<p>I'm a freshman at UT Austin, at the end of my first year I will officially be double majoring in Radio-Television-Film and Business. RTF and Business at UT are both considered top programs in the nation. However, when applying for schools at the end of my high school senior year, I was new to the whole thing, I practically taught myself everything I needed to know about college and the application process (first gen. student). I only applied to NYU Tisch for film and UT. I was accepted to NYU Tisch but had to reject because I wouldn't be able to afford it, my financial aid package was 20K/yr. I love UT abundantly, but after rejecting NYU and learning more about colleges I've really come to like Cornell and the students that attend.
I am passionate in filmmaking but want to be take a business hit at it, which explains why I'm double majoring in Business and RTF at UT. I'm trying to be smart in the way I approach film. I've been in multiple film festivals and have won various film/video competitions, I've been making films since 6th grade and don't want to just let it go.
But I was wondering if it would be smart for me to try to attend Cornell as a business major and possible film minor. I would try to transfer my sophomore year during the spring. I know getting into Cornell is not easy, but just wondering if going to Cornell would be better off for me or if applying is worth it in my case. I know about half of the successful people in the film industry did not attend film school. So I guess that's it. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you’re still interested in film AND business, why transfer? Considering that the RTF program at UT is one of the top in the nation and the business school is also exceptional, what is Cornell going to give you that UT can’t? I don’t know much about Cornell but I do know it doesn’t have a RTF program (or scene) that rivals UT’s (and Austin’s). If you weren’t happy at UT that would be a different story.</p>
<p>@absweetmarie Honestly, only the Ivy League name I guess and a smaller graduating class. I do enjoy UT but the overwhelming greek life scene and large student body are my two minor dislikes. I have friends in the so called “prestigious” sororities and “fraternities” there, so I’ll go to greek events, but I dislike that it’s so big and cut throat there.
Also, just thinking about production companies and how differently I would be approached as a UT business/rtf alum or Cornell business alum.
Honestly, I may just be on some ivy league high right now. Haha.</p>
<p>If this helps, looking to get an MBA also at a top university (Probably NYU for the MFA/MBA dual degree or Columbia). For that I need work experience, so recruitment at UT vs Cornell?</p>
<p>I went to UT as a graduate student, so I admit to not knowing what the scene is like for undergraduates. And Austin may not be as groovy today as it was when I left 20 years ago. That said … Dude! You got to start hanging with the cool kids. Find the nerds and see what they do for fun, because I bet they’re having as much fun as your frat friends and they’re probably more chill. Go to the Cactus Cafe! See if you can write film reviews for the Daily Texan. If you haven’t gotten off campus much, explore the town (not Sixth Street … dig a little … go to South Austin … have a burrito). Go to an armadillo race. Enter a chili cook off. Join a club to make the place seem smaller. I’m not saying anything against Cornell if that’s where you want to go … But see how you feel after you get the lay of the land in Austin.</p>
<p>And talk to the business school about the recruitment angle. UT has a good reputation. Get involved in activities and programs. Meet people. You can distinguish yourself and do some major networking in Austin.</p>