<p>Does anyone know anything about Drexel? If I put in her stats on the college search thing here or at some of the other similar sites, she comes up as a match. However, it sounds like it might be like so many others and more competitive for film. Of course, holistically speaking, she’s got a nice application. I also don’t know what I think of Philly - I haven’t been there in decades, but I don’t remember it as a particularly nice city.</p>
<p>mamaduck: I don’t know much about Drexel, but it sounds like your daughter might be a great fit for Loyola Marymount. We’ve visited numerous times in the last year (son is exploring options for digital arts/animation). We found the LMU atmosphere wonderful: a strong focus on teaching, dedicated professors (Jesuit teaching traditions…suppose that could be +/- depending on point of view, but we liked what we saw), small classes. Son (as well as H and I) especially loved the film department and all the staff we met there. It seems a very intimate, personal, supportive, creative atmosphere. And it definitely felt communal, not cut-throat.
Frosting on the cake is that LMU’s campus is gorgeous. On bluffs overlooking the Pacific, close to LA/Santa Monica for connections/proximity to the industry.</p>
<p>I love, love, love LMU from reading about it. It is on her list, but I still definitely consider it a reach. If she gets in (and gets tuition exchange), it would shoot to the top. What do you know about their average film stats? The selector thingy says she has a 45% chance of being admitted to LMU, but again, I’m figuring it’s much more competitive for film. Do you think they be VERY holistic in terms of her application? I have corresponded some with their tuition exchange officer, who impressed me with her helpfulness. They are new to the tuition exchange program, so there isn’t much to go on as far as how many exchanges are awarded. The officer promised to e-mail with stats as soon as they’re available.</p>
<p>mamaduck</p>
<p>LMU is very competitive for film.</p>
<p>LMU’s film school is well known even in Texas (among people in business) and it is on the same list as UCLA, USC, Chapman, taking into consideration that in film business the most important thing is not your degree but people you know.
LMU is “famous” for placing kids to work. They are not obsessed with “celebrities” like some other schools that don’t work too hard helping students because many of them have father/mother/uncle/sugar daddy already in Hollywood. And because LMU doesn’t have celebrities among professors and students they often go the extra mile for their students.</p>
<p>But you can always try. The resume and work experience can help. And you still have time to improve your D’s test scores.</p>
<p>Ya Ya,
Exactly why we’re not expending much energy on LMU. It’s great if it happens, but not gonna be crushed if it doesn’t.</p>
<p>Yes, mamaduck, it’s still pretty tough to get into LMU’s film program. But once in, the atmosphere is nurturing. That’s what I was trying to convey.
LMU’s film dept is more focused on social issues/activism than many (more commercially-oriented) film programs, too. They value a community-service type sensibility in creative work. They appreciated seeing an extreme, fierce kindness in our son (came through in his essay and portfolio), for ex. If your daughter has a socially progressive/community-service/creative streak and conveys this in her app, it could capture their attention and help make her a ‘fit.’ Best of luck!</p>
<p>She does have a good record of service - food banks, mission trips, etc. We’ll see what happens.</p>
<p>Mamaduck, our situations are almost identical! My daughter is a rising junior, interested in film (or photography or graphic design), attending a fine arts high school, 3.6 GPA, 23 on her first attempt at the ACT. My husband also works for a LAC that participates in the Tuition Exchange. It’s an incredible benefit – my older daughter attends the University of Tulsa on a Tuition Exchange scholarship. I’m a big believer in LACs too, especially after comparing my daughter’s experience at TU to my big state university experience. </p>
<p>We’re also developing a lengthy list, since a lot of the schools my younger daughter is dreaming about are selective in terms of the Tuition Exchange. I’ve researched a lot of the schools on your list, and there are some wonderful choices. We visited Emerson, BU, and Bard College over Spring Break, but they are all reaches just in terms of admission (let alone getting the TE scholarship). We’ve also researched DePaul, RIT, and Seattle U. My daughter would love to be in NY or Boston, though. </p>
<p>Has your daughter created a reel to send with her application? The selective film schools require one, but many of the smaller LACs don’t. My daughter is learning Final Cut Pro at a camp this week, but hasn’t had as much experience as your daughter. Like I said, she’s still on the fence as far as film vs. photography vs. graphic design. Thanks so much for posting such helpful information! Please keep us posted on where your daughter applies and ultimately chooses to attend.</p>
<p>Hey kcmama, we are in similar situations! She is moving toward digital arts/new media/web development now. She had two web design classes this year (as a junior) and the teacher really encouraged her to pursue it. She’d still like to take some digital cinema classes to go with that. She’s also explored Digital Media Management (a hybrid of digital design and business).</p>
<p>Our employing school has asked us to limit the number of schools we apply to (due to the paperwork burden), so we’re trying to keep it at 6-7 schools. We are requiring her to apply to one school that offers the award to everyone, and that she has an excellent chance of getting into. Luckily, that’s filled by Bellarmine in Louisville, KY which seems to have a good program, and St. Michael’s also offers a lot of awards.</p>
<p>We are visiting RIT for their overnight admissions event August 3. You should look into it. </p>
<p>Right now, her choices in no particular order include (with the relevant major in parenthesis):
Bellarmine (Design Arts and Technology)
St. Michael’s (Media Studies and Digital Art)
Manhattan (Communications and Broadcasting)
St. Edward’s (Digital Media Mgt with Multimedia minor or Photocommunications)
DePaul (Interactive Media)
RIT (Media Arts and Technology or New Media Design)
Flagler (not sure of major - probably business/communications - just really likes the town)</p>
<p>That looks like a great list of schools (and majors!), mamaduck. I’m going to add some of them to my research list! We live in Texas, so we definitely need to check out St. Edward’s. My daughter really sees herself as an east coast/big city girl, but Austin may be a good compromise. We’ve looked into new media/visual communications majors, too. That seems to be a way more practical, marketable, and flexible path than film. With that kind of major, I would think you could still work in t.v. or film, and also have the option of advertising, business, design, etc. We know too many 25 year old film major grads who are still interning and being supported by their parents :). </p>
<p>Good luck with the TE process – it really is an amazing benefit. Make sure you meet all the paperwork timelines, though. Each school (import and export) has their owns rules and deadlines. My older daughter had to apply to our exporting school by November of her senior year. We have to re-submit paperwork every semester. It sounds like you’re on top of things, though!</p>
<p>Keep in touch – I’m anxious to hear about the rest of your experience. I’ll bet your daughter is going to have a lot of choices!</p>
<p>kcmama, I’m sending you a PM.</p>