Hello! My daughter has narrowed down her college options to these three schools, all of which would be around the same COA (Muhlenberg will run about $2K/year more than the others, which we’ve decided is not a dealbreaker). Not in the honors program at any, but she received academic and talent scholarships at Muhlenberg. She has also decided to stay on the WL at Skidmore. We are NJ residents. She does not seem to have strong feelings about the huge size differences between the schools, and can see pros and cons for each.
I know what my choice for her is, but she is having trouble committing. She thinks she’d major in Psych (or, at TCNJ, Speech Pathology) but also really wants to continue doing theatre and vocal performance (she was heavily involved in both throughout HS). This would be VERY easy at Muhlenberg, where she could potentially double-major in Theatre and Psych, but I am not sure how realistic it would be at Rutgers for a non-Mason Gross person, or at TCNJ (which has no theatre major, but does have student-run shows and, from what I can tell, a good vocal music program in which she could minor).
Another issue for her is that she has celiac disease, and although I know all of the schools will accommodate her, I’m not sure which school does the best job with providing safe/tasty/varied GF options.
Any thoughts appreciated!
The only school on your list I am familiar with is Muhlenberg. We toured it and my daughter loved it. She was really impressed by the amount of theater available, even for non majors. We were told about the main theater club where when you join, you are paired with an older student as a mentor. It sounds amazing.
Are you and your daughter going to Rutgers tomorrow? The student open house should be able to answer questions about ease of participation/performing.
Seems like Muhlenberg has it all for your daughter. Also, I went on a tour at Muhlenberg and the dining hall seemed really good. Our tour guide had a specific dietary need (Maybe gluten? I dont remember) and she said they were VERY accomodating.
@gallentjill Thank you. I agree, M’berg is a great place and I think she would love it there!
@3sonsmom The Accepted Student Days for RU and MC are both tomorrow, inconveniently! I think we are going to attempt to hit both… and you’re right, we should (will) try to talk to someone at RU then about theater for non-majors.
@jnkam I am with you. I think if I tried to design a college for my daughter, M’berg is exactly what I would come up with! But she wants to give it some more thought. I hope tomorrow’s ASDs will bring more clarity. And thanks for the info on what your tour guide said!
M’berg sounds like the best fit for what he wants. In terms of theater opportunities for a non major I’d count Rutgers out. TCNJ is an intermediate between both but for 2k difference I’d pick Muhlenberg.
@MYOS1634, thanks! She decided today: Muhlenberg it is! 
Hi! Sounds like I’m in the same boat. My daughter is deciding between Muhlenberg and Gettysburg. She is also going to major in theater/music. She’s been to Mberg twice, once to tour and once to audition. We visited Gburg once. I know their music dept is supposed to be good but I can’t really find much about their theater program. Gburg is farther away but not much as we are also in NJ. I’ve heard the Gburg is also more of a party school, Greek life is big and not much else to do. At least that’s what I’ve been told. She says she’s not interested in the Greek life because she can be a part of community service activities and such without being involved with a sorority and I agree. Besides, she plans to be very busy with classes and theater/music. Honestly, I think Muhlenberg is the better choice for the performing arts. She’s still having a hard time. And time is something we are running out of.
@Survivor65 Well, good luck to you and your daughter! We didn’t look at Gburg but of course I know it has a great reputation. Is there a cost difference for your family between the two schools?
Muhlenberg is about $2000 less out of pocket.
As it turns out, she has decided on Muhlenberg. Maybe they’ll meet and become good friends!
Yay! And yes, wouldn’t that be great? Congrats on the decision.