Wake Forest or Brandeis for ED2?

College Search & Lists
1

I’m an international student and my parents and counselor make WFU my ED2 school. I understand rankings are their major concern, but I really know nothing about WFU. I’ve just finished writing WFU essays and currently doing Brandeis school research. I hope to major in Media/Film in university, but in WFU it only has Communication major and Film and Media Studies as a minor. Brandeis, on the other hand, has Film, Television and Interactive Media, which I think might fit me more. I may change my major though, since I’m also interested in Economics.

I haven’t told my parents about my concern yet, since my mom prefers WFU than any other schools( idk why, but maybe it’s because of the ranking) and I spend so much time writing WFU essays. SUNK COST.

BTW: my ed school is NYU ( it’s the school that I really want to go, but my counselor believes that it’s gonna be super selective this year because even more students are applying it, and that’s why I’m super anxious now. My counselor said that if I were applying last year, I could get in without problems.), and I applied to its liberal studies program, mostly because I want to stay in Paris for a year and try something new.
Another problem is that I don’t have safety schools in the US (didn’t want to apply to UIUC or UCI, typical safety schools for Chinese students). Canadian universities are my backups since I’m a Canadian resident (not a citizen) studying in a Canadian off-shore high school and the tuition will be much cheaper. But the thing is that I really want to go to the US for university.

Anyways, hope I can get some suggestions! Thank you.

2

By student profile ranking, Brandeis appears to be competitive with WF (51st nationally compared to 83rd in this analysis of a few years ago): https://amp.businessinsider.com/the-610-smartest-colleges-in-america-2015-9.

Note that in economic thinking sunk costs are defined as such to reinforce that they are best disregarded in considering future decisions.

3

Note as well that the economics faculty of Brandeis actively contribute to their field (placing 57th in this analysis): https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.usecondept.html.

4

NYU as a first choice seems to make a lot of sense for you.

I think Boston University should be on your list.

If you’re a top student, research Wesleyan: https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.uslacecon.html.

5

Regarding NYU, however, you will need to research whether extensive cinema studies courses are generally accessible to students outside of Tisch.

6

Consider Emerson, BU, SCAD

7

The percentage of international students in the undergraduate population at Brandeis (20%) is double the percentage at Wake (10%). Assuming that you’re not needing or expecting need-based financial aid, I would venture that your chances of getting in EDII are better at Brandeis, because their budget depends on allocating so many seats in their entering class to full-pay international students. In addition, you may enjoy having a larger cohort of international students (although that’s entirely a matter of preference, and 10% is still plenty of representation). Econ is one of the strongest and most popular majors at Brandeis, and as you say their film program may be more to your liking than Wake’s. Plus, your EDI choice implies that access to a major city is important to you. Of course, neither Brandeis nor Wake has an urban campus like NYU’s, but it’s at least easy to get into Boston from Brandeis.

Wake is a great school, for sure. It has a very different vibe from Brandeis. If you would enjoy Greek life and enthusiasm for sports teams, you won’t find those aspects at Brandeis the way you will at Wake. And yes, its USNWR ranking is higher. As for the major, you should really look at the actual course offerings, not just the name of the degree - what’s important is whether the course offerings provide the kind of training you want, not whether your degree is Communications w/film minor, or Film/Media.

But honestly, if you see a better fit at Brandeis, I don’t think the difference between #27 and #40 should sway you toward Wake. Play the EDII card at the school that seems like the best fit, in terms of programs, location, and campus culture. From what you’ve said so far, that sounds like Brandeis; and the fact that your odds at Brandeis are likely a bit better is another point in its favor. I mean, the whole point of EDII is to maximize your odds at a good-fit school, right? In your case it seems as if Brandeis hits that sweet spot, and I don’t hear you expressing any criteria that point to Wake except for the difference in rank. They’re both T50 and will be regarded similarly in terms of reputation, so choose by where you think you can best shine once you’re there.

I agree with the above that BU is more NYU-like than Brandeis is, so that would be one to look at. Also Emerson if you’re sure about film, but if you think you might switch to econ, it’s probably not a good choice.

And for sure, it’s worth considering that both Toronto and Vancouver are great film-industry cities, and you might get equal or better opportunities there for a lot less money. They’re both near the US border; you could spend the money saved visiting the US on your breaks!

8

Choose NYU film school or BU. But if you’re a top student try Wesleyan comment, huh?

Sure it was well meaning but misplaced for an international student. It will be nearly impossible for anyone at all the schools mentioned…

OP. Unless you’re a top student your chances are much closer to zero than the admissions rates.

Apply to the one you like best. Wake is awesome. But for film NYU is as good as it gets. BU spectacular too. No bad choices mentioned here. All world class and highly competitive.

Wake has the best weather by far and most attractive campus, if it matters to you.

Good luck.

9

Yes, it really depends a lot on your goals. It sounds like your family is focused on overall rankings; but the most prominent film programs aren’t always at the highest-ranked schools. The film programs at Chapman and Loyola Marymount, for example, are top-ranked and extremely well-connected in that particular field and much harder to get into than the universities generally.

If you’re gunning for a generally-elite urban-adjacent school that also has a well-developed film program as well as strong econ, also look at Tufts, which has EDII as well.

We have no idea what your targets should be, without knowing your stats, etc. so it’s hard to say. But I agree with the comment above that you may have little-to-no access to NYU’s film program, as a Liberal Studies student. So it seems as if that decision signals that you value the institution generally, more highly than the specific program. (That said, the Canadian U’s certainly compare favorably in reputation to the US schools you’re applying to, so clarity on what the value-added is for the additional $ is important too.)

10

I may not want to major in cinematic studies after 2 years… and I’ll take AP calculus + microeconomics exams (pretty sure I can at least get two 4s) plus lsp promises that students can choose any CAS majors.

11

BU is one of my RD schools…yep, I’ll add it to my possible ED2 school list and talk with my parents about that! thank you!

12

Since I have 4 Canadain university as my safety schools(UoT, Queen’s, McMaster, and Western), I tend to take more risk on ED2. Anyways, if I can get into McGill, I’m 100% willing to give up NYU. Film is my hobby, but I’m open to other majors–unless I need to study physics or psychology.