<p>I am looking for a LAC that has a great theater program - maybe offering a BFA, and also has great academics. I am intrigued by colleges like Bennington, Grinnell, and Oberlin. However, they're known for having overwhelmingly liberal students, and I tend to lean a little right of center. I'm okay going to a more liberal college (most are) I just don't want to be the ONLY one who isn't liberal. I don't want to feel ostracized. I also don't want a super conservative school (ie Washington and Lee), basically I just want a little bit of political diversity. Money is an issue - so the fact that Oberlin and Grinnel meet 100% need is something that I really like. I'll give you some of my stats too.</p>
<p>I took the SAT for the first time and didn't do very well (math 500, reading 750, writing 600) but I'm hoping to bring it up. </p>
<p>I have a 4.0, but no APs because I'm homeschooled.</p>
<p>I am duel enrolled and will graduate having taken between 10 and 12 college courses. (so far all A's)</p>
<p>EC:
- tons of shows at the Community Theater and several professional theaters
- 12 years of AWANA (a Christian club.....sort of like girl scouts i guess)
- 2 years of a local Choir
- active in the youth group at my church
- attended the Masterworks Festival for Theater (an amazing Christian arts festival - theater is taught by broadway actors)
- 3 levels of a leadership training program at a camp
- part time job at Great Harvest Bread
-quite a bit of community service
ect.</p>
<p>Take a look at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the public LAC. Beautiful location on the Chesapeake and cheaper than most LACs. Less geographic diversity, but more political diversity-really a mirror of the DC metro area. I’m not sure how strong their theater program is, however - Try posting on the forum for that school specifically. [Department</a> of Theater, Film, and Media Studies: St. Mary’s College of Maryland](<a href=“http://www.smcm.edu/tfms/]Department”>http://www.smcm.edu/tfms/)</p>
<p>BC is a national university, but it is largely focused on liberal arts and has a pretty decent theater program. Given its student body, it is very diverse (you have both ends of the political spectrum, as well as a decent middle-ground pop). </p>
<p>My first thought was actually Emerson in Boston. Fantastic theater program. However, I believe it tends to lean left politically. It is right in the theater district though and is very well known. You should know, most universities/colleges with strong theater programs tend to lean left and lack great political diversity.</p>
<p>I also suggest living in a city where you can see broadway performances when they travel. You’ll be exposed to a lot more theater culture in the major markets.</p>
<p>Informative, I have looked at Emerson, but I have recently heard that they employ a cut system. Is this correct?</p>
<p>Also, are there some students at any of the more liberal LACs that are more moderate? Are you familiar with any schools that while in the minority, a non-libral student would not be ostracized because of it? Are students accepting of having such friends at colleges like Kenyon, Sarah Lawrence, Grinnell, Bennington, ect?</p>
<p>Emerson is very, very liberal. You might have a hard time there. And it is a cut program.</p>
<p>I second Muhlenberg. It sounds like the perfect fit for you. We know a girl there in the theatre program who is religious and pretty conservative, and she’s very happy there. The theatre program is acclaimed, the campus is beautiful, and the kids are really nice. </p>
<p>It gives merit aid, and FA, and you’d seem to be a good candidate for both.</p>
<p>" Merit Scholarship recipients typically have combined Critical Reading and Math SAT scores of over 1300 and rank in the top 10% of their high school class." </p>
<p>From Muhlenberg’s financial aid website, they are also up front about engaging in “Preferential Packaging”, the better your stats, the better your FA package will be.</p>
<p>A lot of no-name schools being listed. I would keep to the name schools with a good reputation in this field. Not sure what a Muhlenberg is, and isn’t Drew an online university?</p>
<p>The Theater Techies I know eliminated the following places from their list as “too religious”, however they might work for you. Since they turned up in a search for Theater Tech, I can’t vouch for the Acting program.</p>
<p>Dordt College
Faulkner University
Freed-Hardeman University
Huntington University
Louisiana College
Pepperdine University
Saint Gregorys University
Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida
Vanguard University of California</p>