<p>USC is generous with merit aid -- their deadline is earlier than other colleges by a couple of weeks if you seek financial aid. They have a good film school. UC Berkeley has a good academic film department, but not production. If you've ever had occasion to read any academic film studies stuff, it is very "intellectual" -- lots of jargon and poststructuralism.</p>
<p>yes, bethie. CMC and HMC both have merit awards (and Scripps but I think he's disqualified). Both are very tough and HMC is very stat based.</p>
<p>His rank may hurt at UMiami but I'd keep UM on the list if he's interested. If your son applies, don't be discouraged if at first he doesn't receive the merit $ you're hoping for. My son was initially offered one scholarship, but within weeks it was replaced with a better one. I've heard of others whose scholarships were bumped up (without asking). </p>
<p>Spread a wide net and see what happens. We were surprised at the results. My DD got merit $ at RIT and Syracuse that we never expected. My son got mixed results: the Singer (full tuition) at UMiami but not a penny from UNC.</p>
<p>I am a little confused about the mention of LAC's and "the business side." In my mind these don't go together because LAC's are notoriously lacking in business.
However, I am going to suggest Macalester which does have some merit aid and would probably be the kind of population he is looking for. </p>
<p>If he is willing to come east Skidmore might be a good deal. They do have some merit awards as well as a very arty student body + business.</p>
<p>Skidmore looked very good to me and to hubby. Too close to home for son. Good one, mythmom.</p>
<p>Skidmore is very limited on merit. $10K max.
[quote]
Filene Scholarships in Music</p>
<p>Filene Music Scholarships are awarded each year through a performance competition coordinated by Skidmore's Department of Music. Each Filene Scholarship carries with it a four-year award totaling $40,000.</p>
<p>Porter Scholarships in the Sciences</p>
<p>The Porter Presidential Scholarships in Science and Mathematics are awarded on the basis of superior accomplishment and exceptional promise, without regard to financial need. Each Porter Scholar is awarded a $40,000 scholarship ($10,000 per year).
[/quote]
Macalester is worse for merit awards (although it sounds like it may be a school worth considering).
[quote]
About Financial Aid </p>
<p>Macalester offers several special scholarships that are based on academic merit rather than financial need. </p>
<p>With the exception of the National Merit Scholarship (which requires a special procedure), you will automatically be considered for merit-based aid when you apply for admission to Macalester. Merit-based scholarships are awarded for a four-year period. If you qualify, you may receive need-based financial aid in addition to these scholarships. </p>
<p>Macalester College National Merit Scholarships are awarded to National Merit Finalists who have designated Macalester as their first-choice college and have been offered admission. The annual award is $5,000 ($2,000 from the National Merit Scholarship Competition and $3,000 from Macalester in the form of a DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Scholarship). </p>
<p>DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Scholarships are awarded on a highly competitive basis to some students who are National Merit Semifinalists, Commended Students and Finalists who are not awarded a National Merit Scholarship. Recipients typically rank in the top five percent of their high school graduating class. The annual award is $3,000. The scholarship is named for DeWitt Wallace '11, founder of Reader's Digest, who was a longtime benefactor of Macalester. </p>
<p>DeWitt Wallace Scholarships are awarded to selected middle-income students who need assistance in order to attend Macalester and whose academic records have shown them to be worthy of recognition. The annual award is $3,000. </p>
<p>Catharine Lealtad Scholarships are awarded to African American, Latino, and Native American students who have a strong high school record. The annual award is $3,000. Students who are National Achievement or National Hispanic Scholarship finalists and who have a strong high school record will receive an annual award of $5,000. This scholarship is named for Dr. Catharine Lealtad '15, Macalester’s first African American graduate. </p>
<p>
[/quote]
I agree that rank will hurt at Miami (who have in the past been very numbers driven). The bigger money is for top 1% or top 2% or at least top 5%.
