Where Did Bijou Phillips Go To College?

Bijou Phillips is an American actress, model, socialite and singer who first gained fame in the late 1990s. She comes from a famous family – her father is musician John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas and her mother is actress and model Geneviève Waïte.

Phillips has had a varied career over the years, appearing in films, TV shows, music videos and working as a model. She is known for roles in movies like Almost Famous, Bully, Hostel: Part II and Choke. She was also one of the hosts on the short-lived reality show Raising the Bar.

One interesting fact many people don’t know about Bijou Phillips is where she went to college. Unlike many child stars, Phillips did pursue higher education. Read on to find out more about where Bijou Phillips went to college and what she studied.

Where Did Bijou Phillips Attend College?

In 1999, at the age of 18, Bijou Phillips enrolled at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She studied film and philosophy during her time there.

Phillips attended NYU for several years but did not graduate. She left the school in 2002 to focus fully on her acting career which was starting to take off in Hollywood.

While at NYU, Phillips studied subjects like:

• Film history
• Film theory
• Acting for film
• Screenwriting
• Philosophy of art

She took both lecture-based academic classes as well as hands-on filmmaking courses at the Tisch School of the Arts. This gave her a well-rounded education in cinema studies.

What Is the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU?

The Tisch School of the Arts is one of the preeminent institutions for studying film, television, photography, drama, dance, music, and more. It is the arts school within New York University, a major private research university located in New York City.

Some key facts about the Tisch School of the Arts:

• Founded in 1965, Tisch has been part of NYU since 1974.
• Offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Arts (MA), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees across its programs.
• Divided into different artistic departments including Film & Television, Dance, Drama, Recorded Music, Photography & Imaging, and more.
• Many famous actors, directors, musicians, artists have attended or taught at Tisch over the years.
• Competitive acceptance rate – in 2022, Tisch accepted just 14% of applicants to its programs.
• Ranked as one of the top arts schools in the United States.

By attending Tisch, Bijou Phillips joined an elite community of creative artists studying film and the dramatic arts at one of the best universities in the world for those subjects.

What Was Campus Life Like for Bijou Phillips?

When Bijou Phillips arrived at NYU in 1999, she likely experienced an interesting campus life as a celebrity child attending this prestigious arts college. Here are some aspects of what her time at NYU Tisch may have been like:

• Lived in NYU dorms – Most freshmen live in NYU dormitories scattered around Manhattan and Brooklyn. Phillips likely lived in a shared dorm room her first year.
• Took classes at Tisch buildings – She had classes in the Tisch school buildings near Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. Acting and film classes took place in Tisch’s state-of-the-art studios.
• Became part of NYU’s arts community – Phillips probably collaborated with other creative, artistic students on films, plays, music, and other projects outside of class.
• Had access to NYC’s culture – New York City became her campus. She could easily experience art galleries, museums, performances, nightlife and more as a college student.
• Balanced school & work – Phillips started booking major acting roles while still in college, so she would have needed to juggle her coursework with her professional auditions and jobs.
• Got recognized on campus – As a up-and-coming actress, she likely got noticed walking around the NYU campus and buildings. This may have made for a different college experience compared to other students.

Overall, Phillips’ time at NYU placed her in the heart of New York City’s vibrant, fast-paced cultural and arts landscape. She was surrounded by creative peers while having access to world-class instruction.

How Did Attending NYU Impact Bijou Phillips’ Career?

Although Bijou Phillips ultimately dropped out of NYU in 2002 before completing her degree, attending Tisch positively shaped her acting career in several ways:

• Gained training – The acting and film classes at Tisch gave Phillips formal training most child actors lack. This prepared her for more serious adult roles.
• Made connections – At NYU, Phillips likely met directors, writers, and fellow actors who she collaborated with during and after college. Those connections can be invaluable in the entertainment industry.
• Earned clout – Having NYU Tisch on her resume lent Phillips legitimacy as she navigated Hollywood. It showed she was a dedicated actor invested in honing her craft.
• Gained life experience – Living away from home for the first time and being around creative people expanded Phillips’ worldview, making her a more mature actor.
• Had access to facilities – While at Tisch, Phillips could use high-tech studios, equipment, and props – great for preparing her for work on movie sets.

