The Finally twenty schools

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
13

<p>Wineguy – I’ll chime in re: USC’s BFA program! Both of my kids are there – my daughter a junior and my son will be starting his freshman year in August.</p>

<p>As an acting coach, I had both of my kids auditioned for a lot (14) of schools – because there are no safeties when it is auditioned based. Between them (they didn’t apply to and audition for the exact same list of schools) they were accepted to UCLA, UNCSA, Carnegie Mellon, CalArts, BU, DePaul, UMichigan, UMinnesota/Guthrie, MGSA, SMU, Fordham, Chapman, UCIrivne and LMU. Son was priority waitlisted at Purchase (daughter didn’t apply) and both kids made first round callbacks at Juilliard and son was one of ten placed on the waitlist for the second round callbacks in NYC.</p>

<p>Here’s why they both chose USC over all those other amazing programs… and believe me it was agonizing making the decision both times.</p>

<p>The academic standards of USC are impressive and on the rise. The medium stats of the kids accepted 2009-2010 were 3.8UW GPA, SAT 1990-2210, ACT 30-33. Both kids wanted a BFA over the BA because they wanted to focus more on their acting training and did not want to take language or math classes. They both wanted the “college experience” football games, school spirit, etc. Both decided they wanted to go to school in the city they plan to reside in (and hopefully work!). Both kids are in the unions and already have representation – my daughter goes out weekly for auditions and is learning the grind of what that means in LA. Other factors: ability to do a semester in London, Senior Showcase for Casting Directors, Producers, Directors, etc, participating in films produced/directed with USC film students and – :slight_smile: – weather!</p>

<p>And finally I will second what wisdomsomehow posted – The amazing Trojan Family. The alums truly help each other. There is an incredibly strong network in hiring recent grads – it sounds corny but it is a huge family.</p>

<p>Re: financial aid – USC is very, very generous with financial aid and they will work with you if you feel you need more than you were awarded. They are also very generous with merit awards, Trustee, Presidential, Regents, etc. The School of Theatre has just implanted a new scholarship fund as well – The Robert Redford Engaged Artist Award – and now has more funding to help with talent scholarships as well.</p>

<p>Your son sounds very talented and motivated – I am sure he will do extremely well with college quest next year! Best of luck!</p>