<p>Right now, I'm choosing between Tisch School of the arts at NYU and Dodge College at Chapman. What should I do? I want to temporarily get away from SoCal and from what people say, NYU has the better program; however, I received a 25k annual scholarship to Chapman and only 63k in loans at NYU. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Jocalifornia,</p>
<p>Can you state the financial numbers more clearly for me?</p>
<p>Chapman would cost you $xxx net after all scholarships and grants.
NYU would cost you $xxx net after all scholarships and grants.</p>
<p>Don’t show the loans yet. Let’s compare apples to apples.</p>
<p>Show me the money… then we talk about these two terrific programs.</p>
<p>Best,
Wheaty</p>
<p>Jocalifornia,</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot to ask, please tell us how you got accepted at both of these programs. Both are very tough to get into… what do you think made the difference in your case?</p>
<p>Wheaty</p>
<p>I would look into the kind of film you want to do. From what I have heard and read, NYU is more experimental and artistic film-making while Chapman is more industry. Both are great schools though. Yet, if student debt is something you are very worried about maybe Chapman is a better choice.</p>
<p>I think I may be close to deciding to go to Chapman so that my brother can go to his expensive school, yet I still need some reinforcement. </p>
<p>NYU will cost 60,000 dollars a year while Chapman will cost only 25,000. </p>
<p>I’m not too sure how I got into the programs to be honest- I have no prior film history besides writing on my own- had to be very creative for the resume portion of the application. I think the difference for me was probably a good GPA and SAT score? Like a 3.7 and 2220. Besides that, for Chapman I really had fun with my Video Essay and made it personal. For NYU, since I didn’t expect to get in ever, I took a risk for the Dramatic Essay and wrote about my naivety regarding some Four Lokos (before they were illegal) and a motel room filled with strangers. I’d say you have to be memorable because they read so much if the same thing- but that’s for any application. </p>
<p>But anyways, advice? Will Chapman even make me more employable? NYU is more for independent film, yet the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that’s where the jobs are. Also, is Chapman’s new backlot studio they are building and all the funding going into the program something to consider? Surely it must be. (I’m trying to convince myself…)</p>
<p>Jocalifornia,</p>
<p>Well those are both excellent film schools but in my mind the difference in money makes this a pretty easy call.</p>
<p>A.) NYU-Tisch film BFA
B.) Chapman Dodge film BFA + $140,000 in your back pocket
C.) Chapman Dodge + film MFA from anywhere
D.) Chapman Dodge BFA + four ultra low budget indie full length movies funded and completely owned by YOU.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, I like NYU film a lot but in my opinion, A is not greater than B or C. D is a wild card and could just be delusional on my part but worth looking at I think.</p>
<p>My vote would be for “C”. A Chapman undergrad plus an MFA in film from almost anywhere would trump a BFA from NYU. And who knows, what if you were accepted to USC, NYU (they liked you once), UCLA, Chapman, LMU, etc. for your MFA? That combo is clearly a better use of the money.</p>
<p>Congrats and I wish you the best of luck,
Wheaty</p>
<p>Jocalifornia,</p>
<p>Some other thoughts…</p>
<p>If you do decide to say no to NYU you might want to call the Tisch admin people and explain your Chapman offer and ask that they match it. At that point you have nothing to lose and who knows, they might come up with something less than the retail price?!?</p>
<p>Also, double check with Chapman to make sure your scholarship is for all four years.</p>
<p>Oh, and yes, I believe Chapman’s new backlot idea is very interesting and it might come in real handy down the road. I’m looking forward to learning more about that.</p>
<p>Best,
Wheaty</p>
<p>Chapman scholarships are awesome. My S got one. He’s a junior, and the scholarship has come through each year without him having to do a thing.</p>
<p>I know that NYU has a great film school, but the opportunities at Chapman are amazing. Every week they send the students an email newsletter with info on film industry internships and jobs. They frequently have filmmaker dinners where 12 or so students can sign up to have dinner with a successful person in the film industry. They have special screenings where someone in the industry will come out and screen a film and then the students ask them questions about it. I have been totally impressed with Dodge College, and our S has not regretted going there for a minute.</p>
<p>jocalifornia: my son has the same hard decision to make. We visited NYU last weekend, which did not make the decision easier as he loves TISCH. He is trying to appeal his financial aid, but we don’t have much hope for any changes. He really likes Chapman too, has from day one actually, but like you he kind of likes the idea of living in NY and getting away from CA. Good luck in your decision, whichever school you pick they are both great choices.</p>