<p>Hey guys. I am trying to go to film school next year and am having a lot of trouble finding out which film schools are good. There are many cases of a college having a good academic rating, but this may not apply to the film area of that college. I will list a number of colleges that I am looking at. Please let me know how you would rate the schools-even if only one, anything helps, and let me know of your experience if you have attended any of these schools as a film major. (types of classes, professors, how many films you made while at college, quality of camera equipment, size of film school).</p>
<p>Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.</p>
<ol>
<li> Yale University</li>
<li> Wesleyan University (Connecticut)</li>
<li> Rochester Institute of Technology</li>
<li> Muhlenberg College (Pennsylvania)</li>
<li> Bard College (New York)</li>
<li> Connecticut College</li>
<li> Clark University</li>
<li> Vassar College</li>
<li> Wheaton College (Mass)</li>
<li>Trinity College (Connecticut)</li>
<li>Drexel University</li>
<li>Fairleigh Dickinson University (Madison, NJ)</li>
</ol>
<p>I’m not personally applying to any films schools, but I have a close friend who really likes Emerson in Boston and from living nearby and having friends there, I know that Ithaca College is also pretty good.</p>
<p>Yeah Emerson is supposed to be very good. Ithaca also has a good film school but they don’t give much financial aid, and I cannot afford to go to a school that doesn’t at least give decent financial aid. Thanks.</p>
<p>And as for film schools that matter NYU and USC are the two best, but it’s not like you have to go to an elite school necessarily to get a job in the industry. There are plenty of pretty good film schools out there even if they aren’t the best, and that’s what I’m trying to figure out right now; some of the good (if not very top film schools) film schools to attend.</p>
<p>I am a transfer student who had a 3.25 GPA undergrad at Ithaca College as a Business major. My grad GPA was 3.5 for my MBA.</p>
<p>I don’t have much money but I have a financial advisor who is helping me get decent financial aid. I could probably afford to pay 1/3 of a college tuition on my own; maybe a bit more.</p>
<p>Aside from Drexel, I think a lot of these colleges give at least adequate financial aid. Since I am already a college student I was told that my SAT’s won’t matter much. </p>
<p>With that GPA (3.25-u, 3.5-G) I was trying to figure out what schools I would have a good chance to get in, and of course wanted to know how good these college film schools are</p>
<p>Are you sure? I already called USC admissions and they said I am considered a transfer student. I am also guaranteed money back from this advisor if he does’t get me good financial aid. The organization is called College Planning Specialists Inc. They are accredited.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that for my first bachelor’s degree I didn’t receive any financial aid. Since I have never borrowed I am hoping that I can this time around.</p>
<p>I never borrowed. I have done research on this. I can still get aid, just not as much federal. I may have to pay a bit more as I am getting a second degree but I also get other aid since I am independent and older. Yes, I get money back unless he gets me aid, loans aren’t a part of this service.</p>
<p>UNC-Wilmington would be a good choice. Their film program is well-regarded, many shows are shot (at least partially) nearby, they admit transfers, and out of state tuition should not be toooooo expensive.</p>
<p>I’d cut 11 and 12 from the list.</p>
<p>Yale is Yale. There is no “weak” or even “average” dept.</p>
<p>Thanks. I know that the bottom 2 schools on my list don’t have as good film programs. Have you heard anything specifically about FDU and Drexel regarding the film program?</p>
<p>If you’re really intent on getting a second BA, I would focus on the most technical program you can find and I’d restrict my search to schools in California. You’re to old to be waiting on tables until you get your first job in the industry. Most of the schools on your list are liberal arts colleges. Are you sure you can endure four more years of reading and writing in subjects outside your major just in order to learn how to hold a camera correctly? Is an MFA completely out of the question?</p>
<p>What career aspect of film interests you? Directing, writing, cinematography? Mainstream Hollywood, documentary, art, animation? Whether undergrad or grad degree, a career in film is very dependent on networking with connections you make. Did you finish your MBA? Yes, you don’t have to go to USC or NYU, but you would best be served by going somewhere with close ties to the type of job you want. Unless you want to collect degrees for degrees sake. There are Masters programs designed for people with a BA already that focus on just film, but you basically learn the same skills as an undergrad degree, two years in a Masters might be more affordable than 3 as an undergrad? Either way, focus on your career goal and look at what will affordably get you there. No offense to your list of many great schools, but if they don’t have a strong industry network, you are wasting more time and money. Also, heed Mom2collegekids advice.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice guys. Directing interests me most. I did receive my MBA. I just figured I couldn’t go to a grad film program because I have no film background and I thought I would have to start from scratch. However, if I could find a grad program that would take me in film I would definitely do that. Would an MFA take me even though I have an undergraduate degree in business?</p>
<p>I wonder whether the OP is an international? Under the European systems it’s much more common to “start from scratch” since the baccalaureate degree is so much more narrowly focused than in America. That’s one of our chief advantages and why American college presidents are always urging their students to observe some sort of distribution plan, even if only an informal one. Did you take any studio art or theater or writing courses as an undergraduate?</p>