Yeah, unfortunately my parents won’t allow a CCC because of that );
My son graduated from BU in 2007. What do you want to know?
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Well first, I suppose I’d like to know about the flexibility of taking classes outside of one’s major, exploring interests, changing majors, double majoring, dual enrolling, etc. Also, I’d like to know about one’s ability to participate in music and theater ensembles/productions as a non-major. Perhaps you could shed some light on the recreational facilities like the gym or potential gymnastics gyms nearby or on campus at which I can practice parkour indoors. In your personal opinion, do you feel that BU is a solid investment? If there’s anything else you can think of that I didn’t cover, I’d love to hear it because you probably know what the best questions to ask are. Thanks.
Davidson. No debt. Elite education. You are undecided and this keeps options open. Network like crazy for film internships.
A key thing to consider is campus environment. BU doesn’t have a typical campus, and people seem to really like, or really dislike, that. You haven’t visited. It will mean $60,000 debt. Cross it off the list.
Same with KU. You don’t know you want architecture, and you don’t like the school. Take it out of consideration.
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Well first, I suppose I’d like to know about the flexibility of taking classes outside of one’s major, exploring interests, changing majors, double majoring, dual enrolling, etc.>>
This depends on your major. Some majors are very time intensive so it’s harder to double major. Some have overlap with other majors so it’s easier to double major. In terms of switching majors…I think it also depends what you want to switch TO. My kid had friends who double majored…but it was a lot of work. That would be the case ar any college.
Also, I’d like to know about one’s ability to participate in music and theater ensembles/productions as a non-major.>>
BU has the Boston University Music Organization ensembles for non-majors. You still need to audition for these but they are open to all students. The auditions really are just to gauge skill levels and seatings (for instrumental ensembles). There are shows done but I don’t know how many non-majors are involved. The major roles go to the majors.
Perhaps you could shed some light on the recreational facilities like the gym or potential gymnastics gyms nearby or on campus at which I can practice parkour indoors.>>
I don’t know about gymnastics…but BU has one of the most spectacular fitness centers I’ve ever seen on a college campus.
If there’s anything else you can think of that I didn’t cover, I’d love to hear it because you probably know what the best questions to ask are. Thanks.>>
It’s an urban campus. Living off campus can cost more than living on campus when you factor in a 12 month lease, utilities, etc. Going out to eat in Boston ranges from very very pricey to less so. My kid and friends usually went out for lunches…because dinners were just too expensive.
In terms of experiencing the arts, there are plentiful arts organizations in Boston….a few theaters with series, the BSO, even concerts at New England Conservatory….or the music ensembles at BU. If you enjoy this….there will be something practically all the time.
But…really you have to want to attend a college where the campus IS the city…because Boston really is the BU campus.
You also won’t want to spend too much time switching majors, because at the cost of BU, even with aid, you won’t want to spend an extra semester or two there.
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i think you really have to be “all in” with architecture. it’s very very very time demanding; not a ton of options to switch out to after a year or two in; it’s a very synchronous major. You can always get a masters (3 year program) degree in architecture later on with an undergrad degree in something else.
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Ok, a few random thoughts. I think you might want to see if you can get a deferral from one of your two favorite liberal arts colleges and rake a gap year. You don’t need to know what you’re going to major in when you start college, but it sounds as though among the 40 (was this your number?) colleges you applied to, none offered the type of majors you’re considering.
Most architecture programs (B. Architecture or M. Architecture) are very structured with few opportunities to explore other possibilities, which is one reason why many people recommend doing a B.S. in architecture from an accredited school and then doing an M. Architecture later. You need to learn more about the field to see if it’s a serious contender.
This college seems more like something you might have looked into (and I’m willing to bet they still have spots if you ended up doing a late app). But it has architecture (though I don’t know if it’s accredited, but would at least give you some exposure), animation & special effects, drama, and an array of majors that seem closer to what your interests are.
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If I were redoing your list (or recommending a last minute search to see if anything was still available that would have a prayer of meeting your family’s budget) then I would take a closer look at these, all of which have accredited architecture programs and a plethora of other majors to explore.
Drury, from above, is NAAB accredited
U. of Arizona has very good merit aid for high GPAs and majors in film and technical theater
U. of Illinois at Chicago has majors in camera and film production, drama, exercise science, and a great city for theater/drama
Kennesaw State offers majors in drama, exercise science, and digital communication & media, and puts you right outside of Atlanta’s film hub
Southern Illinois has no out of state tuition and offers majors in radio & TV, drama, and maybe sport management (this one or ULL, I can’t tell from my notes)
U. of Louisiana-Lafayette has very generous merit aid as well majors in film, athletic training, and maybe sports management. Louisiana is another place with lots of film work happening.
U. of Nevada- Las Vegas has majors in acting, drama, film, technical theater, and athletic training. Lots of opportunities here to get real-world experience, too.
