Where should I apply?

[kurt]

Hey guys, I really need some help. I know that I want to work in film, mainly in directing, though I'm not entirely sure. Unfortunately, I have no experience whatsoever, though I am trying to take some classes during my senior year this fall. Here's what I have going for me:

GPA: 101.6 weighted (I have no idea what this is 4.0 scale, but I know my unweighted GPA is 4.0) Top 3% of my class at least
SAT: 2200 (CR: 730, M:780, W:690) Thinking of Retaking
ACT: Taking in September
A lot of AP classes
A number of Clubs (started a Film Club, editor of literary magazine), community service at church Habitat for Humanity

I'm looking into Columbia (I know they have a very good film program, a long shot), and NYU, but I'd like some more advice.
Thanks for anything you have to offer.

Also, does anyone know what Stanford's film program is like (this is parental pressure)?

 

[lotrfan]

First, please read my post on this thread:
http://forums.studentfilms.com...86066451/m/426104822

To comment on your answer more specifically, you're doing something that a lot of people have done (including me), which is confusing a particular university's graduate film school with their undergraduate film program. True, Columbia has an excellent *graduate* film school, but as an undergrad, you can only major in Film Studies, as there is no production major.

I was in a similar position with my parents pressuring me to apply to Ivy League Schools (in my case, Harvard, Yale, and Columbia). Feel free to oblige your parents by applying, but just remember that doesn't mean you'll have to go to that school (just don't forget to apply using Regular Decision instead Early Decision, as the latter *will* mean you'll have to go to that school if accepted). As far as I know, all the Ivy Leaguers only offer Film Studies to undergrads, so considering that you want to direct/be involved in production of films, you'll definitely want to look more into the film programs of other schools offering Film Production as a major (USC, NYU, Chapman, UT Austin, LMU).

And lastly, it's okay if you don't have experience. It's not okay if you don't have creativity. Some schools will ask for a portfolio or (like Chapman) a video essay, but in all cases, what they are looking for is not how adept you are using your $2000 HD cam and $700 editing program, but rather if you have an artistic mind. For example, NYU allows you to submit a portfolio of your work in other mediums even if you're applying for film, and Chapman even says the video essay can be comprised entirely of pictures. The point is, not having experience in film is okay. That's why you're going to school. The key is to use your other artistic assets and your essays to your advantage.

 

[Sketchy21]

What did you do in film club?

 

[SimAlex]

columbia's film program is grad students only.