Reviews
American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Haley from Los Angeles, CA
a current student here
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In three sentences
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AMDA is a great school for performers of all types; acting, musical theater, or dancing. It's a small school and classes are small sized which is all the better for you due to many performance activities. AMDA students care about one another and the teachers give you great feedback and help.
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Tips for prospective students
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Don't be afraid of criticism.
Stay focused, Hollywood is an adventurous place. Be you, don't try to be anyone else. Never let anyone bring you down. |
Academic Rigor
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Students must attend class everyday , someone who has 5 absences will be dropped from the class. You are always rehearsing or studying throughout the week. If you are looking to fly by this school easily, look somewhere else because at AMDA you are required to give 110% in everything you do.
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Dorm Life
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I have lucked out with my dorm. I live in the Franklin Apartments with 3 other girls. We have a kitchen with a stove and dishwasher, and air conditioning. Dorming can be a scary thing considering you are living with a bunch of strangers. Be friendly and never use your other roommates stuff without asking and getting permission. This is the most cause problem in the dorming life.
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Food and Dining
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AMDA, has a wonderful place called the AMDA cafe, each day they have a specific food bar. My favorite day of the week is Friday- which is TOSTADA DAY! The cafe serves breakfast lunch and dinner, they have delicious smoothies( Green Machine is the best) and coffee beverages, they have sandwiches salads and burgers , etc. All of the AMDA food items are fairly healthy my favorite on the menu is the chicken panini!
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What to do for fun
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Fun is everywhere! You live in Hollywood! If you are of age there are plenty of night clubs around, although make sure you are always with someone and stay safe! On weekend you can walk down to Hollywood Blvd, have lunch go shopping and be a tourist! Take a hike to the famous Hollywood sign, or take the metro to the famous Grove! It is a lovely outdoor mall! Eating around here is phenomenal. If you love food you'll love Hollywood!
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Bang for the buck
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AMDA, is a pretty expensive school, as long as you stay on top of your scholarships and financial papers anything is possible. There is also work available on campus.
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Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
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AMDA cafe is usually where everyone hangs out it's a very calm and cool place to study or have a coffee date!
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Great for these types of students
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Actors, dancers, singers
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Clubs and Activities
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Student Liaison Committee is like a student associated body committee or a student council so to speak. I have been a member since my first semester and I love it, you get to be o a different level of relationship with your teachers and staff and you are always helping with the concerns or matters of the school. We get work experiences and we're always looking for opportunities to help people and do volunteer work.
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Campus Safety
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Hollywood can be a bit scary, especially during the day there is security at all entrances of the campuses and apartments/dorms.If you have a late night class and it is dark you are always directed to ask a security guard to walk you home. This way you are kept safe. AMDA is very high on security.
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Madison from Lodi, CA
researching this school
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In three sentences
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It is the best dance/music/preforming arts school in the states. You want to go far in life? This place has it all.
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Tips for prospective students
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PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!! 33% of students who apply are accepted, meaning that your going to have to work your butt off in order to get into this school! TRY YOUR BEST!
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Academic Rigor
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Classes are difficult depending on study.
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Dorm Life
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It is very roomy and has many places for clothes and everything needed to make you feel at home and comfortable.
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Food and Dining
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There is a little AMDA cafe with super cheap prices.
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What to do for fun
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It is in the heart of LA, there is a lot to do in your free time!
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Rylie
a current student here
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In three sentences
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AMDA is in the "Heart of Hollywood" which means you're close to everything. Farmers markets, malls, coffee shops and everything in between. There is always something to do. When you're not in classes you can go to the Hollywood/Highland and immerse yourself in the tourist culture and street performance!
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Tips for prospective students
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My biggest tip is to put in as much effort as you plan to get out of AMDA. Your energy must match your teacher's and vice-versa. You can't expect to get anything out of this school if the effort isn't there. Work hard, but enjoy yourself. This is an opportunity to find your limits and experiment with your craft in a healthy, safe, supporting environment. Why not go for it?
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Academic Rigor
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They push you. Hard. But you can take it because it's your craft, what you love. Don't get discouraged. Like I said before, this is your opportunity to put in as much effort as you can muster. Do it with pride.
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Dorm Life
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They really try to put you with people you can jive with. If you're not comfortable in the rooming situation, they with help you feel more comfortable by reassigning you if that's what you need. Residence Halls activities take place during orientation and it's a great opportunity to meet and get to know the people you'll be living with for the next year or two. AMDA knows it important for us to create a bond, and that's what they try to implement.
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Food and Dining
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The AMDA Cafe is great for a quick snack, or a study sesh. It's located in the Piazza and has great vibes. I love to go and just hang out with friends and work on scenes. Great environment.
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Bang for the buck
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AMDA is expensive. But they have a two-year program and a four-year program so you're not locked into paying for four years. The two-year program is more intense but it allows you to be in the field sooner. The four-year program is more traditional. With either program you can study at the New York City campus for a semester or year which helps you create networks with the teachers in NYC, and you really get a feel for the more theatrical part of acting versus acting for film.
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Clubs and Activities
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When I went to the Accepted Students Brunch the summer before I moved in Karen Jackson, the National Director of Admissions, talked about creating our own opportunities. If you don't get into one of the main stage performances, write your own and show it to the committee and it could be produced! Poetry is often read in the AMDA Cafe. You can try out a monologue you've been practicing there on open mic. nights. AMDA is all about creating your open opportunities because that's what it's like in the business. Open your own doors.
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Campus Safety
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AMDA doesn't mess around when it comes to the safety of their students. 24-hour security on campus helps ensure that no one who doesn't belong gets in. Unless you have a guest pass or an AMDA ID you do not get through the gate. Classes and rehearsals can run late and with a couple residence halls being off campus it can be kind of eerie to walk home, so if you feel uncomfortable you can ask a security guard to walk you home. I've heard that they will soon have shuttles that go back and forth from Gilbert to the main building on Vine so students don't have to walk the 10-15 minutes it takes to get to Gilbert at night which is great!
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