LAC with strong theatre

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello I've been a lurker for a while but am a new poster. Looking for some advice on DD13's current college list. I worry that the current list has too many reaches, not enough matches and/or that we are missing some schools that we should have considered. I also worry that in looking for a strong academic school we will give up too much on the theatre opportunities for her. </p>

<p>We have visited about a dozen schools and DD13 has a fairly clear idea of what she wants: LAC where she can major/minor in theatre (probably will also double major/minor in something like history / art history / psychology / sociology) and have the opportunity to continue to perform in at least a couple of shows a year if not more. She definitely wants a BA and not a BFA program. </p>

<p>She likes a “New England” feel (her words) although we are in the Midwest and will look there as well and she is fine with a small town. Wants a traditional campus feel. In terms of student body, she is looking for a place where the arts are active but that does not have an exclusively artsy/hipster vibe. Nor does she want someplace dominated by athletics/”bro” culture”. She would like a place where there is a good mix of students. </p>

<p>In terms of finances, we will get little to no need-based aid (maybe something nominal) based on some of the NPC’s we have done. Thanks to some family help, we can pay for the $50,000+ schools but we would like to find some colleges that would give some merit aid options as well. And $50-60 thousand a year is a lot of money for any college.</p>

<p>Her basic stats:
3.8ish UW / 4.4 W GPA, school does not rank but she is top 10%
All honors/ APs
31 ACT (is taking again this morning), SAT OK but we will not submit</p>

<p>ECs:
10 year, year-round commitment to competitive figure skating with some regional success (finalist in 6 state region) but not national competitor (and will likely not pursue in any serious way in college)
10 years of theatre – approx 3 shows a year, in honors level acting ensemble in school, city-wide/regional finalist in a juried monologue competition; attended competitive University summer theatre intensive this past summer; sings in a capella group and is Pres of her choir
Community service approx 250 hours in touring play with a healthy relationships message for high school students. Involved since sophomore year and is a Peer Leader / Asst Director this year.</p>

<p>Here is her current list (all of which she has visited):</p>

<p>Middlebury (loved this school, might consider ED, we know this is a big reach)
Williams (after legacy interview DD is pretty sure she won’t get in but wants to try anyway, Dean of Admissions said an arts supplement could be a big boost, grades and ECs are strong but scores are low)
Wesleyan (loved the students we met; her HS has very good track record with this college, many kids with similar stats are accepted)
Hamilton (loved this school, had the “aha” moment about campus/students in general but not sure about theatre department, have to do more research)
Bucknell (they offer some theatre scholarships, school may be a little too “Greek” but she liked it)
Connecticut College (seems like the perfect theatre/dance program but might lack diversity – doesn’t love M / F ratio)
Denison University (her GC says this is a safety for her and DD likes a lot; we’re thinking she might get some merit aid here)
College of Wooster (we got a “pre-read” last week for financial air/merit aid and COW says DD can expect $17,500 in grants; DD initially liked but says it feels too similar to her high school/too close to home)</p>

<p>I guess what I’m asking is, does this seem like enough range of selectivity to give her some choice come April? Does anyone know anything about the theatre/arts scene at any of these schools? And/or are there other schools that seem like obvious choices for her to consider given her interests/wants and the schools she already likes?</p>

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<p>Sounds like you live in OH. Wright State has a fabulous theater program but I think you have to audition. Your D would get good merit aid there. Obviously not a LAC though. Look at Lewis and Clark in Portland OR. Good theater program.</p>

3

<p>You can also look into Muhlenberg ¶, and Skidmore (NY) as options and likely safetys. She would probably get merit aid at Muhlenberg. Both are excellent schools though slightly less selective.</p>

4

<p>Look into Colorado College.
It’s a LAC where she can major/minor in theatre ([Theatre</a> and Dance at Colorado College](<a href=“http://www.coloradocollege.edu/academics/dept/theatredance/]Theatre”>Home - Colorado College)).
It has a traditional campus feel, but is set in a mid-sized city at the foot of the Rockies ([Our</a> Campus](<a href=“http://www.coloradocollege.edu/basics/campus/]Our”>Our Campus - Colorado College)). The arts are active (a new theater/arts complex was opened in 2008) but it has a good balance of science, social science and humanities students. Winter sports are an important part of campus culture (ice hockey is the major D1 program; a winter Olympics training center is a few blocks from campus; skater Peggy Fleming is a graduate.) It grants merit aid to about 12% of students. It is a bit less selective than Middlebury (with “test-flexible” admissions) and is much less isolated.
[Class</a> of 2015 Profile](<a href=“http://www.coloradocollege.edu/basics/welcome/overview/classprofile/]Class”>Class Profile - Colorado College)</p>

<p>Here’s an a capella Hoiday Greeting with good shots of the campus:
[Holiday</a> Greetings from Colorado College](<a href=“http://www2.coloradocollege.edu/holiday2011/]Holiday”>http://www2.coloradocollege.edu/holiday2011/)</p>

