All of this is great and solid advice. Just don’t forget to consider the senerio that while working as an agent or as a wardrobe manager, you may regret declining admission to top STEM programs or accelerated BS/MD programs. Weigh all of your talent and gifts, commitment for for theater, love for other things in life and temperament for facing failure and hardship. It is easier to love something when parents are providing for everything but not so easy when you have two kids of your own.
@Agincourt - I want to correct some of the info in your post #99 is not accurate. Juilliard and NYU are BFA programs- not BA. And there are a number of other very well respected programs (CMU, UNCSA, Minn Guthrie, Boston, Northwestern and Pace- the OP’s top choice just to name a few) that garner plenty of industry attention. In every BFA major I know of (freely confessing there might be some I don’t know of) you start as a theater major day #1. And in many programs (though not all) main stage shows are restricted to BFA majors- so you couldn’t start undeclared, get leads, and switch… And at strong programs- the talent isn’t “amateur” we are talking about places that accept a tiny # out hundreds- even thousands- so if you get accepted it probably means you have talent. But talent is only part of the story.
And @WorryHurry411 - what exactly is/are the major(s) that “guarantee bright futures”? I don’t think there is any such beast. Not in STEM, or business, or liberal arts, or fine arts.
I guess there are no guarantees but let’s say a law degree from Harvard, engineering MS from MIT, an MBA from Wharton or even a BS/MD from a lowly state school offer better odds than a PACE University BS in theater, specially if you aren’t a really good actor or have Lady Luck on your side. You may be happier doing what you love … or may be not, no guarantees there either.
A few more thoughts…
Consider focusing on summer theatre work not academic theatre. This will build your professional resume, allow you to watch pro actors in rehearsal and - most importantly - allow you to quickly establish contacts with pros and also other interns (some of whom will be pros in a little while).
Little ugly secret - academic acting programs, while occasionally meritorious, do not adequately prepare you for the real world of professional acting except that the personal/political infighting amongst the faculty and administration can resemble what goes on in commercial and regional theatre management.
Another thought, kinda wild one for this timid era. You are- what - 17? 18? Prime age for television. Probably single and without children, one would hope. If you are 18 and thus a legal adult, you might eschew NY theatre dreams and take a shot at Hollywood. Perhaps enroll in LA CC or Santa Monica College to pick up some credits, get some temp work on studio lots if your family won’t help, meanwhile get out and do some waiver theatre, improv, gigs in USC-UCLA-AFI student films, build a reel, make connections. If you have a license and a car than runs, you’ve half solved the LA problem. If you have a friend or relative with a couch, you’re set.
Hitting in the 'wood takes a decade many times, but what if you took a year off to see what you could do? You’re in the right age group for television demos and you won’t be after four years of college. Or to put it in another way, what’s the gawdawful rush to get into and attend college? Maybe you should cut to the chase, do what Bogart, Mitchum, Wayne, Nicholson and many of the old stars did - just stop waiting for someone to give you permission and start acting.
I realize this is a college site but confidentially, this obsession for approval is massively overrated.
@WorryHurry411 I would say those extraordinary students will be extraordinarily happy and fulfilled….
“I guess there are no guarantees”. Exactly. So my kid is taking a chance and following a dream. And she will graduate with 0 debt from an academically respected school. So what precisely is the problem?
For an average student with impressive acting potential,nothing. I was talking from the point of view of a top student picking theater over fields that he has aptitude for.
@toowonderful yes, you are correct that Juilliard and NYU have BFA programs, my typo error. I believe I did say that Juilliard has a BFA program in another sentence. I taught there a while back and they had one then. As to your point about BFA programs and the typical exclusivity of casting, yes, also correct. My point about BA programs to help this student resolve his issue with his father, however insufficient it may seem to you. As to comparative professional attention at CMU (I taught there too) and those other fine schools, can you provide any evidence? Perhaps circumstances have changed. Agents regularly attend Juilliard shows. They didn’t go to Pittsubrgh. But perhaps times have changed.
As to “amateur”, I would guess that you know its word origin. Pros make a living doing what they do.
If you feel the need to whack me some more, you are welcome to PM me.
@Agincourt - I am not trying to whack you, I am trying to make sure that information displayed on a public forum is as close to accurate as possible. When did you teach at Juilliard and/or CMU? Did you teach drama? Agents don’t have to go to Pittsburgh, though I’m sure they do to see shows, CMU and many other universities stage showcases in New York, which are very well attended by the industry. If I am remembering correctly all graduates of CMU’s program for the last number of years have finished their showcase with agency representation. They are what we call in the theater “A pretty big deal”. If you are unaware of that fact, which I can imagine it would be backed up by any of the regular posters on this forum, I wonder as to the strength of your current knowledge of the theater industry. But don’t take my word for it- Google “best theater programs in US” and try to find a list that doesn’t have CMU on it- if not at/near the top of it
@WorryHurry411 - my kid was/is a top student. All the awards/stats/merit badges to get into any school she wanted. And this is what she picked. Doesn’t make her any less intelligent in any way, nor does it diminish her capacity to do anything she wants with her life.
No I taught zoology. “What we call in the theatre”?? I’ve told you something about me, are you in a show at present? Other than this one?
Yep- though not as my only job - I teach HS AP courses- one of your favorite topics I guess from looking back at other threads where you have commented. I direct youth theater, work as a costumer for several theaters, and serve on the board of advisors for a performing arts HS. And I get paid to do it- so I am a professional.
They taught Zoology at Juilliard? That would seem extraordinarily unusual at a conservatory program…
It’s a jungle out there, @toowonderful
@Jkellynh17 - HA!!
@WorryHurry411 My top student chose theater over other fields he had aptitude for. The cool thing? He’s still got aptitude for them. His education/professional trajectory could change and he’s bright and adaptable. I support his choice and like his chances.
Mine too and she is closing in graduation and just got a very decent, non theatre survival job and they told her they loved that she was a theatre major. The job didn’t require it but they were looking for someone with excellent written and oral communications skills, detail oriented, quick thinking and creative problem solving, ability to manage stressful and/or challenging situations and strong computer skills. Sounds like more than one smart theatre major that I know (and a few smart history majors, STEM majors, business majors, political science majors etc.)
I love this article
https://changeagent.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2013/09/13/9-ways-a-theatre-degree-trumps-a-business-degree/
^^^Love the article too but let’s throw no shade on business majors. I’ve got one of those too! 
No shade intended