The purpose of this qualitative study is to analyze how potential college-bound and current college students make meaning about the higher education experience from the legendary film that is pivotal in the American college culture, sets the trend for future college-themed films, and is a national phenomenon--"National Lampoon's Animal House" (1978) (Cross, Errigo, Karney, Finler, Oppedissano, Bergan, & Hirchhorn, 2002). Since the film's release in 1978 higher education films have distorted college images, which may influence societal perceptions of higher education. More specifically, higher education films highlight the social aspects of college, which overshadow the academic benefits. Luke and Roe (1993) say, "...schooling can no longer afford to ignore the profound influences mass media have on the young" (p. 117) because "...schools can no longer claim the monopoly over information which it once held" (p. 116). The research question is offered: What does "National Lampoon's Animal House" (1978) communicate about administrators, students, professors, and in general, the college experience? In addition, screenwriters craft a film's message by interweaving complex meanings. For this reason, another research question addresses meaning: Is the screenwriter's message the message received by audiences?