<p>I want to go to a top university that has a great theater program, and enough academic mobility where I can pursue multiple passions beyond just theater.</p>
<p>I scored a 2180 on my SAT, and plan to retake it again to possibly raise that score to 2250 or higher, because I'm hoping (with plenty of reservations of course) for admission top universities such as Columbia, Stanford, Cornell, or maybe Harvard. I have a solid near 4.0 gpa, unweighted. Solid extracurriculars which revolve around theater and writing. And I definitely have a "heartthrob" background that I can easily write an essay with.</p>
<p>But underneath, so far, I'm matched with UC Berkeley, UCLA, and NYU (places in a large urban area). My safeties are USF and Fordham.</p>
<p>Yet, I just started the college search process. Honestly, I want to find more safeties and matches so I don't have to place my hopes in the selective and harsh ivy league process. Can anybody give me some examples of matches and safeties that I should consider?</p>
<p>At this point, I'd rather go to a university (not conservatory) that really matches my passion for theater, than have to rely on a crapshoot chance of making it into an ivy league or Stanford. </p>
<p>I’d trim down the Ivies to begin with. Though the press likes to glorify the kids who get into all 8, it’s almost never a good idea to apply to so many Ivies. Each of them has a distinct approach + a set of strengths/weaknesses + a way of combining things. I’m not a theater person myself, so I can’t really speak much about the theater program at these colleges + Stanford.</p>
<p>For a match, I’m not sure exactly how selective Carnegie Mellon’s School of Drama is but they are the first-ever partner of the Tony Awards and have been ranked #1 quite often. Overall, CMU has a 30% acceptance rate but it varies between departments (for example, the School of Computer Science has a really low acceptance rate). CMU also has a low yield and not as many applicants (not that well known due to the lack of a Division I sports program) so I’d put them on the list as a higher match that’s worth going to if you get in. Only issue is the lack of merit aid if you qualify for substantial need-based aid (CMU has a relatively small endowment compared to its peers). It does have an interdisciplinary culture that enables academic mobility and, while CFA kids tend to be the most isolated from the rest of the school, there’s a ton of opportunity to engage in the other incredible programs- especially the ones involving technology, a field in which CMU stands out.</p>
<p>Fordham-Lincoln Center has a fabulous performing arts program within a traditional liberal arts curriculum. You have to audition for a Theater Performance major (it’s a BA, not a BFA), but you can be involved in theater if you are admitted only as a regular student. You might well qualify for a generous scholarship. Goucher would be a solid match, if not a safety, for you. American University would probably be safe for you, too, and they have an excellent Theater department. Northwestern and Tufts have very good theater departments. University of Chicago is not renowned for Theater, but I know a student there who is very involved with their improvisational group. </p>
<p>My mother works in a jesuit university and one of her work benefits is tuition remission for me, so hopefully I can take advantage of their generous tuition remission exchange program between all the jesuit universities (except Georgetown).</p>
<p>If you’re female then Barnard - it will still be a reach due to its low admission rates - but a doable reach for sure, and they have a wonderful theater program not to mention tip top academics in general and the connection with Columbia. Other liberal arts colleges to look at would be Connecticut College, Sarah Lawrence- good theater programs and great schools but a little easier to get in to. I might also look at Occidental - you may be able to get some merit there and you would be in LA which would provide good off campus performing arts opportunities. </p>
<p>The OP clearly stated that she wants to attend a more conventional liberal arts college, instead of a conservatory, and so Tisch would not be the best option for her.</p>
<p>As noted above, Fordham - Lincoln Center isn’t a safety no mater how good your stats are because if you want to major in theater Fordham requires an audition. If you are fine doing a minor in theater then Fordham is probably a good safety and given the tuition deal, it could be a great option… Maybe look into Boston College (also Jesuit) and USC as well. </p>
<p>Yes I’m from California. I’m mostly interested in schools in California or New York.
What college would best suit me if I wanted to pursue a double major in polysci and theater?
Or polysci and playwrighting? Or philosophy and theater/playwrighiting?</p>
<p>So far, I really love Columbia. In a perfect world, I would go straight there. But Columbia stands as a reach for anybody, even if I raise my Sat score to the greater than 2250 range. </p>
<p>Essentially, I’m trying to find similar schools to Columbia, just at a more affordable, and realistic (admissions wise) standpoint.</p>
<p>Northwestern is your best bet if you are admitted. Their theatre program is considered one of the tops as are their academics. Brown and is a good possibility also. NYU, UCLA, USB, Fordham etc. all are audition programs and incredibly difficult to get into. I suggest you ask this question over at the Theatre Major forum as theatre is a very specific request and those are the people who know the most. Good luck! </p>