Hi! Need some help here.
I’m graduating High school in 2017 and for university choice, I have decided to study film program and get a bachelor degree. Though I have a hard time finding good universities who offer a good film program education. I have my eyes on NYU Tisch of course but my chance of being accepted is probably really low since I’m an international student and getting high grades in my country is not the easiest which means my GPA probably won’t be high enough. I will need a few backup schools.
Except NYU Tisch I have been thinking about applying to San Francisco state university and Florida state university but I need a university I can guarantee I will make it to. At the same time, I want a good film program.
Of course, NYU is the absolute dream but I can’t get stuck with a school if I can’t guarantee being accepted.
Would appreciate a lot if someone here happen to know any universities with good film programs that isn’t impossible to get into. It’s directing, filming and editing I’m interested in. (Except the GPA problem I do A LOT outside high school. Coaching, take film courses, having an extra job etc. If that could be any help for my applications.)
They include a wide range of schools, to programs within larger universities and stand-alone film schools. They provide very good info, re: how these schools actually connect their students to the industry. Several of the ones on the list are at less competitive schools than NYU, where you’d have a better chance (though, of course, you must consider cost!). And a personal rec: if money isn’t an issue, and depending on exactly what your GPA/test score situation is, my alma mater Boston University is on that list and is often considered a “safety” school for students also applying to Tisch. BU is a smidge easier to get into (they will take lower SAT scores, certainly), but the film program is still excellent. And I can also personally recommend Emerson, which is easier to get into than BU, and has a GREAT Los Angeles program/facilities on Sunset Blvd. I work in LA and can personally attest to the BU and Emerson “mafias” out here–alums help each other out.
And Chapman, very good small college in Orange, just outside LA, I believe it is a sister program to USC, but the program is still quite competitive as it is well known. https://www.chapman.edu/dodge/
Thank you all for your help! Emerson & Chapman definitely looks interesting. I’ve been following the Hollywood reporter list but it’s hard knowing as an international how big chance you have being accepted.
Boston University has been on my mind as well but I’m still a little unsure because I want to have a chance making it if I’m going to apply!
I have decided not to apply to USC because the chance of being accepted is even smaller than making it to NYU.
I should add that while the Dodge film school is very hard to get into, it may help if you have related activities. I also know student from there working in the film industry (in production companies) that attended Chapman but majoring in Creative Writing. Yes Emerson has a strong presence in the CA film industry too.
^^yes Loyola is a good suggestion and not quite as hard for admissions. Wesleyan is very hard for admissions. OP said they have a gpa problem, but didn’t really give much idea so we don’t know if we are talking an A, B or C level student.or test scores or has a portfolio or what.
If you’re looking for colleges you’d have a relative easy time getting into, you could check out Columbia College Chicago or, for a two year prep for the latter half of a four year education, Santa Monica College.