Product Details

• Actors: Anthony Edwards, Corey Parker, Lara Flynn Boyle, Finn Carter, Charles Rocket
• Directors: Savage Steve Holland
• Writers: Terrel Seltzer
• Producers: Elizabeth Cantillon, James Herbert, Michael Shamberg
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• VHS Release Date: May 23, 2000
• Run Time: 86 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301552008
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,707 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This diverting (if very unrealistic) comedy focuses on the exploits of charmingly naive Marlon Browne (Corey Parker), a well-meaning but scholastically average high school student intent upon attending the same college as the girl of his dreams, his classmate Jessica Kailo (a young, perky Lara Flynn Boyle). To Marlon, Jessica seemingly has it all: looks, intelligence, and sophistication. His dilemma is that she is a far brighter student whose main choice, Ramsey College, seems hopelessly out of his reach, so the awkward but determined Marlon endeavors to get accepted there. But little does Marlon know that Jessica is also struggling with tremendous pressures of her own. Director Savage Steve Holland (Better Off Dead) exaggerates many sequences--including the college fair, college interview, and college acceptance scenes--to humorously portray the traumatic adolescent experience of applying to college. Taken as an '80s pop-culture time capsule, and disregarding its blatantly two-dimensional characterizations, How I Got Into College is fluffy fun; there is a genuine chemistry between Parker and Boyle. However, one has to wonder why the filmmakers are making the bizarre statement that it's ideal for Marlon to plan for this potential adolescent romance without any regard for his future. Among the film's notable cast appearances, Anthony Edwards (E.R.) plays Marlon's supportive and sympathetic liaison at Ramsey College, while Nora Dunn and Phil Hartman make goofy cameos as SAT/college-prep counselors who bilk students out of money by offering them transparent advice. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good movie for high school seniors, March 3, 2006

By 

P. Sands "PaNoMaC" (Alabama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How I Got into College (DVD)

I would say that this is a great movie from the 1980s for any senior in high school working to the last minute to get accepted into the college of their choice along with some of the pressures along the way. A very good movies that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of other 1980s teen type movies. Give it a watch!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not the most sophisticated, BUT, May 14, 2005

By 

Jill - See all my reviews

This review is from: How I Got into College (DVD)

This movie highlights so many truths of college admissions. Personally, I think the whole college thing is crap. And this movie made me slightly more depressed about it but also hopeful in a way, because I knew what they were saying was true. This movie proves that you don't have to be smart or talented to succeed in school, you just have to know the right formulas. And apparently I know all the right formulas but that hasn't gotten me any farther in life. So the people that get horrible grades in high school and don't get into any of the "good" schools need not worry. They can probably succeed in life anyway. I really think this movie is worth viewing for any high school junior or senior who's beginning to take the college admissions game a little too seriously. I know it helped clear my head and actually helped me decided that some of the schools with really good reputations are way too pretentious for me.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How I Got Into College, May 26, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How I Got into College (DVD)

I have this movie on VHS and I am so excited that it is being released on DVD.
It's not a brilliant film but one that openly makes you laugh.
Anthony Edwards is fantastic as a college recruiter, he is one of the best parts of this movie.
This movie is so true to form for those have had struggles getting into the college of their dreams.
Lara Flynn Boyle is cute as the popular All-American coed and actually looks normal compared to her anorexic self these days.
I suggest that anyone who has a clue about the college admissions process see this movie if only to remember that time in their lives or to prepare for the process in their future.
There are also a few others who have bit parts that are great to watch including the late Phil Hartman who is always good for a few laughs.