<p>And here is an interview with filmmaker Daniel Junge that includes reflections on his time at Colorado College:
[Face</a> the nation | Local Film Events | Colorado Springs Independent](<a href=“http://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/face-the-nation/Content?oid=2457197]Face”>http://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/face-the-nation/Content?oid=2457197)</p>

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<p>Some that aren’t on your list or others have not suggested that have excellent BA theater programs.</p>

<p>Kenyon College
Bard College
Beloit College
Whitman College
Sarah Lawrence College</p>

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<p>Do cross-post in the Drama/Theatre Majors forum as well.</p>

<p>If you sort the Kiplinger’s report by highest percent of students receiving merit aid, you might find some more contenders to research…
[Best</a> Values in Private Colleges, 2011-12](<a href=“Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts”>Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts)=ALL&id=none&sortby=non<em>nb</em>aid_p&sortorder=DESC</p>

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<p>muhlenberg college is flashing a big sign saying look here !</p>

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<p>Thanks to all who have replied.</p>

<p>Muhlenberg has come onto our radar from several sources. DD’s GC doesn’t seem to be a big fan but from what we can see, might be a good option anyway.</p>

<p>We have visited Kenyon and Skidmore and for various reasons DD did not like either although both seem like they would be excellent fits for her.</p>

<p>Not sure we will look so far west as Colorado or West Coast but interesting ideas.</p>

<p>I have been reading on Drama/Theatre major thread as well although the focus there seems to be much more on BFA or auditioned BA programs.</p>

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<p>One of my friends in the MFA theatre program here at UCLA did his undergrad at Vassar and absolutely raves about the program. Apparently it’s a very good department with awesome productions.</p>

<p>[Vassar</a> College Drama](<a href=“http://drama.vassar.edu/]Vassar”>http://drama.vassar.edu/)</p>

<p>In the Midwest, what about Oberlin?</p>

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<p>momofzag, your d’s gc may live in a bubble !</p>

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<p>With her accomplishments in academics, theater and skating I would think that your daughter would be a strong candidate for many colleges – Williams included. I don’t see her scores as a negative issue. These colleges are looking for smart, energetic, multitalented kids who will contribute to the campus community.</p>

<p>For sure, she should put together theater and music supplements, not just a video or recording, but a package including a resume listing performances, classes, awards, travel opportunities; an additional recommendation from an instructor or mentor; her “what I do when I’m not studying” essay; a limited (1 or 2) number of media reviews. </p>

<p>In small college admissions, more material is good. The point is to use all the elements – essays, recommendations, resumes – to communicate her level of involvement and commitment.</p>

<p>My son is a Williams alumni (art & art history). His other favorites have already been mentioned – Wesleyan, Hamilton, Kenyon. I would also take a look at the Maine 3: Colby, Bates and Bowdoin.</p>

<p>For less selectives, she might consider one of the women’s colleges, especially Smith.</p>

<p>She might look at theater from the other end of the telescope: even if schools aren’t known for their programs, they still have theater departments and majors, and they still need to admit actors and technicians. Your daughter’s experience and intention to participate would be a plus just about anywhere.</p>

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<p>Since OP is looking for legitimate safeties, I too want to recommend Muhlenberg. Not sure about the FA aspect, but their theater and dance programs are both excellent, and everyone I’ve spoken to who has a child there has been very pleased. Your daughter’s GC may just not be aware of it since it’s better known in SE PA.</p>

<p>Do you mind sharing what your daughter’s issues were with Kenyon?</p>

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<p>[Best</a> College Theater: Princeton Review](<a href=“Best College Theater: Princeton Review | HuffPost College”>Best College Theater: Princeton Review | HuffPost College)</p>

<p>(Unfortunately, I’m not finding any accompanying text.)</p>

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<p>LucietheLakie: At GCs recommendation, Kenyon was the first college we visited and I was prepared for DD to love it. Great school, great theatre program. Everything seemed right up her alley. But both of us were just a little underwhelmed. There was nothing wrong per se but it just felt really small. It’s smaller than her high school, the town seemed non existent (even compared to Williamstown or Clinton, NY). I think it also might be a slight case of familiarity breeds contempt - her HS sends many kids there and I think even though she wants a small school she wants to feel like she’s branching out and going somewhere new.</p>

<p>Momrath: Thank you for the positive thoughts and I agree that she is a strong candidate for many schools. Of course, I’m her mother so I may be just a bit biased :slight_smile: – don’t know how to do the smiley face thing yet, I am social media challenged. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Williams alum and would love to see her there. The Dean of Admissions did tell us in a legacy interview in August that her scores will be the problem if there is one (especially her SAT IIs which are not strong). He said that her academic record, all her ECs and commitment were excellent and that many colleges would be thrilled to have her but that Williams (and Middlebury especially of those on her list) gets such strong academic applicants that her scores might be a problem. He did not discourage her from applying and said the arts supplement could absolutely make a difference. </p>

