LA ACCEPTED STUDENTS

• Please complete the Deferred Enrollment Application
• Upload your required documents
  • No application fee or interview required again
• Be accepted for new term/program of enrollment

Campus Cafe is your online student portal. Class registration, payments, attendance, etc. can all be completed and tracked in this account.

If your application was submitted in Campus Cafe, you’ve already received your login credentials. Login credentials are as follows:
Username = first name.last name
PW = student ID #

The 12-Week class schedule is generally published approximately 6 weeks prior to the session start. Current/returning students are given priority registration and new student class registration generally opens 2-4 weeks prior to the session start and remains open through the first day of the term.
Registration is completed directly in Campus Cafe based on the registration opening windows posted above and per the New Student Registration Guide.

12-Week Scheduling Guide/Sample Schedules | One-Year Conservatory Curriculum Guide | Two-Year Conservatory Curriculum Guide | AOS Degree Curriculum Guide
Deposit must be paid in order to register.

Part-Time study consists of 8 hours of study per week* (2 MAT100 classes with 2 different teachers on different days)
* Additional classes can be added at a-la-carte rates see Tuition

Full-Time study consists of 22 hours of study per week (2 MAT100 classes with 2 different teachers on different days, VMV105: Voice 1, VMV100: Movement 1, 1 of: (MAT130: Acting for TV/Film I or, MAT110: Improv I or MAT120: Scene Study), 1 HSC Class and 2 additional 2hr electives) 12-Week/First Term Curriculum Guide | Sample Schedules

Conservatory (1 or 2 Year) consists of 3 or 6 Full-Time (22 hours per week) terms. One-Year Conservatory Curriculum Guide | Two-Year Conservatory Curriculum Guide

Associate of Occupational Studies consists of a dedicated schedule created by the Administration. See program details. AOS Degree Curriculum Guide

Class transfers can be completed in Campus Cafe through the end of week 2 of the term.

Waitlists– If a class is full, you can join the waiting list. You should enroll in another class in the meantime, as you are not guaranteed a spot from the waitlist.

See detailed tuition information for all programs here

12-Week & Conservatory students: Pay $500 deposit (inclusive of non-refundable fees) in Campus Cafe in Application Status section(Information/Payment) to confirm enrollment and update Status from Accepted to Deposited. The next tuition payment is due the Friday before classes start.
Choose a Payment Plan. See the Payment Plan Due Dates Chart for details. Billing occurs after class registration. Contact [email protected] with questions

AOS Degree students: Pay $2500 deposit (inclusive of non-refundable fees) in Campus Cafe in Application Status section(Information/Payment) to confirm enrollment and update Status from Accepted to Deposited. The next tuition payment is due the Friday before classes start.
Choose a Payment Plan. Payment plan details (including amounts due and due dates) will be sent by the Bursar after class registration and can be found here.

2-Week Intensive students: Pay $800 deposit (inclusive of non-refundable fees in Campus Cafe in Application Status section) to confirm enrollment and update Status from Accepted to Deposited to secure registration spot. Balance Due prior the program start.

The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in Los Angeles strongly recommends students and employees stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flue is the health practice proven most effective in preventing severe illness and death. LSTFI encourages students/employees to stay informed about respiratory illnesses.

Effective November 1, 2023, LSTFI will not require students and employees to submit proof of vaccination status to gain access to campus facilities and activities. However, a COVID-19 vaccination requirement may be instituted in the future, should immunization against COVID-19 be required by state or local public health departments, and/or vaccination becomes necessary to prevent transmission within the LSTFI community. Please see our Reopening Script​ for full details and protocols.

DEPOSIT: A $800 tuition deposit (inclusive of non-refundable fees) is required to confirm your registration (payable in Campus Cafe) Once your deposit is paid, your spot is secured for the Intensive specified in your acceptance letter
CLASS SCHEDULE: The Intensive always starts on either Monday or Tuesday. The schedule will be emailed to all enrolled participants 2 weeks before the start and can also be found here once published. The 2-Week Intensive is a set schedule. No need to enroll in classes online. You will be automatically enrolled.
BALANCE: The balance must be paid in Campus Cafe prior to the first class

Questions? Need to defer your start? Email: [email protected]

Steps to receiving the I-20 Certificate
Please note that visa processing times could increase under the current US administration. Please complete the steps to receive your I-20 for your student visa as soon as possible.

1. Submit International Student Info Sheet with supporting financial documentation to cover tuition and living costs ($2500 per month). Submit the Affidavit of Support if you have a financial sponsor (funds are not in your name) to [email protected]
2. Non-degree students: Pay $500 deposit (inclusive of $250 non-refundable Registration fee in Campus Cafe in Application Status section). The billing statement does not update with all the charges until you’ve registered for classes; however you can input the payment amount, and the amount paid will credit to your account.
   Choose a Payment Plan using this form
   *AOS degree students: Pay non-refundable $2500 tuition deposit in Campus Cafe in Application Status section prior to issuance
   Tuition is refundable if your visa is denied or you withdraw before attending classes. The registration fee is non-refundable
   
3. I-20s will be sent electronically.
4. Pay the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee and follow the instructions in your I-20 packet to schedule your M-1 or F-1 visa appointment.

