Are you interested in applying as a Theatre / Drama / Acting major? Here are some notable schools and majors to consider.

📽️Notable Theatre / Acting / Drama Schools

• New York University  - Tisch School of the Arts - Drama 

• Carnegie Mellon University - College of Fine Arts - School for Drama 

• University of Washington - School of Drama 

• UC Irvine - UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts (no audition required for Drama (B.A.) major, but auditions are required for Musical Theatre (B.F.A.) major. 

• UCLA - School of TFT (Theatre, Film, and Television)

• UC San Diego - Department of Theatre and Dance 

• UT Austin - BFA in Acting 

• University of Southern California - School for Dramatic Arts 

• Rutgers University - B.F.A. program at Rutger’s Mason Gross School of the Arts 

• Fordham University - Theatre Program (B.A.)

• Pace University - School of Performing Arts 

• Boston University College of Fine Arts - 2 BFA Options of Acting and Theater Arts 

• Loyola Marymount University - Theatre Arts Program 

• Syracuse University - B.F.A in Acting 

• University of Wisconsin

🏫 What is the difference between doing a conservatory (BFA, BA), or going to a comprehensive college? What are the advantages or disadvantages? 

In the spectrum of schools, one end is conservatory (e.g. Julliard) where it’s all theatre, dance, instruments with little to no outside of theatre academics. There will be very few general education courses.Conservatory is a particular type of school that attracts a real minority of students. They look for a high level of polish, where the student will master and perfect their classical craft in dance, theater, or music. Students applying to conservatory will most likely have a 1:1 private instructor from a very young age who is steering them towards conservatory. 

On the other end, there is a general university of liberal arts school, where the focus is on general academics. It won’t have the intensity or immersive nature of conservatory training. In a general university, you’re balancing your academics and arts major. Like schools in the middle of the spectrum (e.g. Tisch or Emerson), students have 3 days of conservatory training and 2 days of academic training. Deciding whether you want to go to a conservatory or a general university depends on how certain the student is about pursuing an acting/performing career. Also, students and parents should be mindful that conservatories take so few people as well so it will be highly competitive.