I went to a fancy MFA acting program that put me 100k in debt. Was it worth it?

Look how happy and hopeful I was!

It’s that time of year again, when parents and students are trying to figure out which college program makes the most sense for them— a huge decision with tons of consequences. I wanted to share my story about a choice I had to make at twenty-two: to either try and make it on my own as an actor in New York, or go to one of the most prestigious and expensive MFA programs in the country. My decision changed the trajectory of my life. But was it the right one? Would I recommend others take on a hundred grand in student loan debt for arts training? I mean, hanging naked on a trapeze in circus class was fun but did it make me a better actor? And did all those tongue twisters and breathing techniques help me land an agent? The answers are more complicated than you might think. So come along to see if getting my MFA in acting was worth it.

First, a little backstory: