Many movies have been made about the college experience. Take a look at my top picks.

Accepted (2006)

Believe it or not, the first movie on my list is actually about a college that doesn’t actually exist. This comedy stars Justin Long and Jonah Hill, and is about a group of high-school graduates who (after getting rejected from schools) decide to create their own college, South Harmon Institute of Technology. Hilarity ensues when the parents become skeptical, and the kids try to come up with a curriculum and legitimate website. Also, Lewis Black’s co-starring role makes this an instant, must-see comedy. Accepted is essential viewing for college students. 

Social Network (2010)

This pick, while rather recent, depicts the true story of Mark Zuckerberg’s life at Harvard University, and the founding of Facebook. While biographical in nature, the movie is enhanced by the glimpses of the real Harvard campus, and other locations in Cambridge, Mass. While this is an entertaining movie, the scenario it depicts is extremely realistic, and applicable to the current environment of business and start-up companies. It’s possible that a Business, Pre-Law, or even Computer Science major might find the movie, and story, interesting in that way. Even so, it’s a highly recommended movie, starring Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, and Justin Timberlake, as Sean Parker.  

Legally Blonde (2001)

It’s hard to know what to expect before watching Legally Blonde, being that it’s about a sorority girl who decides to follow the love of her life into Harvard Law school. Reese Witherspoon is the lead role, and she plays the part very well. Without spoiling too much, she passes the LSATs and begins a new life at Harvard. Through her studies, and her involvement in a murder trial, she learns some harsh realities of life, and being a lawyer. On the surface, this comedy may seem too “soft,” but it gets very intense at moments, and the courtroom scenes play out well. Don’t skip out on this one.  

Old School (2003) 

Old School is straight up raucous. The film has just about every “funny-guy” of the ‘00s, including Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn, and is about three friends who start a fraternity near their alma-mater. If that doesn’t sound crazy enough, it manages to get crazier. Most of the movie follows the group’s highs and lows, and battle to remain a fraternity on-campus. While both satirizing Greek Life, and playing on the emotions of graduating college, Old School remains uproarious and extremely funny at all times. 

National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) 

-- This is the one. National Lampoon’s Animal House popularized fraternity culture, and began many stereotypes that exist today, including “Toga Parties.” While the film may seem slightly outdated, as it is nearly 40-years old, many aspects of Animal House can easily remind one of present-day college life. Animal House is one of the essential college movies, and becomes more of a classic as each year goes by.