<p>I have always had my eyes set out for Columbia. But through research, I'm becoming impressed by some other schools that have both strong Political Science/Government and Film Studies programs?</p>
<p>Here is the list of schools I am applying to:
Columbia, Yale, NYU, UPenn, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and UChicago</p>
<p>Now of course all of these schools have good polisci programs, but I want to know which school is best for me if I double major in Political Science and Film Studies? And whcih school do you think has the strongest film program?</p>
<p>That’s where you’re wrong. If the OP wanted to go to Tisch Film School at NYU then she probably wouldn’t be double majoring; I’ve read that it is very arduous to do so between a school like Tisch and the CAS. Secondly, “Film Studies” does not correlate to “Film School.” A film studies major can literally be picked up at almost any college - it’s more the analysis of film with very little in the production side of film. At NYU, you would be in the CAS majoring in PoliSci where there is a “Cinema Studies” major/minor. I’m sure this is still a top notch program, but it is NOT film school like Tisch. </p>
<p>On the rest of that list, Dartmouth, Cornell, Hopkins, and Chicago have film studies programs, but they are all pretty generic and really are nothing special. Brown doesn’t even have a film department, but they do have one of the best Drama departments in the country. But that’s not what you’re looking for I believe. </p>
<p>Columbia has an incredible undergrad film department, but once again, it is much more focused with a lot of screenplay writing, a lot of production. It resembles more of a Tisch or USC than a “Film Studies” major. Yale also has a very reputable name in film and drama (just look at the Yale School of Drama). But it all comes down to what you actually want because the fact that you want to double major in something like PoliSci leads me to believe that this film major or minor is simply out of an enjoyment for it - you don’t actually intend to pursue it because it’s more a hobby. Correct me if I’m wrong. If you could illuminate whether or not you want film school or just a fun “studies” major/minor that would be all the more helpful. </p>
With the exception of NYU, the others are now far too selective to be comfortably called matches by anyone. I don’t see any safeties.</p>
<p>I’m assuming you left safeties/matches off for convenience, but still - you do have some? Even if you do, that seems like quite a lot of applications and a very unbalanced list.</p>
<p>@Tinfoyl, I actually want to emphasize on screenwriting. I have no problem doing production. I’m just very indecisive between a career in politics or film? Film School or Law School? I want to be a screenwriter, but then again I want to be a delegate. Ugh, it bugs me.</p>
<p>Also, I wanted a liberal arts background in undergrad (ergo Film Studies) and possibly do Screenwriting/Production in grad. But then again theres politics. We’ll see what happens. And yes, I would call it a hobby - analyzing films. Holding a public office (which I do now) isn’t exactly a hobby lol.</p>
<p>@warblersrule86, Yes i have safeties like Univ. of MD, which is relatively good. But others like Towson makes my tongue taste bad. and what do you been unbalanced??</p>
<p>Well, that’s a huge factor mannieee - film school or law school. It’s not even something you have to choose as an undergrad because if you really have a keen interest in the area of film, you could pursue it for a while and then go to law school with some work experience if you change your mind. So, you like production - that’s a huge start. Know the difference between run-of-the-mill cinema studies programs and an ACTUAL film program more along the likes of NYU Tisch or USC. </p>
<p>The thing about schools like NYU and USC is that you need a portfolio as part of your application. Given the list of schools you gave, I can only assume that you are as intellectual as you are interested in film. That changes the game because some people don’t want to throw all their eggs in one basket like the two schools I mentioned; some people want to still cling to their intellectual roots via another major or a more intellectual school and curriculum in general. You see, you can still apply to Brown and Dartmouth and the rest of those and double major in something else besides film. If you keep up an interest in it during college, it will still be waiting for you as a grad. student - if you’re still interested that is. </p>
<p>Now, in terms of alternatives to the more traditional NYU/USC approach, I would recommend these colleges: Columbia, Northwestern, Wesleyan, and Yale to a lesser extent (but if you get in there, well, more power to you!). Those three/four are the best film school options with an intellectual foundation as an undergraduate; they are all incredible film programs - some of the best - with a more academic and intellectual leaning. Columbia I know is very writing-based with a strong focus in production AND analysis of film. I would use that same description for Northwestern except their course offerings are even more varied. And in conjunction with film at Northwestern, you can take courses inn the Drama/Theater departments as well (two of the very best in the country) in such areas as playwriting for example. I’ve read that people can choose to solely focus on writing if they wish because there are so many courses to take. I believe (note: am not certain) that Wesleyan is a little more analytical in their approach to film. It was my belief that production is handled more so at the upperclassmen level,but once again, I’m not exactly certain. What I am certain of is that Wesleyan has an absolutely outstanding film major which is also one of the best. The question is whether or not you want a LAC. All three of those schools (I suppose you could lump Yale in) will give you the film school quality education in the company of a more liberal arts curriculum. Even if you choose to go to law school, all three of these schools are so top notch in film and other areas that you could easily assimilate from one area to the next. Heck, you could even go into entertainment law!</p>
<p>Hahaha thanks for all the advice. (Btw, i love your writing voice. I bet you killed that college application essay).</p>
<p>And thats exactly what I’m looking for: a strong film program with an intellectual approach, which is why I think Columbia is the best school for me (I made that decision in the first place anyhow). and I forgot to put Northwestern on the list of schools I am applying to (the name “Radio, Television, and Film” keeps dissuading me). Also, Yale is my second-choice [tied with NYU, bc of the fact that their film department is stellar and Yale is…Yale]. and I’ve considered USC, and their amazing screenwriting program that only accepts 26 students, but I don’t want to go west. Entertainment law, ha! (doesn’t sound bad).</p>
<p>Don’t be dissuaded by the name “Radio/Television/Film!” A bit clunky of a name no doubt, but some people really like to take courses in sound editing or whatever. Others focus on directing or writing or the analysis of film or both; it’s essentially a film department with some sprinklings of this or that here and there. Nothing out of the ordinary; it’s a film program like any other. You’re not required to take any courses in any of the areas you don’t want. But if something intrigues you, the option is always there. </p>
<p>Now, the entire film thing is like a spectrum. You have NYU and USC at the production end, and on the far other end, you have the run-of-the-mill pretty much purely analytical in nature film programs. Most top colleges not including technical schools have a film department in some sorts, but that doesn’t mean it’s any good! Right smack dab in the middle are Wesleyan, Columbia, Northwestern, Yale, and maybe another one which I am missing. Actually, I would say that they lean more towards film schools and production. These schools offer any of the film analysis courses and then some in the field of production. They definitely strike a balance between liberal arts education and film school as I mentioned in my previous post. I can’t speak in specifics for the other schools, but I know that at Northwestern if you are accepted into the film program in the School of Communications, it is so easy to double major in another school like the CAS or take any of the courses there without the general requirements. </p>
<p>On the topic of NYU, if you wanted to be a film major (the real deal) in Tisch, it is a rigorous affair to double major in the CAS. You can definitely do it, but it’ll be a bit of a chore. If on the other hand you want to apply to the CAS as a Political Science major, you can not double major in Tisch. Let’s assume you still wanted to pursue film in some degree, it would be through the “Cinema Studies” major/minor which doesn’t sound like what you want. It’s not really any production at all. There’s a big difference at NYU - one that may not even seem so apparent at first glance. New York University seems like it has a more all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to film. Intellectualism is so underrated! </p>