<p>I think you’ve hit the nail exactly on the head as far as approaching theatre from the other end of the telescope. She has friends who are in intensive auditioned BFA programs (CMU for instance) and she realizes that she doesn’t want to only study theatre. She has other academic and social interests and would like to have time to interact with non-theatre people as well. She spent this summer at Northwestern’s Theatre intensive and loved it. I thought she would end up applying ED there but she’s not sure she even wants it on the list even though she loved the experience, the campus and Evansville. She said she doesn’t want a university that big (even though the theatre program would be awesome). I think she wants to get the traditional LAC experience and then if she decides she actually wants to pursue theatre professionally (in whatever capacity) that she would go for an MFA (hence some of my concerns about thinking about merit aid).</p>

<p>As far as some other colleges that have been mentioned:</p>

<p>Vassar - was on the list for a while and might still be. We visited and she liked the campus and the theatre program but thought the whole vibe might be just a bit too artsy/hipster for her – it’s also pretty selective especially for female applicant. She likes Midd, Williams and Wesleyan better so I think she took it off the list.</p>

<p>Oberlin - again may be too close to home and too but I think it’s a good option.</p>

<p>She is adamantly opposed to Women’s colleges – too bad as there are some excellent colleges but I can’t blame her since I didn’t want to go to one either.</p>

<p>The Maine schools - we were surprised to learn from a Bowdoin rep that there is actually no theatre major there. Bates or Colby would probably be great for her but they are really far away from us … All the other colleges on her list are at least within a 9 or 10 hour drive.</p>

<p>Maybe we already have a pretty good list. I was just thinking we had many schools at the tippy top and a couple of good safeties but nothing in between. But maybe Hamilton, Bucknell and Connecticut College function as the “target” range?</p>

<p>After reading through everyone’s thoughts, I also think Muhlenberg might be one to look at more closely. Only one person from her school has applied (at least in the last 5 years). The student was heavily involved in theatre but not a particuarly strong student. She was accepted and attends. It seems to provide really excellent theatre opportunities plus good academics and if DD doesn’t get into to some of the more selective schools she would have an out of state option that will feel like she is going away from home. Plus I am guessing that this might be more affordable with some merit aid…</p>

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<p>I would second Lewis and Clark. I adore the theatre program here and I’m not even a major or minor. Not New England ish but Portland is rad and she could qualify for merit aid, at the very least quarter tuition.</p>

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<p>Definite safety, but probably not “east enough”, and not a traditional campus: Columbia College Chicago.</p>

<p>Almost certainly a safety, traditional campus, probably too Midwestern though: Millikin University and Monmouth College both also in Illinois.</p>

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<p>momofzag, thanks for the scoop on Kenyon. It’s on my son’s list because he liked the mailings he received from them (which had a sense of humor) and because they have a strong theater department. We’ve just begun the search, but we’re looking for schools (preferably LACs or smaller universities) that are strong in math and theater. He’s thinking of majoring in psychology, but he’s really good at math, so I want him to make sure he picks schools that are strong in that. I’ll admit that after reading a couple of P.F. Kluge’s books, I’m not sure what to think of Kenyon. On of my son’s friends has an older sister who’s a sophomore there, so I’ll have to find out what she thinks of the school. We’re going to look at Oberlin too. </p>

<p>Good luck to your daughter. She sounds like a gem.</p>

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<p>My son liked both Kenyon and Hamilton, but I agree they are REALLY isolated, much more so than Williams. (Clinton is a charming smalltown but it’s not really walkable from Hamilton.)</p>

<p>Momofzag, My son – a non-athlete, non-legacy – had a positive experience with Williams ED. Whether your daughter chooses Middlebury, Williams or another school altogether, ED may be the way for her to compensate for what you perceive as her weak points, though I can’t imagine how a 31 ACT would keep anyone out of any school. Maybe she needs to do some intensive prepping and take the SATI & IIs again.</p>

<p>Perhaps the person she interviewed with on campus was being overly cautious? I’m a little puzzled by the concept of “non-evaluative” interviews. Once the impression is made it can’t be erased, so I think that time spent with a member of the admissions committee would have to count, indirectly or otherwise.</p>

<p>Lucie, Williams is another one to look at for theater + math.</p>

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<p>Maybe this isn’t far away enough, but otherwise she might like it:</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.earlham.edu/theatre[/url]”>https://www.earlham.edu/theatre&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>In case your D is interested, two-thirds of Earlham students do an off-campus semester, and I see that Theater has options in New York and London.</p>

<p>Your GC doesn’t know what she’s talking about re Muhlenberg. It’s a fantastic option for theater and dance.</p>

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<p>Have you looked into Chapman University in CA? Chapman is building a brand new $64 million Center for the Arts and it will be the “CROWN JEWEL” for the campus! They just had a groundbreaking ceremony a couple days ago. It’s quite amazing! You should check it out!
[Chapman</a> to build $64 million Center for the Arts | center, arts, - News - The Orange County Register](<a href=“Chapman to build $64 million Center for the Arts – Orange County Register”>Chapman to build $64 million Center for the Arts – Orange County Register)
[Musco</a> Center for the Arts breaks ground at Chapman University](<a href=“http://blogs.chapman.edu/happenings/2012/09/07/center-for-the-arts-groundbreaking/]Musco”>Musco Center for the Arts breaks ground at Chapman University)</p>