Columbia School of General Studies, Syracuse, Vassar. What are my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

My top choice school is Columbia University School of General Studies, and based on the unique program, I think I’m perfect for it.

High school GPA 2.94 (Not great…)
I couldn’t afford to go to a 4 year university straight out of HS, so I went to community college. That’s where things get a little crazy…

My little sister was diagnosed with MS, and my parents work and take care of my other 6 siblings, so taking care of her was mostly my job. I helped her walk, took her to doctor appointments, etc. It was a huge responsibility, but it helped me grow up…Which i will forever be grateful for…

At CC, I ended up dropping 3 of my 5 classes at CC, and failed my other 2. I felt like a complete loser.

The next 1.5 years, I took care of my sister, and worked part time. I had many jobs. I was a production assistant on A Film, an assistant at a liquidation company, I worked at target for a short period of time etc… After 1.5 years of working, i decided to go back to a different community college in Pittsburgh, Where I worked really hard, and I’m finishing my 3RD semester with a cumulative GPA of 3.84. My ACT score is 29 (I’m taking it again).

I want to study film or theater, my two passions in life. I want to write and direct my own movies.

schools-

  • Columbia GS (Top choice)
    -Syracuse (2nd choice)
    -Vassar (dream school)
    -Suny Purchase (Top school)
    -Northeastern (Top school)

Pitt, Pace University, Queens College, Baruch College, Wesleyan, Binghamton… Do I have a good shot at any of these? Thanks in advance.

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The first list is exclusively Dream/Reach schools. They are very competitive in most areas, but especially film. Students in Columbia’s GS program do the same class-work as the other students–no one will cut you a break. Their film program is very well regarded. It is also expensive. Try not to go into debt for this career. You will need to work on either getting the ACT way up or try the SAT to see if that’s a better fit (and that will need to be stellar as well). Your 4th semester should be closer to a 4.0. Wesleyan is also a Reach (it’s a small school with a highly respected film program, so they don’t take so many students). The next list is more like “Target” schools, do-able but not a sure thing. Now you need some safety/“Fit” schools. Since you’re in Pittsburgh, what about Point Park? Their performing arts program is very popular with Drama and MT families here on CC. Take a look at Columbia of Chicago. I know someone who transferred from NYU film school (for financial reasons) and was very happy with the program at Columbia of Chicago.

Instead of spending time on the “what are my chances forum”, go to the College Major forums for Film and Visual Arts. Read through the various threads and you’ll have a sense of how difficult the road will be. You’ll possibly find find some new schools to focus on. There is a slew of good programs out there that the average person hasn’t heard of, but that people in the business know well.

Making your way in the film business will involve more than a degree–you will start at the bottom rung again. Only very well-connected students (industry parents) get a hand up. You’re lucky that you have some PA experience under your belt–a lot of people with degrees graduate into PA jobs–even from Ivy League schools (my nephew is one). The good news is that there are a lot of ways to make small, independent films these days. Think outside the box and don’t assume that the big-name school will make the path any easier.

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@moviebuff1999, if GS is your dream school, you should absolutely apply! You are certainly a nontraditional student. If you’re accepted, it doesn’t mean you have to attend if you later discover it won’t work for you. You have shown that you can succeed in an academic environment, and your life experiences, I’m sure, have taught you many things you can’t learn in school. Good luck!