<p>Look, many posters don’t seem to have read your requirements. YOu have two requirements that rule out Publics unless you are an NMF: substantial financial aid.</p>
<p>So forget all publics as they are not generous with OOS applicants and are usually >10,000 students.</p>
<p>You are into theater, and are liberal, so avoid schools that are under 4,000 population… it’s just too hard to have a substantial theater community at a very small college, so eliminate all LACs.</p>
<p>Therefore, your search is really for non-zealously-religious private Universities from 5,000-10,000 in size, near a large lake or ocean, generous with financial aid and are a match to a 30ish ACT</p>
<p>Tulane, U of Miami, Chapman University (southern California), Northwestern (a reach), Georgetown, perhaps Fordham (I think you’re OK there as an atheist).</p>