<p>Could anyone give me a pre-visit summary of Columbia?</p>
<p>bump???????</p>
<p>What about the Film Program?</p>
<p>Welcome to parent's forum.</p>
<p>The parents here are really nice, and will go out of their way to help you particularly after you've demonstrated that you've already done some research.</p>
<p>Check out the web site for Columbia's film school and also look at the Columbia section in the Ivy League part of CC. Here's the link to Columbia's film school: <a href="http://63.151.45.66/index.cfm?fuseaction=FILM_DIV.viewUndergradMajor%5B/url%5D">http://63.151.45.66/index.cfm?fuseaction=FILM_DIV.viewUndergradMajor</a></p>
<p>After you check out those areas, come back and ask for answers to any questions that you have.</p>
<p>It also would be useful to tell a bit about yourself here, and say why you want to go to Columbia and why you're considering majoring in film. Also say what kind of college you'd prefer attending (large college? Small one? Large City?) and whether you have any financial restrictions.</p>
<p>Thanks Northstar, you're a lifesaver. Trust me, I've visited that sight more than a couple of times. Um, ok. When I was maybe, 10, I saw the episode of Growing Pains where Carol gets accepted to Columbia. That was my first encounter. Film. I LOVE movies. Especially old ones. When I "grow up" I would love to be a critic, or work in a film archive. I would also enjoy a little screenwriting on the side, but that isn't a reliable source of income, so it will stay a hobby. Mainly, I want to study film just to study the production of it. It's what I love to do. I have seen several reviews where it calls Columbia's film program "writing intensive." If there's anything I like as much as Film, it's writing. </p>
<p>I've lived in "podunk" Missouri my whole life, and I think I'd really love the Urban culture. On my few trips to St. Louis and Kansas City, I've always just wanted to stop and take it all in-the buildings and all the people. Also, that love for movies (tons of them set in NYC) has fostered a love for New York. Albeit, a love from afar. </p>
<p>Ok. I have a few specific questions. Are the students nice? I'm not expecting Mid-Westerners, but do they have respect for one-another? Are the faculty accessible? I'm sure there are tons more, but that's all I can think of for this very moment. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>ps-I live in a single-parent, low income family. There's NO money for college. My father is...distant, and while he has more money than we, he's somewhat "miserly." I can't believe I've said this much on a website. Oh well, the answers are worth it. Thanks.</p>
<p>Katie, as an incoming frosh I can tell you with 100% certainty that the students there are incredibly kind. They are accepting of who you are, no matter who you may be. </p>
<p>With a student:faculty ratio of 7:1, faculty is accessible at Columbia. While you may need to seek it on your own and develop your own relationships, the ability to interact personally with your professors is extremely likely.</p>
<p>Income issues at Columbia are dealt with pretty well I have heard. They do match 100% of the EFC of a student (or so they say). I did not have the ability to apply for fin aid because I did not qualify, but there are others on this forum better suited to help you answer financial issues.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions do not hesitate to ask. Good luck with the application process. If you do get the chance to visit Columbia, I highly recommend it because the atmosphere there is very unique. Maybe I will be your tour guide if you take a visit.</p>
<p>-Jaug1
Columbia College, Class of 2009</p>
<p>Columbia is an excellent school. I like the fact that it is in an urban arae but still has a genuine enclosed campus. Being mid-western you will have a geographical advantage in admissions. Some people put down the neighborhood but I think its a great area. They are big on a classical core education if that appeals to you. Where else are you considering?</p>
<p>Katie07 -- My son who just finished his first year happens to be sitting in the same room so I asked him your questions. He said that students are, indeed, friendly at Columbia. As to whether professors are accessible, he says it depends on the professor. I can attest that earlier today, he e-mailed a professor he had in a large introductory lecture class with a question about his final, and got an e-mail in response within minutes.</p>
<p>As to the film program, it may be in the graduate school of the arts. You might check to see which if any of their courses are open to undergrads by looking at the online bulletin.</p>
<p>Katioe07 -- Be sure to check out Film Studies at Columbia -- might stress the theoretical and not production. Best to know in advance if you really prefer production.</p>
<p>Katie07, better known than Columbia for films studies is NYU. Also in NYC with much more urban feel, excellent in film. A student from my child's HS will be studying film there in the fall.</p>
