<p>I'm helping a friend with suggestions for her daughter, just going into her junior year. It's going to be a tough one because the student is -hmm, not sure how to put this- brighter? more intellectual? more mature? than her stats indicate (much like my own child.) GPA will probably be B/B+. SATs do not correspond though, due to ADHD. She's a very bright kid, and defintely NOT a cookie-cutter kid.</p>
<p>Looking for a small LAC in the northeast (ideally.) Very important that it have a strong performing arts component. A curious, intellectual environment would also be ideal. The family likely will not qualify for financial aid so schools where merit aid is likely would be great. Does such a combination exist?</p>
<p>I've recommended they get "Colleges that Change Lives" as a start. Any other specific ideas?</p>
<p>Yes, I think that is true. How about if we remove that criteria, and just look for a small LAC with performing arts and an intellectual and liberal environment?</p>
<p>The schools I thought of include the following, some of which are test-optional. I will also add that the student will probably have a very strong performance arts supplement/audition…
Bard (reach)
Bennington
Hampshire
Goucher
Kenyon
Oberlin (reach)
Mount Holyoke
and I don’t know anything about it, but what’s the deal with Clark University in Worcester MA?</p>
<h1>5 Especially the Musical Theater area. It has a list of schools offering Musical Theater majors. I know Wright State in Dayton Ohio specializes in musical theater. They would be well within the grade restraints of your friends daughter. For OOS they are not particularly expensive and do offer scholarships. You’ll have to check their websight.</h1>
<p>I’ve heard great things about the Theater program at Muhlenberg. I would wait to see what her Junior grades and ACT/SAT scores look like before commenting further, though.</p>
<p>She sounds like the perfect Knox College student, which is a CTCL school. Standard test score optional, incredible theatre program whether it’s her major or not. Very intellectual, curious kids. Small environment with really interested professors. I love this school and how fabulous it has been for my daughter. She started out undecided but with an interest in all aspects of theatre (make-up, costume, acting, directing, etc.), ceramics, creative writing and, currently a Junior studying abroad, she is now a sociology major with a ceramics and creative writing double minor. She is on the executive committee of the schools Improv group, has created intercollegiate Improv gatherings, is a tour guide, student helper for the ceramics studio, etc. etc. All this from a incredibly shy but incredibly creative and thoughtful LD kid. </p>
<p>Specifically to theatre - every two or three years (I forget) they offer a repertory term (it’s a trimester school which is also great) where students can register and all they do is work on producing every aspect of a play and then, obviously, perform it at the end of the term. My daughter has directed a one act, performed in four plays, done hair/make-up in two plays and written a play for a competition which allowed her to meet with one of the top guys from Steppenwolf (Chicago) who critiqued it, discussed it with her, and awarded her one of the top prizes. And she’s not even a Theatre major or minor! </p>
<p>The only negative to this school is that it’s in western Illinois but in some ways that’s it’s positive as well. The professors come from top universities but choose to bring their families to a small town and become involved with the students in ways that I’ve not seen happen in NE colleges. My true feeling is that if Knox were on the east coast it would be impossible to get into. It’s a true hidden gem in so many ways. </p>
<p>Ursinus would be a great fit. It has a great theater program and gives amazing aid. It is also test optional. I know a young woman there with a respectable GPA (3.7), but an abysmal ACT (14). She didn’t submit her exam, but showed great interest in the school and did an interview. She is going to Ursinus for no cost. About 1/2 is covered in need, and the other 1/2 is merit based. She also got a similar package from Muhlenberg and Skidmore.</p>
<p>Kenyon might be a reach too. Middle 50% ACT scores are now 28 to 32.</p>
<p>If you are interested in colleges in Ohio. Otterbein University in suburban Columbus has an excellent theater department. Most of the out of state students come either for the theater program, or for the equestrian program; both are excellent. I have a friend who teaches there, and says that the most talented students at Otterbein are in the theater department.</p>
<p>Clark is a small university in Worcester, MA. One of its strongest departments is geography. Some departments (mostly in the sciences) offer an accelerated BA/MA program where the fifth year is free–need to have a good GPA to stay in this program. Clark has a nice campus but it’s located in downtown Worcester, which is a dying city. If it weren’t for its location, I think you would see more kids applying to the school. The performing arts aren’t a focus here.</p>
<p>One possibility is Emerson College in Boston. It has a very strong theater program. There’s a BFA program that requires an audition, but there’s a BA in Theater Studies, which doesn’t require and audition. Another possibility is Ithaca College. It has a strong BFA theater program, but also has a BA program in Theater Studies.</p>
<p>Is this student interested in a BFA or a BA in theater. Most BA programs don’t require that the student audition. BFA programs do require that the student audition.</p>
<p>I do not know whether she is interested in a BFA or a BA, but I suspect that she will audition strongly. They may want to consider the BFA/BA choice next year when her GPA and test scores are clearer…</p>
<p>Ithaca and Emerson are great suggestions and are already on their list, I know. </p>
<p>I will definitely recommend they look into Muhlenburg, Ursinus, and Otterbein. I think Lewis & Clark and Knox are probably too far, but will mention them too.</p>
<p>Thank you all for these helpful suggestions!</p>