U. of New Mexico has majors in digital arts, technical theater, drama, film, optics, playwriting/screenwriting, etc.
Woodbury: This one has a much smaller number of possible majors but does have cinematography and game & media design. And it’s in Burbank, CA.
And as mentioned above, all of these have accredited architecture programs.
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Since you mentioned in a previous thread that you may want to take a gap year for medical reasons, it seems like a reasonable option would be to do the following:
- Matriculate with deferred entry to one of your affordable choices that allows deferred entry.
- During the gap year, try to better determine your interests for college major and career direction. Research the film industry, shadow an architect, etc…
- If there are other likely affordable colleges that could be more suitable for your interests, apply to them during the gap year.
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That’s true, but I really don’t want to waste a lot of money making the wrong choice and deciding to wait to go into architecture for grad school rather than going straight into it at the risk of deciding I don’t like it and switching out. However, choosing KU would limit my options for competitive schools because if I transferred out, I’d have to make applications again and there’s no guarantee I’d be accepted to the same schools again. It’s a mixed bag. Also if I go into architecture, I was hoping to potentially get a PhD, so I don’t want to wind up paying for a bachelors, masters, and a doctorate.
Why do you need a PhD in architecture? You aren’t even sure if you want to go to this school and major in architecture.
You know…you can get an undergrad degree…and really, many people don’t work in jobs that relate to their college degree.
I think you need to pick a college that is affordable where you think you might be happy living for four years. Then go from there. Many students switch majors. Pick a school where you can explore multiple options BEFORE you need to declare a major.
LACs give students lots of chances to explore options. They are small enough that you will receive support if needed…you won’t get lost in the shuffle. Think about that. But then….you might like the larger school environment. Only you can make this decision.
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Don’t sweat it, @7Steps_22. The reason I said what I did about starting multiple threads about the same topic is because a lot of the regular folks in the community will see all 3, and the moderators do a good job keeping a look out for multiple conversations about the same thing/regarding the same situation. So, it is confusing for people who read all your threads to discern what you’re really asking. But small matter.
In your post above, what comes through loud and clear is how much you want to be in LA. Even while you’re saying you know it isn’t practical, you are looking for a reason to believe. It’s OK to want something that bad – in fact, it’s great. It’s a tough but necessary lesson in life to not get what you want.
And it strikes me that you’re truly undecided. Your interests range from Film to Architecture to Ophthalmology to Computer Science… even law. That says to me that you might even take a class on something completely different and be taken by it, too. Maybe Linguistics? Or biology? It’s totally cool to be undecided. You’re 18. You’re clearly super smart and hardworking, since getting into UCLA, Davidson, and BU is no small feat.
My advice to you is to take a beat. Recognize and embrace your undecidedness. Go to a school where you can really explore a lot of things and take your time. Since Davidson offered you a lot of money, that’s a safe bet. You’ll get a terrific education, you’ll leave home, and you’ll be exposed to many things along the way. I think you could make a good case for BU too, if the urban environment and Boston are appealing. It also offers exposure to a ton of resources, classes and people, and the debt is half of UCLA’s.
(And truly, your parents should find a new financial advisor. Anyone saying 30 years of debt is acceptable for an undergrad degree shouldn’t have a job as a financial advisor)
Good luck out there!
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I just need to say…YOU need to own the decision of where you choose to attend college. But I would urge you to consider the costs. You have a few affordable options all having their strengths, and weaknesses.
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it sounds as though among the 40 (was this your number?) colleges you applied to, none offered the type of majors you’re considering
I applied to 40 and was admitted to 18 that I was seriously considering. Finances rules out about ten of them instantly. DePaul, for example, has a great film program and a VFX track. It seemed like it would be a great choice, especially since I like Chicago. Unfortunately, it’s $60k a year and when I appealed, they only offered me the chance at getting an additional $3,300 for my first year. At that point, it would have been more in my interest to attend UCLA, which is also very expensive. Either way, I’m down to some colleges that, yeah, don’t offer majors I believe I’d be very passionate about other than those offered by UCLA, BU, Webster, and KU. One would be way too expensive, one would be quite expensive, one would not be a great fit, and one would lock me into a field.
Most architecture programs (B. Architecture or M. Architecture) are very structured with few opportunities to explore other possibilities, which is one reason why many people recommend doing a B.S. in architecture from an accredited school and then doing an M. Architecture later. You need to learn more about the field to see if it’s a serious contender.
