<p>One other thing about the Boston universities when you are researching them, I recall DS telling me that there is some course reciprocity among some of the universities. I forget which, exactly, but if he, as a BC student, wants to go to BU for a particular film class, I think he can do that somehow. Cool university towns like Boston have interesting options like that. ;)</p>
<p>Thanks, Stantonmom - may take u up on that when we are further along in the process. FSU and UCF both look pretty good right now. </p>
<p>Laplatinum, very interested in seeing what Boston schools are all about! I vaguely remember reading something about being able to take courses across universities (was thinking about that on the music end of things.)</p>
<p>Why aren’t you considering Tisch? And it’s in NYC so it would be perfect for a film major.</p>
<p>We are looking at all the top film schools (noted on 1st page of thread). NYU is at the top of his list! I started this thread looking for backups since they are so competitive to get into.</p>
<p>Cuppycake, Sophia was asking about universities that had good film programs but were not amongst the traditional sorts such as USC and NYU-Tisch, which, while amazing, are tough to get into. My point was not that any of the Boston-area universities are easy to get into, but that there are good film programs at some of them and that the reciprocity enabling them to take classes at several opens up a lot of new options for students to consider. ;)</p>
<p>Have you looked at Syracuse or Arizona State?</p>
<p>sophia1
Just as an FYI, my D (a freshman film production major at Chapman) applied to 9 schools last year (most of them already mentioned above.) They were all over the board geographically and varied in prestige of program, certainly including some safety schools. Nine applications (with portfolios required by some) are a lot of work. I’d equate it to having an extra class in HS – at least! Definitely apply to at least one early action school as others have suggested, just for the peace of mind.</p>
<p>We are also on the east coast and were not able to make visits to quite a few of the schools she applied to, (including Chapman.) She got into these anyway, so we made visits to some of the ones we hadn’t seen on “accepted students’ day.” So you don’t have to see absolutely every school before he applies. You are doing the right thing and getting lots of info over the internet! Best of luck to him, and enjoy your travels!</p>
<p>shakespearefan, what did you consider to be the safety schools?</p>
<p>I’m hoping to visit LA, NYC and Boston areas - figured we could see the top schools and a few more this way. The rest we’ll visit if possible or if necessary, I guess. But I definitely want him to see LA since he wants to be in the film business.</p>
<p>After reading all of your replies, we’ll aim for about 10 apps. Am I unrealistic in thinking he can get a lot of it done next summer and start off senior year in good shape? Just have to figure out which schools after the top 5 and which 2 will be safeties. I agree with some of you that it’s hard to figure out the safeties!</p>
<p>One of D’s safety schools for film production was UNC Wilmington. One need only apply to the university, no portfolio required. There are gateway courses to get admitted to the film department, but as long as you get a C or better, you’re in. This was an early action school, so the first one she got into. Wilmington NC is on the beach and there is an actual movie studio, Screen Gems, (largest one in the US outside of Hollywood – has a back lot, large tank for underwater filming, sound stages and and everything ), there in town. You can tour it if you visit the area.</p>
<p>Another lesser known film conservatory is at SUNY Purchase, reasonably priced because it is a state school. We were impressed with the scrappy students there and their sense of community and cooperation. You do need to submit a serious portfolio here then go for an interview if you are invited.</p>
<p>Temple U in Philly could be another safety, though D did not apply. Turned off by the dismal surroundings here. It is in a severely blighted neighborhood. Solid film production program, though. Had a friend who graduated from here recently.</p>
<p>It would be a smart plan to get started on college aps in summer. I think most of the applications are available on August first. He should work on essays over the summer, if possible, particularly if he tends to be busy during the school year. And if he goes into production, he will need a portfolio, or in some cases, films on a very specific theme.</p>
<p>Loyola Marymount University in Culver City (?) CA is a well-regarded Los Angeles area film school. I assume UCLA has been mentioned here? I went there for grad school, but they have a solid undergrad as well.</p>
<p>I had looked at UNC - School of the Arts in Winston-Salem - thought that looked promising. UNC Wilmington looks like a really great option - thanks for that info.</p>
<p>Will check out SUNY Purchase. No way am I letting him go near Temple - bad area, I’m with you on that.</p>
<p>mrscollege, Loyola Marymount is definitely part of our top 5 list - thanks!</p>
<p>We toured UNC Wilmington. Great as Screen Gems sounds, the film kids don’t seem to be involved with it. We met with a friend of a friend who was in the film school and he showed us around. He said since you can’t really start film classes big time until you have completed a core of 3, it is often hard to get into the classes (not many openings). I loved the school itself, but was not impressed with the film program compared to RIT and Drexel. The UNC’s also have a quota for OOS that they don’t go over. My son did not even end up applying there as a safety. He also applied to Drexel, which we all loved. He was accepted with one of their largest scholarships, but chose RIT in the end.</p>
<p>dlbarber, thanks for that input. will look at Drexel and RIT.</p>
<p>Here’s a thread about LACs with film programs:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1358881-liberal-arts-colleges-great-film-programs.html?highlight=occidental[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1358881-liberal-arts-colleges-great-film-programs.html?highlight=occidental</a></p>
<p>(sorry, don’t know how to change link to simple title!)</p>
<p>never mind - it automatically put the thread title in! :)</p>
<p>I’m also applying for film and tv, my list iv applied to goes like this:</p>
<p>NYU, Ithaca, University of Michigan, Emerson, Boston University, Pace, Syracuse.</p>
<p>I visited every school and I loved their programs. I also heard Rutgers Mason Gross School is premiering a film program next year. and if you’re interested I took a class at American University a few summers ago on production for tv and film that was a very good experience.</p>
<p>Found this thread while searching RIT and minors…but thought I’d respond with a couple things.</p>
<p>Take this for what it’s worth from a parent of a recently accepted Film & Animation student at RIT (planning to minor in music). </p>
<p>One of the first things you should look at on the college website is the degree plan. See what course schedule looks most appealing to you. When my daughter started her search, it looked like the film production schools were mostly in either a Communications or Art college as part of the universities. (Obviously, there are exceptions, and she was not at all interested in “studies” programs, so I don’t know what those look like.) For my D, the communications schools required WAY too much in Lib. Arts/Communications courses and not very much in Film (balance at UT Austin seemed to be about 2/3 in Comm. and 1/3 in RTF- radio, television, film). The art schools didn’t appeal to her either. Although she’s very artistic, she just didn’t want that as her foundation. What appealed to her about RIT was the amount of Film/Animation courses. If I’m remembering correctly, it was more like 2/3 film/anim. to 1/3 core courses. (As someone already mentioned, RIT students have to either have a concentration (3 courses) or minor (6 courses). My D, being very attracted to the techno-geek-factor in filmmaking (editing, special effects, animation, audio), found RIT to be her best match. It was so much a “match” for her that it was the only school she applied to. (She did apply ED, so we did have time for back ups if they had been needed. That’s for all the parents who just gasped at reading that! 
) </p>
<p>I hope you find your match!</p>
<p>Thanks for that great advice. I am finding as we are getting further into the process and trying to figure out the pros and cons of each school that it is important to look at the specifics of each program, not only coursework, but faculty bios and reputation, industry connections, other programs outside of film at each school, student clubs centered around film and other specific interests, opportunities or disadvantages of location, etc. So much to think about and compare!</p>