Som has been accepted to both Uncsa and LAMDA. Both excellent schools- any feedback positive and negative about either? Down to the wire! LAMDA had him audition once and sent him to the North American recalls without other auditons or call backs. Now big decision!
LAMDA has a great reputation and a decent price. Especially considering it is only a 3 year program.
I lived in London for 10 years. and it is expensive… but the exchange rate now is great. I would choose LAMDA over UNCSA hands down.
Did you attend a drama school there? Both are win win schools. Uncsa is a more secure campus “bubble” with great US connections. LAMDA is top flight and I would think that they are closer to the reality of the business?
Biggest concern would be how the connections are after graduating? Or does LAMDA give your resume a special foot into the door?
Not trying to argue one way or the other, I think attending school in the UK would be great for an actor and offers lots of intriguing possibilities, but some things to consider:
For many, attending school in the UK limits or precludes participation in summer stock due to scheduling difficulties, i.e., many summer stock theatres begin rehearsals before UK programs let out for the summer. And while video audition submittals are now very common, attending school in the UK makes it very difficult or impossible to attend summer stock auditions like Strawhats, MWTA’s, etc. Not necessarily a deal-breaker, but something to consider. Maybe LAMDA lets out earlier than other UK programs.
I seriously doubt that LAMDA holds any particular advantage vs. UNCSA on a resume or offers any particular advantage in getting auditions post-graduation. No doubt that there are plenty of anecdotal situations that could probably be cited to argue this point.
It is extremely difficult for a US actor to work in the UK after graduation, but there are exceptions to every rule.
Adjusting to college life is difficult for some students, attending a college across the pond magnifies those difficulties. For some, its an amazing opportunity, for others, it could be a disaster. At a minimum, students should recognize that they will have to be much more independent in the UK. Colleges offer much less "life support, i.e., UK students typically live off campus (sometimes many miles away in facilities shared by several different schools), cook all or almost all of their meals, have to shop much more frequently for food, laundry tends to be much more of a hassle, managing money across international boundaries can be a challenge, social life in the UK, while it may seem similar, is distinctly different than the US, etc. Even with lots of friends, it can feel very lonely living overseas.
Thanks for input… yes summer stock is a slight issue with the semesters. And after graduating the network of people tend to travel together and live together. Might be harder when coming back to US…
Thanks!
@mommajing, My S was offered both UNCSA and LAMDA (as well as a few others) and decided on LAMDA (he’s in his third year, about to graduate). Not advocating one over the other. They each have their pros and cons. Please pm me.
Summer stock is absolutely not an issue at all, though, in my opinion. While summerstock is terrific, if you have to make a choice, the opportunities offered by LAMDA - and UNSCA for that matter - outweigh what you’d get at summer stock; the school is a completely different schedule (spring term goes to late July); and students at LAMDA are not allowed to audition for shows anyway while at LAMDA, until the final year (with rare exceptions, summerstock not being one of them).
Again please pm me; my info is too specific and I’d rather not post to CC as a whole.
As far as connections, though–at LAMDA they are seen by industry reps their entire last year and can be offered representation then. It is definitely easier for a UK citizen, though, and new visa regulations make landing a role in London near impossible for Americans. That said, there are increasingly international reps who straddle both sides of the Atantic, or at least who have offices that straddle both, so a UK agent can see a LAMDA grad, then alert the American agent in their American office. Also, LAMDA has strong name recognition in the US and also has NYC and LA showcases in October at the end of their final year.
The only thing I’d underscore is that this is really a very personal decision. There are so many personal factors going into it. I can help lay out the factors but in the end, you and your S should make the decision you deem is best for him and your family. They are both top choices.
I did not attend drama school. I do know grad’s of both programs. I agree it is a very personal decision. And I would not discount the added difficulties of living in a foreign country. We might speak English on both sides of the pond…but the differences are huge. A person needs to be able to be very flexible and adaptable.
What I would say, based on what I know about both programs, and the opportunity to go to school in the UK. I would choose LAMDA. I now live in NC, but the time I spent in London was amazing. I hope my daughter has an opportunity to study there.
