If one has decided to attend film school, it can be a daunting task selecting from the hundreds of schools nationwide. Most schools claim they care about their students’ success and offer testimonials that present the schools in a positive light. So how can prospective film students separate the institutions that offer a real education versus those who only make claims? There are some film schools in Los Angeles and Miami that offer hands-on programs that may be worth a look. Ideally film students should make inquiries of several schools to discover the program that will fit their needs.The first consideration that one has to make when looking for a film school is location. Many people don’t wish to go away to school and others have family obligations that can prevent them from going out of town to attend classes. Even with these potential obstacles, it can pay to be flexible. Some of the best schools are concentrated in certain parts of the country, and the certificate programs may only be a few months in length. Also if one has decided to study under certain film teachers, those teachers may only be available at schools in New York, Los Angeles or other large cities. Keeping an open mind may allow students to find a school that matches their interests.Next, making direct inquires of the schools is key. With the Internet it’s easy to review several schools’ film courses in a few minutes. Once one has narrowed down a list of a few schools that sound intriguing, telephone interviews are recommended. These ideally should be followed up with in-person meetings to provide one with the ability to meet advisors, tour the campus and talk with current students. While every student’s filmmaking goals are different, talking with present students can give prospective attendees a truer feel for what the school has to offer. Another key consideration when choosing a film school is the ability to work on a wide variety of projects. Even if a student has a particular niche area that he or she is interested in, learning as much as possible about the entire filmmaking process can open up more opportunities and learning experiences. Whether one ultimately wants to be a director, screenwriter or producer it’s important when first starting out to get a good sense of all of the skills required to create a film. It’s important to check and see what types of equipment will be used in the film courses. The syllabus or course curriculum of each school should be reviewed in detail so students can see exactly what it is they will be learning.Like choosing any college or trade school, choosing a film school takes some research. It’s a good idea to keep an open mind about perhaps temporarily relocating to attend film school, as some programs can be completed in a year or less. Relocating to centers of filmmaking can provide students with the opportunity to study under some of the masters of the trade. Ideally a prospective student will start research online followed by some short telephone interviews and then in-person visits to schools to make the final choice.