California Institute of the Arts
This California acting school located in Valencia, less than an hour from LA, offers a 4-year bachelor program and a 3-year master program.
Don Cheadle, Ed Harris and David Hasselhoff all studied here.
Actors study film and stage acting, as well as voice, speech and movement, and develop their performance skills through a series of acting studios. MFA students concentrate on Shakespeare and the classics during their second year.
Performance opportunities: Acting students perform in several productions directed by faculty, other students and guest artists. MFA students concentrate on performance during the third year.
Career preparation: All students take an auditioning technique class and appear in an industry showcase at the end of their acting studies.
Degree: BFA in Acting, MFA in Acting.
Financial Aid: Grants, scholarships and loans are available, as well as work-study programs, assistantships and on-campus employment.
What you’ll need to apply: Transcripts, 2 letters of recommendation, headshot and resume, artist’s statement and an audition (auditions are held at the acting school in California and in select cities nationwide). Non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL scores.
Acceptance rate: 10 students are accepted in the MFA program.
Website: www.calarts.edu