<p>Wagner on Staten Island and Rider in Lawrenceville, NJ. are two additional programs you should check into. Also Muhlenberg (close to both NYC and Philadelphia). All three offer very good merit and possibly talent awards. Rider is in the suburbs but is a short train ride in to the city. As for Wagner, the free Staten Island Ferry can have you in Manhattan in 30 minutes. Muhlenberg is less urban but it is a beautiful school and has a great theatre program, 2 hours by bus to NY.
And don’t forget Chicago! ;-)</p>