<p>I was happy to see this post come up because I have actually been meaning to write something on CC about AMDA. My S did audition at the NY campus last spring and was accepted with scholarship to AMDA. He ended up taking a different route in a BFA program for many reasons, but none of them had anything to do with our experience during the audition process or experience with the school. We were actually very pleasantly surprised at our first visit the summer before - the tour was very professional, the studio space was lovely, and I felt they were very up front about what the school offers. </p>
<p>My S does have a very good friend that is a well-known performer from our town. He is currently attending AMDA in NY and loving every second of it. He is an older student (27) -has a science degree already - so not looking for an academic education - just pure training and understanding the business better. I have had a chance to visit with him and he is more than pleased with every aspect of his training & feels that in each element (vocal, dancing, and acting) he is placed at his level and is challenged. He also feels that the students in his group are all very talented. And - he is paying for it himself and not disappointed at all. (He is not living in residence at the school.)</p>
<p>On another note, I have been fortunate in the last few months to see a couple of national tour shows - Grease & Wizard of Oz. They both have cast members from AMDA listed when I saw them. I believe Wizard of Oz had 3. And - AMDA credits usually show up on most Playbills that I see. Just my perspective!</p>
<p>Annabelle85, I am sorry it was a bad experience for you. My D attends AMDA and for her, it is just right. She just didn’t want the academic path (she had tried it at TWO schools, one GREAT in MT theater and one not-s0-great) but realized that she just wanted performance. She had one instructor who, to make it simple, sounds nutzo, but she had one instructor at each of the other 2 schools who were equally as troubled! I think there is not ONE school that has 100% flawless instructors for all students!</p>
<p>My D had terrible roommate experiences as well, NOT at AMDA, but rather at 2 other colleges. Unfortunately that can happen anywhere! Those schools weren’t so helpful in her situation either, until one roomie was arrested! </p>
<p>She is close to being done with the certificate program and feels that she has learned more at AMDA about performance as well as ‘the business’ than she had previously. She has a few audtions set for next month and has the confidence to step out. She is excited about her future. By the way, she didn’t leave the other schools because she was a no talent who could afford AMDA… she was told by the head of one program that he thought she had what it takes to actually make a career for herself… her needs were just different.</p>
<p>I hope you can find what is right for you. It took my D some time. Don’t stop looking.</p>
<p>Okay, I have heard a WHOLE lot of things about AMDA and I am still not sure. My biggest question is how many people who actually graduate from AMDA are successful afterwards?</p>
<p>I know one fella who dropped out of AMDA who has been in various tours the last 2 years. I know someone who graduated from AMDA and is working as a stage manager. I also know several NYU, CMU, and BOCO grads who are still looking for jobs. I know someone who graduate from college with a BA in History who is appearing on Broadway.</p>
<p>It really irks me when people gauge a school on it’s “famous” graduates. Fame is not necessarily an indicator of a school’s worth…alot of that is the drive and determination of the person. BA, BFA or certificate…you won’t be successful if you don’t use every opportunity to learn and grow as an actor. This is true no matter where you go to school or even if you skip school all together.</p>
<p>I think that success, in any field, is basically the good fortune of steady work and the ability to pay the bills whilst doing something you have trained for and perhaps enjoy. A measure of recoginition for a job well done is always welcomed as well! </p>
<p>Stagemom23, thank you for your post… well stated… my D just graduated the 2 year certificate program from AMDA and in the last 2 weeks she has had a few callbacks from auditions, and interview or 2, and is looking for a bartending job to get by in the mean time!</p>
<p>She really liked her experience, had some teachers she loved and a few that she felt were not as…strong. She feels she grew a lot and learned quite a bit about the business. Her strongest opinion about AMDA was that you get out of it whatever you are willing to work for…she worked hard. Some people didn’t. Quite a few kids from her graduating class were moving on to the other 2 years toward a BFA in LA and were really excited about it.</p>
<p>I realize this doesn’t answer the most recent question about AMDA, but it is one person’s point of view.</p>
<p>Hey, I’m currently in the 10th i will be getting out of school in 2weeks & 2day & my grandma told me it was good to start looking for schools now! i know for a fact i want to be a performer (music), actress, dancer, song-writer! which i’m currently doing i know i have the talent & i go to a performing arts high school so don’t it make since to go to a performing arts college??? well on my college search i found AMDA loved everything about it & on top of that it offers everything i want to do! i read all 31 of your reviews & the only bad thing i see about AMDA is the living condition in New York! i don’t plain on going to the location in New York. so is there anything i need to know about the Location in L.A. & do y’all think AMDA is a good school for me? Please Help, if so i have a lot of question for y’all! thanks so much!</p>
<p>Also, they tell you that you can not accept professional jobs while in school.
I booked several guest spots on All My Children while I was a student and basically told them to “F” off!</p>
<p>okay okay, to me it sounds like you people are just running in circles with this feedback. I am looking for a school that will get me the training I need to be successful in the acting industry. If I go to AMDA I want to go to the LA campus, but I will need a place to stay, are the apartments really that bad? Is this school going to cost me more in the long run? You see I dont come from a family of money so I will be paying my own way and I dont want it to be a wast of my hard earned cash. Im sure we all understand that! Are the living expenses so high that I wont be able to afford food? Is this school really just a scam for money?</p>
<p>I recently applied to AMDA (the American musical and dramatic academy) in NYC. I have a GPA of 2.2 in high school and a 1.5 in college after 2 semesters. (I only took 3 classes and after this semester it will be a 3.0). I know they’re not high but i wrote in my essays how I have learned and become a better student. I have lots of stage experience and acting experience and I feel like my audition went well. And i pointed out multiple times that I am determined to work hard in school. I was wondering what my chances of being accepted are! I’m so nervous!</p>
<p>I got a VIP admission privilege and I would really like to go but my problem is, is that I need to know if I am even able to apply there. Do I have to be in a certain amount of normal classes or is the conservatory just concerned about acting and music? My current gpa is a 3.0 and I don’t think it’s good enough if any one has any suggestions for me it would be very appreciated
Thank you
~Elizabeth</p>
<p>Are you a senior Lizzie? If so, as long as you will graduate from high school this year, you can apply to AMDA. I believe their admission is based more on your audition than on your academic record. Your 3.0 GPA should not be an issue. Just be aware that there are other programs out there for which you would be eligible as well. Many theater programs base their admissions on your audition more than on your academic record. Yes, there are programs for which a 3.0 might not be enough to be considered, but definitely do not automatically assume that AMDA is your only option.</p>