I’d like to add that 10 months makes a huge difference in the life of Juniors in HS metamorphosing into the College Freshman. I know of one particular kid who was sure he’d never leave home for college and he is now living over 2 hours from home at a college that is perfect for him happier than he ever was in HS. That being said, I do not know your daughter but from hearing her academic and acting interests and concerns, I think that two schools come to mind that would be good fits for most of her needs : Otterbein and Pace. Both have small classes and congenial professors who care about the progress of each student. My D is at Pace BA program and it is a fantastic opportunity to learn about acting, theatre, be recognized for your individual talents and learn the ropes in film and theatre entertainment circles. Both of these schools give opportunities to students who are not just those perfect Honors students and reward talent with scholarships. I know you are saying that she wants to live at or near home so if she can’t get over that hurdle of course these suggestions are in appropriate. Please keep an open mind at this juncture. If she does insist on staying near home and delaying her interest in a BFA/BA performing arts career, my best suggestion would be to attend a community college and to get some of the gen eds out of the way.
^Great point about how much kids change between junior and senior year; if you visit schools outside of Chicago, that may certainly help her be more open to expanding her options. Based on your original post, I would think Otterbein would be within reach not just in terms of academic admissions but also in terms of merit aid. If you can visit while school is in session, that’d be the most helpful. Good luck!
The other thing I feel compelled to add is that your D’s academic standing is in the average range and she is in a good position to get into a lot of schools with great theatre programs. It is really deceiving to be an average student comparing oneself to the elite academic standing of her classmates in a highly competitive private school and to the kinds of academic success that is reported in College Confidential. What I’d like you to do is go to the Dramatics Magazine and look at the average grades and scores that each of the schools report. I also want you to trust this process that what counts is the acting audition and what she brings to the table with the motivation and creativity that she presents in her application. It also helps to travel to the school which is the furthest away that she would consider going to and decide if the travel is something that she and your family can handle whether that be a 2 hour drive from your house or a 2 hour flight.
I have heard a lot of good things about the theatre program at UIC. You might want to give them a serious look.
My son is in his second year at the UIC theatre school–and loves it. Small ensembles–10-12 students, who become very close to each other. Some are commuter students but most live on campus. And Chicago is their playground for theatre events–my son is at a play, often at the big theatres, almost every weekend–they get student prices if not free tickets from the school, plus the “U” pass that all the students in Chicago school get that allows unlimited “L” and bus transit.
UIC has both a BFA (conservatory approach) and BA degrees in theatre. The head of the UIC theatre school is Yasen Peyankov, who’s a long-established ensemble member at Steppenwolf–and he’s pretty amazing from what I hear. They get a lot of their instructors from the Chicago theatre scene–as I would expect most of the local theatre schools to get. And if you’re an Illinois resident, you can’t beat the tuition at UIC. The last thing our kids need when they graduate with an arts degree and no clear employment in sight is huge student loan debt. I have heard it’s pretty competitive to get in–not sure what the odds were when my son auditioned there a couple years back, although I did hear there were a lot of applications.
Please look at California State University, Northridge - Mike Curb College – Excellent BA theatre program (which can be combined with MT minor), Excellent film school - lots of opportunities to work on student films; well connected alumni in LA TV/Film industries, local theatre. BEAUTIFUL Valley Performing Arts Center that was opened as a touring house but is as of this year being used for student productions as well. They are doing “Drowsy Chaperone” in the VPAC in a few weeks.
You still have to be accepted academically to enter the UM Guthrie program. I know of someone, who passed the audition process but did not make it to the school academic acceptance So the first thing you need to do, is check the minimum requirement for the schools your daughter would like to go and if she meets these, all she has to worry is the audition process.
It’s been months but a big thanks to mom2gals, slug123, stagemom1981, and MTTwinsinCA and others.
It’s application time and my D has been growing, auditioning well and getting some roles after working recently with good acting and voice coaches who think she has the talent, and open to going a little farther if the financials work out, not so interested in an urban campus but I had heard of the UIC program and am encouraging her to visit and audition. We went to one in-state school with a highly regarded BFA program but she feels it wasn’t a social fit. Too bad. I will look into your suggestions, and will catch up on all the posts I hadn’t seen! I agree that our view of her academics is skewed by going to one of the top HS’s in the country with lots of high achievers.
Per Otterbein’s website they only accept eight students each year out over 1,500 applications so it’s really a stretch, half guys. Our post-HS counselor says it is within reach academically and they come to Chicago Unifieds, so what does she have to lose?
I have always believed that Otterbein is one of the hardest admits…over NYU, CMU etc…
Go for it! My son was accepted in 2014, and his acting class consists of 2 guys and 5 women. I believe they flex the numbers based on what they need any given year. Otterbein was son’s top choice, and we were shocked and thrilled when he was accepted (which never would have happened if he had ruled it out based on numbers). The audition was also one of his favorites, and the feedback and adjustments he received were so enlightening to him that I believe it improved his auditions that followed.
Having you read my posting was in itself like finding a needle in a haystack! Thanks so much for responding. Two follow up questions: any insight on scholarship? Did you visit the program at all before auditioning?
We did not visit before son was accepted as we are in the northeast and visiting prior was not feasible. The merit scholarship amount listed on the school website seem to be fairly accurate when awarded. I don’t know what other students received for talent scholarships, but son’s was generous and we were very pleased and grateful 
I pm’d you
Thanks for your messages!