TRANSFERRING: If you are currently in the US on an F-1 visa then you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record to us (if joining the AOS degree program).  Please be sure to pay close attention to the rules for transferring and deadlines so that you don’t fall out of status. Request a transfer of your record from your current school to Strasberg LA School Code: LOS214F00919000

Please note that you may not transfer a M-1 SEVIS record to an F-1 school or F-1 SEVIS record to M-1. You must obtain a new SEVIS record and student visa.

Veterans must submit in Campus Cafe:

• Current Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits (Check benefit status here)
• Transcripts from ALL previous study (Unofficial transcripts are sufficient)
  • This includes all training after high school (college, university, vocational school)
• The VA Certifying Official will certify your enrollment to the VA after you’ve registered for classes.

Payment

If you’re entitled to 100% benefits, the VA will remit full tuition payment directly to the Institute. No out-of-pocket payment due.

If you are not entitled to 100% benefits, please pay the tuition deposit and then choose a payment plan. A 10% tuition discount will apply to the remaining balance.

New Student Orientation for each 12-Week term will take place the Friday before the term starts at 12:30PM* and includes Staff introductions, expectations, Institute expectations and opportunities. Orientation for the 2-Week Intensives takes place before the first class.
See the Orientation Resource Folder here | New Student Info Sheet | Orientation 1 Sheet

New Student Welcome Day (for Fall and Spring term enrollments) will take place the Thursday before the term begins 3-5PM* and includes snacks, Q&A, facility tour & Method introduction.

*Times subject to change. Please refer to emails sent from Admin for exact time and details.

Housing
The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute does not offer housing; however, there is a private Discord group for accepted students to post and search for roommates. We highly recommend sharing an apartment with another student(s) to help reduce costs. Rent can range from $1500-$5500 for Studio-3 Bedroom apartments. We recommend finding housing in the West Hollywood or Hollywood area to make commuting to the Institute easier. Find out more about the Cost of Living and check out apartments for rent on websites like Trulia, apartments.com and Padmapper.
HomestayMatch is also an option for those who are looking an affordable housing option and want the experience of living with an American family.

Public Transportation
For those without a car, or just trying to reduce the carbon footprint, there are plenty of public transportation options. The Los Angeles campus is conveniently located just west of the corner of Santa Monica Blvd and Fairfax Ave where 4 major Metro bus lines stop (4, 704, 217, and 218). Additionally, the City of West Hollywood offers free or low fare public transportation through CityLine as well as bike sharing. Additionally, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are available.

Driving in LA
If you’re going to have a car in LA, there are a couple of major things that you have to prepare for: heavy traffic and parking signs. From 7AM-10AM and 4-7PM, traffic is at its heaviest. Always allow extra time to get where you’re going and use a navigation such as Google Maps and/or Waze. Once you get to your destination, parking is the next obstacle to tackle. Los Angeles has a lot of parking restrictions from street cleaning, to permit-only parking, to event parking and meters, the key is to always read the parking signs.

Registering to Vote
Eligible students enrolled in LSTFI may sign up to register  to vote in the state of CA by going to the following link. https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote/ .

Apartment Types

• Studio: one open living area with a bathroom and kitchen
• 1 Bed: one bedroom with a bathroom (or more) and a kitchen
• 2 Beds or more: two bedrooms (or more) with a bathroom (or more) and a kitchen

Look Carefully at the Rental Property

• Check if everything is working properly (air conditioner/heater, faucets, toilet, hot water etc.)
• Check to see if your room is clean and ready for you to move in
• Point out to the landlord any cracks/damages already there and take photos of them for your own records for evidence

Confirm Rental Terms

This list of questions will clarify some of the information all renters and lessees need when they enter into a new rental or lease agreement:

• How much is the rent? Are the utilities (gas/electricity/wifi/trash) included?
• How much is the deposit? Is it refundable?
• How long is the lease? What if I need to move out earlier?
• When can I move in? When is the rent due each month?
• What is the penalty on late rent payment?
• Who do I call for a repair? Who pays for repairs? How long will it take for a repair?
• Can I use the living room/kitchen/laundry room?

What documents you need to apply? 

Most apartment owners require applicants (also called the renter or tenant) to provide copy of their bank statements, proof of a credit score or credit history, and/or a social security number. Most new international students do not have all these items. If you find an apartment that you are interested in renting, communicate with the rental agency or landlord that you are an international student and can provide other documents to verify your credibility.

In such cases, you may need to show proof of a U.S. bank account with at least 5 times ore more the amount of the monthly rent. In some situations, you may also be asked to put in 3 times or more of the minimum deposit amount in order to secure the apartment.

Other documents that may be needed to rent or lease:

• Copy of your passport and/or visa
• Copy of your I-20
• Proof of good credit history or 5 times the monthly rent in your U.S. bank account
• Social Security Number (if you have one; may be waived)
• A co-signer who is an U.S. citizen or permanent resident (may be waived)

If you are satisfied with the arrangement, you can sign the lease or rental agreement. You should receive your key as soon as you sign the lease and pay the deposit and/or first month’s rent. Be sure to put everything in writing, and request a copy of the written leasing agreement.

Beware of Scams

Bad actors exist no matter what country you are. Beware of fake listings and scammers. If the listing is too good to be true, be careful.

All new students must submit a scene or monologue self tape midway through their first 12-Week term. The new students then gather to review their self tapes with David Strasberg to receive notes on their performance, as well as guidance for their continued training. The Institute switched to self-tapes in 2022, so as to better reflect the industry standard for auditions. Any student who fails to complete the New Student Review may be ineligible to continue their studies in the future.
Find the full FAQ here