So while she didn’t earn a degree, Phillips gained a lot from her NYU Tisch education that helped equip her for an acting career. The skills and experience she gained there served her well as she landed bigger roles.

Notable Acting Roles Bijou Phillips Booked While at NYU

Although she had been a child model and actress for years, it was while attending NYU in the early 2000s that Bijou Phillips’ acting career really took off. Some major roles she booked as a young adult while enrolled at Tisch include:

Sugar & Spice (2001)

This black comedy about high school cheerleaders marked one of Phillips’ first major film roles. She played tough teen Lucy Westerman in the movie that came out when Phillips was around 20 years old.

Bully (2001)

Also released in 2001, this independent drama was based on a real-life murder committed by Florida teenagers. Phillips played the girlfriend of Nick Stahl’s character.

Almost Famous (2000)

Phillips landed a breakout supporting role as rebellious “Band-Aid” groupie Estrella in Cameron Crowe’s critically acclaimed coming-of-age film Almost Famous.

Tart (2001)

While still studying at NYU, Phillips played the title character in this satirical film about privileged high school girls. It was one of her first lead actress roles.

Juggling these acting jobs while also busy with college classes at NYU Tisch showed the early promise Phillips displayed as a young actress on the rise in the early 2000s.

What Has Bijou Phillips Done Since Leaving NYU?

Bijou Phillips’ acting career continued to grow after she left NYU in 2002. Some projects she has been involved with over the past 20+ years include:

• Hosting the reality show Raising the Bar on A&E (2008)
• Starring in horror films like Hostel: Part II (2007) and The Wizard of Gore (2007)
• Appearing on TV shows such as Hawaii Five-0 (2011-2014) and Raising Hope (2012-2014)
• Releasing her own album I’d Rather Eat Glass (1999) and singing on other artists’ albums
• Modeling for fashion brands like Calvin Klein, Versace, and Tommy Hilfiger
• Appearing in music videos for Kid Rock, The Strokes, Incubus and others
• Getting married to fellow actor Danny Masterson in 2011 (they later divorced in 2020)
• Spending time raising and homeschooling her young daughter

So in the 2000s and beyond, Phillips has enjoyed ongoing work as an actress, singer, and model – showing how her creative talents have long given her a varied career in the entertainment business.

Conclusion

Although her time at NYU Tisch School of the Arts was short, those few years Bijou Phillips spent in college had an important impact on the course of her career.

The acting and film education she received at the prestigious arts school gave her formal training most child stars lack. It also helped connect her to directors, writers, and fellow performers who she would work with for years to come.

Phillips booked some of her first major grown-up acting roles – like parts in Bully, Tart, and Almost Famous – while balancing being a college student in New York with launching her acting career in Hollywood. By enrolling at NYU in 1999, she gained valuable preparation that enabled her continued success as an actress, singer, and model in the 2000s and beyond.

So while not completing her degree, Bijou Phillips’ brief stint at NYU Tisch provided her with invaluable experience and connections that positively shaped her path as a talented entertainer and performer.

Summary of Bijou Phillips’ College Education

• Attended New York University from 1999-2002
• Enrolled at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts
• Studied film and philosophy at Tisch
• Did not graduate from NYU
• Left to pursue acting career after getting major roles while in college
• NYU gave her formal acting/film training and connections that furthered her career

Frequently Asked Questions about Bijou Phillips and College

Where did Bijou Phillips go to college?

Bijou Phillips attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts from 1999-2002. She studied film and philosophy but did not complete her degree.

What did Bijou Phillips study in college?

At NYU’s Tisch School, Phillips studied subjects like film history, film theory, acting for film, screenwriting, and philosophy of art. This gave her a well-rounded film and cinema education.

How long was Bijou Phillips in college?

Phillips attended NYU for around 3 years from 1999 when she enrolled at age 18 to 2002 when she left the school at age 21.

Did Bijou Phillips graduate from NYU?

No, Phillips left NYU in 2002 to focus on her blossoming acting career before completing her degree program. She was getting major roles while still taking classes at NYU.

Why did Bijou Phillips choose NYU?

Phillips likely chose to attend NYU for its renowned Tisch School of the Arts. NYU provided her with a high-quality film and acting education at a top program located in the heart of New York City.