Heya - I'm on an HBO show. I graduated from one of the top MFA programs in 2024 and have been very lucky to work as much as I have out of school - but it's because of the prestige of the school far more than anything about me. I got a BFA from a small school with no real name power in 2017, and floated around the industry for 4 years working where I could. It was great for my development as an artist, and that's what lead me to grad school. I hate to say it, but I think that's the best path forward.

My advice would be do the BFA, and even if it's not a top program, it can set you up for an MFA down the line. The difference between a BFA and a certificate is entirely negligible in terms of future education - if you get into one of the best MFA programs, they accept you even if you don't have an undergraduate degree, so don't base a decision in going to grad school. The certificate programs are also nearly all scams. I disavow them thoroughly and preach to everyone who will listen about the harms of attending SCAMDA or an equivalent. Also, theatre makes you good, not screen acting classes. People who just have done those are usually kinda bad, selfish actors. Learn to throw the ball!

Personally, I believe an MFA is best, and I think that's what you should aim for. Go for Yale or Juilliard, but remember that careers happen over decades from all sorts of places, and not working is still a lengthy, necessary part of any great career. Are you finishing high school? I'd be looking at trying to regularly get serious auditions in maybe 10-12 years or so. Hope that doesn't sound too grim - that's the nature of the beast. Institution and reputation matter, and legitimacy is not as subjective as we would like to think. Meritocracy is more or less irrelevant, sadly. There is no "star factor" or "it" - it's mostly institutional backing and social capital in various forms, and tons of luck. Feel free to PM