<p>Hey New(and Prospective) Trojans!
I’m a freshman Business/Cinematic Arts major and I’m here to answer any questions you might have. Ask away and I will answer your questions as best as possible.</p>
<p>Good luck with the rest of senior year and acceptance season!</p>
<p>Do music majors tend to live in one particular dorm or are they scattered all over campus?</p>
<p>are there any business/engineering majors that you know of?</p>
<p>me722:
Do most Business/Cinematic Arts majors hope to land work in Los Angeles following graduation? What are the most sought after internships? Are there any hard stats you can point me to as to where Business/Cinematic Arts majors end up following graduation, such as corporations, Big 4 CPA’s, Law school, etc. . . ? What is the very best movie theater in the Greater Los Angeles area? I appreciate your insider insight. Thank you.</p>
<p>Hey all, I’ll answer in order:</p>
<p>threetreasurs- Music majors are scattered all over campus. I know some that live in Birnkrant, Pardee, Parkside, etc. The music buildings really aren’t that near any freshman dorm, specifically. So just go for the dorm you want. Also, there’s a music floor in Parkside Arts & Humanities, but I’m not sure how many music majors live there because it’s not required.</p>
<p>Neon Green- You mean a business and engineering double major? If so, no, I don’t know anyone who’s doing that. Both programs have pretty intense and strict schedules and I would think that you would have to bring in a lot of units and/or do summer school in order to graduate in four (maybe even five) years. That being said, it’s not uncommon for students to major in one discipline and minor in the other, so perhaps may want to look into that.</p>
<p>irish10- Well, since I’m only a freshman I can only tell you what my fellow BCA’ers have expressed to me as their goal post-college. I know many want to remain in Los Angeles and work somewhere in the entertainment industry, whether it be a studio, a talent agency, a casting agency, etc. On the other hand, I know a guy who wants to work in China after graduation. I, personally might want to go to law school after graduation. Since we have a business degree, foremost, the BCA degree will give you access to basically any job in the business world, since you have taken all the core business classes and a business concentration. </p>
<p>As for internships, there is a required internship class during second semester sophomore year, which is great because you basically have to get an internship (and I think that both the cinema school and Marshall help you get one, if you can’t find one on your own). I know some upperclassmen BCA’ers have worked in the studios, like Fox and Warner Brothers and movie studios like Paramount. I also have heard that talent agencies are a good place to begin. I, personally, wouldn’t mind an internship at a smaller studio or ABC. </p>
<p>I don’t know where there are stats about where BCA’ers end up post-grad. (you might want to email the program director, Brittany Valdez and ask- <a href=“mailto:brittany.valdez@marshall.usc.edu”>brittany.valdez@marshall.usc.edu</a>) When we had BCA mixers, though, I know that it was said that not all of the class goes to work in the entertainment industry. It really depends on what you want to do and you can tailor your college education towards that.</p>
<p>As for the best movie theater, well, it’s definitely NOT the one across from campus in University Village. The one at the Grove is really nice, but its quite expensive. There are a couple in Century City that are really good, but without a car, they are kind of hard to get to. There’s the new Regal Cinemas in LA Live, which is great because it is new, near many restaurants and attractions, and there’s a free tram from USC that takes you there. So all in all, in terms of proximity, location, amenities, and price, I’d definitely say Regal LA Live is worth your time.</p>
<p>Hope this helps you all!</p>
<p>I’m 24 and applying as a freshman. Would I be mocked with nicknames such as Father Time, Old Man River, etc, if I lived in the dorms?</p>
<p>More or less, do you know anyone in the dorms who are around my age or would that just be odd?</p>
<p>Very helpful, thanks!</p>
<p>Viterbi Represent!!!</p>
<p>Hey GKeeperWillie,
I really don’t think you would be mocked if you wanted to live in the dorms. That being said, I don’t know of anyone your age being in dorms. But would you really want to live with 18 year olds? I mean, I would think an apartment would be more your style, since it gives you more independence, privacy, space- plus a kitchen and bathroom. Just something to consider.
Hope this helps!</p>
<p>True. I’m moving from Florida. I just figured a dorm would be the easiest way to meet people. Maybe I’ve been out of HS too long to remember how it would be to live with 18 year olds, lol.</p>
<p>GKeeperWillie: Are you applying as a post-back?</p>
<p>@GKeeperWillie - I’ll be transferring in as a junior and I’m a few years older than you. I felt it would be too weird being in the dorms with people that young so I’m planning on doing an apartment just off campus instead. Plenty of other students live off campus too.</p>
<p>@AppleWater- Dumb question, but what is a post-back?</p>
<p>@Kulakai- I might end up doing that. I’m living off campus at my current school, but I commute from about an hour away so I haven’t really gotten the chance to meet any other students. I guess it would be different if I lived in a community with other USC students.</p>
<p>@GkeeperWillie - nearly the entire area north of campus is filled with students. Commuting from off campus usually entails a less than 10 minute walk/bikeride/bus ride. Whenever the new subway line opens up (hopefully by fall 2010) then it will be a 10 minute commute from downtown(lots of loft apartments) by subway also.</p>
<p>Try late 2011 on the completion for Phase 1 Light Rail (downtown LA to Culver City.)</p>
<p>[Another</a> delay pushes Expo Line opening to late 2011 - Los Angeles Times](<a href=“http://articles.latimes.com/2009/sep/15/local/me-delay15]Another”>Another delay pushes Expo Line opening to late 2011)</p>
<p>how necessary is it to have a car? I have one, but I’m one of those weird teenagers who doesn’t like driving. Is it possible to go all four years (or do you think so, based on your freshman year) without one?</p>
<p>Hey wisdomsomehow,
It’s definitely not necessary to have a car, more convenient yes, but definitely not necessary. Most people I know do not have cars (including upperclassmen). I personally, have a car, but as a freshman, that is rare to find. I’ll admit, I rarely use my car-maybe once a week. So you definitely don’t need a car freshman year- I’m sure you’ll find someone who has a car that you can hitch a ride with or take public transportation, or if necessary, you can use zipcar. As for other years, if you want to get an internship/job, not having a car will probably limit your choices because you might not want to have to take public transportation at random hours. That’s why it seems like a popular choice for students to bring their cars for their upperclassmen years. From what I’ve seen, not having a car is possible, but its also more of a hassle/challenge. </p>
<p>Also, I don’t think it’s weird that you don’t like to drive. If you have to drive in LA traffic all the time, I’m sure you’d hate it even more. :D</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>GKeeperWillie,
Just so you know, even if you don’t live in the dorm, it’s still pretty easy to meet people if you join clubs, activities, get a job, etc. There’s so much to do and if you are a social person, you shouldn’t have a hard time meeting others!</p>
<p>well my main concern is that I literally live all the way across the country. I’m not planning on having a car freshman year, but I can’t help but wonder if I’ll say, “oh, I don’t need a car” and then get out there, be there for a month, and really want a car. </p>
<p>But thank you so much for your answer! :)</p>
<p>wisdomsomehow - there are definitely times where I feel “ughh!! life would be so much easier if I had a car!!”, but I just figure out alternate ways to do what I need and it always works out.</p>