High school students dream of joining film industries because it’s the first step to being featured in Hollywood movies. But this dream is always cut short due to how competitive and selective film schools have become in America.
Do you stand a chance!
According to Application Tracker, the lowest reported minimum GPA for most notable film schools is 3.0. And these school’s acceptance rates are considerably low, even though they are the best in the world.
You see! Your chances of gaining admission into your dream film school is considerably thin. Because of the rigorous application process and requirements.
But this should not shatter your dreams of attending a film school.
If you plan to apply to any film school, you should consider any less selective ones with high acceptance rates. The high acceptance rate makes them the easiest schools to get into in 2023.
The table of content below will give you an overview of these easiest film school, their acceptance rates, and how to easily get admission once you apply.
Table of contents
How Easy is it to Get into a Film School?
It is not hard to get into a film school. Though most of the film schools in the USA have different acceptance rates.
While every film school has unique requirements and is very competitive, there are quite easy ones with less admission process.
Those who seek to know the easiest among them should not be expectant of a 100% acceptance rate. It doesn’t mean you can’t find such schools, but your chance of working in the film industry after graduation will definitely be thin.
Because most of the film industries in the USA and worldwide do not regard certificates from schools with a low reputation.
Schools like NYU can only give education which is the first step to starting a filming career. But they might not offer experience. This means you have to attain skills before approaching to Hollywood.
Despite all this, there are still schools that have high acceptance rates and are reputable. So applying to these schools will not be hard, rather it will be a gateway to securing admission into one of the film schools in the US.
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What Are the Requirements to Get Into Film School?
Each film school has its respective application process.
For instance, The Los Angeles Film School requests that applicants should submit an application for admission and also pay an application fee of $75.
Also, applicants must be high school graduate or possess a recognized high school equivalency (GED) to be eligible for an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Equally, an applicant to a bachelor’s degree program must have an associate degree from a recognized accredited institution.
This is the same for most of the film schools you find across the world.
Applicants to any film schools should normally have at least:
- A Bachelor’s degree with Honours; or
- An equivalent (international) or higher qualification; or
- An equivalent professional qualification; or
- Substantial professional experience in film or a related area.
- Letter of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
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What Do You Need to Apply to Film School?
To apply to any film school in the USA, you’ll need the following materials:
- Completed online application form
- CV/Resume
- Personal statement (up to 750 words) – more guidance is available in the online application system
- An original script for a short film about three minutes in length
- Education certificates (degree-level qualifications only)
- Two references
- A passport-sized photo
In addition, there is an option to upload a sample of your film, video, or photography in our application.
If your first language is not English, you will need to prove your proficiency in English.
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How Much Does Film School Cost?
A lot of universities and colleges provide film programs with
The annual cost for earning a four-year bachelor’s degree in the American Film Institute (AFI) and the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), is $35,000.
While the average tuition and fees for an undergraduate in-state public university is $6,185. At the same time, the out-of-state students will pay an average of $16,640 per year.
The annual cost of earning a master’s degree is similar to that of a bachelor’s degree.
For example, the New York Film Academy and the University of Southern California, charge the same amount per year for their bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Other additional costs include accommodation costs, boarding costs, and so on. These costs are dependent on the respective institution.
How Long Does it Take to Graduate from Film School?
US film schools offer both bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. A bachelor’s program in film schools typically takes 4years to complete, while a master’s program takes an additional 2-3 years of study.
What are Film Schools Acceptance Rates Like?
Most applicants often ask “What is the acceptance rate of NYU film school?” Or “What is the minimum GPA for AFI film school?”
Giving a direct answer to these questions is always issues. Because most Film Schools are often tight in giving out their acceptance rates and minimum GPAs that they accept.
According to the survey of the Application Tracker, they were able to give a number to this questions. From their survey, they deduced the minimum GPA for USC Directing program as a 3.0
The data also showed that the AFI acceptance rate for Cinematography is 56% (i.e, 72 out of 128 applications). And the Chapman acceptance rate is 84% for Cinematography (149 out of 177 applications).
