I am a high school senior deciding between colleges (all of which I was accepted to). I would like to study computer science and film, I think, but there are many related areas that interest me. I like game design, virtual reality, animation, web design, and most things at the intersection of art and technology. Because I have so many varied interests, I would ideally attend a school that would allow me some flexibility if I wish to change majors. However, I also want a school with good programs and good opportunities available to intern or co-op in my field. I have narrowed it down to the following schools, and described my general impressions of them. For the purposes of this discussion, I am mostly interested in their academic programs and extra curricular opportunities, as opposed to campus life. Any insights are appreciated, though.
Northeastern (currently Screen and Media Studies Major) - Co-op is good, they have a wide variety of majors and good flexibility, but I worry that they are not as academically excellent as some others on this list.
Carnegie Mellon (currently Computer Science Major) - No actual film major, and I worry I won’t have access to as much artistic stuff as I would like, not a lot of flexibility but outstanding academic programs
Vanderbilt (currently Comp Sci major) - There are majors in film and comp sci, pretty good flexibility, and good academic programs, but I worry that there isn’t enough that combines art and tech in the way I like.
DePaul (Film major) - College of Computing and Digital Media covers the area I’m interested in very well, but I don’t know much about their opportunities, and I worry they aren’t as academically excellent as some others on this list.
Rensselaer Polytechnic (currently Electronic Media, Arts, and Communication major) - EMAC major covers a lot of areas I like, but there is no real film major, good flexibility except not a lot of artsy majors to transfer into if I wanted to; I worry there isn’t enough artistic stuff as I would like, and I don’t know much about their connections and opportunities
Thoughts?