Photography, film, AND liberal arts?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I know this is a ton to read, but it'd really mean a lot if someone would be willing to read all of it and give me some input. If you feel like skimming, the important stuff is all at the bottom :)</p>

<p>So now that its almost the summer before my senior year, I’d really like to start narrowing in on some colleges that interest me and that I’d like to apply to next fall. I’ve always loved art, but in the past few years I’ve realized specifically that photography is my true passion and my number one priority as far as college goes. I plan on majoring in photography, but I am also interested in film production. My high school offers media production courses, but it’s emphasized as a broadcast journalism course more than anything else when I’m really interested in narrative and documentary film. Basically, I’d like to double major in photography and film production. I’ve come to realize that I’m not really interested in attending an art school where I would only be studying art in a competitive environment. I’ve realized that as far as I know right now, I’d like to be in a smaller school setting, possibly a liberal arts college, with an excellent art department where I could pursue the majors I want, but also take classes outside the art department; classes about culture and psychology and sociology, which are some of the subjects that inspire me more than anything else. I’ve been becoming increasingly interested in the College of Santa Fe, which offers all of the above, plus a documentary studies program which would incorporate both photography and film. I plan on visiting CSF this summer, but would like some ideas of other schools to apply to.</p>

<p>Being that my criteria is pretty specific, I’ve had a hard time finding other schools that meet it. I’ve been trying to research dual degrees between art schools and universities, and I’ve looked into and am interested in the Brown/RISD dual degree, but am definitely not going to count on that as a serious and/or realistic option at this point for obvious reasons...hah. I also looked into the Art Institute of Boston (not one of the chain schools) which is part of Lesley University, and their photography program sounded amazing with all sorts of different class offerings. That whole scenario sounded almost ideal, but they do not offer a film program. This is starting to make me think that maybe I should just focus on finding a good photography program and abandon the idea of studying film since it seems to be making this whole searching thing somewhat difficult.</p>

<p>Basically what I’d like to know...
a) If anyone knows about any good liberal arts colleges or small universities (under 10,000) that offer photography, film, and possibly journalism and are located in (preferably urban) areas with access to good internships and job opportunities. I'm also open to the idea of larger universities.
b) If anyone knows about any art school/university dual degree agreements or good art schools as part of a university that offer both film and photography and aren't incredibly competitive.
c) Information on any art schools that may offer strong liberal arts education as part of their program requirements. I know Pratt is offering a critical studies program, so I know that the liberal arts classes are there for the taking at least, or am I getting the wrong impression?
d) Information about Art Institute of Boston and/or Lesley University – is the photo program as great as it seems? How is Lesley U?
e) I live on the west coast and my family doesnt have the money to travel to the east coast to visit schools. Should i just consider schools on or near the west coast that I would be able to visit, or does anyone have some suggestions for what I could do to get a feel for colleges farther away without visiting?
f) Should I consider the idea of not studying film considering the fact that I don't know a whole lot about it and am kind of deciding to study it on a whim, thinking it'll be something that I enjoy? Should I instead focus on a school that offers a strong photography program and meets my other criteria? Or should I relentlessly search and search for schools in hopes of finding another one that offers both majors and also meets my other criteria?</p>

<p>If you could contribute any input whatsoever, it’d be really really helpful! thanks!</p>

2

<p>Occidental College in Los Angeles, better known as oxy.
Its a top 40 LAC
Urban in Los Angeles
Under 10K</p>

<p>Offers film & media studies as a major, also offers art major, where you can cross enroll at Art Center(in Pasadena) and take classes there, which if you know is a top art school.
Occidental</a> College :: Film and Media Studies</p>

<p>Also look at the Claremont Colleges, Pitzer College specifically offers an Art Major and Media Studies Major. The thing with Claremont Colleges is that you are allowed to double major or do a cross enroll at another Claremont school, so if your own claremont school doesnt have your major, you could essentially go to one and take your classes at the other one. The only reason some would do this is because there are the better name claremont's ie Pomona COllege and CMC, and some want that name.
Academic</a> Life - Fields of Major</p>

<p>BTW I personally think you might do yourself a disservice if you specifically are looking for all three. Most all LAC's will have fine art or studio art as a major,w hich a photography option. Go for that instead of specifically looking for photography as a major. Same said for the film stuff, look to see that courses are offered instead of a specific film major.</p>

<p>If you're willing to sacrifice school size, I'd suggest USC.</p>

3

<p>Bard College is a top liberal arts school with top programs in film and photography. I've heard it has THE top programs in those two fields, but that may or may not be true.</p>

4

<p>Definitely look at Bard. Small LAC in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY - about 90 miles from New York City, which would give you some access to an urban area. My cousin is in the photography program there and loves it; he says it's quite competitive, but there are a lot of great opportunities and graduates are essentially guaranteed jobs. They also have a Film & Electronic Arts program where you could specialize in either filmmaking or theory.</p>

