@avonweasley, congratulations on your decision to attend Muhlenberg. From what I’ve read on these boards, it sounds like a great choice!
Thank you so much for your feedback. It really helps. We will be visiting those 3 schools over Spring Break next week. 
Thoughts re UCSD vs. USC - son @public school 4 year theater program not MT and pref film/screen acting over stage, although only experience to date is school/community theater with summer program in LA between junior/senior year. Waitlisted @UCSB and UCI.
@CalBear87 UCSD is a non-audition program and USC is audition so it’s hard to compare. I think UCSD is an academic admit whereas USC will take who they want for their BFA even if their stats aren’t as high as the average USC student.
UCSD is portfolio submission, UCI and UCSB are academic admit, audition after freshman year for UCSB. Wading through website info and reading professor and alumni CVs. BA @USC not BFA, he’s got other interests as well and BFA very restrictive re classes outside program and graduation requirments. Schools both meet his other interests and seem like a good fit academically as well. Visiting both over break.
@CalBear87 I can’t really speak to the USC program, but I have to say that the young man I know who is about to graduate from UCSD is exceptionally talented and he has really grown in the program there and has performed in numerous productions. The connection with the Old Globe is phenomenal. Also, I will add that my D’s acting coach through MTCA is an adjunct professor there and she is amazing - she is a very successful working actor and is extremely accomplished with a BFA in MT from Elon and MFA from UCSD’s professional acting program connected to the Old Globe which is very esteemed. If my D would have considered for a moment staying in CA and attending a UC, that is likely where I would have really encouraged her to go. It is a really impressive program.
Thank you for the details, consistent with what my son is saying re connection with OG.
Just want to clear up the UCSD/USD confusion - which is very widespread. There are 2 schools well-known for their Acting MFA programs in San Diego: UCSD (public school) has an MFA Acting program affiliated with The La Jolla Playhouse, which is on its campus. USD (private Catholic university) has an MFA Acting program affiliated with The Old Globe. Both excellent MFA programs, but not the same school. Both of these schools have BA Theatre programs for undergraduates.
I would have been thrilled if my D had been accepted to UCSD but it is a non-audition BA. On the supplement there is a place to upload a video “to enhance your application” but it was definitely optional. I think this one is mostly an academic admit for whatever that’s worth. I know it’s a great program though which is why my D applied. That being said, it’s not going to be as competitive to get in as USC where they take 20 or so kids into the BFA program…
He is in the BA program at both schools. Our understanding from HS teacher advisors was portfolio not optional so surprised to hear differently! BFA @USC was 20 students admitted, my understanding from audition day there was ~ 60 for the BA. Thanks for clearing up UCSD/UCD information. Know San Diego has excellent stage reputation, but it isn’t LA and son started out wanting LA only for the contacts etc. Visits definitely needed.
@elsacc Thank you for clarifying. I always get the two confused. My D’s friend is at UCSD, but you are right the MFA program I referenced was the one at USD. Too many initials!!
@CalBear87 so then your son was accepted to USC? If so and you can afford it…he should GO! It was my D’s dream school but she was rejected for both the BFA and BA. It definitely hit me hard this weekend…I knew it was a longshot but I couldn’t help hoping 
Yes, accepted to USC. Hard to compare because both bring different strengths and experience in very different communities. Will have to see what fits.
I was taking a good long look at my D’s options today and looked up the BA Theater at Rutgers just to see how many credits were in the major. I was surprised to see it listed on the Mason Gross website as it’s technically housed in the School of Arts and Sciences. This could be a great safety for someone.
http://www.masongross.rutgers.edu/theater/programs-of-study/theater-ba
Fyi, just cancelled D’s Montclair audition for April 1. If anyone is thinking about adding one more, they may have an open space for that date. Really wish we could have made it but it just won’t work out with our schedule.
I can’t win. Booked a trip to CA from NJ to shadow a student at Calarts and to visit LMU. LMU was having enhanced tours that week so I scheduled on for 4/12 and she’s shadowing at Calarts on 4/11. Turns out that LMU is closed for Easter 4/12-4/14! So forget about visiting the theater department and sitting in on classes. How can she commit to a school unless she’s at least met the department head? Had I know I would have gotten an earlier flight on the 10th but too late now… :((
@marg928 Can you try and move the shadow day at CalArts to 4/12 and then do LMU on 4/11?
@Twoboysandadog I wish I could but I was lucky enough to get any shadow day. They said it was too late to shadow but that they would try to do something for her and came back with that date. Actually the head of the dept at LMU just called me and said he would meet us on the 12th when we have the tour and show us the facilities but of course there will be no students there. Better than nothing though!
My D got wait listed at NYU!! Does anyone know anything about waitlisters from NYU past history - if they actually come off? I think @toowonderful D goes there Maybe you know?
My D is waitlisted, too, @kaf011. Thanks for asking that question! Look forward to seeing some answers. Fingers crossed for all of us!