<p>Thanks. This is the kind of thing I love to hear. If their program is theoretical, that's even better. I like the theory as well, and production won't provide a steady income. In regards to NYU, I've heard that it doesn't offer a real campus life, and I think that that is something I would need if I were moving half-way across the country. Does anyone know what kind of internships Columbia has to offer? I also like Northwestern, but I wouldn't have the admissions edge because I am from their region. Thanks for all the advice.</p>
<p>NYU is notoriously stingy with financial aid. I have seen people posting on boards saying they got $20,000 a year less than their documented financial need. I don't suggest considering NYU.</p>
<p>Other schools that are known for film are Florida State and Syracuse. Check their sites to find out info, including about merit aid.</p>
<p>I don't think that Northwestern is known for generosity in financial aid as I know people who weren't able to go there because they didn't get what they felt they needed.</p>
<p>Directly from FSU's Film website: "Only 30 men and women are selected each year to attend its programs, significantly fewer than any other major film school in America." Wow. I don't think I could get in with those odds, as I have no real firsthand experience in filmmaking. Syracuse-I liked based on website, and they have Architecture as well, should I change my mind, that's comforting. I like that their film program has two parts: drama and arts. They require a portfolio along with the application, and that's where I would be weak. I have no portfolio. My school doesn't offer any classes even related to film, mine is an independent interest. Thanks a lot for the financial aid info, that is VERY important in the process for me.</p>
<p>Katie, for film also check out Emerson College (primarily a communications college, small and very friendly, great semester in L.A. program, D graduated there yesterday!) and Boston University, School of Communications (large with many other major choices) and Quinnipiac University, also has a good communications school, however more emphasis on broadcast and media than film there. Other schools D looked at: NYU, Ithica, Syracuse.</p>
<p>I've gotten some information in the mail from Emerson and I was really impressed. It's definitely on my list.</p>
<p>Can anyone give some general thoughts on the core curriculum at Columbia?</p>
<p>I may be wrong, but my impression is that Emerson is not noted for generous financial aid.</p>
<p>Before setting your heart on any college, take a good look at its financial aid section. Also check to see if it has need blind admissions. Based on what you've posted before, you sound like you'll have a great deal of financial need and that may prevent your admission to some colleges that factor financial need into their admissions decisions.</p>
<p>Colleges that state they are "need blind" do not do that. However, just because they are "need blind" does not mean you'll get all of the financial need that you require. Many colleges do not guarantee to meet 100% of students' documented financial need. Even if they do, their definition of your need may differ from your parents' definition. The college also can choose to cover your need by providing huge loans.</p>
<p>Since you love to write and are considering screen writing, it is possible to teach this to yourself. I know a person who got accepted into Syracuse's film school by submitting a 30-page film script that he had written.</p>
<p>He had learned how to write scripts by researching it on -line. There are plenty of free on-line sites with this info, and it is possible to teach yourself.</p>
<p>He did this in his free time. Syracuse accepted the script and he was offered admission to the film school and a small merit aid scholarship from the university.</p>
<p>Since you're interested in writing, the more you write and hone your writing skills, the better your chances will be for being able to submit a script that would help you get acceptance to a film school.</p>
<p>Check around your area for writer's organizations or start one at your high school. Most writing organizations are open to anyone who is serious about writing. They attract people of all ages with all levels of expertise. </p>
<p>Also see if there are any writing conferences in your area. They may be willing to let you attend at a reduced fee or they may be willing to waive the fee if you volunteer to help with something like registration. Such organizations usually are happy to connect with students who like to write.</p>
<p>With respect to Northwestern, it is wise to consider that you do not have the regional diversity thing going for you, and I have also widely heard it said that it is not always generous with financial aid. HOWEVER, if you otherwise are very attracted to it you might want to add it to your list as our experience with financial aid was that it was every bit as generous as the need-blind schools.</p>
<p>It is possible, however, that Northwestern has a hard time attracting students from rural areas even when such students are in the Midwest. A lot of rural students don't want to go to large metropolitan areas.</p>