Acting Emphasis FAQ
When you’re trying to find the perfect college acting program, a few questions are bound to pop up. Take a look at this list of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our incoming students to find out if Columbia College Hollywood is right for you.
1. Can I choose more than one Emphasis for my BFA program?
No, you can only choose one Emphasis, but you’re free to choose from a wide variety of elective courses in other areas.
2. Can I apply for internships with entertainment industry companies while I’m a student?
Yes! An internship is one of the best ways to build industry relationships and gain practical experience that you’ll be able to include on your resume. Most Columbia College Hollywood students can begin applying for internships that earn college credit in their junior year.
3. How will a liberal arts degree help me in a creative career?
A liberal arts degree program provides a foundation of critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills that best prepare you to be a resilient, agile, lifelong storyteller, ready to build your own future career doing what you love.
4. Do I have to audition or submit a portfolio or sample reel with my application?
No, we don’t require auditions, portfolios, or reels to apply. We believe college is the place to discover your passion, try new things, hone your skills, and develop a body of work to take into the real world after graduation. If you already have a reel and want to submit a web link with your application, it’s completely optional. Also, if you want to apply for a Columbia College Hollywood Scholarship you may be required to submit a portfolio, video, or creative sample of your work as part of your scholarship application.
5. What is the Admissions Review Committee looking for in my application?
The Committee is looking for a complete application including your official high school transcripts and all other required documents, submitted on time. When you write your personal essay, express yourself, describe your creative and academic goals, then proofread carefully for grammar and punctuation errors. Ask teachers, counselors, or employers who really know you to write letters of recommendation. Finally, during your admissions interview, let your individuality shine so your Admissions Counselor can see how you’ll contribute something unique to the Columbia College Hollywood community.
6. Can I sit in on a class?
Yes! Contact your Admissions Counselor directly to coordinate a campus visit.
7. Can I visit the campus before applying?
Yes, you can visit by signing up to attend one of our Saturday Open House events, or you can arrange for a private tour.
8. How is your BFA with an Acting Emphasis different than an Acting Major?
At Columbia College Hollywood, you’ll be working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema with an Acting Emphasis, meaning you’ll major in Cinema, studying all aspects of the filmmaking process, while you focus on your passion: the art and craft of acting for film, television, commercials, and stage. By contrast, a bachelor’s degree program with an acting major may have a curriculum narrowly focused only on acting and acting-related fields, such as vocal performance and dance.
9. How is studying Acting at Columbia College Hollywood unique?
In our unique BFA program, you’ll become a complete storyteller. You’ll gain hands-on experience, both behind the camera and in front of it. You’ll collaborate with other students focused on directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, sound, and editing, so when you graduate, you’ll have a deeper, more practical understanding of the part an actor plays in the creation of feature films, television shows, or new media productions.
10. What acting techniques will I study?
We want you to be the most well-rounded actor you can be. That’s why our Acting Emphasis is eclectic. You’ll study a wide variety of acting, movement, vocal, audition, and script interpretation techniques while acquiring the essential skills actors need to begin building a professional career.
11. What are my career possibilities after I graduate with an Acting Emphasis?
Depending on your interests, you can start your career acting in feature films, short films, TV series, commercials, or web content. Actors work in staged entertainment at theme parks and on stage in theaters of every size around the globe. Our BFA in Cinema program also gives you a huge advantage: the knowledge and experience needed to develop your own projects and create your own entrepreneurial career path in the entertainment industry.
Is our BFA program right for you?
If you think Columbia College Hollywood is the perfect fit for you, download our Application Checklist and apply now. It will walk you through our application process, making the beginning of your journey that much easier.