Carnegie Mellon University

Date: May 29 2004
Major: Perfomance Arts (This Major's Salary over time)
CMU is not a bad drama school if you know exactly what you want, which (believe it or not!) will likely change over time. It did for me, and I'd like nothing more than to be doing anything but this, despite fairly steady work.

Most of the program's flaws are not unique to CMU, but the whole idea of a drama school, esp. within a university. Objective grading of drama students is impossible, and adhering to university regs or standards pretty much goes out the window in favor of egotism and emotion.

A degree from any school may connect you with an alumni network, but these may not be worth the massive costs. This is not the industry to start out six figures in debt!

If you think you want to go show biz, it's best to stay smart, keep your options open, work your way up and learn by doing. Don't limit yourself; you may change your mind later. Especially after you meet the people who actually run the industry, or after the 10th job you're expected to do for free… No matter how much you love the biz, it won't love you back (and even if it did, love don't pay the rent!)

Yes, follow your dreams, but take off from a solid foundation, and with a real means of support until you catch a break. Don't go into debt—build up a savings!