tiptoe,
I do not agree with you, though I do agree with MichaelNKat. I don't think any college promises you that you will be cast. They promise you an education and they provide opportunities and then as Michael wrote, those opportunities mirror the real world in some ways and casting is casting and there are no "fairness" issues at this level. We did not go into our child's BFA program EXPECTING how many shows she might be cast in. We knew there were a great many opportunities to perform at various levels at her school and the rest was up to who was able to get cast based on talent and type. She is there primarily for the training. As it turns out, she has been involved in many shows.
I also disagree with you when you say that how much money a school gives you indicates how much they want you. For one thing, an ACCEPTANCE into a competitive program ALREADY indicates they WANT you. Every kid who gets in is wanted at these programs. I have NO doubt about that statement.
Your comment that paying full tuition to a private school means the school didn't want you that much is just simply not true. A school doesn't OWE you any discounts or scholarships. They may "owe" you need based aid if they are a school that meets 100% of need. But they don't "owe" you merit money. It is a gift of recognition for the top students they wish to attract....IF they offer merit aid at all. To give merit aid to every student defeats the purpose of merit aid. Very few colleges give merit aid to every student who enrolls or they may as well just cut the tuition cost! Merit aid is to attract some top students to their school.
I also disagree with your statement that 10-20% of MT majors get full rides. Full ride scholarships are rare in MT. Few get these. NONE get these at my D's BFA in MT program.
Let me add that those who get merit scholarships at my D's school have NO advantages....NONE....when it comes to casting. NONE. By the way, do not overlook that at many theater programs, there are casting opportunities in student directed productions....I doubt merit aid plays a part in casting there either.
Lastly, you say that ALL PRIVATE schools give money to those they truly want. Well, that is not true of ALL PRIVATE schools. My D attends Brown University and they give NO MERIT MONEY TO ANYONE. Neither do any other Ivy League schools nor most of the highly selective PRIVATE colleges to which she applied. And ya know, I believe my D's school REALLY wanted her anyway.
She just found out today that she won a prize, selected by the faculty, for the most outstanding senior in her department, to be awarded at her upcoming graduation. I think she feels wanted. But her financial aid is ONLY need based aid and has nothing to do with merit.