My #s come directly from the SMU student profile and not a 3rd party website.
Again, I see this as a fit academically, creatively, and a place with a sizable minority population and in a liberal area. Schools are more than a “conservative” or “liberal” place…as is SMU.
And yes, I have experience with alums.
But the numbers from the website and your comments above don’t provide context and or nuance….
63% White, Non-Hispanic
14% Hispanic
6% International/Other
8% Asian
5% Black/African American
4% Multiracial
The US population is approximately 13% black and 18% hispanic suggesting both groups are underrepresented at SMU.
It’s simply a program for the OP to research - nothing more. Time to move past.
Again, Princeton Review - 3rd party - but it’s a good article that you posted from the Dallas Observer - which shows the strides/efforts the school is making in regards to LGBTQ life.
I’m not the OP but that article would give me some comfort.
It’s the same you hear about schools and Jews, etc.
A 3rd party article or website does not necessarily reflect real life.
If the OP says - hey, I want to be out of the West and SMU has wonderful creative programs, is in a gorgeous campus in a liberal area, then they could look into the school. If they’re not interested, they don’t have to.
Giving the OP ideas is better than shutting them down - in my opinion.
Look at Ithaca College. Definitely checks some of your boxes but not sure if only their theater majors get to perform in their shows. Kids from our high school that go there are incredibly talented and LGBTQ friendly.
Sidebar: Bless your heart. Don’t you know that the South is a proper noun and should be capitalized???
Hee hee. Couldn’t resist. Sorry for the off-topic. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. 
Bless your heart " is a phrase that is common in the Southern United States.[1][2] The phrase has multiple meanings. It may be used to express genuine sympathy or as a precursor to an insult to soften the blow. However, it may also be used in an insulting way meaning “you are dumb or otherwise impaired, but you can’t help it” by individuals who wish to "be sweet” and do not wish to “act ugly”.
I will take all of the above and sorry😀
Deleted - off topic
Can you all move the conversation forward and focus on the OP please?
Look at University of Vermont. It checks almost all of your boxes, and definitely has the New England scenery.
Muhlenberg is a bit small but matches your criteria. Seconding Skidmore and Dickinson.
Thank you so much for all of your input. It really helps. I am adding a lot to my list.
My mom and I are planning a road trip next summer (I know not the best time to visit) to visit as many campuses as possible and then I will fly to visit a few top contenders to get a feel during the school year. I’m also using social media to reach out to current students.
I don’t think I want to go to the South - I really want 4 seasons and I’m looking forward to fall leaves and snow.
I am a mixed race female - Pacific Islander/Asian/Caucasian - and I know that a lot of NE LAC will be very white. That’s okay - I just don’t want to end up some place that is super homogeneous. I want to meet as many different types of people as possible. I also want to be someplace that anyone can feel comfortable to be who they are.
Vassar and Bates both may be a bit of reach but a good fit. I also very much agree with the suggestion of Dickinson.
If you are willing to consider schools in the Midwest, Denison checks a lot of your boxes. It’s maybe a little small, at about 2300 students, but it definitely has four seasons and a very active performing arts community. My son, who’s Asian/Pacific Islander, did a lot of theater and dance in high school but has not focused on this area at Denison apart from a couple of theater classes. Even so, both the theater and dance departments have been very welcoming and he’s had opportunities to perform. Take a look at the Eisner Center, a gorgeous new performing arts facility sponsored by Michael Eisner, the former Disney CEO. Communications and political science are also strong departments. Denison is an interesting school in that it works very hard to encourage meaningful diversity, meaning it focuses not just on the demographic percentages but on encouraging people to cross those demographic lines. Based on my son’s experience, it works pretty well. The faculty is also diverse and interesting.
Perhaps BC, Tufts, Vassar, Carnegie Mellon (they have a good performing arts scene), Villanova, William and Mary?
Definitely keep U Rochester on your list to check out… for all the reasons I mentioned before and because it fits this too. They may not end up your top choice, but they ought to be a contender to consider.
Rochester has 2 seasons, snow and no snow😀
I am kidding of course certainly worth your attention given your criteria.
Fortunately the campus has tunnels between many of its buildings. 
But yes, if the OP wants to experience 4 seasons with snow, a nice spring, fall colors, etc, UR is worthy - and it’s not that far from Niagara Falls (90 minutes) for a weekend getaway, the Finger Lakes, and other areas to explore. Then add to it that music is a large part of the college scene at the competitive and fun levels. Many, many students participate in all sorts of “types.” We’ve enjoyed a bit of it on our trips there.
It’s odd that your school year “snow” averages eliminated Aug and Sept… those are absolutely gorgeous months in Rochester, and college is in session.
I see you talking about UR - and I saw in my head - URI. Just add another letter 
It’s a mid size public which would be a safety, the music department is presenting 50 concerts alone this spring, so there is a creative vibe. I don’t get the sense it’s New England liberal but it’s also not over the top the other way.
It’s rated (for what any publication 's rating is worth) a top 50 LGBTQ friendly school.
While the town isn’t huge, it’s 35 mins to Providence and only 20 to beautiful newport. And there’s a bus to the airport which takes less than an hour.
Also check out Ithaca College. Big in communications, music and performing arts. Location is gorgeous Ithaca, NY where Cornell is also. Beautiful college town.
