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I'm looking for a college (preferably in California) with a good English, writing, and theater department. I want to become a writer, but not necessarily a playwright.

GPA: 4.5
Rank: 15/531 (at an IB magnet school)
SAT: 1200 (retaking Oct, 1300+)
AP: World History 3, US History 3, taking Calc and Eng Lit next year
IB: Math Studies 6, taking 4 tests next year
EC's: Theater (hundreds of hours of acting and backstage work for 4+ years)
Director's Dream Award 2003
Particpated in CETA and Fullerton Theater Festival
Thespian Society member
Boy's and Girl's Club volunteer for the Drama Club
Animal Shelter volunteer - 4 years
Environmental Club - Treasurer

You see, I want a place that I can take Environmental electives and theater, but get a degree in English or Creative Writing. I've looked at Chapman and Pepperdine, but they're both Christian(I don't really have a religion) and have some negative feedback.

Thank you for your time and help!

By Calif (Calif) on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 08:10 pm: Edit

Check out the University of San Diego (USD).

By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 10:28 pm: Edit

Look more closely at Pepperdine. It was started as a Christian school, but so were many LACs. One of our high school's most talented theatre graduates is there and he loves it.

By Taxguy (Taxguy) on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 10:35 pm: Edit

Check out Pratt institute. They have a strong creative writing department.

By Courtbroadway17 (Courtbroadway17) on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 04:17 pm: Edit

This is a list from the "Performing Arts Major's Guide" by Carol Everett of the most highly recommended undergraduate drama programs. They are as follows.

BU (Ma)
California State, Fullerton (Ca)
Catholic University (DC)
DePaul (Il)
Indiana U (In)
Juilliard (Ny)
NYU - Tisch (Ny)
Northwestern (Il)
San Francisco State (Ca)
Southern Methodist (Tx)
SUNY, Purchase (Ny)
U. California, Los Angeles (Ca)
U. of Evansville (In)
USC (Ca)
U. of Utah (Ut)

I am assuming that since you want to be an author, but also want to major in theater that you are looking for a BA rather than BFA degree. BFA is usually by audition, and limits liberal arts courses.

Some other good theater programs that are in California are

Calif. State, Fresno
Calif. State, Long Beach
Calif. State, Northridge
Calif. State, Santa Barbara
U. Calif., Davis
U. Calif., Irvine
U. Calif., Santa Barbara

I am not sure about good schools for English, but there's theater for ya. Hope that helps.

By Tdizzo (Tdizzo) on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 05:26 pm: Edit

Check out Pitzer College...strong theater (especially as it is linked to the Claremont College consortium) great environmental electives and links again for english...an all around win

By Travelr (Travelr) on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 01:08 am: Edit

If you are not relegated to being in California, I would also take a look at Skidmore, where both the English and Theater departments are excellent.