<p>Academically, I am a very strong student (top 3% of class, GREAT recs, above avg test scores, captain of two activities at school, etc). I have decided that I want to be a Film Director. Unfortunately, my parents are unwilling to pay anything for college, and I have to rely on what little I have saved myself (combined household income < $100,000).</p>
<p>I would love to go to USC or NYU, and I certainly will apply, but I know NYU is notorious for poor financial aid. USC Cinema has a 4% acceptance rate. This makes me very concerned.</p>
<p>And after those two schools, it seems like there is Caltech and UCLA, and after that...well, your local technical college. I live in Minnesota, and emailed the MN TV & Film Board. They responded recommending that I forget about the 17 years I have spent building up academics and just go to the Minneapolis Community Technical College. Obviously, that would be a very hard jump for me to make. I forgot to mention, UCLA is probably out of the question anyway because OOS financial aid would suck.</p>
<p>What do I want from film school? I don't have a problem with delving into the theory, but I also want to get practical, hands-on experience and to build my portfolio. Connections are extremely important.</p>
<p>Please help! What should I do?</p>
<p>PS: I am working on a top-notch video for my NYU Tisch portfolio submission now.</p>
<p>Edit: I have also considered New York Film Academy, but they only have a one year program. I am worried about the job opportunities afterward (as well as the cost). I have also considered Syracuse...</p>
<p>hi, I think if you want to study film, Hampshire College is a good choice. Many students there go to NYU to study film in graduates school.
About FA, it seems Hampshire have a pretty good FA to international students,(ehh, you know, since I am one .), so, I suppose its FA to American kids won't be bad ! ^_^..</p>
<p>It's going to be very hard to put yourself through 4 years of college without your parents. Why, if you don't mind my asking, are they refusing to help you pay?</p>
<p>They are unwilling to pay because I am their 4th child and they paid for none of the others kids to go to college, and more so because they are both within 1-3 years of (early) retirement (in their mid-50's).</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies, looking forward to more!</p>
<p>have you looked at chapman and LMU..they might be able to give you some $$...northwestern university has a kick *&() program and they are generous...</p>
<p>Thanks for the great replies, everyone! I have looked carefully at the schools suggested, and here are the ones I am thinking about most seriously:</p>
<p>[ul]
[<em>]USC
[</em>]NYU
[<em>]Calarts
[</em>]Hampshire College
[<em>]Chapman
[</em>]LMU
[/ul]</p>
<p>I just wanted to quick reply to SparkLee, though: I can barely afford to go to undergrad school, let alone go on to NYU for grad school! (Especially as a starving filmmaker...)</p>
<p>Thanks again, and please, if anyone has any more ideas, let me know!</p>
<p>I have a son attending CALARTS. He considered the same schools that you listed. One other school that was on his short list was New Mexico State University (Creative Media Program). It may seem that it is out in the "film industry boonies" and the program is young, but the film industry is going to New Mexico in a big way. We visited the program and were very impressed with the facilities, the faculty and the program. The nice thing for the students is that a lot of major films are shooting in southern NM and there are not a lot of professional resources for production companies to use. The film students are spending a lot of time working on major Hollywood films, making connections with current film makers and learning from the professionals.</p>
<p>If money is a concern, this school should be on your list to consider and explore with the school.</p>
<p>parent2noles: Yeah, they probably also take ownership over everything produced :\ Although I know for a fact USC does that, and perhaps others. Not that paying for everything isn't bad! :)</p>
<p>Nonetheless, due to my out-of-state status in Florida, New Mexico, and CA, I am not considering FSU, NMSU, or UCLA. Out of state tuition is MUCH higher, and from what I hear, FA is abysmal.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks for all of the replies. I think I have a maybe-final list of colleges (roughly in order):
[ul]
[<em>]USC
[</em>]NYU
[<em>]CalArts
[</em>]Chapman
[li]Hampshire[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>Just one little tid-bit that you might investigate. I have another son on a full ride (undergraduate and graduate school) at an out-of-state, state school base on merit. There are a lot of state schools that are trying to attract the best students and so they give some great aid to out of state students who are academically superior. I know that Florida is very competitive, but there are some other schools who open up scholarships to anyone.</p>