Where to go for film?

College Search & Selection
1

So, I haven’t really been able to make a decision because I didn’t get into the two schools I really loved, and now at this point I’ve made a list of pros and cons and I still can’t decide. I figured I may as well come back to College Confidential for some help. Here are the options I’ve narrowed it down to:

Fordham:

  • So they have a Television & Film major, but this year was its first year as being its own program. Before it was just a concentration in their communications major. There’s not really too much information about it online. I did contact the head of the program with several questions, but she didn’t give me answers. She said she would like to schedule an appointment over the phone but I really don’t have time in the next few days.
  • It is in the Bronx and I love NYC so that’s a plus, and being that New York is the second largest place for film in the U.S. I could possibly get an internship during the year.
  • I don’t hate having the general requirements because I would have to do something similar at BU, but I hate thinking I really won’t be taking any classes in my major for two years (or that I’ll have to take more math classes).
  • I know a decent amount of people attending already and I’m not a huge fan of that either.
  • I would have the ability to double major if I want.
  • I’m also a tad concerned that if I wanted to transfer how Fordham might be viewed for film.
  • I also got $15,000 in merit aid.
  • Overall I really like Fordham the first time I visited in junior year. I was just okay with it when I went back last month, but it’s also the day after I got bad decisions so I know that affected me.

Boston University:

  • They have a good Film & Television program and the com school has been operating for 75 years.
  • In Boston which is supposedly the 5th largest media market in the U.S., but I’m thinking that’s more for journalism than anything so I don’t know how many internship opportunities there may be during the school year. Obviously, there would be some. My cousin works at NBC in Boston so I’m not going to act like there’s nothing, but I do think there would be considerably less than in NYC.
  • I don’t hate the campus but I do think it’s a bit odd. I don’t entirely mind the lack of a campus but I did think it was a tad odd how it was basically just a line.
  • Going abroad to LA is recommend for your last semester which I think is a bit sad because if you really love your school you should want to be there for your final days, but at the same time it seems like a lot of people do it so then you would be in LA with your friends because hopefully you have friends in your major. They also said if you want to go abroad outside of the country, which I prefer, that ideally you would spend your entire senior year abroad and that I don’t love.
  • They have greek, which I’m unsure about, but it doesn’t seem to overrun campus so I’m not that concerned.

Elon:

  • It is smaller than I would like. When I visited they said they are planning to grow to about 10,000, which is a size I would like. I sort of just wish they were done growing and I wouldn’t be waiting for it to happen though.
  • It is in Greensboro, NC and that is essentially nowhere. I don’t love that either. I really wanted to be in or near a city. I also don’t love the idea of being in the South entirely.
  • They really promote their Comm school and they’ve just built another building for it. I think that’s great but I’m unclear as to where Elon stands in the industry.
  • They have a great abroad program where I could have multiple chances to go abroad.
  • I’m a Comm fellows alternative.
  • Greek is really big (52% of the student body participates), and again I’m unsure of whether or not I want to rush.
  • I was told I could double major but I would have to be really pushy about it, at least if I wanted to double major in the Comm school.
  • I also got merit aid at Elon and in general it’s the lowest tuition out of these schools.
  • Overall, when I was first learning about Elon other than the size being a tad small and the location I thought it sounded like a great environment to learn. I visited twice and each time didn’t really love it when I was there. I still think it is a decent option though so I’m unsure.

Overall: My parents will pay for any of these options. If I go to BU it’s more likely that I can’t go abroad since the tuition is higher, but they will pay for it before anyone asks. I sort of think this is more between Fordham and BU, but I do want to hear opinions about Elon. Even though I’m not stoked right now I do think I could be happy at either. Also, I am waitlisted at BC, NYU, and Syracuse. Syracuse is to the business school though because something got messed up with my application and the rep didn’t really care. I also appealed my decision to USC. I know none of these are likely and I’m not betting on them by any chance, but I figured I’d mention it. I think that’s all but if I think of anything else or anybody has any questions I’ll add on. Thanks for your input.

2

Bump because I would really appreciate some input.

3

please somebody

4

What kind of job(s) within film do you aspire to?

5

I think what really matters is your film portfolio rather than your school.

6

@simba9 I’m just going to say that is really not correct. Where you go to school matters because to some extent quality of teaching matters even if someone has talent. It also matters because better schools and different schools have more connections and connections are sort of everything for film. It also matters to have experience so that matters for me between Boston and New York. There’s a lot more to it than you seem to think.

7

BU.

It’s the best school overall and has many great programs outside of film. If you change majors later, you are still in great shape. And Boston is a great city. I don’t like the Fordham location. It’s 30 minutes into Manhattan.

8

@CathJR, I went to USC, although not to the film school. I know that the film school there does make a big deal out of its connections, so if you can go to a place with connections, that’s great. But even then it’s notoriously hard to get into the field, so if you go to a school without those connections, you’re going to have to depend on your portfolio.

If I had to pick one, I’d probably pick BU, too, if only because I’ve heard of their film school. I have no idea what BU’s connections to the film industry are like, though. The place I initially thought of in the northeast was Emerson, but I suppose it’s too late to apply.

9

I think you should maybe look into UNC Wilmington, OP. You’d get in-state tuition at a very solid university with a great film studies program as well!

10

@LBad96 I have already gone through the application process and and not from North Carolina, but thanks for the suggestion!

11

Fordham would be my recommendation. It’s not really known for film, but it’s close to the NYC film scene and you can get yourself a PA job.

12

You can do some research or watch videos on youtube on whether film school is worth it or not, but the general consensus is that it’s not worth the money. Even Werner Herzog states that you can learn the basics of filmmaking that film schools teach for 3 years in about a week on your own. In order to get better, you need to actually go out and gain experience shooting film and editing. But just a few reasons why film school is overrated is that:

  1. Film school curriculum is outdated. It hasn't been updated since the 1960's/70's. During those times, it was necessary to go to film school to have access to expensive cameras and equipment. Nowadays, you can shoot with your phone and gain more experience.

For instance, one of the first classes you take at NYU’s film school is called Sequencing. You take still images and “learn” how to put that together. You are basically making a slideshow and you do that for one semester.

  1. You don't actually use a camera and start filming for a while. It is better to work on sets or work on your own projects and and shoot your own stuff. You will learn more from experience.
  2. Just because you go to a film school means you will be hired. There are a lot of film school grads that can't find jobs in the industry, while directors like Quentin Tarantino, James Cameron, and Christopher Nolan never went to film school.
13

@Dontskipthemoose I mean I have been aware of this but I am still going to go to college so it’s not really helpful at this point. Anyway, even though I am mainly going for film I plan to double major and will need instruction for that.