Have you visited the school? A few of the students at my school were discussing Cal Arts and what a great place it is to "find your voice." A film school supporting trial and error and true experimentation is such a novelty-- many of the .big school's tend to be more formulaic. At least in my opinion, that definitely is a testament to Cal arts' worth. If you end up there, you should give some of us a tour and I would love to keep in touch regarding the curriculum and style of the school.