<p>My son wants to go to film school. He has a preliminary list of schools and is still adding. He will then weed them down after checking out websites and we will visit a small selection. Any recommendations? </p>
<p>His list so far:
Boston University
California Institute of the Arts
Chapman University
Emerson College
New Mexico State University
New York University
University of British Columbia
University of Southern California
California College of the Arts
California State University: Sacramento
Binghamton University
Brooklyn College of the CUNY
UC Berkeley
UC Santa Barbara
Columbia College
Florida State University
San Diego State University</p>
<p>Check out the visual art and film major forum which should have a lot of good information. I think one of the main decisions is whether to go to art school or get the broader education offered at a liberal arts school or university. For liberal arts schools, Wesleyan is always mentioned, but I think it’s more film studies than technical production training.</p>
<p>rjkofnovi,
I’m a U of M grad, but was not aware of the Dept. of Screen Arts and Cultures, although I remember Robert Altman coming to campus to direct an opera while I was there. I will pass this on to my son.<br>
Thank you.</p>
<p>He is a junior. Just received PSAT scores and got 210. Will most likely miss Ohio NMSF cut off by a point or so. I’m a widow and although I could pay full tution, I have to keep in mind I also have another son to put through college 8 years from now.</p>
<p>If you’re concerned about cost, then applying to OOS publics could be a problem. They aren’t going to help you with their high OOS costs with any need-based aid. For instance, at UC Berkeley and UCSB, expect to full pay at $50k per year. </p>
<p>If your son ends up with high SAT/ACT scores, then schools like LMU and USC will give merit.</p>
<p>My nephew was accepted to UC Berkeley’s law school. He graduated from The University of Chicago last June and has deferred until next year, so he will graduate in 2013. I know my brother, who lives in IL, will be filling out financial aide apps. </p>
<p>I told my son not to exclude any schools due to cost. We will look at all options. Would be great to get scholarships/financial aide. Who would not want that? But, I am able to foot the bill if not.</p>
<p>There’s no question that USC and UCLA are the best in this area by a landslide. Everything else comes after these two - its almost unbelievable how good these two are relative to the rest of the schools with film programs. I would try anything to get into these two. After this Harvard, which is just phenomenal for the network (which is huge in film).</p>
<p>My son visited UCLA last summer while visiting friends and was told you could not enter the film program until junior year. This put him off. He did not like the idea of not knowing if he would be accepted and it is very very selective. He is looking at USC.</p>
<p>*My nephew was accepted to UC Berkeley’s law school. He graduated from The University of Chicago last June and has deferred until next year, so he will graduate in 2013. I know my brother, who lives in IL, will be filling out financial aide apps. </p>
<p>*</p>
<p>The UC’s do not give need-based aid to OOS undergrads to cover OOS costs. The way UCs do need-based aid is this…if you’re instate and low income, you get Blue and Gold, Cal Grants, Pell, and loans. OOS students can only get Pell (if low income) and loans. </p>
<p>It doesn’t sound like you’re low income, that’s why I said that you should expect to be full pay for a UC.</p>
<p>Berkeley may (or may not) have something different for law students. I’m not sure why your brother will be filling out FA apps for his son. College grads are considered to be independent students. Your nephew can apply for fed aid for law school - which is a high level of loans.</p>
<p>Is your son a junior? If so, plan ahead and have him fully prepared for the SAT exams. SC will give NMScholars a half tuition sholarship…IF admitted. In addition, a student will receive a $1,000 NMS Foundation Scholarship per year. </p>
<p>George Lucas donated, through his foundation, $100 million dollars for the new School of Cinematic Arts complex. A $50 million addition is planned. I suggest you look at some of the YouTube videos to see the kind of facilities, alumni support, faculty awards and examples of student work at SCA.</p>
<p>The application for SCA admittance includes a portfolio of creative work. Check out the SCA website for portfolio requirements. If he is a junior there is time to prepare a stellar portfolio. </p>
<p>On the USC forum on CC check out the thread written by parents. Some have students in the School of Cinematic Arts. Their insights may be helpful to you.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your replies! He is as junior. Admission of only 50 is tough. He has also visited Chapman and liked what he saw, although he was not able to get a tour, just walked around campus.</p>
<p>I don’t know if your son is more interested in a conservatory-type education or a liberal-arts based one, but if it’s the latter, Vassar College has a film production major–my brother’s in it right now and loves it.</p>
<p>Depending on the school, film studies/critical studies is as good as majoring in production. At USC all students must take courses in production, screenwriting, and critical studies regardless of which area they major in. In some ways I think that studies is better than production, but I don’t feel like taking on that argument today.</p>
<p>Do realize that it is a hard road for film majors after graduation. It’s not like engineering or accounting where you can start earning decent salaries right out of school. </p>
<p>I would urge your son to consider schools in California especially schools in or near LA. Internships/contacts are critical for initial success. For the same reasons NYC is a good place to go to school. However, very quickly it becomes the skill of the person not their contacts or where they went to college.</p>
<p>Do be aware that at USC you can be accepted as a first year student. At UCLA you can’t get in until your third year. In any case getting into UCLA as an oos student isn’t easy. </p>
<p>Also look at the University of Texas, North Carolina School of the Arts and Ithaca College.</p>