With all due respect, gargoyle, I don't really feel the need to stay close to the apron strings. Despite the fact that I'm seventeen, I do have some sense. I weeded out University of Southern California (though it's an excellent school) because L.A. is completely foreign to any experience I have and it would be difficult to adjust. I don't feel that ASU is too far away, which is why I asked folks here for some information on it. And having visited several colleges and grown up at various universities where my mother taught, I can tell you that you're wrong about the first two years being the same wherever you go. The character of a school makes a big difference to the experience. ANd as a tech theater major, the quality of the theater and production facilities is important to me, as is the reputation of the faculty. Faculty with connections in the theater world can make a difference to whether or not one gets a job later. I'd rather not transfer because all my classes wouldn't necessarily transfer and it's just an all around hassle. So please give me some credit for at least a tiny bit of thought.