Does Name Really Matter When It Comes to Earning a BFA?

ChasieLooHoo · 07-16-2012, 11:54 PM

Alright, well I'm an incoming senior hopefully going into a BFA Acting Program.
I'm wondering, does the actual school matter more than getting a BFA in Acting? How important is the reputation of the school when it comes to my future? I ask because I am interested in a lot of really well-known colleges, as most of us are when it comes to receiving our BFA. Right now, I'm interested in 2 schools in particular. CCM and NKU. Those are not the only schools I'm interested in, but the only ones that apply to my current question. Everyone, or most everyone, has knowledge of CCM. It has a fantastic reputation. Now, I'm from Louisville, Ky, so NKU is literally an hour or so away from me and it is one of two schools in Kentucky that offer the BFA in Acting. The other school is WKU. I'm not saying anything against NKU! But it isn't very well-known compared to other schools. I do know this: CCM and NKU share some of the same professors, and NKU is half of what CCM's tuition is for me being in-state. I've been acting since I was 6 years old, and I know this is the path I want to take, but on the same note I have to consider the finances and what I'm getting out of each degree. Will they be similar? Will a BFA from any school look just as good?

- Thanks,
Chase

supportive · 07-17-2012, 12:28 AM

Louisville is known for great regional theatre and it's a great place for actors. The BFA is what YOU make it. I believe all BFA's are competitive so I say go where you really want and do really well in the program!

ChasieLooHoo · 07-17-2012, 12:38 AM

Supportive- Thanks so much for the encouragement! Louisville is a wonderful theater city, and I think a lot of times we get overlooked when it comes to training because UofL and Bellarmine (our popular colleges in the city) don't really offer a strong theater program, and neither offer a BFA program, which is what I am interested in. Now, we do have Actors Theatre of Louisville, which offers a top-notch apprenticeship! We have many youth conservatories (which are very well-known around the country) along with amazing regional theaters like you mentioned. I strongly believe in what you preach, that the program is what you make it, but I'm paranoid about going to a school that has a newer program.

supportive · 07-17-2012, 12:53 AM

You are quite welcome! Newer doesn't mean less competitive. I would think it would be exciting. My kids graduated from a PA high school and the head of the theatre department retired last year but was back this year. She brought nothing to the table and personally, I think she should have stayed retired because their program is stale and it's all about the teacher's ego. My son is in the inaugural studio at NYU and he said the excitement is contagious! My daughter will be a freshman at Northern Illinois- not as well known but it is the perfect BFA Acting program for her (and SO much less expensive) .Because NKU is a newer program, I believe the professors and students work even harder because they want to make it a success. You have said that CCM and NKU share the same professors. To me, it's all about the training and the fact that there are such great theatres around Louisville- well, that's a win-win situation- and you won't be in as much debt- another plus. Also, who knows, you may even get some great scholarships to attend! Break Legs.

ChasieLooHoo · 07-17-2012, 01:01 AM

Thanks! Northern Ohio and Northern Illinois are both on my list too! I definitely want a more personal, close-knit program, so small is great!

austinmtmom · 07-17-2012, 06:54 AM

ChasieLooHoo - If you are looking for small and personal you might want to look at Coastal Carolina University. The acting training there is outstanding. And if you have an interest in Physical Theatre, they also offer a BFA in PT. You should qualify for in-state tuition for that particular major. The PT majors spend their senior year studying in Italy.

TheRealKEVP · 07-17-2012, 08:57 AM

ChasieLoo, you didn't tell us about your own personal goals, and why you are planning to earn a BFA.

I am guessing that your goal is to be an actor. If that's so, you need to remember that what will be important is your own talent together with the skills and techniques you will be learning. Where you went to college is not important, or even whether you went to college, there are many successful actors who did not go to college.

What you need to be paying attention to, IMHO, is whether you will be learning the things you will need in your career as an actor. Pay attention to the teaching style of the places you are applying to, does the way they teach match the way you learn? What is the theory of acting training? Will you be taught the skills and techniques that you will need as an actor?

When you go for a professional audition, the auditors will be looking at your audition first, and only once you have caught their attention will they even glance at your resume. So I don't think you should worry so much about "prestige".

On the other hand, the reason that some of these places have become prestigious is because they have been able for so long to train very talented actors.

KEVP

ChasieLooHoo · 07-17-2012, 02:04 PM

I have considered Coastal Carolina University. It's on my list of schools.

Why I ultimately want to earn my BFA? Yes, I do want to act professionally and I believe that a BFA will expand my knowledge and help me grow as an actress. I know I want to receive my MFA as well.

austinmtmom · 07-17-2012, 02:25 PM

Chasie - If you need any info on CCU, feel free to PM me. They have added a video prescreen requirement this year so just keep that in mind. Best of luck on your journey!

ChasieLooHoo · 07-18-2012, 01:55 PM

Aloright! Thanks, I'll do that