How does this plan sound?

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
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<p>Hi :) I haven't posted on this forum in a while as now I'm really just waiting to hear back from the schools I've applied to. During the first part of this academic year, this forum and all the posters on it were so helpful in helping me narrow down my application list as well as the kind of programs to apply to. I'm so thankful for this board! </p>

<p>Anyways moving on, I applied to a good mix of a few BFA's and a few BA's (with an emphasis on performance) and so far I've been accepted to Penn State's BA in theatre (with a performance concentration). I'm absolutely thrilled as it was one of my top choice BA programs and ranked pretty highly on my overall list. I have yet to hear back from any of the BFA programs, but given how competitive admissions to these programs are, I'm naturally expecting to get some rejections. </p>

<p>So, hypothetically if I get rejected at all the BFA programs and end up going to a BA program (in which I will most likely go to Penn State and happily so), then I was thinking about what to do once I graduate. I've come up with a plan and I was hoping someone could give me their opinions and perhaps knowledge if they've known others to do this. I really want to live in Los Angeles, California. My American side of the family is all originally from there and after visiting when I was younger (I was born and raised, currently live in and am half European in ethnicity), I know this is a place I would love to spend some years in. So onto the plan, I was thinking that once I graduate and have a degree, I would audition and apply to a lot of two-year conservatory programs, all based in LA, and hopefully acquire some real intense training in acting. Additionally I will also try my luck at a few MFA programs but I know these programs are difficult to get into. </p>

<p>The conservatories I hear get the most attention (in LA, but I believe most of them also have NYC campuses as well) are AADA, AMDA, Lee Strasberg Institute, Stella Adler LA, New York Film and Acting Academy (the LA campus) and Instone Actors Studio. As for MFA's I always hear a lot about USC and UCLA of course, but also UCSD and Chapman. </p>

<p>Are there any other conservatories in LA that get a lot of attention? Does this plan sound solid enough? Is the BA to two-year conservatory/ MFA plan common (and not just something I've imagined in my head)? </p>

<p>I will be slightly older than most college graduates at 24 (almost 25). Will this put me at a disadvantage? </p>

<p>Any opinions, knowledge or input is greatly appreciated! :)
Thanks!</p>

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<p>JME1002, you don’t mention what you would eventually like to do in terms of a career…Do you want a career in films? Then for sure, LA is the place to be. If that is the case, does the program at Penn give you film acting opportunities? </p>

<p>A friend of mine has a BFA in acting, a BA in English and an MFA. (He currently is an asst. prof at a local LAC and does community theater–acting and directing). In retrospect, he thinks he got his MFA for the wrong reasons. He thought it would hone his acting skills since his BFA is from a more LAC but he found he spent more time in directing and scriptwriting–for which he is glad because it is more financially lucrative.</p>

<p>So…if you are looking to hone your acting skills, the 2yr conservatories may be a better bet than and MFA…</p>