Yes, that’s a strange combo but my son wants to do Compuer Science but he’s really passionate about movies/scriptwriting. He wants to minor in media (scriptwriting) or atleast school needs to have strong arts scene with clubs etc. I can find universities that have a good media schools and arts etc. or Computer Science but not both. UIUC comes close I think. Any other recommendations? Oh just to put another constraint, don’t want to spend boat loads on tuition as well - something reasonable!
Thanks
Purdue has a film and media studies minor (and very strong CS).
2 Likes
UNM has ABET accredited CS (with an up-and-coming quantum computing dept) and the College of Fine arts offers a degree in Film and Digital Arts. He can sub-specialize in scriptwriting if that’s his interest.
ABQ is home to both a major Netflix production site (and Netflix just announced a $3B studio expansion over the next 3 years) and a brand new $1.1B NBCUniversal studio and production facility.
And even better–your son will probably qualify for the Amigo Scholarship that will give him in-state tuition rates.
5 Likes
I think CS is brutally hard to get into so if you can share some #s we can help guide you. But getting into UIUC for CS is like getting into an IVY. I think a lot of schools could work.
Thanks. By #s did you mean GPA and SAT score etc.? His SAT is 1500 but not sure if UIUC is even considering SATs this year.
Yes, what’s his GPA - unweighted and weighted (using .5 for Honors and 1 for AP). The SAT will count if you submit and 1500 is very good - but that’s one small part.
There are many schools where you can do this combo. Where do you live? So he wants a big school, etc.
The 25/75 split for GPA unweighted is 3.75/4.00 and the 25/75 for SAT is 1440/1540 so 1500 puts him in the middle.
Based on the % the admit, no matter what GPA he has, it’s a reach.
If you share the GPA, where you’re from, and what type of environment (large, small, etc.) he likes we can share other opportunities too.
I think yes to needing GPA and SAT, but another # that is really helpful for getting good recommendations from all the experienced folks on this site (of which I am not one) is the maxiumum amount per year you’re willing (and able) to pay. I totally understand not wanting to spend boatlaods on tuition, though!
and there’s options should the answer be, not a lot, too.
1 Like
DePaul would be worth a look. Their College of Computing and Digital Media includes both the School of Computing and the School of Cinematic Arts,which offers a screenwriting minor Screenwriting (Minor) < DePaul University in addition to BFA and MFA programs. Their CS program is well regarded and they give some decent-sized merit scholarships.
LMU is another possibility. Their STEM reputation is rising now that their engineering programs have gained ABET accreditation . It’s a top school for film and has a screenwriting minor. They give pretty good merit to top students.
The Denver campus of U of Colorado is another that might fit. It’s a WUE school, if you happen to be in a western state. It has historically been a commuter school but they’re working to shift that a bit.
2 Likes
Drexel and DePaul have both CS majors and screenwriting minors. I’m not sure what you consider “reasonable” tuition but they both have scholarships available.
2 Likes
DePaul, LMU, Drexel, and Syracuse might be good options. We visited/applied to all. Didn’t get to visit LMU.
Penn State has a solid TV production program. Pitt is starting a new film program and Pittsburgh has a decent film scene. Both are solid for CS. UT-Austin is solid for both too.
Atlanta is the place to be right now for film so Georgia Tech could be an option.
S20 is at Georgia Tech and S21 wants to major in cinematography. He’s at Florida State. We basically went through what you’re looking for. The reasonable tuition is the X factor.
S21 narrowed to DePaul, SCAD Atlanta, and FSU. He didn’t get into the FSU film school but is going the digital media route. Honors Program and OOS tuition waiver made it a no-brainer.
Hard to find schools that offer both. The thing we learned over the years with film is that it’s all about your work and portfolio, not your degree.
1 Like
Awesome! Thank you. We live in Houston and yes big school would be good. UT Austin is great but again getting into CS is highly unlikely given it’s highly sought after and a small size. Unweighted GPA - 3.755, Weighted GPA - 4.245, SAT - 1500.
Ohio State and U Cincy are two more and would be not outrageous cost wise. Texas tech has a certificate in entertainment media. It mentions screenwriting so may be worth looking into.