Hence, we can say that the average acceptance rate of film schools in the USA is 60%. We can consider this as easy compared to the top film schools.
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What are the Easiest Film Schools to Get Into?
Film schools in the USA evaluate applicants based on a holistic review, this means there are several factors that rate the admission decision.
Most film schools will review applicants’ GPA, the strength of curriculum, leadership and extracurricular activities, Personal Statement, Letters of recommendation, Academic major, and preparation for the major.
If you do not have the time to do so, we made out time to compile a list of the Easiest Film Schools to Get Into in 2023 based on our ranking.
Here is a comprehensive list of the 2023 ranking of the Easiest Film Schools to Get Into:
- Emerson College – Department of Visual and Media Arts
- Loyola Marymount University – School of Film and Television
- Chapman University – Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
- Wesleyan University – College of Film and the Moving Image (CFILM)
- New York University – Kanbar Institute of Film and Television
- Columbia University School of the Arts
Emerson College – Department of Visual and Media Arts
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT Score: Optional
Minimum GPA: 3.00
Emerson’s Department of Visual and Media Arts has earned a reputation as one of the best film schools in the nation, though not located in Los Angeles.
And like most of the film schools already mentioned, prospective students can enroll in its Visual & Media Arts department as either an undergraduate or graduate student.
The school offers undergraduates programs such as a BA or BFA in Film, BA in Production, BFA in Film Art, BFA in Stage & Screen Design/Technology. And masters program such as MFA in Writing for Film and Television and MFA in Film and Media Art.
Notable alumni include Vin Di Bona, Joely Fisher, Norman Lear, Stefani Robinson, Alex Tse, and Henry Winkler.
The admission rate at Emerson depends on which program you’re applying to. In general, the Emerson College – Department of Visual and Media Arts acceptance rate is 49%.
Hence, this school offers a great chance of admission as long as you have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Its full-time film program is also quite affordable at $33,240.
Other factors that made this Emerson College one of the Easiest Film Schools to Get Into in 2023 are:
- High School Transcript and School Report
- Teacher Evaluation
- Creative Video: Short and precise
- Number of Programs: 6
Loyola Marymount University – School of Film and Television
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT Score: Optional
Minimum GPA: 3.00
The LMU School of Film and Television (SFTV) at Loyola Marymount University is highly regarded as one of the top ten film schools in the US.
SFTV offers great undergrduate programs in five different concentrations.
Also, SFTV offers three highly regarded graduate programs that focus on the art, process, and business of creative visual storytelling. Comprising three programs.
In this school, they offer film networking and internship opportunities during your time at school.
The admission rate at SFTV depends on which program you’re applying to. In general, the SFTV acceptance rate is 47%.
Hence, this school offers a great chance of admission as long as you have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Its full-time film program is also quite affordable at $33,240.
Other factors that made this Loyola Marymount University – School of Film and Television one of the Easiest Film Schools to Get Into in 2023 are:
- Letter of Recommendation: 2
- Personal Statement
- Video: Short and precise
- Number of Programs:
Chapman University – Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT Score: 1328
Minimum GPA: 3.00
The Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University is highly regarded as one of the top ten film schools in the world.
Ranked #7 by the Hollywood Reporter among American film schools, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts offers a great number of undergraduates and graduates degrees.
The Sodaro-Pankey Undergraduate School of Media Arts offers 9 bachelor degrees, while the Conservatory of Motion Pictures offers 8 master degrees.
In their programs, you will learn not only how to tell a story, but what it takes to pitch, produce, finance, market, and distribute the stories you want to tell.
The admission rate at Dodge depends on which program you’re applying to. In general, the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts acceptance rate ranges from 30% – 50%.
Hence, this school offers a great chance of admission as long as you have a minimum SAT score of 1328, an ACT score of 29, and a minimum High school GPA of 3.00.