I don’t know if @mommajing is a real person or is posting this question legitimately as she has only 4 total posts in the past 2 years and apparently hasn’t returned to this thread.
But for anyone else who is reading this— I just want to be clear that I’m not endorsing LAMDA over UNCSA. UNCSA Is a superlative program, and there are many compelling reasons to go there over LAMDA. Btw, total cost is less at UNCSA even with the current exchange rates and LAMDA’s three year progam. My main point is that it’s a very personal decision based on personal pros and cons.
My MT son is in his third (last) year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in Glasgow. Everything Connections and EmsDad have posted above, regarding going to undergraduate school in the UK, is pretty spot-on. We had the same discussions (summer stock, representation, student visa limitations, etc.) with our son when he was trying to decide whether to stay in the states or go to RCS. It was a tough decision for him, but what ultimately was the deciding factor was the opportunity to spend 3 years abroad in an amazing city, at a top-notch conservatory. He didn’t want to be 40 and look back thinking that he “woulda shoulda coulda.”
He’s grown so much-- schooling in the UK IS much more independent for the student. No meal plans! (That’s what killed me the most, as a mom, honestly.) But, he’s traveled and made friends from around the world. And, as previously mentioned, going to school in the UK has been SO much cheaper than schooling in the States. A LOT. (Glasgow is most likely more affordable than London.) He’s even working in a local boutique hotel and loving it-- Int’l students can work on their visa (just not in entertainment, and get paid.)
Good luck with the decision…it’s not an easy one…we’ve been there. Either way, he’ll be in a good place.
@connections Not sure what numbers you are using. But it looks to me like tuition at LAMBDA is 18K GBP and UNCSA out of state is $22,000 USD… so they are about the same. Of course living in England would be more expensive than NC. And if you live in NC there is no real cost comparison.
Unless you have NC residency. I think LAMBDA would end up about the same or cheaper.
That said @mommajing has posted in this thread three times. I don’t think it is necessary to suggest they might not be a “real person”.
You get your degree in three years at LAMBDA so that is where the cost is less. If i’m not mistaken…
@KTVoice, I’m using the numbers I’ve spent on my son as well as LAMDA’s own estimates of total cost.
It’s true tuition is inexpensive compared to an American school, but London is extraordinarily expensive. (Glasgow is much cheaper 
Yes, it is a 3 year program, so it is not as expensive as, say, NYU Tisch, which has another year added to it. LAMDA itself estimates about $55K/year total. Like you, when I was first figuring out expenses, I thought that was an overestimate, but it’s not. For room and board and other expenses, you will spend far, far more than any American college, including those in expensive American cities like LA and NYC. The recent exchange rates have eased the cost a bit but it’s still very expensive.
Obviously flights home are expensive, so you are left with either flying them home or they stay there during breaks–which is also very expensive (living in London for a month is not cheap. Indeed, my son’s program ends in ate July, but he has to return in September to rehearse for the American showcase–and it is cheaper to fly him home for a month at a cost of around $1200 than it is to have him live there for a month).
There are many difficult things, e.g. a non-citizen with no UK guarantor has to pay rent six months entirely in advance, and often has to pay an additional UK guarantor service about $1000. There are tube expenses, which are about double NYC subway costs. There are visa expenses and living expenses – haircuts, toiletries, pharmaceuticals, clothing, household expenses, going out occasionally to a pub which is very expensive. For instance, if you’re not careful, a drink can easily go for $15-$20. A single drink. A hamburger can cost $18. Obviously you can budget and never spend this money - the local grocery is fairly reasonable, and there are also pubs in which you can get a pint for $7 (still expensive!)- but as it works out practically, when you are in school 13 hours straight and a group wants to unwind in a pub afterwards, or grab a bite, sometimes you do too. Not all the time, but occasionally. And little things like these add up.
