4 Movies About College and What You Can Learn From Them

Add These Films to Your Netflix Queue to Get Your College Movie Fix

As a major milestone and a serious coming of age moment for many students, it’s no wonder college is a popular backdrop choice for many movies. From scenes in the library to football stadiums, there are many different glimpses of campus life that motion pictures strive to capture.

The next time you’re looking for something to watch, consider checking out one of these university-inspired films for a lot of laughs and a side of real-world advice. Keep reading for some of our top movie picks and the important lessons you can learn from each choice.

Legally Blonde
Although the main character, Elle Woods, is technically in law school, Legally Blonde takes place on Harvard’s campus and captures a similar campus-like setting. After coasting through college, Elle becomes determined to excel at Harvard Law School, originally with the intention of winning her boyfriend back. While applying to a school for a significant other is never a sound admissions strategy, Elle’s work ethic at Harvard is inspiring and demonstrates how far hard work can take you.

Admission
This romantic movie serves as a reminder that admissions officers are real people too and have lives outside of reviewing applications. The plot focuses on a Princeton admissions officer who falls in love with the head of an alternative school and puts her career at risk to help a student she has a personal connection to. While admissions officers would never put their jobs on the line for an applicant, college admissions is a very human process and there is a lot of thought that goes into each decision.

Damsels in Distress
This movie is a must-watch for transfer students, as it profiles Lily during her first days on a new campus. She quickly befriends a clique of young women determined to change the boorish male atmosphere and help their peers raise their romantic standards. Damsels in Distress centers on the social aspect of college: how much everyone wishes to find their place and how overwhelming your first days on a new campus can be. The film also illustrates the importance of close friendship and can inspire new students to take a step outside of their comfort zone.

The Intern
While this movie does not take place on a campus, it focuses on an experience that many college students pursue: internships. The main character is a senior citizen looking to learn new skills as an intern at a tech startup. Most of his peers are college students vying for future jobs and with time the protagonist comes to connect with this collegiate group. The Intern helps encourage viewers of all ages to take a risk and broaden their horizons in order to learn something new.

While no movie can accurately forecast your own college experience, watching films set on campus is a fun way to start thinking ahead. If you are currently preparing for the application process and looking for guidance, our team of experts is here to help!