I’m in my first semester of Senior year. I’ve been searching for months for a college that’s right for me, but I can’t really seem to find one that stands out. All of them seem kind of…meh.
I like to create things. That’s me. I love making videos and constructing things for my robotics class. I’ve built many robots for VEX tournaments. I rather enjoy the subjects of math and science. (My grades are also good, straight A’s, but not very many AP classes) On the other hand, I have thoroughly enjoyed making videos since like…5th grade. Last year I took an Honors Film & Documentary Production class. One of my films actually won an international film festival.
So. Here’s my current game plan: Major in Engineering, Minor in Film. Engineering is, I guess, the more “practical degree.” I was told by parents, counselors, etc, that I’ll always be able to feed myself with a engineering degree, and a degree in film is almost useless. I agree. I think I should go for the engineering, but I do not want to leave film in the dirt for 4 years while I get my mechanical engineering major.
Peeps in the industry and other folks have admitted that degrees in film aren’t very useful, but connections, experience, and your portfolio is- and that’s exactly what I want to get while I’m in college. I don’t care about the film degree, but neglecting the subject for 4 years or as little as 2 years would be a sure-fire way to kill any edge in film I’ve gained in my high school years. I would lose my current connections (they would lose interested in me as a film asset) and my portfolio from high-school is only really good for showing to colleges. Once I’m an adult people will not really care that I “made it when I as young,” they’ll just look and judge. At most I’ll get a few nods from the film festival award. When I show these things to colleges, they are VERY interested because they look at what you can make as an inexperienced highschooler.
In summary, my primary concern for college is getting my engineering degree but still pursuing film in some form- whether that’s through a degree, elective, or whatever.
My problem- I can’t find a flippin’ college that has good programs in both categories
Some choices are perfect little engineering colleges out in the middle of nowhere who have absolutely nothing to do with art.
There are some nice art schools, but there’s no way my parents are going to let me go to a college that only offers art/communications.
Some colleges are world renown for both (like USC), but actually don’t let their engineering students study things like art.
Where can I find the relatively small but reputable engineering college that has opportunities in film production? Does it even exist??
Second Erin’s Dad. Time will be against you. Look at what AP and Clep credits schools accept. I have a son at Alabama for Engineering. He chose it over USC because of the generous AP / CLEP policy. It allowed him freedom to take classes of interest outside of engineering. Bama students have won national awards in film. I mentioned Bama because I am familiar with it. I’m sure other schools could fit the bill if your key focus is looking at schools that will be generous in accepting AP and CLEP to meet genl ed requirements
Hmmm… Unfortunately I only have 2 AP’s- AP Calc an AP Bio. I’m afraid it’s not getting much out of the way. My Calc class is almost a joke. I have to put in extra hours to teach myself. I almost feel like taking a regular calculus class in college because I’m afraid I’m not getting a good enough foundation in my high-school class.
It really does sound like time is not in my favor. I’m wondering if I have to give up one of my interests.
If it is still possible, which schools offer the most flexibility? Schools that will allow me to take those hands-on production classes, ignore some of the other annoyign requirements, and prusue an engineering degree?
I also want to make sure that the film aspect of the school isn’t a program thats 90% study and 10% application. What I’m really after is experience in the field and products from my work. But again, it seems unlikely I will be able to invest so much time with an already demanding engineering major.
I’m liking USC and UCLA, but I’m wondering if it’s actually possible in my case:
First attempt ACT: 29.
GPA 3.98 (9th), 4.0 (10th), (both unweighted)
4.1 (11th) 4.2 (12th as of now) (weighted)
(I’m a really strong student, I’m just not great at standardized tests- I’m a slow reader and a careful thinker.)
I only have 2 AP’s and one honors class- AP calc, AP bio, Honors Film. No telling what score I’ll get on the AP tests.
Additionally, it’s especially hard to get accepted into those schools with engineering of all majors
I totally understand that some excellent students aren’t good test takers. But unfortunately you’ll need a much higher ACT/SAT score to get into USC or UCLA. I wouldn’t worry much about the AP tests as they won’t count towards your admissions and even if you did score well on AP Calc you’ll probably want to take calc anyway in college if your HS calc wasn’t strong. Instead focus on your ACT or SAT - get some books and just do lots of practice tests to get used to the speed. (My D did a practice SAT test a week at home for 10 weeks in a row, which really helped her get a high score despite her usual aversion to timed tests.)
You should also look at some options that are easier to get into than those two (or Northwestern), such as some of those mentioned above.
Alright, I either give up my 4+ GPA and study the ACT, or I give up a better ACT score for 4+ GPA.
At this point I guess my GPA doesn’t matter that much. Sigh…it just irks me and my inner OCD kicks in when I see those low grades.
Tufts’ fine arts department was started by an engineer and Tufts offers a minor in multimedia arts that spans the boundary between engineering and film, as well as a minor in film studies.
Both minor programs are associated with the Experimental College, so they have a strong experiential/hands on component and include a major senior project. The engineering school is somewhat small - which is good for interdisciplinary activities, but bad for ease of admission (the acceptance rate was about 11% last year).
You might want to take look at schools with multi-media programs (such as RIT). They typically have a film component that you may be able to take advantage of.
Ok, first like at CLEP and see if there are any you can take.
I’d recommend Engineering major and a school that allows you to take film classes as a humanities requirement. Or, look at school clubs that would allow you to get involved.
RIT and U of Rochester are worth a look, but I assume you are a CA resident and cost of travel could be expensive.
Since someone else recommended Syracuse: When I was at Syracuse in the 80s they had two film programs, one in Newhouse and one in VPA. The VPA one was definitely artier and probably less work which might be a better match with your engineering. Not sure if they still have both but you might want to check if you look into it.