Film major at a community college. So lost.

College Search & Selection
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<p>I'm new to posting on here, so forgive me if I forget some of the rules. I also apologize for the novel I'm about to write. Any, and I mean ANY help or advice is appreciated. Here is my story:</p>

<p>I've wanted to make films since I was a kid, and my passion for it has only increased from there. I was accepted and enrolled into the film program at Emerson College in Boston-- my dream school. Two months before move-in day, I discontinued my enrollment due to the financial burden I would eventually face. I was heartbroken and it was the hardest decision I ever made. But I would have received about $200,000 in private loans after four years. </p>

<p>I am now a communications major at my local community college to save money. So far, I don't like it here very much. The classes are not challenging in the slightest and the student body isn't as motivated/interested in their major like the students I met from other schools. The only thing keeping me going is knowing that it's temporary, and I can transfer in two years. The goal is to transfer to a California film school (USC, UCLA, CalArts, etc.) but now I'm not sure if that's a realistic goal anymore.</p>

<p>I am a VERY middle class, white female from upstate New York. My mother is unemployed and my father's income is always tied up in his small business. The result of the FAFSA gave us about $3,000 a year in financial aid. Emerson gave me nothing. I applied to dozens of third-party scholarships, only to receive less than $5,000 in awards. </p>

<p>For out-of-state residents, going to a CA school is going to be rough, especially with airfare. Finances aren't the only thing against me, though. In terms of statistics, the odds are very against me as an out-of-state transfer student trying to get accepted into one of those schools. I even called up the schools I was interested in, and they can't guarantee that all of my credits will transfer-- it may take me five years to complete a Bachelor's instead of four. And the whole point of sacrificing my Emerson enrollment was to save money.</p>

<p>So I looked at schools that were closer and would have an easier time taking my credits. NYU and my community college are transfer-friendly, but barely gives out any decent financial assistance. I'll still be in extreme debt, which is probably a bad thing because as a film major, I will most likely be taking on many unpaid internships and low-paying/entry level jobs.</p>

<p>In terms of SUNY schools, the only one with a reputable film program is Purchase, which I visited as a senior in high school. The price was very appealing, but the campus atmosphere and social vibe was a huge turn off.</p>

<p>I suppose my question is, what do I do? Do I pour more time into applying for scholarships? Do I work three jobs to save money for a big school? Do I attend a school that isn't a brand name and hope the connections and opportunities will just come naturally? In today's society, is film even a realistic major? </p>

<p>Please help. I'm desperate. I thought I was done with the hours and hours of Googling different schools and scholarships, but I think it's just the beginning. </p>

<p>In Summary: Future film transfer student who is too rich for financial aid and too poor to attend a top school. </p>

<p>P.S. I am confident in my GPA and filmmaking abilities. I don't know if this is relevant or not.</p>

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<p>

Given you field of interest and financial limitations, you will have to accept that you may not get 100% of your desires in a college. If a film major is your heart’s desire, spending two or three years at a college with less than ideal atmosphere and social vibe should be perfectly acceptable when it’s an affordable school with an excellent reputation in that field. </p>

<p>If it’s any help, I have reason to be in contact with many of the SUNY Purchase students in the arts programs–they’re a great group of kids who are extremely hard working and dedicated to their respective crafts and who on the social side tend cluster together, not having a whole lot to do with the non-arts side of the school, which has a very different vibe. It’s really like two colleges on the same campus. I suggest you take a closer look.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for your response. Financially, SUNY Purchase would be the best option. I think I will examine it more closely-- I live 45 minutes away from the campus, so I can easily visit. :slight_smile: Are the kids you know from Purchase working in the industry at all?</p>

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<p>I can’t answer that–I’m a retailer who has many customers from the Purchase community, so once they graduate, I don’t see them anymore. But I’m sure if you speak to someone in the department or career office they will give you some useful info. And maybe you can ask to meet up with a current film major who can give you a tour of the film facilities and some insider info. But I do caution you that the Purchase arts programs are not easy to get into, so you shouldn’t assume you could be admitted.</p>