Whoever mentioned USC, they have a great program for NMF's but not as good for the rest of the world.</p>
<p>Quirky arty business/film major who needs substantial merit aid, or is at least looking for substantial merit aid. Hmmm. That 1470 top 12% is nice and I'll assume great rec's and essays but I still think he'll do better bringing his west coast quirkiness to (for example only TCU and SMU) class schools. I have zero idea about film. Not on my screen. It's my opinion that many of the schools mentioned are not great merit bets for this kid. Not if we are talking 1/2 tuition or better awards. If merit is the goal, as the OP says, he needs to set his big merit sights at a different level . </p>
<p>BTW, when you are playing the big merit game, your currency is stats (at least partially) . IOW, stats make you cash money. Can't do much about rank, but what about the ACT with score choice? Could be the difference maker. A kid a couple years ago got shifted up 2 levels of awards at UMiami for a super SAT.</p>
<p>Rollins College has a nice businsss school, and some excellent merit aid that your S probably would have a good chance to get. My S's scores were higher, gpa lower than your S, and my S got merit aid.</p>
<p>College of Sante Fe offers merit aid, has a strong arts emphasis, and has a business program. Maybe someone with personal experience can jump in, but I've always liked what I've seen on their website.</p>
<p>college of santa fe merit scholarships <a href="http://www.csf.edu/prospective_students/financial_services/scholarships%5B/url%5D">http://www.csf.edu/prospective_students/financial_services/scholarships</a></p>
<p>I'm the one who mentioned USC. It is true that they are particularly good for NMF -- half tuition, if you put them down as first choice; but they also offer full, half, and quarter tuition scholarships apart from the NMF scholarships. They seemed to have a significant number of these. You have to apply by the early deadline and then, if nominated, you have to go there in person for an formal interview (in business attire). From what I gather, they sometimes increase the scholarship offer after the interview (on the other hand, you might go there and not get one...). For film, it is one of the best schools in California.</p>
<p>Okay, this is the other side of the country from California. This school is mentioned here on occasion. I just visited, and it is a nice public U with about 11k undergrads. UNC-W. I think that your son has excellent chance at their honor's college, though I know nothing about it. The airport is 15 minutes from campus:</p>
<p>Film seems to be a very strong department at UNC-W.
More from their website:
[quote]
The film studies program benefits from the university's proximity to EUE Screen Gems studio, which is frequently the backdrop for movies and TV shows, including the Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill series. The creative writing program has received much student demand and external attention. It offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.</p>
<p>Regarding affordability, UNCW has been rated the 35th best value national for in-state students and the 51st best value nationally for out-of-state students in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine’s 2007 rankings.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Chapman in Orange County has been mentioned here several times both for their film program and their merit dollars.</p>
<p>I always liked what I saw on College of Santa Fe's website, too. Couldn't get S1 interested although the documentary studies program looked very interesting and up S1's alley. We did have an opportunity to do a drive by/drive-walk through of the campus last month when we were in Santa Fe because S2 although only a sophmore is most likely going to be a design major in college. S2 didn't "like" Santa Fe and didn't like the urban campus but I thought the campus was nice and definitely "in" Santa Fe. The kids were moving in when we were there and the campus felt more "arty" than business-y. Still all in all a very interesting school for the right kid. At least I know now that S2 isn't an "urban" campus kid. The Santa Fe campus is contained and nicely landscaped with roads that go around it but it is in an urban area. Didn't talk to any admission folks so can't speak to that aspect. They dangled money in from of S1 so I do think they have merit dollars.</p>
<p>Leaving L.A. to study film production or business does not (IMHO)make sense. Ive worked at Viacom, and my husband has worked at WARNER, Sony
and Disney. Its ALL about the internships and connections. He should stay in So Cal.. And most of the film business jobs arent offered to "film students". My nephew studied accounting at UCLA and now has a fantastic job traveling the world for the music division of SONY.</p>
<p>I think Harvey Mudd at the Claremont colleges would be a stretch. My son had higher rank and slightly higher SAT scores and was waitlisted. I suspect being a guy doesn't give you any brownie points there either, but it doesn't sound like it's the right one, given his interests.</p>
<p>Exactly my point, musicmama. He needs connections to get those jobs--and finding them in NOLA or Miami is a big ask.</p>