<p>We also visited USC due to Madbean's wonderful recommendation and because it is a large University with a great Film program.</p>
<p>I wanted my daughter to see a conservatory; CALARTS, a small university with a acting for film program; Chapman, a large University; USC, and a stand alone acting program with all training and no academics; Stella Adler.</p>
<p>Here is what we observed at USC.</p>
<p>Huge bustling, beautiful campus.</p>
<p>Did not see much of the surrounding area that we were told alot of things about. We took the metrolink from Orange, CA and in about 55 minutes we were at Union Station in downtown LA where we caught a free shuttle to USC. There was a line to get on this shuttle and we grabbed the last two seats. You must allow time if you are going to catch this or you will be late:)</p>
<p>The film school was something to see. We only toured the halls not inside classrooms or studios because we signed up for Dramatic Arts. Wished we would have signed up for Cinematic Arts but there was not an acting component.</p>
<p>We did the Meet USC tour which started at 8:30 am with an hour long information session which basically was to "sell" the University to you and give you information on anything from FA, to applications, etc. We then split into three groups of at least 20 people. The USC tour was the biggest we attended with most of the students/parents being from out of state. In our group there were three acting kids; a girl from Germany and a boy from CA. There was also a girl from Belgium who was another major. When the hot and sweaty 100 degree tour was over:) we split up by school and we went with only two other students to the School of Dramatic Arts. I was surprised that out of almost 100 people that was it but they do these tours in the am and pm. The biggest group by far was the School of Cinematic Arts. </p>
<p>40,000 students</p>
<p>18,000 UG students</p>
<p>Average class size 26</p>
<p>9/1 student to teacher ratio</p>
<p>Liberal Arts education</p>
<p>Wonderful UG research opportunities</p>
<p>Core requirements are in 6 categories, you must take 1 class in each. 3 semesters of Fl but if you are in the BFA you are exempt from this.</p>
<p>They are a need blind institution which means they award scholarships based on talent and academics regardless of your income.</p>
<p>The actual University want students who are looking to major, double minor or double major etc. They call you a renaissance student if you major in one school and major in a another school on the other spectrum. Ex. If you major in theatre and also major in premed. You can only do this as a BA student NOT a BFA. One of our tour guides friends was an Engineering major and was a double minor in Digital Media and Occupational therapy.</p>
<p>12/01/2013 is the deadline for scholarships. If you do not apply by then you will not receive any.</p>
<p>In the essay's they are looking for Authenticity, Your voice, and creativity.</p>
<p>You also have to answer several other questions during the application process.</p>
<p>Aprox. $62,000, so quite expensive but FA is available. I did not get numbers on this. Sorry.</p>
<p>GE requirements-24 credits</p>
<p>Last year approximately 900 applicants for the BFA and 20 people selected.This class of 20 will be in conservatory type training with the classes picked out for you and they will stay together. </p>
<p>Classes all day</p>
<p>Rehearsal's every night; 6-10 pm</p>
<p>128 credit hours</p>
<p>Cannot do a minor with the BFA</p>
<p>LA showcase, they are currently exploring adding a NY one.</p>
<p>12 fall main stage shows, 16 spring main stage shows</p>
<p>Student shows</p>
<p>1st semester freshman cannot audition until spring, mainly due to the fact that the shows for the fall are cast as soon as you arrive and start school.</p>
<p>They have open cast shows, BA shows, sophomore BFA shows, BFA shows. etc.</p>
<p>BFA's must audition and be in show's.</p>
<p>Bing theatre seats 500</p>
<p>They have two black box theaters with 99 seats each</p>
<p>Independent student productions not supervised completely run by students.</p>
<p>Cinematic Arts department is totally sep from Dramatic Arts but the film students often post for actors so just watch the board for this.</p>
<p>The BA is much more flexible. You can take all kinds of classes with the BA option and also minor and double major.</p>
<p>80-85 students selected for the BA</p>
<p>Much easier to take a professional leave of absence with the BA option. Can audition outside of school and have the time to work etc. with this option.</p>
<p>There is no performance requirement with the BA but you do take a tech class.</p>
<p>Lots of places to eat, great sports teams, people were biking all over campus.</p>
<p>There is a metrolink attached to the campus and they are expanding onto this which will soon allow you to jump on and go straight to the beach.</p>
<p>It seemed to us that the BA(surprise) would be a better option, however, I must note that getting into the University may be harder as a BA. With the BFA they have some flexibility due to seeing you audition and can pull for you with admissions. Specifically told us that last year they did accept someone with a 2.94 into the BFA program. If you look online the stats would scare alot of kids away but it is possible. With the BA all you do is an interview and so your application, etc. is going to have to hold you up. They did say they the university likes to pick all over, a variety, not just based on numbers.</p>