<p>Two schools with a lower tuition than most theater schools are SUNY Purchase and UNCSA. Neither is particularly strong in academics but both are well respected in theater with strong tech components. </p>
<p>BU has a scholarship program that is directly tied to your GPA and test scores. However, they are so expensive that you will need your dad even if they make a generous offer.</p>
<p>The same is true of Carnegie, of course, but did you know that Carnegie matches good offers from competing schools. If you are interested in Carnegie, consider applying to one or two theater schools with less than stellar academics. They will make you a better offer because you would be a real asset to their program–and you might actually want to go there. It’s a win-win option.</p>
<p>Carnegie will also give weight to your strong math SATs in making a grant offer. They especially like theater kids with strong math and science abilities.</p>
<p>If all else fails, how about the University of Southern Oregon. They cost almost nothing and offer reciprocity for California residents. Although I suspect the academics are a joke, they are allied to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and you can internship with the festival as a Sophomore.</p>