Ok. I've posted a lot over the last year on this forum and I have received loads of invaluable responses that have helped shape my college search. I only have 15 days to make a final decision and am absolutely freaking. Right now I'm choosing between Syracuse and SVA. Please stick with me.

Over the past couple months I've ruled out UNC-Wilmington BA film (cannot declare film major/take multiple film courses 'till sophomore year), Colorado BA film studies (one film course available frosh year I think, maybe too far from MD where I'm from, would have to take maths and sciences which is a major turn off, I've done my time...), and Chapman BA film studies (for reasons I'll go into some other time, but essentially a professor who I'm close with said the program is god awful, there's one professor and she sucks, its in the shadow of film prod., the students cant stand to watch b&w films, etc., etc.,).

I was gung ho on NYU cinema studies where I applied ED, but was understandably rejected due to my 2.9 GPA. I still aspire to attend that program. But I do not want that to be the #1 governing factor of my decision. Here's how I've gone about breaking it down:

Syracuse has been beat to hell in this forum over the past year. I visited this weekend, and truth is, it's not all that bad. For me, the worst part is the dictatorial emphasis on experimental film while al but ignoring theory and history, which I'm most interested in (in 8 semesters they offer a film studies course every other semester). Almost all the courses are art/studio focused, but they at least seem interesting. And I don't think I could transfer out of that BFA program to NYU. On a positive note, my two best friends are going, it is an ideal size, I feel like I would have some freedom in expressing myself, and their bball team is projected #1 next year provided Johnny Flynn returns :P

I went to SVA for a pre-college program a couple year ago and loved it. My mentor, Mary Lee Grisanti, is a screenwriting professor at SVA and swears by it. They offer an ideal curriculum that allows you to focus on YOUR passion, while offering ample studies courses and ensuring that you leave with sufficient connections, and multiple films and feature-length screenplays to your name. I would be around the independent film that I cannot live without and in the heart of NYC. This is a program that I could obviously not transfer to NYU cinema studies from, and my parents are not too hot on the prospect of paying $50K/yr for art school.

Thank you for indulging me. Any and all feedback you can offer is immensely appreciated.

On second thought, maybe I shouldn't count out Colorado just yet. They're program might be worth the core curriculum I'll need to conquer, and the math and science courses are very flexible, and it would be an easy program to transfer from.

Hey! We hope this isn't your last post ever.

Please continue to visit Studentfilms.com here even when you get to your college or university.

You'll always have a home here!

why did you apply to UNC wilmington...when NCSA (A top 10 film school) is in Winnston Salem?

Anywho...If you dont like expiremental then dont go to a school that emphasizes in it. I know people who went to school with that type program. They hated it. So Iw ould choose your other school SVA, baised on that.

I was under the impression that you needed a 3.0 (in core classes in HS, if not cumulative) to apply to the film program...maybe I was misinformed. Its too small anyways.

Yeah, UNCSA requires a HS GPA of 3.0 cumulative to apply so you weren't misinformed although it is a great school from what I hear (I'll probably transfer there). I take it you've also ruled out community college which would be beneficial if you plan to transfer out anyway, you might as well save some money (Both Syracuse and SVA are pretty expensive). From what I gather from your post, Syracuse is your best choice and probably what you're already leaning towards (Two of your best friends, Parental Approval, Great Basketball) even though you aren't into the experimental film curriculum. If I was you I would still choose UNCW even though you can't declare film freshman year although your entire decision seems to be based off of transferring to NYU so, yeah Syracuse or your local CC, who knows maybe the CC has some pretty good film courses.