I’m considering applying to Boston University college of communication for the BS in Film and Television program. Is it a good program? What resources do they offer? Did they prepare you for post-graduation jobs? How hard is it to get into? Thanks.
BU’s film and tv program is excellent. It is constantly ranked in the top in the country. One thing in particular I know that they offer is a hollywood internship program for seniors where you can spend your second semester getting credits for working in LA. They definitely prepare you for post-grad jobs. I think COM is relatively easy to get into as far as BU’s colleges go. BU in general is a pretty hard school to get into compared to most but if your stats match up to their average, you should be fine for COM.
Thanks!
If anyone is in the program I’d also appreciate some insight
I didn’t do Film/TV but I was the department work/study for 3 years and 80% of my BU friends were Film/TV kids… we are all 10 years out from graduation. The Film/TV program was/is excellent, especially if you want to work in the TV industry. All my friends are gainfully employed in various parts of the industry, and most got their jobs if not directly through BU, indirectly because the LA program got them out into the industry, networking and got them experience for jobs. BU has a really really strong network in Hollywood–BU alum head several major studio divisions (at CBS & NBC in particular), and they have great placements for internships during the LA program. Basically, out here in LA, there are a TON of BU alum. We’re everywhere. (Emerson, USC, UCLA and NYU too–those are the names you hear over and over)
One person I know parlayed their LA program internship (at a CBS show) into a FT PA job on said-same show… was a great PA and ended up on Chuck Lorre’s radar… now he is an associate producer on Big Bang Theory (12 years out from graduation). He basically did the LA program 2nd semester senior year and never left LA (or the industry). Another interned for E!, parlayed that into a FT job immediately after graduation and eventually rose in the ranks to be an executive producer with Ryan Seacrest productions.
Two guys who graduated a year before and a year after me who were big in the comedy scene at BU both ended up in New York; one interned for Conan and now he’s a staff writer on Jimmy Fallon. The other was the editor of The Onion for years and is now a staff writer for Late Night with Seth Myers. They are into the Lorne Michaels vortex and I would not be at all surprised if one or both of them ends up writing for SNL (or even being on air).
Others have had more “normal” paths but are still in the industry; a friend first worked for G4 and now works at Hallmark Channel doing TV marketing. Another has been with ABC in the promotions department for the last decade, just steadily moving up (she LOVES the Mouse House–did the LA program too). Another guy I know writes for various Comedy Central shows. Another started as an NBC Page, then worked FT for Lions Gate for years (marketing), then bounced back to NYC to work for NBC again. (and me: I was a journalism major but now I work in TV marketing in LA… all roads lead here haha) BU has a reputation for producing hard-working, driven alumni who know their stuff–it can only be a boon to your resume in the industry. (whereas there are plenty of industries where I don’t think BU gives you any particular edge)
Anyway, these are just some examples, but the point is: Film & TV is one of the areas where BU has some STRONG networking/opportunities and you can 100% parlay your BU degree/experience into a job if you’re driven and talented. I’d say doing the LA program is a must, as is moving to LA after graduation (or New York if you’re gunning in that direction). It’s a good program that teaches the fundamentals of TV, film, and especially storytelling… I was kind of jealous of some of the classes Film/TV kids go to take that I couldn’t take! If you go the film route, you’ll take practical classes on filmmaking. (I’m sure there are alumni doing film, but all my friends were TV majors!)
COM is as difficult to get into as the rest of BU, but where there is slight differentiation is how qualified you are to be in COM and major in what you want to major in matters. ie: if you have a film portfolio/other compelling credits, you’ll have a stronger shot at getting into COM for film/TV even if, say, your test scores are lower. Ditto journalism, pr, etc… you can get a holistic edge if you’re applying to COM and you’re really qualified. (but overall you still need to meet BU’s high standards for academic course rigor!)