Top Ten Acting Schools

Thanks! I was just discussing Jon Jory with my cousin who is thinking about SFUAD and an aunt who knows him last night, so it’s funny that he was mentioned here today.

Hi, I was reading this forum and I really hope that someone give me and advice. I’m actress , I finished my carrear like an actress in Peru, and I really want learn in other country more about acting, i want to study en LA, and I was looking for the best university, or conservatory where I can study acting. More specific, acting for Stage ( film or TV) . I’m really confused because I was thinking to apply for AMDA but comments about this college are diferents. good and bad comments. I want go to study to a good place, where I can learn and obvio after that, I will can work . Someone told me that many directors of casting teach, but is that true? Which are the most important university of Acting for stage or conservatory for Master or Bachelor in Los Angeles? , thank for your anwsers .

Do you know where I can possibly find info on about how many auditioned for SUNY and how many they accepted?My son got a call that he was accepted but I know nothing about the school. Although I’m very happy that he is excited, I would like more detailed info from students who have gone and their thoughts because that’s a long way from home.

Tisch or Boston University? Thoughts

My D was accepted to both last year. She chose Tisch- do you have specific questions about aspects of the programs, or are you asking about the schools in general?

My D got into BU and is waiting from TIsch - she really wants Playwrights Horizons. If she gets into that studio, I don’t know how to guide her. We are from the NY area - so it would be nice for her to go to a different city for a while. BU seems a bit more “supportive” fthan NYU for lack of a better word but idk if that’s anecdotal information. I like that NYU is more academic - I would prefer that - even thought it’s not my decision. Just very confused.

They’re both pretty academic as far as BFA programs go.

I know that there is often a viewpoint of NYU as “cold” - my child has not found that to be the case. Within her studio itself, she has found tremendous warmth and support. I think sometimes people get confused by the multiple studios concept (It is pretty unique in the BFA world). As jkelly says, both have a strong academic component for admission, but NYU requires more “regular” classes than BU- which was something that appealed to me and D - sort of a cross between a BA and BFA program.

Toowonderful - that’s exactly what I meant about it being more academic and that appeals to me too. While theatre will be the most important component of her college curriculum, I want her to be exposed to other areas as well. She mostly applied to BA Theatre programs but is now really considering BFA.

It was important to us as well- though to be fair there are days when D wishes she had picked a pure conservatory and would never have to write a paper again!!

Sounds like Studio placement will be a make or break for you. It was for us too. That’s a waiting game (should be within a week or two of actual admission, which should be this Friday if the pattern holds) which I know is awful as people have already been waiting for what seems like forever. It has always confused me- why don’t they release it with admission, you have to figure they know already!

Another thing I like with NYU is the her required classes - for freshmen there is “writing the essay” are tied into Tisch and the arts as a whole. The main focus of the writing D has to do for her “english” class is about the impact of art on the community and the world. Keeps things in their interest. Also, it allows her to meet kids from other studios- since they are blended in those classes (though pretty much all Tisch). NYU is a huge school, but Tisch feels like a community within the school. One thing I had worried about was rivalry- that hasn’t seemed to be much of a thing. Though freshman can’t audition for mainstage- so that might be bigger next year.

What can I answer about Boston? We did love that program too- particularly how integrated performance and other aspects of theater are in the curriculum. Came down to $$ (we got more from NYU) and an overall gut feeling. Since we are NOT from the NYC area - getting into the city was a priority for D, but Boston is a fantastic college town…

Thanks so much! Always good to get other opinions. I guess we will have all of our options in about a week and then we will really have to start making lists. Is it really a week or two to get the studio assignment? I thought it was a couple of days.

Last year it was at least a week, if not a day or two longer

Still waiting to hear from Tisch. D got into Northwestern School of Communications for Theatre and BU’s BFA Acting program. So happy to have choices but so unclear as to best path. I think NU would trump BU but not sure about NYU. Any thoughts?

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FLFather, I know. She was accepted. Still waiting on Tisch but all 3 programs are so different. Looking for some insight into the 3 programs

Wow @lawstreet - you are giving me déjà vu, my D was accepted to all 3 of those schools last year! What I loved about Northwestern was that it would be a blend of theater/non theater education. So many NU kids minor and/or double major, which seemed very practical to me. And of course, it has fabulous academics, and continuing with academics (rather than the “pure conservatory” approach) was important to our family. I also loved the campus vibe- seemed pretty ideal, plus Chicago is closer to home than Boston or NYC- and the campus was just suburban enough to comfort my concerns about living in the big city.

As you know, D picked NYU- she really wanted a BFA program. Northwestern was hard to turn down though- at least for me! (D felt fine with it, she was proud to have been accepted, but knew she wanted more theater focus)

And is she happy? What studio? Are you happy with the program? I love Northwestern but it’s not my decision. We still don’t know if she’s in yet but I’m thinking about what the conversation will be like next week

She loves NYU so much. I had a lot of doubts/questions/fears - but in the end had to let her pick, and NYU was always right at the top of her list. (only place that she auditioned which would have trumped it would have been CMU). She is in Stella Adler - which was her top choice studio as well - so we got really lucky there. I have loved her experience so far- it’s not the “traditional” college experience that I thought I wanted for her (with the urban campus, studio setting etc) - but she is thriving- absolutely zero regrets on that choice.

Well that’s great to hear! I think I have all of the same concerns that you had - more traditional environment, more academics etc. But I would love that she would be in NYC and wouldn’t have to get on a plane and I can see her as frequently as she would want… I just don’t know. Let’s see if we even have a decision to make.