UW or UCSD in acting

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

Dear folks,

First some information to my person I am 21 years old, from Germany and I want to study acting in the USA. As I visited many times the USA and loved it in an instant. However I cannot decide which school is the best for acting. I have read both websites and they both seem to be really good. But which of these two is the better one for acting? I.e. I like sunny cities a lot so UCSD has a big plus; but I want the better school in acting I don’t care if it’s a rainy city or a sunny city. As I want to be an actor.
Ps I have some previous experiences as I visited a school in Germany.

Thank you very much in advance

Montone

2

Um, the more important question is, WHERE do you plan to be an actor after graduating? In the US? While you would be eligible to work for one year after graduating from the program, unless you get sponsored by a company, it is highly unlikely that you would be able to stay in the US afterwards.

3

I think they are not known for acting, I would think USC and UCLA are better alternatives because they are closer to Hollywood.
Best yet, Wikipedia the college name and look at the famous alumni in theatre and you can get an idea about graduates from the major and field for each college. Long list of alumni is a good thing.

4

Thank you for the quick responses!!
Well I planned to stay in the U.S. And to give all to find a sponsor/ film company. I know it’s not easy but I’ll give it all to let my dream become true. Because in Germany can you forget becoming an actor…
And because of the alumni list that’s a good idea, and as matter of fact i saw some famous alumni at both universities … I looked at the website of UCLA but it didn’t catch my attention like UCSD or UW. …
God does it has to be so difficult haha

5

UCLA
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_University_of_California,_Los_Angeles_people
USC
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USC_School_of_Dramatic_Arts

UCSD, I don’t see a long list at UCSD
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_University_of_California,_San_Diego_people

6

Damn USC really looks good… Dammit now it’s even more difficult to decide
But many many thanks!!

7

Neither UW or UCSD is known for their acting majors. In Southern Calif., USC and UCLA are probably better known but both have very competitive admissions. Check out the theater forum on this website for better responses and input:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/

8

Okay thank you very much! I think that UCLA will be my first choice. I’ll probably apply to all four, just in case. As they are all competitive. I just hope to get into UCLA
Again thank you all for the quick and good responses.

9

So you have not attended college? Or are you looking at a MFA?

10

I’ve the advanced vocational college degree specialized in foreign languages, but from Germany in German is it called Fachhochschulreife schwerpunkt sprachen. … So am I looking for MFA as I think the more the better.

11

Here is the opinion of one working actress in Los Angles:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18510657/#Comment_18510657

12

UCSD and UW both have strong reputations for MFA training. Of course, so do Yale, Julliard, and Tisch. :slight_smile:

MFA admissions is very competitive. You will likely want to audition for quite a few schools.

Have you looked at http://www.urta.com/ They do auditions where you would have the opportunity to be seen by quite a few programs at once.

13

So is urta like a agency that helps? …
I want to apply to UCSD, UW, CalArts and UCLA as (how you said right) it’s very competitive. … I just hope to get into UCLA :smiley:

14

Not an agency, more an organization. They don’t help, exactly… but, member schools hold auditions at the same time, so it is a way to be seen by many programs at once.

15

Here is a link to the Hollywood Reporter’s 2015 list of top MFA programs.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/25-best-drama-schools-a-797949

Remember lists like this can be flawed and in some ways are “backward looking”. Changes in faculty & department leadership can significantly alter the quality of a program and it will be years before those changes are reflected on a “top MFA” list.

16

And also consider, if you really know for sure you want to focus on just acting, saving a ton of money and studying at at some top private studios in New York or Los Angeles. Most of the casting directors and directors I know don’t care where you went to school. They want to be wowed by you in the room. Period. I have studied with the fabulous acting coach Larry Moss for years and I have seen so many young actors in class fresh out of “top” college programs with what looks like no real training. (Larry goes to Germany sometimes, btw!) Not at ALL to discourage you from going to college, obviously there are a ton a great programs out there, but it is something to consider if the rest of it isn’t that important to you. And getting a well rounded education is wonderful and will help you in your acting. Food for thought.

17

You are totally right! Most important is that you work your ass of! And like you said “wow the directors in the room”. But you know I want to go to a college in the USA because the chances to make there are bigger even if the competition is big. But in Germany is it “almost” impossible to make it big. And I dream about acting since I can think, I work my ass of for it I will do whatever I can to make it, Thank you!