<p>Soo i'm a junior in high school and since i visited last summer, i've been set on going to Ithaca College in New York State. I just feel like it's the best film school for me because: their labs, equipment, and overall facilities are incredibly up to date and very nice overall; i like the atmosphere of the town; i like the campus itself; and i feel like i would not only be able to get in, but also to receive a lot of financial aid from their many merit programs... But my dad thinks i'm too set on Ithaca and wants me to ask people in the field where they would suggest attending college and why? The reason i'm posting this on the Wesleyan board, is because over the past 2 hours i've found that a lot of people talk very highly of their film program here at Wesleyan.
So convince me, why should i go to Wesleyan for film? I realize their alumni are out of this world... But is it incredibly challenging to get into? Do they require a film resume to get in? How much financial aid is available and do many people get it? (it's around the same cost as Ithaca)</p>
<p>Film prodigy: I’m (hopefully) going to be a film major at Wes. I’m a sophomore. Some thoughts:</p>
<p>One thing to realize about the film department at Wes is that it is a Film Studies department, not a Film Production department (which I believe is what Ithaca is). While there are film production classes at Wes (one is required for the major), and plenty of opportunity in and outside of the major to work on film projects (senior thesis films need lots of help, there is a film co-op, etc), the focus of the major is more academic. Lots of classes about analyzing film, understanding genre, some film history classes, etc. Also, you are still expected to take a lot of classes outside the major, so as to get a full liberal arts education. So while Wes’s major can certainly lead to a career in production (and does for many alum), your experience during undergrad is going to be different than it would in a film production major.</p>
<p>That said, our facilities are GREAT, and I personally love that it’s a film studies department. I think the classes are really interesting and intriguing on an intellectual level, and I think understanding how film works on a more theoretical level is very important if one wants to make films in the future. And since I have a ton of different interests, I love the flexibility that allows me to take many other classes. However, if you’re very production minded, the department might be too academically focused, it depends on what you want.</p>
<p>As for getting in, you certainly don’t need a film resume. The thing is, it’s not something you apply to separately when apply to the school. It’s a major just like any other major, in that you declare it during Sophomore year after fulfilling the requirements. However, the requirements for automatic entry into the major are tough: you need a B+ or better in two intro classes (which are made difficult on purpose), plus a B average overall. It is also possible to petition your way into the major if you don’t meet the requirements…however, while some people get in via petition every year, it is certainly not a guaranteed way in. However, if you work really hard in the two intro classes, getting a B+ is very doable. </p>
<p>Wes does not offer merit aid. At all, for anything. However, if you’re admitted to the school, they guarantee to meet 100% of demonstrated need. So you’ll need to look into the way financial aid is calculated to figure out what kind of money you could get.</p>
<p>Anyway, I think the department here is great. More importantly, I love this school overall: fantastic people, fantastic campus, fantastic atmosphere. I adore it. I strongly encourage you to explore the difference between Film Production and Film Studies majors. If you end up deciding Studies sounds interesting, definitely apply to Wes, as we have one of THE best programs in the country! However, if you’re all about the production, you’ll need to think hard about whether or not a Film Studies major is for you.</p>
<p>wow, weskid i don't think anyone could have answered my many questions better i truly appreciate your input... Film Studies compared to Film Production is definetly something i will look into and consider! i can't say again how helpful you were thank you</p>
<p>Weskid, how hard would you say the intro classes are? I've heard horror stories of how GPA-killing they are, any truth to that?</p>
<p>thanks for explaining all about the major, by the way :)</p>
<p>ashnazg: Well, I've only taken one of the intro classes so far (I'm in the middle of the second, but nothing has been graded yet), but the one I took was intro to film analysis which is supposed to be the hardest. It was def. difficult--you have to learn a new way of thinking and writing, and the graders are not forgiving. It's not a good class for a non-major who just wants to have som fun. </p>
<p>But I found that by really listening to what the teacher said and taking the comments on my papers seriously, I was able to get a lot better at it, and the grading is most def. curved up if you show imporvement...I ended up with an A in the class even though I got a C on the first assignment! </p>
<p>So, basically, it was a hard class, but it's designed to reward those who put in the work (which might include going to see the prof. outside of class) with at least a B+, so not a GPA killer if you're willing to kick your own butt to get the grade :D</p>
<p>Thanks! That definitely puts things in perspective.</p>