LA ACCEPTED STUDENTS

The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in Los Angeles has officially reopened for in-person classes. Please see our Reopening Script​

​We continue to work closely with our local public health agencies to ensure our campus reopening plans are in alignment with the state and county guidelines to welcome students back to campus.

Full Covid-19 vaccination (from a WHO recognized vaccine) is required* starting Fall 2021. Masks are required indoors per LAPH. Physical distancing is encouraged. All students must have the flu vaccine during flu season (November-February).

*Medical exemptions only. Those medically exempt from the Covid-19 vaccine must test regularly. (24-72 hours before entry.)

*Full Covid-19 vaccination= 2 weeks past final dose of either 1 dose J&J vaccine OR 2nd dose of Pfizer, Moderna or other WHO recognized vaccine PLUS booster dose. Booster dose must be received 2+ months after J&J vaccine or 6+ months after Pfizer, Moderna or other WHO recognized 2 dose vaccine.

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 3 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.

See the program requirement guide
Tuition Payments must be made prior to the first day of class. Choose a Payment Plan
Part-Time study consists of 8 hours of study per week* (2 Method Acting I classes with 2 different teachers on different days)
* Additional classes can be added at a-la-carte rates (2hr- $875 or 4hr-$1400)

Full-Time study consists of 22 hours of study per week (2 Method Acting I classes with 2 different teachers on different days, Voice 1, Movement 1, 1 of: Acting for TV/Film I or, Improv I or Scene Study, History elective and 2 additional 2hr electives or 1 4hr elective)

Conservatory (1 or 2 Year) consists of 3 or 6 Full-Time sessions. Acting for TV/Film, Improv and Scene Study are each taken once each session in year 1, and again in year 2.

Associate of Occupational Studies consists of a dedicated schedule created by the Administration. See program details. $2500 non-refundable tuition deposit due by August 1 to secure spot.

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 request to be added to the waiting list.

You should enroll in another class in the meantime, as you are not guaranteed a spot from the waitlist.

The system organizes the waitlist order based on time (order that the request was submitted). If someone drops the class, and a spot opens up, then the next person on the waiting list will be added. You’ll be notified via email if a spot becomes available and you’re moved from the waitlist.

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. The 2-Week Intensive is a set schedule. No need to enroll in classes online. You will be automatically enrolled.

DEPOSIT: A $800 non-refundable tuition deposit is required to confirm your registration (payable in Campus Cafe)
BALANCE: The balance can be paid online in Campus Cafe or via PayPal to [email protected]

Questions? Email: [email protected]

Steps to receiving the I-20 Certificate

1. Submit International Student Info Sheet to [email protected]
2. Submit supporting financial documentation to cover tuition and living costs ($2000 per month). Submit the Affidavit of Support if you have a financial sponsor (funds are not in your name) to [email protected]
3. Non-degree students: Pay $250 non-refundable Registration fee in Campus Cafe. 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.
   *AOS degree students: Pay non-refundable $2500 tuition deposit prior to issuance
   Tuition is refundable if your visa is denied or you withdraw before attending classes. The registration fee is non-refundable
   All students: Choose a Payment Plan using this form
4. I-20s will be sent electronically.
5. 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 the rules for transferring and deadlines so that you don’t fall out of status.

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:

• Current Certificate of Eligibility (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.

If you are not entitled to 100% benefits, the Institute will allow you to make a payment plan for the outstanding balance.

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 $1300-$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 a great 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.