<p>Hi, I'm an international student and since I have few friends that know about the situation of film programs in the States, I really need your help.</p>
<p>Til now what I've got:</p>
<p>Chapman:
Pro:
Wonderful weather in CA
Close to Hollywood, so probably more job/intern opportunities
More Chinese student/people/alum, who could recommend me to the job/intern opportunities, and the connections with whom could be probably brought back to China's film industry, if I decide to go back to China after graduation
Opportunities to work with students of directing/editing... on a team. Have some production experience.
One Chinese alum of the program went on to do Hollywood works, and seems having a pretty good career.</p>
<p>Con:
I still don't know how many students exactly are there in the screenwriting concentration, but it's around 20 I guess.
Some of the received students are not so experienced in their chosen field.
No heard of successful writing alums and the school has better reputation of production, since the equipments there are top-notch.</p>
<p>Northwestern:
Pro:
A highly-selective 12-students program guarantees the high standard of fellow students.
In the interview I talked to the whole core faculty, and found them very intellectual and professional.
The curriculum there seems more helpful, helps you on specific elements in the screenplay not just overall "Script Analysis" like in Chapman.
NU has quite some well-known successful writing alums.
NU has a reputation of "Purple Mafia" in the Hollywood, which at least shows the good support among the alums.
NU is a lot more well-known back in my country. I don't have to explain what the university is.</p>
<p>Con:
No Chinese students, I'm wondering how the connections I have there are going to help me when I'm back in China.
Cold. Is a factor since sometimes I could be very depressed in the cold weather.
Not so close to the west coast, where most of the filmmakers live and work. Which might reduces some possibilities of running into job/intern opportunities?
On graduate level there are no directing/editing/photography... programs, which might reduces production experience.</p>
<p>All right. What choice should I make? Thanks so much.</p>