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How I Got Into College

Play trailer Poster for How I Got Into College PG-13 1989 1h 27m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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50% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
High school senior Marlon Bowne (Corey Parker) is smitten with overachieving classmate Jessica Kailo (Lara Flynn Boyle). But, if he wants to have a shot with her, he'll have to find a way to get into Ramsey College, Jessica's top choice of schools. It won't be easy, since the college is highly selective and Marlon's grades are hardly impressive. That means the lovelorn teen will have to find a way to score high on the SATs and win over the college admissions committee.

Critics Reviews

View All (8) Critics Reviews
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...an irreverent, briskly-paced comedy that fares best in its fun and engaging first half... Rated: 2.5/4 May 3, 2024 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 21, 2005 Full Review Caffeinated Clint Film Threat Lots of fun, Lots of familiar faces Rated: 3/5 Mar 11, 2005 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) Surprisingly clever and agreeable. Rated: 3/5 Aug 2, 2004 Full Review Michelle Alexandria Eclipse Magazine Rated: 2/5 Nov 20, 2003 Full Review Tony Toscano Talking Pictures (U.S.) Rated: 1/5 Aug 14, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (57) audience reviews
Audience Member This is my favorite 80's movied that anytime it came on HBO I had to watch it. The sub-plot of A and B was amazing as well. This film includes several future stars as well. While it isn't very realistic, how many of the other 80's films truly were? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Another bomb by Savage Steve Holland. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member A pretty good flick about the pains of getting into college. While I myself waited a few years after High School and it was a mellow process, I do remember people I knew the few years before stressing over what colleges they could get into. Now, some of the stuff is a tad too cheesy: mostly admitting animals into college as jokes. I doubt people do this. Or the lead guy only going to college as a way for his crush to fall for him, as that seems highly implausible. But the cast is what sells this movie, as many of my favorite character actors show up in this, as well as favorites from other movies from that time. You've got Richard Jenkins and Diane Franklin as Corey Parker's parents, and Parker himself was a favorite part of mine in Friday The 13th 5. Philip Baker Hall as the Dean, Laura Flynn Boyle as the crush, Brian Doyle-Murray, Rhonda from Tremors, Gilbert AND Booger from the Nerds films. And a few of my fav 80's scream queens: Patrick's Sister from Monster Squad, Teresa from Cheerleader Camp and that Waterbed girl from Elm Street 4. Not to mention Bathroom Guy and Eakian from Summer School. I actually thought the story of the minority McDonalds worker was a nice touch too...feel good part of the film. And the soundtrack was great too. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member I like Savage Steve Holland movies and this follows his aesthetic to a T. Entertaining to the max but not as great as Better Off Dead or One Crazy Summer. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Who ever wrote this synopsis has no sense of humor and puts far too much thought into comedies. Get a life buddy. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Fun to watch, but the last few scenes were a little disappointing. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews
How I Got Into College

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Movie Info

Synopsis High school senior Marlon Bowne (Corey Parker) is smitten with overachieving classmate Jessica Kailo (Lara Flynn Boyle). But, if he wants to have a shot with her, he'll have to find a way to get into Ramsey College, Jessica's top choice of schools. It won't be easy, since the college is highly selective and Marlon's grades are hardly impressive. That means the lovelorn teen will have to find a way to score high on the SATs and win over the college admissions committee.
Director
Savage Steve Holland
Producer
Michael Shamberg
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.3M
Runtime
1h 27m
Sound Mix
Surround