<p>Hi!</p>
<p>My boyfriend is interested in film/cinematography. He is completing 2 years at his community college (NOVA) to save money, and then his parents told him he must go to school in Virginia because they can't afford for him to pay OOS. His main problem is that there is only one film school in Virginia - VCU - and it's not very good. The degree is in "Photography and Film", not just film, and requires loads of art/photography classes, which he isn't interested in at all.</p>
<p>He was thinking about moving to Florida for a year or so to get IS rates, then going to college there (as they have some very nice film schools). However, most of his NOVA CC credits wont transfer.. Meaning he wasted loads of money. </p>
<p>Any suggestions on what he should do? How important is graduate school for being successful in the film industry, and can he get into a good graduate school with a degree in "Photography and Film" from a third-tier school if he does well? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>James Madison University offers a program in Digital Video and Cinema through its School of Media Arts and Design. </p>
<p>George Mason University offers a BA in Film and Video Studies.</p>
<p>Old Dominion University offers a degree in Film Studies and Digital Filmmaking.</p>
<p>I can’t vouch for the caliber of these programs but they are other options in Virginia.</p>
<p>Florida is a difficult state to establish residency in. He would have to be at least 24 years old, or be married, or have a child, or have served in the military to qualify. And then, he would have had to live there for a certain period of time first. </p>
<p>Are there other film schools that are generous with merit money or have low OOS tuition?</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses! He will probably end up going to JMU, then, to avoid OOS costs (and to keep his 2 years of NoVA credits)</p>
<p>That’s a huge bummer to hear about Florida though… He’s only 19 right now, so I guess moving there is out of the question. He hasn’t looked too much into other schools in other states, but Florida (FSU in general) has I believe the #4th best film school in the country, and FSU is the best for his GPA (about a 3.4 to 3.5)</p>
<p>Does Virginia have any sort of reciprocal arrangement with North Carolina tuition-wise? UNC/North Carolina School for the Arts has a superb film production program. Also, is there any chance your BF would qualify for FA based on family income and perhaps merit-based scholarships someplace like Chapman (which can be very generous and is very, very good and highly ranked) in SoCal? I would find out what kind of funds they make available to transfers. It wouldn’t hurt to apply and see if the funds are forthcoming – sometimes FA and merit aid through a private university can make the private option more affordable than an in-state public. Especially if the EFC is low, this could makea difference.</p>
<p>My son has been accepted to UNCSA and we’re in VA as well - we checked - they only offer reciprocal programs for Masters degrees unfortunately.</p>
<p>Congrats to your son, Louis14!</p>
<p>Florida public schools are hard to get in, even for Florida kids. Because of the Bright futures scholarships, available only to Florida kids, the public schools are obligated to take those kids that qualify. I know an excellent football player who tried to get in and couldn’t. And FSU is all about football. Being from OOS might help, but if you’re going to establish residency, it might be very hard to get in. I would contact FSU and see what your chances actually might be before you go the residency route.</p>