<p>Woosha…For cinema studies in a humanities style (and notably non-studio) program AND free, then I’d be inclined to choose NYU…but not sure why you’d want the cs angle if what you’re really interested in is creating content, whether of fiction or non.
If you’re actually interested in writing/screenwriting and are not presently able to access Tisch (re grades) and don’t care about whether its a BFA or a BA, then U of Mich could actually work for you – BUT NOT IF YOU PLAN TO TRANSFER YR 1!!! You would totally need to check equivalencies with Tisch because like most BFA programs, they can be very picky about what courses transfer to meet major criteria. The Screen Arts and Culture department (LSA film) at U of M boasts an interesting 3rd year, year-long screenwriting course that is very very well regarded, and there are some other interesting features at U of M in terms of creative writing, which is also a well regarded program. However, it will take you two years to meet the prerequisites just to be selected (and it is by portfolio) for the screenwriting course. You might want to consider the approach of undergrad at U of M, grad school at NYU (eg. MFA film, sw conc). Or NYU CS gunning for Tisch. Or at least talk to Tisch and ask them what transfers from SAC/UMich before making any determinations. Tisch is still the lead dog in terms of production by all counts.</p>
<p>As far as journalism is concerned (and U Mich produces award-winners, so don’t get me wrong) I feel you’d be best served by Northwestern’s communication school program, which is outstanding but very very competitive – meaning to transfer in you’d have a bit of a hill to climb but a better chance if you did well at U Mich. My understanding was that Columbia was more regarded for its Masters in j-school as opposed to undergrad. And for journalism, don’t rule out Syracuse/Newhouse, which might be more accessible.</p>
<p>In terms of urban life, you’ll likely find yourself left wanting outside of Manhattan because, hey, it’s manhattan (unless you apply to usc and like LA). Northwestern is very suburban and smallish in student pop compared to U of M – although Chicago is a train ride away, still seems a little secluded. U of M is vibrant in a “eclectic college town” kind of way (not entirely unlike greenwich, really,) but not really “urban” by my definition. Etc. Etc.</p>
<p>Maybe you should check out the writing program at the University of British Columbia - Vancouver, BC, Cda: very urban, very well regarded program with an actual film industry to work in. Alternately, Montreal (try Concordia for film, McGill for English) is a nice city with a notable “creative” component in terms of film/writing etc. Among Canadian options, Toronto is a great city to write in, with a variety of film programs from BFA at York University to BA (but intensive hands-on) at Ryerson, to absolutely first rate Eng and CR at University of Toronto. Of those options, York is the furthest from downtown but has the most intensive screenwriting options (or used to).</p>
<p>In terms of cities you might enjoy, based on your post, I rank them Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal (if you can stand real winter…it’s north of you now ; ) then a toss up between Evanston and Ann Arbor (though I love AA and Detroit, for what it’s worth, is a stone’s throw away, but Michigander’s are really reliant on CARS and public transit OUTSIDE of AA, eg. getting to Detroit, is not what I call “robust” in terms of frequency or options…whereas the public transportation is spot on in Vancouver, TO or Mtl!).</p>
<p>Hope this has given you food for thought. Good luck on your search!
Cheers,
K</p>