<p>Hi! I'm a high school sophomore and I'm new to this site. I know for a fact I want to pursue acting for my career so I'm looking at schools. UCLA looks very interesting to me but I have a few questions. </p>
<p>1) How heavy is the course load?
2) How competitive are the students?
3) Would one be able to audition professionally or pursue an agent while attending school?
4) What is the environment outside of the Theater program like? Is everyone "superficial" like I've heard from some people?
5) How dangerous is the campus and area surrounding the campus? I read about someone getting killed on the campus...
6) I'm not from California, so how are my chances of getting in?</p>
<p>Thank you so much!</p>
<p>1) UCLA is a top ranked university and classes are rigorous. The undergrad theatre degree is a B.A. and students must take all the same graduation requirements as other B.A.'s. This is not an easy school.</p>
<p>2) Students run the range from very academically competitive to less so. Some majors (like STEM) may find more competitive students since they often are trying for top GPAs to get into med school and other grad programs. UCLA does not emphasize performance in their acting program, so there are relatively few productions. It is possible to attend for four years and never be cast in a stage production they tell new admits.</p>
<p>3) There are no accommodations made for students who wish to leave campus to work or audition. If you can find the time and/or, if necessary, drop out for a quarter to work, you may take a longer time to finish college. </p>
<p>4) UCLA is a beautiful campus filled with great, intelligent, creative students. It is extremely difficult to be admitted and the environment is great. At any very large university you will find superficial students as well as intellectual students, talent-driven students as well as sports-driven students, every sort of person. Large universities offer a lot of diversity and plenty of your sort of people.</p>
<p>5) Westwood is an upscale neighborhood in Los Angeles right next to Beverly Hills. However, good sense needs to be practiced when walking around the streets of any urban area. There is crime, unfortunately, everywhere. Tragically, there have been major crimes on many campuses over the years, including those very small schools in lovely rural areas, as well as areas that are suburban and urban. UCLA is NOT a dangerous place, but caution is always wise.</p>
<p>6) Chances for OOS students are tough, but the good news is that the audition is a very strong component of your application for a theatre major. Like all auditioned acting programs, you should always consider the school a reach and then just do your best.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>