"Also, they have mentioned that QUITTING a course of study looks worse on your resume than if you never took it. Now, don't get me wrong.... That's not to say that if the program really isn't working for you, you should tough it out and complete it regardless of whether you get anything out of it or not. Just be aware that along with throwing away money you've already spent to pay for your education, you are also risking your credibility as a commited worker."
Where this MAY be true in some cases, I have heard MANY instances where casting directors have THROWN AWAY resumes because they saw "AMDA" on it. I had teachers at the school encouraging me to leave. It would be a distaste in character to give your their names, whereas AMDA is their form of employment, but... leaving the school at your own discretion won't hurt you in the end.
I'm glad you're going in with an open mind, but just take into consideration the facts. They will bleed you financially and there is a high probability you will come out feeling you didn't get your money's worth.
I know schooling is very subjective. Some schools work great for one person and not at all for the next. However, there IS a reason this school has such a bad reputation.
Also, have you been speaking with alums that graduated longer than 8-10 years ago? In that case, it's a completely different ball game. The school used to be very respectable... it's current state is what's earned it the nickname SCAMDA.
As for the 4 out 15 being good. I would say those four bordered on mediocre with the potential of being great. They weren't even really STANDOUTS... just in that crowd. More likely than not, they were more experienced and trained going in than the others. I wouldn't even classify half that group as mediocre. It was really sad... I was hoping for them all to be good. I like witnessing talent... it gives me hope that there is still some left in this world with some of the 'big names' in theatre and film today.
4 out of 15 is a very low percentage. As I said, it would be one thing if the rest WERE mediocre... not even. Some sounded like they were reading the damn phone book while delivering a Shakespearean exchange... riiiiight. It was painful.
As for admissions sucking... yes, they do. They really do. They aren't trying to 'give everyone a chance'... hi, that's what community theatre is for. They are money hungry fiends. They accept people that don't have an ounce of talent and I am NOT joking. Some of the things I've seen there are scary. It's not fair to the kids that are truly talented, either. AMDA DOES have truly talented artists on the rise... they just get lost amidst the one's who just don't have it.
I'm not telling you not to go, I'm just telling you my own personal experience. My roommate is studio, I was integrated... I've witnessed both ends. I think you're definitely going in with the right attitude. You have to experience it for yourself and it may work for you, it may not. Hopefully it will. Keep us updated.
"You! You are the worst thing to happen to musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber! And you, well, I just plain don't like you."
~Stewart Gilligan Griffin
But I do know that the curriculums are VERY different... I don't want to make a wrong decision. My concern is that it would be like making a decision not to go to a school for Nursing because their pre-med program isn't tops. I feel like it would be irresponsible to make a decision based only on the musical theater aspect when I'm interested only in classical theater. But I appreciate that you took the time to respond.
