<p>Hi, guys. :) I'm going to be applying to Chapman in the fall, and it's one of my top choices right now. But the thing is...I don't know which Dodge major I should apply to. I'm pretty much equally interested in Screenwriting, Television, and Film Production. I know Film Production is the hardest to get into, but it's also the most prestigious, right? How well-regarded are the Screenwriting and TV majors? Thanks! :)</p>
<p>Recommend that you go to the website to see the course offerings within each major. You’ll see that most of the majors are required to take film/storytelling, editing and writing classes. I would say that any major out of Dodge is reputable and will offer you opportunities (although the PR advertising major is more focused on marketing communications). Based on what you said you’re interested in, you can pick any of the three majors and come out the skills needed to start a career in the film or television industry. Remember, what you get your degree does not dictate where you will end up. There’s a lot of crossover. There are plenty of graduates that did Film Prod and and are working in television, and vice versa. Film is indeed the most applied for, especially because it has a wide selection of disciplines (directing, editing, cinemaphotography, etc), and therefore it is the hardest to get in to. If you are flexible and not tied to one thing, you should make sure and note a second choice when/if you apply for Film Production. If they like you and don’t have enough room in Film, they might consider you for the screenwriting program or television, but these majors are limited in acceptance, too (look at stats posted on the Dodge Applicants thread…only 25 accepted into the Television and Broadcast, and maybe 20 something in screenwriting). Getting into any of these would be an accomplishment.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response, chimchim! 
I definitely agree that getting into any Dodge major would be an honor and an awesome accomplishment. </p>
<p>I guess what I’m worried about is that I always hear that Chapman has a great film program, but I really haven’t heard much specifically about Screenwriting or TV majors; do you happen to know if all Dodge majors are competitive for the same internships and connections? For example, if I did indeed do the Screenwriting major hypothetically, would I possibly make less connections in the industry than a Film major or be considered a weaker applicant to film internships? </p>
<p>Secondly, do you think it would be wise to apply to Film because it is harder to get into, so if I got in, I could more easily switch to a different Dodge major if I decided to? Or would it be wiser to apply to a slightly less competitive Dodge major so I have a better chance of getting in in the first place? Sorry for all the questions! And thanks for your help! ^_^</p>
<p>Sharedplanet,
Have you had a chance to visit Chapman? If not, I suggest for you to schedule a campus tour that will include Dodge in the tour or visit the Discover Chapman Day in the fall. The Discover Chapman Day will give you a chance to explore programs and meet faculty, tour the campus, learn about financial aid and scholarship opportunities, meet current students and experience student life; a complimentary lunch is also included.
It will give you a chance to ask questions and to receive answers.</p>
<p>Since I have a student at Dodge, perhaps I can help you to get a better understanding of their film programs. Dodge offers the following undergrad programs:
B.A. Film Studies
B.A. Public Relations & Advertising
B.A. Screenwriting
B.F.A. Creative Producing
B.F.A. Digital Arts
B.F.A. Film Production
B.F.A. Screen Acting
B.F.A. Television & Broadcast Journalism</p>
<p>All of the their majors are competitive because Dodge is among the best and has the best facilities, faculty, connections, etc… There are just a bit more students applying to production than the other majors in general. It doesn’t mean that the other majors going to be easy to get into. Applicants in the other majors still have to compete to get in. It goes with demand and supply if you will.</p>
<p>As for connections and internships, they are in the order of seniority (upper classmen and then lower classmen), but they are open in general and posted for students to register regardless of major according to what I’ve heard from DS. Therefore everyone will have similar opportunities to connect and intern through the school. However, there are students like DS that will also seek internships independently outside of school.</p>
<p>As for applying to the film production major and then switch if you need to, that would probably be wise if you’re unsure. However, there is no guarantee how open the other majors going to be. The school will accommodate according to the applicants first choice major before considering their second choice.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the info, Ocelite! I really appreciate it. As for transferring into a different Dodge major if I got into Film Production but changed my mind, do you happen to know how easy it is to do? Would I have to apply all over again to any Dodge major if I wanted to transfer?</p>
<p>On the transfer issue: I would ask Lauren Hertel, the Dodge admissions coordinator. She answers questions like this on her admissions blog, which you can find on the Dodge College website. [Admissions</a> Blog - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts](<a href=“http://ftv.chapman.edu/life/blogs/admissions/]Admissions”>http://ftv.chapman.edu/life/blogs/admissions/)</p>
<p>On the issue of prestige of the programs: Based on conversations with industry reps, students and educators, when you hear Chapman has a great “film school,” they mean Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and all the majors in it. They are housed in the same state-of-the-art facility. The equipment, including that used by the Television majors, is stellar.</p>
<p>Also, if you read the article that just appeared in Sunday’s LA Times (about Chapman being up there with USC and NYU), when they discuss Dodge, they cite all 1,600 students at Dodge, not just the 300 students in film production. The entire program is seen as top notch.</p>
<p>Thank you, chimchim! It’s great to know that people consider the entire film school prestigious, not just the Film Production major.</p>