Top 5 Getting into College Movies

Film can often provide solace by capturing a specific and universal turning point in life, like say, getting into college. When I was a teenager I couldn't get enough of the getting into college films, and I find that even at the age of 30, I can still enjoy them for the expression of a captured moment in time that I can remember and relate to.

If you have a teen who is approaching college acceptance time, I'd suggest having a getting into college movie-fest to set the mood and lift the spirits.

So without further adieu, here are my top 5 Getting Into College movies:

1.) How I Got Into College

This little 1989 film stars Lara Flynn Boyle as the all-American, head of the class, smart girl; Corey Parker as the do nothing class flunky type, and a pre-ER Anthony Edwards. The film follows Jessica Kailo (Lara Flynn Boyle) and Corey Parker (Marlon Browne) through the excruciating college admissions process.

2.) Legally Blonde

Who on the planet hasn't heard of this movie, right? It may not be true to reality but at least this movie can help to lighten the mood during the high pressure college admissions process. In this happy-go-lucky film Reese Witherspoon, playing the role of Elle Woods, breezes into Harvard in an attempt to get her ex-boyfriend back. Of course, as these kind of movies go, she also finds love in the process when she meets Emmett (Luke Wilson), a teaching assistant at Harvard Law School.

3.) Post Grad

Post Grad admittedly was a small film that didn't last long in theaters for a reason -- it's weird and quirky and a little corny, but hey, some of the most uplifting movies are. Though not a traditional getting into college movie, since it follows a girl who has just graduated from college, Post Grad still encompasses all the themes and emotions inherent in any classic getting into college film. This movie isn't going to win any awards for cinematography either, or for acting for that matter, but it is quite refreshing.

Alexis Bledel (of Gilmore Girls and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants fame), plays Ryden Malby, a girl who has just graduated from college and is entering into the real world. Branded with the stigma of a truly odd family, she quickly finds out that a career can't be landed simply by creating a plan and sticking to it.

I'd recommend this film both for the incredibly strange performances by Michael Keaton (Walter Malby) and Jane Lynch (Carmella Malby), of Fox Five's hit TV show "Glee."

4.) Educating Rita

This 1983 British film, about an older women who decides to go to college when she realizes life as a housewife isn't what she really wanted, will appeal to both young and old. You can't help but feel for Rita (Julie Walters) as she opens and attempts to comprehend her first Chekhov novel, or when she begins to determine that her Professor and hero, Dr. Frank Bryant (Michael Caine), is little more than a bitter washed-up drunk who happens to love classic literature.

If watching this movie doesn't want to make you run out and register for a few college courses, inspire you to finish that entrance essay, or at least crack open a great book, then I'm not sure what would.

5.) Anywhere But Here

Starring Natalie Portman and Susan Sarandon, Anywhere But Here follows young teen Ann August (Portman) who's just trying to maintain some teen normalcy and calm as she's dragged by her mother, Adele August (Sarandon), across the country. Despite Adele's insatiable wander lust and lack of money to provide a stable home, or even furniture for the twosome, Ann somehow still manages to excel in high school and sees getting accepted into an Ivy League College on the East Coast, far away from her mom, as her ticket out.

There you have it, my top 5 getting into college movies. I'd suggest setting aside a weekend to just curl up on the couch with the fam and laugh and cry all the way 'til Sunday.