking for in a program. This will allow you to find more programs and learn more about what is available. You have to decide if you want a BA, a BFA or if you would prefer to attend a 2 year program. </p>
<p>New York will always be there. Use these next few years to find out what you want and then enjoy your college experience, no matter what city or town the program is located.</p>
<p>There are several other SUNY schools with great theatre programs, even if they’re not auditioned BFA conservatory programs. SUNY New Paltz has an auditioned BA and isn’t far from the city, for example. There are a number of other great theatre programs within an easy train ride (as Purchase is). If you have good academic stats (doesn’t have to be 4.0) you can get excellent merit money at Adelphi (auditioned BFA). Hofstra and LI University also have programs that many students on this forum look at.</p>
<p>So, after taking everyone’s AMAZING advice, I asked a few questions in other forums, emailed the Fin. Aid Offices of schools, and researched some other conservatory programs in different places. I think what it comes down to is being close enough to home while still getting a quality education. I think I’m going to set my sights towards NYU as my dream, with SUNY-Purchase as my reach. Thanks again, everyone!</p>
<p>You might also look into Brooklyn College which is part of the CUNY (City University of New York) system. It is much more affordable than many other schools and is truly an overlooked gem. If you are a NY resident or can establish residency, you might also qualify for some very nice scholarships. The campus is lovely once you are on it, although to be very honest, the immediately surrounding area is not fantastic, but the theatre program is well respected, the faculty are warm and nurturing, and their production schedule is very interesting. Attending also also gives you access to a large university system as well as CUNY has about 10 colleges associated with it.</p>
<p>Assuming you are from Maryland, U of M has a hidden gem of a theatre BA program with nice facilities. As Marbleheader has cautioned, you should probably add something like this to your list. Its a positive start to have a dream and a reach but we don’t want to see you out in the cold next May since getting into each of these is a challenge and paying for them is a major hurdle. We never know what the ultimate decision will be with scholarships and FA so that is why its best to cast a wide net. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Manhattanville and Wagner are two other schools relatively close to NYC (Manhattanville is in Purchase, NY very close to SUNY Purchase) They both have decent theatre programs and I believe they are easier to get into (? based on a friend’s experience and ultimate acceptance to their programs) Just two more ideas for you - good luck</p>
<p>Towson and UMBC also have strong programs in MD and (if you are from Maryland) would be in-state tuition for you.</p>
<p>Also – are you a transfer student? If so, are you hoping to complete your education in less than 4 years at the new institution? Many BFA conservatory programs will require you to complete all 4-years of their program regardless of time spent at other universities.</p>
<p>I agree with the posters who have suggested thinking outside NYC. Obviously it is a great place to be a college student, but even if you don’t go to school there, before you know it, you will have the opportunity to go there, degree and experience in hand, and go for it. In other words, you’ll get the NYC experience soon enough. Also keep in mind that being in New York as a student and being on a super tight budget is very tough. It is a very high cost of living. Essential things that you need for day to day living that you may take for granted are more expensive in New York and that adds up. Even in four or five years, you will be surprised at how much more ready you are to deal with those types of things.</p>
<p>I also agree with those who say put a couple of non-audition programs on the list and also consider some Maryland schools, like the in state suggestions by mom2gals and KatMT.</p>
<p>I guess I hadn’t considered a non-audition school! I got blinded by the glamour of NYC so quickly that I didn’t consider the fact that there are hidden gems everywhere. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I have now started looking at UMBC, Towson, and Brooklyn. I am also looking a bit closer at Marymount Manhattan. Thanks to everyone!</p>
<p>I know you guys are probably tired of hearing from me, but…I figured out what I want in an acting program.</p>
<p>-A BFA (Not a must-have, but a strong want - I could do a BA in Theatre)
-A comparatively high rate for students getting jobs in film/TV/theatre
-Relatively inexpensive ($30K or less for everything - housing, tuition, etc. - would be ideal, but I could do more than that if it means getting the other things I want in the program)
-No more than 6 hours away from Maryland (I want to be able to see my family occasionally)</p>
<p>I think those are probably the major factors. When people mentioned schools such as UMBC, Brooklyn, and Towson, I’ll be honest - I couldn’t see myself there. But after looking at the programs, I realized they fit all four major points. Guess that’s a lesson in keeping an open mind, huh?</p>
<p>I just, last night, watched a play festival produced and directed by current Temple undergrads (not college-supported, but rather at a theater in the city.) One of the the three plays produced was by my daughter (who is not a Temple student); the others were by established playwrights. I have to say, I’m extremely impressed by the professionalism of all of the students who pulled this off. It’s hard for be to believe they are undergrads. Yes, Temple is a nonauditioned school and they have a larger program, but the cream does rise to the top. The tuition is also lower at Temple, even for out-of-state students, than at a private school. It really does merit looking into.</p>
I need to find an acting program with good financial aid. I could probably pay $10,000 out-of-pocket, but my parents can’t give any aid. Our EFC is kind of skewed since it doesn’t take into account past unemployment/debt acquired because of it.</p>