UC Berkeley v. NYU Tisch Transfer

College Search & Lists
1

Hi everyone!

I’m an aspiring comic in Southern California. I live in the outskirts of LA, and I’m working hard for a successful life in screenplay writing, sketch writing, and stand up comedy. I’m rather humble, but my work is (from what I’ve heard) really good. I occasionally mess around at The Groundlings, and this winter, I’m going to do a few open mic nights at The Improv.

I’m a first year community college student as well. I entered with 11 AP courses, so technically, I’m a sophomore (I applied to UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, and UCSB). I feel as if I’ll get in, because I have a 4.0 (100% average) and some really solid ECs. If I get into Berkeley and LA, I’ll probably choose Berkeley.

If I go to Berkeley, I’ll do stand up at San Fran, and maybe join their satirical newspaper, “Heuristic Squelch”. I’m a political science major, so I’d be studying that.

At NYU I’d be at Tisch. Andy Samberg and Adam Sandler, two of my idols, went there. New York is popping for stand up, so I’d love to be there. I won’t have to pay rent or anything, so the only two things on my mind would be my studies and my stand up (and part of my studies would be my stand up). The only downsides I could imagine would be the price, the lower ranking, and the fact that I’d transfer in as a sophomore, rather than a junior. At NYU, I’d be a part of their improv team as well.

Overall, I’d much rather be at Tisch and major in Screenplay writing or Drama. On the other hand, UC Berkeley is ranked much higher, and with financial aid it’d be around $8,000 a year all inclusive.

I might also chose UCLA…but if I’m going to stay in Cali, might as well Berkeley. Also, I’m kind of getting sick of LA. I’m no actor (yet), and I don’t have an agent, so it doesn’t mean much to me.

What do y’all think?

I know that a lot of comedians start after college, but I’d rather start now. Comedy is what gets my heart beating and is what wakes me up every day. I could see myself at SNL.

Also, what would I need to get into Tisch? Just the common app and supplementary writings, right?

2

I’m very surprised you are so focused on ranking (whose ranking?), as I think department rep is more important for your purpose. Or location. I think if you are low enough income to have that net price at a UC you are not going to be able to afford NYU.

3

NYU would be ~$27,000, more than three times the price.

So you’re saying NYU?

4

You’d be studying and working on either coast, honing your craft and getting an education.

You cannot go wrong as a comic with a strong eye toward the temperature of the day’s political climate, both domestically and globally, and seeing the connection to historical movements. You would be honing your satirical mind and eye at UC Berkeley, a school much more affordable to you, someone who, after graduation, would be seeking to work in an industry notorious for dragging everyone around, smashing them in, under and over their dreams like a ragdoll.

In NYC, as an undergraduate with about 27K in debt (overall?), you’d need to pay for that piece of floor you are sleeping on, work full-time+, repay your loans and still have time to do the business you actually went there to do.

If you do Berkeley (if that pans out) and then move to NYC, you’ll only need to pay for that piece of floor you are sleeping on, work full-time, repay your loans and do the business you went there to do.

5

I like what you have to say @Waiting2exhale !!

I actually wrote my personal statement on comedy with Poli-Sci for the UCs ahaha.

But the thing is, I also want to work on screenplay writing, acting, directing, and video production. I’ve been wanting to do those things for years.

Do you know anything about Berkeley’s programs in these departments? I wouldn’t switch majors, but I’d definitely maybe minor or just play around in these departments. As of now, at Cal, I want to minor in creative writing and theater.

Because of these two minors, do you think that just furthers the reasoning for me to go to Cal?

6

Have you already scheduled an audition or portfolio review session with Tisch? They are legendarily stingy with financial aid, and I imagine even more so for transfer applicants. Tisch admission is heavily based on talent assessment.