So here we are at the end of the line and we have to make decisions. D started the college process with a broad range of interests from Film to Astronomy to Physics. I tried to steer her to the universities that had a lot of options and flexibility. In the meantime, she procured a film internship with a local company that also does public relations. Due to the smallness, she was immediately brought into working with the cameras, filming auditions, editing and just seeing how a business like that run very close up. She really enjoys it and has refocused her interest to this field.
She has always had a creative side so I do think the Visual Arts could be her thing. At the same time, she has always loved the sciences. Her dream would be to do something creative within National Geographic or NASA and somehow blend the two. Anyhow, it seems a pipe dream to do both so she decided to focus on the creative. . I was reluctant to let her pursue the film knowing how difficult it can be. However, she is not dreaming about the Hollywood scene. She would like to work for a place where she can create films/documentaries to deliver a message about a cause. Actually, the company she is interning at, does some of this work and is owned by an Emerson graduate.
She applied to about seven schools. So far so good with all acceptances and some $. It has come down to Emerson and Penn State. Emerson gave her a generous scholarship. We attended accepted students day and she loved it. She liked the potential student body and found herself already making a friend or two. She loved the mock class and also the hands on approach they offer. She was also accepted to the communications program at Penn State, UP. While Innovation Park can be impressive, she didn’t see the same amount of dedication to the film program as in Emerson. They seemed to be more focused on Sports Broadcasting. Also, Freshmen at PSU start out focusing Gen Ed classes. However, I don’t downplay the ability to be able to incorporate a minor at PSU to make her more marketable. I don’t know what that minor would be but it is a huge university with lots of options. At the same time, Penn State OOS has given us no $. That makes PSU less attractive financially. The alumni network for both seems impressive.
I wonder if we should support her taking the Emerson scholarship. At worst, if she changes her mind about film she can transfer to PSU or BU or another large university. Do transfer students ever get merit scholarships? I also wonder if given Emerson is so focused, that she would lose a year in credits. Anyhow, I have a feeling she would fit right in at Emerson and stay. Just a little worried about future job prospects. She is aware of this. Any thoughts/advice on those whose kids have joined the Visual Arts would be helpful.
Transfer students rarely get merit scholarships. So if you need to chase merit-based aid in order to make college affordable for your daughter, then it is best that she start where she plans to finish up.
Emerson has terrific programs for the things your daughter is interested in. If she is concerned about career placement and the alumni network, she should have a chat with the people at Emerson’s Career Center.
FWIW, my mother knows someone whose D actually does work on National Geographic films. IIRC, her degree was in something like marine biology. On the animal science side, anyway.
I think that a person should study what they love, and work at finding a way to make it work. If your D’s primary focus is film, but she likes sciences also, there is nothing to prevent her from taking a lot of science classes also. She doesn’t have to have a formal major or minor.
I have a niece who was primarily interested in documentary film and script-writing initially, and studied film. She tried working in Hollywood, but was turned off by the route she’d have to take there. She ultimately ended up in advertising. She has always been tech savvy, and is now the associate director of digital production at her NYC agency. There are many more ways to make a living doing something that interests you than many people realize.
I think the answer depends on how much she wants this career. It’s non traditional and difficult to break into, but people do it. Emerson would offer unique opportunities for networking given its relatively small size and focus on the arts. If she is truly passionate about going into film, which it sounds like she is, then Emerson is the way to go (especially since it’s less expensive and a good fit). Attending Penn State would mean paying more money for a program that isn’t a good fit for her so she can maybe have a marketable minor.
My 2 kids are into visual arts, one in film prod, one in animation. Looked at many film prod programs. I, too, tried to steer to unis for “back up” minors or other possible majors to transfer to.
Transfers usually get no merit. So if u don’t take the merit now at Emerson, it will be gone.
For film, Emerson is pretty well known and well connected. Haven’t heard of the penn state program and kiddo looked at a LOT of film prod programs.
Emerson doesn’t have science or math classes, I believe. So it would be unfortunate to not be able to explore these subjects.
For combining film and science (actually technology) there is visual effect and CGI as possibilities to explore.
Best option would be a uni that had film prod and sci available but a better film program than penn state. I presume there are no options on kid’s acceptances that fit that list.
The most cost effective way to go would be go to Emerson to take advantage of the merit scholarship wih the idea that kid may or will transfer to a broad based uni with good film prod and sci (nyu, USC, BU, NU, Ucla, LMU, chapman)
Problems with this:
Hard to go to a college with idea that will transfer out
Kid may want to stay and close off door to sci which you need to know of this is ok with you
Forgot to mention that working in the film industry is all about connections and networking, much more so than where u went to school. Emerson has lots of working grads in the biz, so definitely will have more opportunity for connections and networking and thus an easier path at Emerson than many other schools (esp penn state) for film.
Also on cc, there is a sub forum called college majors / visual arts. Helpful film parents there.
Thank you for the good replies. Consolation, it is good to hear other people have made it work for them. D is very resourceful and I think if there is a way, she will find it. Yoho, glad to hear I am not the only one. I do support it but I worry.
She got into NU but no merit $ so that’s out. A shame because that could have been ideal. She also got into American with some scholarship but not generous enough to offset the tuition increase since we first took a look at it. It is an interesting school where she could explore but I don’t see that AU’s film program as strong. However, they have good access to internships given proximity of agencies and companies in D.C. and they are very flexible with interdisciplinary studies.
Agree connections and networking are key and we felt Emerson and Penn State were very strong in that aspect.
Interesting, I must be out of the loop.
I’ve heard about the film programs at Emerson, Northwestern u, American u, and even UPenn (lots of good networks at UPenn). But I haven’t heard of penn state’s program. But it must be just me.
Maybe kid could contact the career offices at each school and see if they have any data about the number graduates or alumni that they have in the biz.