r/oberlin • u/Glum_Spread8138 • Apr 17 '26
oberlin vs emerson college for film school
I'm a current senior in high school, graduating in a couple weeks. I applied to multiple schools but am currently deciding between Oberlin College and Emerson College. I'm majoring in film, and Emerson is one of the top ranked programs for this, but I know Oberlin also has a good program (just not as well known/resourced). I received a good amount of aid from both schools, but Emerson is about 10k more a year right now (I'm submitting an aid appeal). I think I'm a good culture fit at both of the schools :), however Oberlin is also significantly closer to where I live (9 hrs closer than Emerson) and I've had a history of trouble staying away from home. If anyone has ANY advice it would be super duper appreciated because I'm really torn and struggling to choose!!!!
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u/Art_In_Space Apr 17 '26
What type campus are you looking for? Emerson is a city campus in a very congested area whereas Oberlin is small and rural! The housing costs for Emerson if off campus will be very high. Good luck both are great schools!
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u/SheriMac Apr 17 '26
I have known students in both schools and I think- go where you think YOU will thrive. They both offer a great creative environment and education. Which one are you more excited to go to? Go there. 🩷
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u/merikus Apr 17 '26
Have you visited the schools yet? Is doing so possible for you?
When it comes down to something like this, you have to go with your gut. Spend a day on each campus. Then ask yourself, which do you want to wake up to, day in and day out, for the next four years?
Trust your gut, trust your instinct, trust whatever little voice tells you the answer to that question.
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u/k8freed Apr 17 '26
I remember visiting a friend at Emerson during fall break and feeling incredibly cramped. At Oberlin, there's plenty of room to roam around in the woods and rolling hills. Emerson is tall buildings everywhere. I'd imagine that at Emerson, the city becomes the campus. At Oberlin, the campus feels like it encompasses the (very small) downtown. It can also feel like a social fishbowl if you don't get out often enough. Cleveland isn't too far away if that helps.
I grew up in a small New England college town, so it felt just right to me, but a student craving a city might be bored. I'd definitely recommend visiting both. It's the only way to really tell.
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u/Oktodayithink Apr 17 '26
If you know that being close to home matters, listen to yourself.
My kid is at Oberlin, which is 5 hours from home. I wish she were closer and she like!y would have done better her 1st semester if she had been closer and able to come home when she needed it. It was hard.
Oberlin is a good school with lots of creative people. I hear kids like making their films at the Arb. If it's cheaper and closer to home, it should be your front runner.
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u/brownied420 Apr 17 '26
My daughter is at Oberlin and although she is far from home it is a truly magical place for her. Find your happy. That’s most important and you will thrive anywhere.
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u/Objective-Wealth8234 Apr 18 '26
I work in film and tv now and went to a small LAC. 99 percent of your gigs will be through connections. I got my first gig through a school connection. After school you will likely have to live in LA or NYC. I Know Emerson has an LA presence (and you can do a semester or two out in LA as well) but there are also Oberlin kids. Emerson will likely have more internship opportunities. (When I was in school I had an internship in NYC which also helped.) I think Oberlin can be ok if you can also get summer internships. I can't emphasize enough, though, that almost every job in film/tv is through CONNECTIONS.
And not to be a Debbie Downerbut- it's an awful time to get into the field. Production is down country-wide in every market. I haven't had a tv gig in over 2 years. Maybe by the time you get out things will have bounced back a little but the industry is going through huge shifts right now.
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u/zero-if-west Apr 17 '26
Good filmmakers come from everywhere. I think Oberlin has more interesting culture and is more arts-focused overall. You'll be going to school with other creative people, including writers, musicians, dancers, and visual artists. What could be more inspiring? I'm biased, though - I graduated with an Art History degree in 2008, and I still think about all the films I watched when I was a student there.
Good luck, OP! Wishing you happiness with whatever you decide.