The program is very high pressure, very intense–this is what makes it so superlative. But at the same time, it is very hard to budget rigorously while at the same working 70 hours a week in school. It is not budgeted for you as it is in an American school. You have to take care of everything–finding internet for your flat and making sure your’e there when they install it; finding a TV hookup; locating a doctor in an emergency or urgent situation and figuring out how and when to go and then what meds to buy and how to get them; using other doctors not covered in their health insurance, e.g. a chiropractor if needed. And of course if you want to travel at all anywhere - up north to visit a classmate’s family, say - it is going to cost.
Obviously UNSCA is also very rigorous and busy. But the costs of living there are far cheaper. Again, when I was first trying to figure all this out going into the program, I thought LAMDA’s estimate of $55k/year was too high. Other people who’d sent their kids ahead of mine said they spent even more, $65K/year. I thought in both cases they were overestimating. They’re not.
All that said, the total cost of LAMDA and other London drama programs is still a lot cheaper, because of the 3 years, than many American BFA programs. But it is certainly more expensive than UNCSA.
Also, “That said @mommajing has posted in this thread three times. I don’t think it is necessary to suggest they might not be a “real person”.”
It’s that she has posted 4 times total in 2 years and has not responded to my pm offer. I’ve been on CC for years now, and sometimes people use alter-egos or even made-up posts. This can happen. I was wondering if that was the case here. I’m totally, completely happy to be proven wrong.
OUCH! Connections-- London is WAY more expensive than Glasgow. Yikes! RCS and living there cost about half of what you mentioned. (But, I guess it’s like living in NYC.) S stayed there all summer last year, and will do so again this summer before he needs to leave (visa expires mid-October.) He’s working at the hotel job he loves, saving $$ before he comes back to the states to ply his craft. (exchange rate will kill him going the other way…been great for us sending USD!)
Yeah, @SU88BFA, my S went to a summer program a few years back at RCS and loved Glasgow. Much cheaper than London! And a lovely city, too Great that your S has a hotel job!
@connections Thank you so much for this post! It’s extremely helpful for those weighing US v. London opportunities for their children. FYI: I have tried to PM you, but that option does not seem to be available. I’m new to this so I hope I’m not doing anything wrong. My D was accepted to LAMDA and is leaning in that direction. I would like to chat more about the details with you given your experience. If you are open to that, please PM me.
Can’t go wrong with either school. Just FYI the director at LAMDA will tell you UNCSA is the top training most similar to U.K. training that you can get in the USA.
Both are fabulous and have similar curriculum.
good problem to have with these two choices!
@mommajing after re-reading your original post i realized i didn’t give you an answer to your question about connections post graduation in the above post.
As for connections after graduation UNCSA has TONS of connections. Not only do kids do showcases in both LA and NYC but they bring agents, directors, managers to campus consistently during senior year to meet the senior drama students. There have been kids signed before showcase in the past. This year out of the girls showcased in NYC all but one got offers of representation. Not sure about the boys or LA results. They tell you they usually have the majority of kids signed prior to graduation. They are honest that it doesn’t mean a guarantee of success though.
I will say UNCSA has grads working consistently on tv, in film, on and off Broadway, on tours and in regional theaters. Some have started their own theater companies. i was pleasantly surprised at how many actively work not only shortly after graduation but long term.
They encourage kids to spend a summer in NYC before graduation. They have connections to help get summer jobs at agencies or related placements. Much of the faculty have worked on/off Broadway, done tours/regional theater, lived in NYC, etc. Their reach is far.
We know an agent who recommended UNCSA over a couple other top schools in the USA to a prospective student making a decision. It has a good rep in the industry.
If you have questions feel free to message me. Again, LAMDA is also amazing and I don’t think you can make a wrong choice here. I happen to know more about UNCSA, but hold LAMDA in high regard and they also have alum working everywhere!
Congratulations.
@ThespDad17, just pm’d you.
And I second @connections that UNCSA is cheaper. Off campus housing near UNCSA can be less than $400 a month. Cheap cost of living.
London cost of living is very high. The student we Know accepted to LAMDA was told to budget $55k per year. Additionally I don’t think LAMDA gives scholarships and UNCSA does for some students. So it probably is cheaper -or at least not more expensive- despite the 4th year (vs 3 at LAMDA).
But LAMDA is awesome and Winston Salem is NOT London! 