<p>Many applicants (including my son) have found Columbia College Chicago to be an excellent “safety” school. It has strong performing arts programs, with opportunities for involvement in Chicago’s thriving theater community. Its location is terrific, it offers some of the most attractive student housing I’ve seen, and the price-tag isn’t too bad for a private college. It’s probably less expensive than some state schools are for non-residents. It has “rolling admissions” (if you aren’t sure about what that means, anyone here will gladly explain), with a very high acceptance rate. They do not require an audition for admission, but will at the end of freshman year if you want to major in Acting.</p>