Dodge like to see applicants who:
- Demonstrate creative and unique storytelling ability
- Have kept on creating in their field even after graduating high school
- Maintain good academic standing
- Submit applications on time
This is another easy way to gain admission into Dodge.
Its full-time undergraduate program is also quite affordable at $28,415.
Other factors that made this Chapman University – Dodge College of Film and Media Arts one of the Easiest Film Schools to Get Into in 2023 are:
- Letter Recommendation: 2
- Video: Short and precise
- Number of Programs: 17
Wesleyan University – College of Film and the Moving Image (CFILM)
Acceptance Rate: 20%
Average SAT Score: Optional
Minimum GPA: 2.50
The College of Film and the Moving Image (CFILM) at Wesleyan University is highly regarded as one of the top ten film schools in the world.
Its College of Film and the Moving Image (CFILM) encompasses the Film Studies Department, the Center for Film Studies, the Student Film Series, and the Wesleyan Cinema Archives.
In their programs, you will learn image making, history, and film studies. And the department offers a major and a minor.
The College of Film and the Moving Image (CFILM) acceptance rate ranges from 20% – 40%.
Most importantly, the school does not require SAT score or ACT score, but a minimum High school GPA of 85 (2.5).
Its full-time film program is also quite affordable at $59,086.
Other factors that made this Wesleyan University – College of Film and the Moving Image (CFILM) one of the Easiest Film Schools to Get Into in 2023 are:
- Letter Recommendation: 2
- Video: Short and precise
- Number of Programs: 5
New York University – Kanbar Institute of Film and Television
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT Score: Not required
Minimum GPA: 2.75
The Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at New York University is highly regarded as one of the top ten film schools in the world.
Tisch School of Arts has played a role in the education of some of the filmmaking world’s most renowned artists.
The Kanbar Institute of Film and Television offers both undergraduate and graduate programs with different concentrations. And their program trains students in the art of cinematic storytelling.
The admission rate at Tisch depends on which program you’re applying to. In general, the TISCH acceptance rate is 54%.
Hence, this school offers a great chance of admission even without the SAT and ACT. All they require is to submit the Common App and Creative Portfolio.
Its full-time film program is also quite affordable at $45,674.
Columbia University School of the Arts
Acceptance Rate: 26%
Average SAT Score: Optional
Minimum GPA: 3.00
Columbia University School of the Arts offers students the opportunity to go to film school at one of the world’s great universities. With a faculty of working professionals esteemed in both Hollywood and the independent film community.
Their undergraduate Film Program offers a curriculum that serves the undergraduate Film and Media Studies majors at Columbia College, the School of General Studies, and Barnard College.
Columbia University School of the Arts awards the Master of Fine Arts degree in Film, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Writing and the Master of Arts degree in Film and Media Studies. It also offers an interdisciplinary program in Sound Art.
Notable alumni include Kathryn Bigelow, James Gunn, Jim Jarmusch, Kate McKinnon, Kimberly Peirce, and Julia Stiles.
The admission rate at Columbia University School of the Arts depends on which program you’re applying to. In general, the Columbia University School of the Arts acceptance rate is 26%.
Hence, this school offers a great chance of admission as long as you have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Its full-time film program is also quite affordable at $65,116 annually.
Other factors that made this Columbia University School of the Arts one of the Easiest Film Schools to Get Into in 2023 are:
- Letter of Recommendation: 3
- Official Undergraduate Transcript
- Creative Materials Required for Application
- Number of Programs:
Conclusion
The film schools above are just the starting points for what you aim to achieve. For future filmmakers, it’s the time, focus, and energy you put into film school that will ultimately determine what they get out of their time there.
This list of the Easiest film schools will aid you to choose the best film school for you. And what you do with your time here determines how great your career in filmmaking will be. While to these easiest film schools, also remember to apply to more than one school to stand a chance of gaining admission in 2023.
References
- vocationaltraininghq.com – How Much Does Film School Cost?
- careersinfilm.com – 10 Best Film Schools for Aspiring Filmmakers (2023)
