This article is adapted from Television, Film, and Digital Media Programs

The Princeton Review and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation asked sixteen successful entertainment industry professionals what they considered the most helpful advice for selecting the right school. Their unedited answers—revealing, funny, and sometimes unexpected—from the new Television, Film, and Digital Media Programs are below.

Says…

…Rachel Axler, Writer, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart:

Honestly, I think it's very difficult to go wrong with a liberal arts education. It gives you a fundamental breadth of knowledge to draw on later, when you're doing whatever very specific thing you choose to do. So, I suppose my most helpful guidance would be to steer (most) people away from programs that are too focused, too early on.

Another helpful method is to rate schools by motto.
General rule of thumb: Latin motto = better school.

…Brannon Braga, Executive Producer, Threshold:

It seems pretty obvious to me that you'd choose a university with a curriculum that would help cultivate your interests. Also, since you'll be living there for several years, you might consider the locale and culture. Will you enjoy being there day to day? Is it an environment that you'll find stimulating?

…Martin Bruestle, Producer, The Sopranos (Emmy® Award winner):

Choosing a university is a very personal decision. It is okay to be selfish in this process, because one is deciding on the direction of his or her future. However, selecting a college or university will not determine the future. It is [just] a foundation for the future. I would recommend choosing a school that best fits your personal needs-financial, emotional, geographic, and most importantly, I believe that one should follow one's passions. If you are passionate about something, everything else will fall into place.

…Ian Busch, Writer, Malcolm in the Middle and Life with Bonnie:

Look for the school where you can "hit the ground running." So basically [consider]: (a) How accelerated is the freshmen curriculum? and (b) How open are the extracurricular clubs and activities to allowing a high level of freshman participation?

…Shari Cookson, President, Sceneworks:

A focused curriculum and a facility with experience working in the field.

…Debra Curtis, Vice President, Current Programming, Sony Pictures Television

The campus visit is key in making the final decision. Sit in on classes. Talk to students. Eat in the cafeteria.

…Jack Forrestel, Production Designer, The Bold and the Beautiful:

Have a vague idea of what knowledge you would like to come away from the experience with. Find out as much about the faculty as possible. Most schools offer bios of the professors at their institutions. Visit the schools you're interested in attending, and see how their environments fit [with your interests]. As a prospective student, you may be able to sit in on a class or two. If you're unsure about some detail or protocol regarding a school, ask questions!

…Erick Garcia, Producer/Production Manager, National Association for Latino Independent Producers:

[Students should consider the] resources and programs available based on their major or career interests.

…Neil Goldman, Co-Executive Producer, Scrubs:

Visiting the campus, getting a feel for the energy of the place, and being able to talk to current students—even sneaking into a few classes while you're there.

…David Goyer, Writer, Batman Begins; Director, Threshold pilot; Writer/Executive Producer, Blade pilot:

If it is a film and television school, you would want to find out who the faculty members are and how well endowed they are, [particularly] in terms of equipment (cameras and such).

…Paul Lewis, Director of Development and Production, Nickelodeon:

Besides [considering] the curriculum offered, [you should ask:] What opportunities for hands on experience exist at the University? Are there radio/television stations on campus?

…Rico Martinez, Executive Producer, MTV:

From the perspective of a writer, director, or producer, what would be important to me is whether the TV/film school was more art-based or commercially- and technically-based. For me, I wanted more of an art-based experience. I wanted to focus more on the creative than the technical [aspects of television and film studies]. Ultimately, I got the technical and commercial perspective by working in the industry after I graduated (and also thanks to my Internship with the Television Academy Foundation, which helped me get my first job!), but those early days in school of being wildly creative and artistically rebellious were important to me, and I think they helped inform how I look at things now. I tend to do projects that are more out-of-the-box, and for that reason I think I made the right choice. But each person has to figure that out for him- or herself.

…Damon Romine, Entertainment Media Director for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD):

I think picking the right college requires knowing as a senior in high school exactly what you want to be doing five years down the road after college. And really, how often can we say we know what we want to be doing five years from now? College is the time to try new things and learn about new career paths. I went to the University of Missouri because of the journalism program. Half way through, I realized my real interest was in entertainment, television, and film. I tried to make the best of the situation by getting degrees both in journalism and in communications. The lesson is, if you change career directions, you should adapt while you're in school or look at a school that can better suit your needs.

…Victoria Sterling, Director, Standards & Practices, Business and Legal Affairs, Fox Cable Networks:

Primary factors include the student's interests, any known future career aspirations, what he or she is looking for in a communications program, and whether or not the school offers a balance of liberal arts and technical courses. Many schools emphasize technical opportunities in the classroom, but critical thinking and the ability to problem-solve are really key in landing any job in the industry, and those abilities often spring from studying courses in other areas, including liberal arts, science, history, and humanities. I would also advise that students select a variety of colleges to apply to and visit each one before making a decision. It's important to see and get a feel for each school, including the faculty and students, the campus, the department [of their intended major] and its resources, the living and dining facilities, and the life they would have at the school. Finances and financial aid are also a primary consideration, and I would emphasize [the importance of] going to a college that provides individual attention over [one that is] a big-name school where a student might pay a lot more, but not receive as much attention in his or her studies.

…Steve Toback, Director, Technology, DisneyToon Studios:

Flexibility is key. Rather than attending a specific trade-type school, attending a university that offers programs in diverse disciplines offers a student the ability to experiment to see if something clicks. A diversified education will provide a depth of experiences whose benefits will be of great value-especially in a creative industry.

…Kevin Wehrenberg, Producer, Fear Factor:

It is important to understand whether or not a large or small school is right for you. My choice to go to a midsize state college allowed me access to television and film equipment as a freshman; this would not have been possible at a large school.