Unfortunately, I’m concerned with my ability to afford that given architecture’s notorious low ROI. I guess the question would be whether exploring my options is worth the ~2 extra years of tuition for a 3 year grad school program. I actually know quite a lot about the field, as I’ve spent a lot of time on architecture forums, attended two architecture classes in high school, and am currently taking a drawing class (in which I am, according to my teacher and self, the worst of my class) to prepare myself for the potential of architecture school. The thing is that I’m extremely indecisive due to my crippling anxiety, so as much as I know about any given field or college, it’s so hard to make decisions. I’d like to work on this, but now’s not the time.
it has architecture (though I don’t know if it’s accredited, but would at least give you some exposure), animation & special effects, drama, and an array of majors that seem closer to what your interests are
I’m not finding a major that focuses on VFX, only animation, which I’m not that interested in. I am highly unlikely to get into a theater program given that I did no theater in high school (nor band for that matter. Mental health + stress made that difficult to do despite wanting to). I’ve found some colleges that I like for majors I’m interested in, like Emerson for film and VFX, Gnomon for VFX, Webster for film (although, again, I don’t know enough about their department because I didn’t visit), USC, Cornell for Architecture, etc. The problem is, I don’t think I’m going to get into any very reputable schools for my interests because I succumbed to the scam that getting top grades would make everything else work out long-term. Thus, I never had time to explore my interests and develop resumes and portfolios for the arts because I was so busy developing my GPA and ACT scores. That’s actually partially why I’ve been considering a gap year. It would be a year to catch up to other people in terms of pursuing my real interests.
Are you being treated for your anxiety? Feel free not to answer that, but since you mention that it’s held you back from exploring your interests, I hope you’re working on getting treatment for it before you go to college. College is a new experience that’s bound to be anxiety-inducing. Having good medication that works for you along with therapists in your new town will be important.
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Why do you need a PhD in architecture? You aren’t even sure if you want to go to this school and major in architecture.
The reason I’m unsure isn’t because I don’t really like architecture. I’m also unsure of film, but I love film. The uncertainty isn’t an indicator of disinterest, it’s primarily because I’m indecisive and critically anxious. As for the PhD, my goal has always been to get the highest degree I can so long as it’s not financial suicide (like getting a masters or PhD in film would probably be). As for architecture, you need a masters to become a licensed architect as far as I’m aware, and if I didn’t do the M.Arch 5-year, I might have to pay for 7+ years of college if I pursue architecture.
I’m really worried about giving up architecture as a financially viable option if I choose a LAC that allows for exploration is all. None of them offer 5-year arch programs or even Bachelor arch degrees.
Maybe this article will help you.
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/10-tips-to-make-your-final-college-choice
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Do your financial calculations for college costs include the cost of health care? Find out if your parents’ insurance will cover you out-of-state or not. If not, universities will tack on an extra insurance cost for thousands of dollars more.
Also, if you like the health professionals you have been seeing, unless they are licensed in other states, they can only treat you when you are physically in Missouri (i.e. no telehealth appointments from California). Only you know how big of a transition it will be for you to switch to a new health provider team.
Drury didn’t have anything called special effects, but their digital media major appeared to primarily be about filming and cinematography and had a computer animation class, which may well be incorporating a lot of special effects. There are CS majors for game design and other opportunities. It also requires students to have a 2nd major or get other certificates, etc. So you could do one in architecture, and according to Drury’s architecture department, most of their students get their M. Architecture within 5 years.
With about 1350 undergrads there should be lots of opportunities to get individualized attention and to try new things, like being in a play or taking a music class. And it appearsas though there’sa parkour community in Springfield. Drury isn’t far from Branson where there are a lot of theaters and shows and such for additional real-world experience. And as it’s in Missouri, your current health professionals should be covered under your family’s insurance.
I am not saying that Drury is the perfect school for you. But should you take a gap year or even decide on a last-minute application, I think it would be worth considering.
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It’s a tough but necessary lesson in life to not get what you want.
Honestly, a big part of it is wanting to finally get something I want. My reputation in my community is that of the most unlucky person they know, and for probably good reason. That’s potentially amplified by the fact that I’m one of the only two people at my high school that I’m aware of that isn’t extremely wealthy because I got in on a large scholarship. As much as I like UCLA, a part of it is wanting something to finally actually go right because I put in so much work and made so many sacrifices for it. And finally, I got accepted into my dream school and felt like everything was going to work out for once until I saw the aid package haha. It’s beginning to seem like good things aren’t meant for me to be quite honest.
As for going to Davidson, I’m sure I’d receive a great education, but I’ve got a few concerns with that option. I hear the workload is extremely high and stressful, and if it’s anything like my high school, it will be another four years that I won’t have the free time to make films, produce music, and just entertain the interests I’ve wanted to pursue for so long. Another concern is that I haven’t been able to identify any gymnastics locations with open gyms that would allow me to do indoor parkour nearby (correct me if you’re aware of any). Finally, as with other LACs, I feel that Davidson would lock me out of the possibility of doing architecture (which is a legitimate considerable career interest I have) without having to pay an additional two years tuition for grad school. I’d be interested if you could tell me your opinions on these concerns.
As for Boston, I know I’m the one who is technically supposed to make this decision, but in your personal opinion, do you feel that BU’s debt is an unreasonable amount to take out for a BU education? I’d be interested in a potential change of pace like what would be offered with BU.
Thank you very much.
Since the subject of continued anxiety services has come up…
Boston certainly has the resources to provide you with help. You would need insurance coverage there. I’m not sure what BU counseling has to offer, but maybe that is something to add to your to do list. Find out.
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