Hello everyone,

We're thinking of adding a new film school rating system to the site.

These would be the categories to rate film schools on:

- Affordability
- Alumni Connections
- Campus/Location
- Internship/Work Opportunities
- Film Equipment
- Professors/Curriculum
- Student to Professor Ratio
- Overall Rating

Anything else you'd like to see or remove?

Also we're thinking of having an "Overall" rating as well which would be the main basis of the score. If we have an "overall" option it will allow us to have a "N/A" choice for the above ratings as well.

Let me know what you think.

I think it sounds like a great idea. It'd be a pretty good resource for people to start at for looking for film schools.

Can't wait...

Perhaps include a student review section for each school.

I think it would a great thing to have an honest, comprehensive rating for graduate film schools.

Just thinking out loud...

One of the first things I would like to know about is the smaller schools that seem to go completely unevaluated and overlooked. Honestly, how many more conversations need to happen about the big schools?

How about student awards? Some measure or count of student accolades and awards might be worth knowing.

Alumni connections, is cool, but how about the success rate of these schools? Ultimately, isn't that what defines the value of our film school experience?

You really can't define a program by the "success rate", as there is no such thing - a film school in no way guarantees that you'll be successful, and doesn't even guarantee that you have a higher rate of success than another school or no school. It's about a preferred learning environment.

quote:

Originally posted by Cinematical:
You really can't define a program by the "success rate", as there is no such thing - a film school in no way guarantees that you'll be successful, and doesn't even guarantee that you have a higher rate of success than another school or no school. It's about a preferred learning environment.

Not only that, but it's impossible to define success. Is it money, fame, happiness? Success is different for different people.

No such thing? I realize that film school guarantees nothing, but, that said, aren't many of the major film programs defined by the famous alumni that attended? Even by the ability of graduates to get jobs following graduation. Don't UCLA, NYU and USC still talk about students they spit out in the 70's as reason for attending their institution? Isn't the professional success of a school reflected in the success of it's alumni?

Aside from the famous alumni, I was actually thinking more about everyone else who graduates from the program and what they've been able to go on and do professionally.

What you're talking about is the "Alumni Connections" rating my friend...

Maybe it's semantics... I guess I might be confused as to what alumni connections means. I sort of figured it was literal more than an all encompassing "Alumni" informational, contact catch all. Just trying to throw in my two cents...

The schools do (incorrectly) talk about old alumni (Scorsese, Lucas, etc.), but you are right in that what really matters are all the working professionals that come from the schools - which is alumni connections. I still wouldn't define that as a success rate, though - just how loyal alums are to their school.

The idea behind the "Alumni Connections" rating is how well the school connects you with alums so you can get contacts for new gigs.

I know BU set me up with some contacts out here in LA... no job came out of them.... but it was still useful to meet them.

I like the idea of including the "success" rate of schools. You know, which schools produce students who are doing well at festivals and such. This is a bit different from "Alumni Connections", which rates how well the school connects you with alums.

Yes - but how would one rate it? These film schools are going to be rated by current, former, and prospective students. Success is pretty vague.

Perhaps Alumni Connections is as well...

Yes, success is vague so let's leave that word out.

I do think it would be helpful to know if a significant number of students/alumni from any one school go on to win awards (not that this means "success"--sorry, I know I said I'd leave this word out) at major festivals and competitions. Or instead, you could rate how active students/alumni are in such festivals. I'm sure certain schools are represented in the festival circuit a lot more than others.

I just think this category would be good for comparison reasons. And also to help determine if any one school really does produce working filmmakers whose films receive exposure.