Juilliard won't mollycoddle you, but it may make you famous. Kevin Spacey -- a 1981 alum -- told a student group that he protested his tough treatment by a teacher who likened his voice to frayed rope. "She said, 'You're an idiot. Don't you realize that I'm the hardest on you because I think you're the most talented, but I also know you're the laziest?' And she was right." Spacey got his act together at Juilliard, as did Girls' Adam Driver (who was prepared, as he'd already survived Marine boot camp). Graduates emerge with formidable language skills, script savvy and thick skins. Always a great launchpad, Juilliard just added a $10 million grant funding full tuition and stipends for top students.