Film Schools for a 3.7 Sophomore?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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Hi there, haven’t posted much the past 6 months but I have S24 who really wants to go to film school. He is in a special Arts Media Entertainment focused HS program which doesn’t really allow him to take AP classes. He is the president of a film club, holds a VP communication teen position for another club through his synagogue, is involved in NLYM (National League of Young Men); and plays HS basketball.

He is starting to work on creating a film portfolio which apparently some college want, others don’t.

His “dream” colleges are USC and NYU but realistically has little chance to get in. He hasn’t taken the ACT/SAT yet, probably fall of Junior year.

Any recommendations for film schools and any other advice for a prospective film major would be appreciated.

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Ithaca’s Park School has a wonderful reputation.

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What does your financial situation look like? USC and NYU tend to be a little stingy with aid.

I would definitely look at Syracuse. VPA and Newhouse are well-regarded in the world of film. But they can also be stingy with aid. Oh, and it’s a little cold up there (although that’s the same with Ithaca, too).

Do you have any PSAT scores?

Michigan and UCLA would be higher reaches (assuming OOS).

Vassar and Wesleyan are definitely reaches, but they’re a tad easier to get into as a male. If he gets a 1400+, he would be a solid applicant at these schools.

Chapman and LMU have outstanding film programs…however, be aware that the film programs are more competitive then the general admissions rate.

UNC School of the Arts; Emerson; CalArts, too (admissions is portfolio-heavy at these schools).

Boston University, Wisconsin-Madison, Skidmore, SCAD, RISD, UMiami, UTampa, U Central Florida, Florida State, Pratt, and some other state flagships are all worth a look, too.

No AP can hurt, but being in a specialized program might balance it out.

On another note, why film? It’s an amazing industry, but it’s quite competitive. He may be working with low salaries for the first few years out of college, so I would be careful with financial considerations.

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Here’s a good start. I wouldn’t go into debt for film school. Low pay and it’s more about your talent and portfolio, not your school.

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Does he have an interest in east coast vs. west coast? Large school vs. small? Is cost an issue? I wouldn’t worry about a portfolio for colleges at all yet. Just keep creating to experiment and learn and have fun! His grades are good, keep them up because it will open many more opportunities for him. There’s also some posts under “Visual Arts” category vs “chances and matches” you may want to look to.

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Lots of students choose DePaul for film. It’s in Chicago and offers good merit. My D (from California) is strongly considering it (but not for film). DePaul has been test optional for years. Chicago would be an amazing place to spend four years!

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This is why programs like Wesleyan’s and to some extent, Vassar’s, are so important. No matter what major you graduate with, you will very likely have taken a lot of writing intensive courses; a lot of courses covering history and culture. No one asks, “Why English?” or “Why History?” The right film program will offer the same combination of broad, liberal education and specialization.

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Consider Fordham, Loyola Marymount, Chapman, Emerson, Columbia College (Chicago), Cal State-Northridge, SUNY-Purchase.

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Lots of good suggestions here already. Just to add a couple more:

The Screen Studies program at Clark includes more on the production side than many similar programs at LAC’s, and emphasizes internship opportunities.

Drexel’s Film & TV program could be a good fit, with a summer study and internship program in LA.

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Thanks everyone. To answer some of your questions: he absolutely loves everything about film, especially video production, editing, operating cameras, and directing actors. He’s created some low level films for his broadcasting class using students as actors.

He does not have a preference for east coast vs. west coast; doesn’t mind large schools (but I think he would do better at a smaller school with 7K or less students); we are full pay and are not merit chasing.

He didn’t study for the PSAT and got around 1200. We will get him a test prep tutor and he will likely take the ACT/SAT a few times to get the best score. He has 504 accommodations due to his ADHD/executive function issues.

I’ll look into some of those colleges you all have suggested. I realize that the pay might be low working in the film industry but we are going to give him a chance to pursue his “passion”. At the end of the day, we want him to be educated and happy about his career choice(s), whatever they may be?

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SUNY Purchase, U. of Cincinnati, & Drexel might be worth a gander as well.

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Then think seriously about pursuing USC, NYU, Chapman! The three best (AFI is only grad school). Personally I think Chapman is the best because every student is required to do their own projects, not just the top few selected and then others work on the director/screenwriter projects of others. USC/NYU do not really give merit. Chapman is extremely generous with merit even if you apply ED. Perfect size for you son too. Forget testing, you don’t need it to get into any of the film schools. Focus on grades and doing film programs in summer and throughout the year just creating and experimenting!

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SCAD’s Atlanta Campus is in the heart of a lot of film making due to the film tax deals of Georgia. His GPA would not be a concern there.

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SCAD Savannah is building a 10.9 acre film facility right now! backlot, soundstage, XR stage. They say it will be the largest facility in the country! If you’re kid is looking a couple years down the road Id really consider this. Their ranking within film schools is about to go way up. Generous merit to be had there too

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And from the experience of having a child act in films for both Atlanta and Savannah SCAD students are amazing.

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My advice is Don’t waste a year of your life to studying and the stress of the ACT/SAT. You don’t need it for film unless you want to go to Florida. Use that time to create and focus on your grades. While good grades aren’t always necessary with the more competitive programs they are and they will also help you get merit which is much needed to afford these programs. (The exception to this is CalArts/SCAD the more art schools your grades will not prevent you from acceptance but you won’t get as much merit $ with poor grades). With 3.7 GPA you’re on the right track!

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Definitely visit SCAD in Savannah on one of their open house days. It is very impressive and with your additional details I think it could be a magical place for him.

They have their own film festival that brings in people from all over.

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Thanks again for all of the advice and personal experiences. This film major/industry is very new to me (even though we live in LA!). I’m going to do a deep dive into these colleges mentioned. Just to clarify, we don’t expect any merit scholarships (but wouldn’t turn it down if offered for the right school lol). The “no” test prep is very interesting and something I need to give more thought to whether it matters or not? He does have a private college counselor but we are early in the process of using her services (for this kid). Will probably reach out to you all for more advice in the near future once I do my own due diligence. Thx

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For inspiration tour Dodge at Chapman or USC, will inspire him to work hard these last few months. These schools require great creative and great grades.

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