| About Us | Home
College & University Search
Request Free Information
on National Colleges, College Admissions, and College Life

CB's Top 10 College Movies (and What They Can Teach You)

by Dawn Papandrea
Whether you're getting ready for college, a current student, or an alumnus looking back at your campus days, be sure to add CB's top 10 college movies to your required viewing list.

"Legally Blonde"
Starring: Harvard University
Reese Witherspoon's ditzy blonde, Elle Woods, studies her way into Harvard Law to impress the ex-boyfriend that dumped her. She makes the LSATs easy (a far-fetched feat), and makes a joke of the whole admissions process by including a video of herself in a swimsuit.

"Orange County"
Starring: Stanford University
The stress of the college admissions process co-stars with Colin Hanks (Tom's son) and Jack Black, who plays the stoner big brother. The two set off to explain to Stanford that there was a mixup in the transcript that was sent by the college-bounder's

"The Program"
Starring: ESU (fictional)
A somewhat harsh look at the stresses of being part of a competitive college football team - all of the themes are there, from steroids to cheating for grades, and drunk driving to date rape. A young Halle Berry plays the love interest of Omar Epps, with James Caan as the overly ambition coach.

"Animal House"
Starring: Faber College (fictional)
Watch this classic frat film strictly for gross-out laughs, and to see why your parents think John Belushi was the funniest guy ever. You won't get much reality here (at least we hope not), but you'll learn what not to look for in a fraternity.

"Revenge of the Nerds"
Starring: Adams College (fictional)
The jocks-versus-geeks plotline makes for hilarious moments, and gives us the ultimate group of misfits (before it was cool to be a tech geek), complete with pocket protectors and massive IQs. The takeaway lesson, of course, is that nerds are people, too.

"Good Will Hunting"
Starring: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning screenwriting debut tells the story of an MIT janitor who's really a disturbed genius. A math professor and a therapist (Robin Williams) do all that they can to help him realize his potential and not waste his life.

"With Honors"
Starring: Harvard University
A homeless guy (played by Joe Pesci) holds the only copy of a college senior's (Brendan Fraser) thesis project hostage in return for food and a place to sleep. It's touching to watch the student's views change as he begins to understand life lessons he never could have learned in the classroom. Extra credit: Getting to see a pre-McDreamy Patrick Dempsey co-star.

"Rudy"
Starring: University of Notre Dame
Based on a true story, Sean Astin plays Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, a short guy with big dreams of playing for the famed Fighting Irish football team. Drive and determination ultimately get him onto the playing field for an emotionally charged college sport movie moment.

"Mona Lisa Smile"
Starring: Wellesley University
Set during the 1950s at a repressive and stifling women's college, Julia Roberts plays a free-spirited professor who encourages her intelligent students to stop waiting around for a husband and start opening their minds to education. Kirsten Dunst and Julia Stiles are among the girls inspired by their controversial professor.

"Higher Learning"
Starring: Columbus University (fictional)
John Singleton's slightly cliched look at racial and other campus tensions provides a serious take on fitting in and avoiding the bad crowd at college, starring Laurence Fishburne and a young Jennifer Connelly, among others. Luckily, the majority of colleges today make respecting diversity and multiculturalism more of a priority than is portrayed here, but a thought-provoking must-see nevertheless.







Sound Off! Post Your Comments


You are not currently logged on. Please login to add a comment.

Home | About Us | Privacy | Contact Us | Help Center/Customer Service | Advertise Your School | Affiliate Network
Student Services | Articles | CollegeSurfing Insider | CollegeSurfing.com
© 1996 - • The CollegeBound Network • 20 years of helping students succeed through education
DON'T LEAVE YET