<p>Muhlenberg has a very, very well-regarded theater department.</p>
<p>^Yup, young man I knew went there has had a career in both theater and music since he graduated. Loved everything about that school.</p>
<p>My D, W&M Class of '11, is very unpreppy (more hippie if anything) and thrived. She thinks most of the preps went to UVA.</p>
<p>Your S had lots of good options…good luck.</p>
<p>Preppy is relative. :)</p>
<p>I agree, preppy is relative . But one of my kids went to UVa and it seemed preppier than I remember William & Mary seeming when we toured it. The local kids I know of that did go to Wm & M were not preppy , although there are preppy kids at any selective school, including Wm & M. To the OP-if your son likes Wm & M, he should do all he can to bring up his SAT’s (based on his PSAT scores). His scores would definitely be his weak link at application time if they don’t improve.</p>
<p>I guess there are nuances between preppy/preppier/preppiest. To someone from the west coast or midwest, both the south and northeast are generally “preppy.” Which is kind of funny when you think about it, since there is often so much anti-south sentiment in the northeast.</p>
<p>The 10th grade PSAT 168 is approx SAT 1680. The 11th grade score will likely be a bit higher. </p>
<p>We had one kid with PSAT increases of almost 30 points, but I think that’s unusual. Our other kid had increase of 7 points.</p>
<p>Wake Forest and Furman are on this list, and there are more: [SAT/ACT</a> Optional 4-Year Universities | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]SAT/ACT”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>
<p>I second Clark, Muhlenberg and Ithaca (matches, safety). Also, not on the East coast, but Earlham and Macalester (match, reach). For music, Lawrence, St Olaf, perhaps Oberlin and URochester (I don’t know how “friendly” the last two are but the first two definitely are friendly - don’t know if you’ve ever heard of “Minnesota nice”?.. even if Lawrence is in Wisconsin it applies.)</p>
<p>Hartt School at U. Of Hartford is good for music, theater and musical theater, if he wants to go a conservatory route. Boston Conservatory too.</p>
<p>I second the caution that being on the same campus as a conservatory BM or BFA program can be a mixed bag for those not in the conservatory, but hoping to do music, theater, or musical theater. My personal opinion would be to avoid those schools unless your son wants to be in the conservatory, but there are exceptions where non-conservatory music/theater majors might benefit from the presence of a conservatory.</p>
<p>Overall, a liberal arts college might be a fine way to go. There are many many possibilities. He can choose a school based on other criteria (location, size, academics, friendly vibe) and then check out the performing arts departments websites and faculty.</p>
<p>Check out Otterbein. It is a small LAC but has very nice music and theater opportunities for all students. It is a very friendly environment.</p>
<p>Check out Haverford–music program is very good. Plus option of taking courses through Trico (e.g., theater courses at Swarthmore or Bryn Mawr).</p>
<p>10th grade PSAT doesn’t really represent how you’ll do. I got a 176 soph PSAT, then a 190 junior PSAT, and ended up with a 1990 on my first SAT. He could definitely get close to or above the 2000 mark with practice.</p>
<p>WM has early decision if it’s his top choice. ED is generally more lenient in handing out acceptance letters.</p>
<p>I had a friend whose daughter graduated with a degree in theater management from Carnegie Mellon Fine Arts. It was a great program and she loved it.</p>
<p>Does he like small or large? City or country? which way does he lean politically and would that matter to him in a school? Check out Dickinson. Lovely school - very friendly and a great place for history. Nearby, you also have Gettysburg and Franklin & Marshall. Also take a look at Earlham and Wooster… both are further away, but real gems.</p>
<p>Agree with teenbodybuilder, If his scores do improve, consider ED at Wm & M if it remains a top choice. Wm & M at instate tuition is a real bargain for a full pay family (which it sounds like your family may be).</p>
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<p>I remember that young man!!! His voice made my heart melt the first time I heard him sing a cappella! Hope he’s doing well.</p>