I always found Wonder Boys to be one of the better films about College. Alison, your points about financial struggles, commuting, and subject focus are all played out here, and not in an over the top way. There is Tobey Maguire, who lives with his Aunt and Uncle. Probably tight for cash, Katie Holmes is renting a room in Michael Douglas' house. Both Characters have an odd, but honorable respect for their professor. Now, I could go on and on about other conventions the film breaks, the "inspirational" teacher, the "evil" dean. Instead, I thought I would just bring up those small elements of authenticity that I agree are ignored too often in many studio films about College.
However, I will mention that at the beginning of the film there is a classroom scene involving Tobey Maguire's character and his writing being critiqued. His classmates are not constructive, and very cruel when commenting on his work. Michael Douglas later tells Tobey Maguire that the students hate him because he is a better writer than they will ever be. There is a similar classroom scene in Todd Solandz' Storytelling. To me, that is what college has more of. It is not a nerd versus Jock environment, it is intellectuals versus more intellectuals.

Hey Alison and Matt. I love your podcasts and enjoyed the "College movies" discussion. My pick does not fit into the category of accurate collegiate-themed flicks but quite the opposite. Although the film does not fit into the category of a college movie, but Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is definitely one title that needs to be mentioned in the subject of innaccuracy. In case you haven't seen it, Sam Witwicky (Shia Lebouf) studies in a prestigious-looking school where virtually every girl on campus is a super-model and the frat parties are like sophisticated night clubs. I feel that Michael Bay is a master of superficial reality because everything he does in his work is obviously unrealistic to stick fictitious ideas into people's minds in order for them to accept this superficial reality and ignore the traditionally ignored proverb "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

Although I've never been to an Ivy League school, you forgot to mention A Beautiful Mind because most of what happens during the college scenes does not involve any form of partying or comedic hijinks that is overwhelmingly abundant in other standard college-themed pics. At least this movie features students taking the time to discuss their studies and not include cliche debauchery.

Allison/Matt

First,love your podcast!
Now as far as College movies - ones that don't fall into the Animal House/Frat Boy archetype and are not used as a backdrop to a narrative - for example Beautiful Mind - but are actually about what it is like to be in College, James Bridges' 1973 The Paper Chase comes to mind. It covers a students first year of Harvard law, and won John Houseman an Oscar. It was later made into a television series. I remember this as being one of the more realistic deceptions I have seen. It covers the stuff most collage movies leave out: study groups, library time, academic rivalries, and the panic of failing courses that pretty much define what you will be doing with the rest of your life.
I am not sure if Dead Poet's Society was mentioned, but I would consider that somewhat realistic if overly sentimental and romanticized.
Also, although it's not a movie, J. J. Abrams tv show, Felicity, was pretty honest deception of collage life.

Dear Matt and Alison,

I'm a freshman at Northern Illinois University and it pleased me immensely to see the college stereotypes highlighted by your podcast come to life. I was in the elevator holding a basket of recently done laundry and a drunk man kept referring to me as "laundry guy" throughout our ride. Sure enough, the very next day I could hear very distinct screams of "laundry guy" over the entire cafeteria. Admittedly, I'm still a bit perplexed as to why I've been pigeonholed as the man who performs menial labor (does no one else do laundry?). Nevertheless, it inspired quite a few chuckles from yours truly. In short, thanks for the laugh.