5

<p>liek0806, thanks for the suggestions :]</p>

<p>I liked the look of Occidental and their film program, but being that photography is my first priority, I definitely need some information on how accessible the classes at Art Center would be for me to really consider it. Do you know how many classes I would be able to take at Art Center?</p>

<p>I’ve looked at Pitzer before, but never really at the other schools before. I’ve noticed that a lot of them offer photography courses, but only 2 or 4 classes at the most. Are students allowed to attend classes at more than two of the Claremont colleges? How difficult is this to manage with traveling between schools and other coursework?</p>

<p>As far as USC, I’ve definitely considered it for its reputation for film, but have kind of ruled it out because the competitiveness of getting into the film major there, as well as the competitiveness within the program. It seems to be pretty intense and I think I want something more laid back. Is it very difficult to get admitted into the program with little prior filmmaking experience? If i chose to major in art and focus my electives within photography, how difficult would it be to take other electives in the film program if I'm not in the program?</p>

6

<p>MLEVINE07 and Quaere; I looked at Bard’s site and their programs look great and have a lot of the program and course offerings I’m looking for, but I’m kind of unsure about the location. Can you tell me anything about the city it’s in and what there is to do around there?</p>

<p>Quaere, do you mean the school itself is competitive, but offers good job opportunities, or do you specifically mean the photography program? And in what aspect is it competitive?</p>

7

<p>Emerson, hampshire</p>

8

<p>You should also look into NYU and Washington U in St Louis.</p>

9

<p>Rochester Institute of Technology sounds just right.</p>

10

<p>I went to Bard this year and the area is nice. There's enough things to do and the city is only an hour away. It's a very artsy place and there are coffeehouses/teahouses in the area, along with some bars. There's ton of places to eat, as well as a movie theater about 20 minutes away. You can get to alot of places by using the shuttle, but to get to Kingston (theres a pretty busy strip, with movies, resteraunts, a mall, etc.) you'll need to bum a ride.</p>

11

<p>Collegehelp, i recently went to a college fair and talked with some representatives from RIT and they basically told me that it would be pretty much impossible or very difficult to double-major in both photography and film. do you know to what extent this is true and if the programs are really concentrated and intense?</p>

12

<p>MLEVINE07, thanks for the information. do you mean you were a student there this year, or you just visited in this past year?</p>

13

<p>I was a student this year. I'm likely transfering to Wesleyan for the fall, due to a combination of academic/financial/social reasons. I'm a science student.</p>

14

<p>I think film is hard to gain admission. I am not sure how hard to double-major. It might take an extra year. I would apply for film and then go for the double major with photo. They might also have a minor in photo.</p>

<p>Call or write the department chairpersons directly in those majors to get the real truth.</p>

15

<p>By "competitive" and "basically guaranteed jobs" I was referring specifically to the photo program. They do reviews of students' portfolios at regular intervals and they do cut students, so that only the best stay in the program. But if you're really serious about photography then it's a great opportunity.</p>

16

<p>Hampshire has a very strong film program, and I just don't know about photography. It is not difficult at all to double major there, in fact, that is what the school is all about, putting your interests together. It is part of a 5 college consortium (Smith, Mount Holyoke, UMass and Amherst) and you can take classes and use the facilities at any of them, so, while you are not so near a city (Boston 2 hours, Springfield 1/2 hour), there are incredible resources there.</p>

<p>Bennington also makes it very easy to double major. My good friend is interested in writing for film and did an extensive study of east coast schools and came here, for whatever that is worth, and I know that the photo program is also good. We are not really near a city either (Albany 40 minutes) but we have a 7 week mandatory winter Field Work Term when everyone leaves campus and does an internship. People go all over the place, from NYC to China. It is an invaluable way to get real experience and to develop a resume. The FWT is one of the reasons that many people choose Bennington.</p>

17

<p>RIT has the best photo program in the world.</p>

18

<p>okay, thanks quaere. that sounds intense, but i can definitely see why it would be a great opportunity. I'll definitely continue to give bard some thought because job placement is something i'm kind of concerned about with studying something artistic. do you know if double majoring in film would be difficult while pursuing the photo major as well?</p>

19

<p>collegehelp, do you know anything about the city of rochester?</p>

20

<p>allthosethings, is the field work term something that students do every year, or just during one of their years at bennington? it sounds like a great opportunity. do you know anything about the city Bennington is in and what there is to do around there? are you a student there?</p>

<p>I'll also look into hampshire and the schools theyre involved with. do you know anything about the school and if it's common that students have a major at hampshire and a major at another school? would that be extremely difficult?</p>

<p>thanks for the suggestions</p>