My son was accepted to both and is trying to decide between the two. I know the schools are very different - larger urban vs smaller and rural. He honestly thinks he’d be happy at either, but just wondering if anyone has feedback about the actual film programs.
There’s no doubt that both schools are strong in this field and have excellent facilities. You & he chose well for schools to apply to. The difference is not just urban/rural but the fact that Chicago is a regional production giant. The town of Ithaca is . . . well, it’s a town. And it’s remote.
Have you visited both? What other schools are on his list?
For S21, DePaul was one of the last three picks for him. He had a very nice offer. Loves Chicago and the film facilities at DePaul. Ultimately he chose Florida State. We visited Ithaca. Neat little town but just too small for him. There’s no wrong choice.
We visited Ithaca and are going to Chicago next month to see DePaul. He has also been accepted to Temple and has applied to Syracuse and RIT RD, so not sure if he’ll get in those. He wasn’t originally looking at Ithaca, but we did a tour while we were in upstate NY and he was really impressed, so it moved way up on his list. Plus they gave him a nice offer, as did DePaul.
DePaul. Lots of work in Chicagoland and opportunities. Great area to live especially as a student. Lots of creativity in Chicago in any Art discipline. But.
Don’t forget about Columbia if coming to Chicago to visit.
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I think he’ll like DePaul. I would visit Columbia just to compare. Did he look at Emerson?
S21 visited Temple but didn’t apply. Rough neighborhood. Syracuse didn’t offer any scholarships so it was off the table.
Penn State isn’t a bad option. Bellasario is pretty nice plus the alumni network is huge.
Hi! My son is deciding between some of the same schools - we are visiting DePaul this weekend for the first time. Accepted to Ithaca - loves program not sure about location, same w Syracuse/Newhouse. Also into temple and still considering Fordham. Wondering what tour son decided??
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He actually committed to Ithaca yesterday! He really liked DePaul, but ultimately decided he wanted a more campus-y vibe. He was unsure about the remote location at first, but it seems like a nice college town and he thinks he’ll find enough to do there. Syracuse did not offer enough aid to make it doable, so that was off the table. He did consider Temple as well, but he liked the programs at DePaul and Ithaca better, so it was really down to those two at the end. He really did have a hard time deciding between them. I hope you enjoy your visit to DePaul. Let me know what he decides to do in the end!
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Congrats on your son’s decision. I have been following your posts since ours kids same majors and a few of the same schools.
My son just decided on DePaul - he actually wanted more of an urban than campus-y vibe so those were the major downsides for Ithaca and Syracuse though he liked the programs. He also got into temple and Fordham but liked facilities and general course of study- as well as Chicago - better at DePaul. Sounds like both students were lucky with strong hooves and could find what works best for them
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My son chose depaul over ithaca for mostly this reason
Thanks. Makes sense.
And congratulations!!! 
Ithaca is a GREAT college town! There is no doubt that he’ll find plenty to do. Congratulations! 
On that note we will close the thread.
Congratulations to the OP on a great college outcome.