UPenn vs NYU for Aspiring Writer

LayraSparks
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 15:36:28 +0000

As an aspiring writer myself, I’d pick NYU at an instant. Penn is a brilliant school, and their English department is top-ranked, but when it comes to the arts, especially film or theater, NYU Tisch surpasses it. Just look at The Hollywood Reporter film school rankings, NYU is third, Penn is not even on the list. Rankings are not everything, of course, but in terms of networking and like-minded people, I think NYU would be a better fit, especially considering how difficult it is to get admitted. The Ivy League prestige does not mean as much in the arts, at least in my opinion. Alternatively, if you choose Penn, you may want to consider double majoring or minoring in Cinema Studies. I know they have screenwriting classes in the Cinema Studies major.

Abcde11, you’ve posted your opinion on the USC SCA thread as well, there was a great debate on it, and I respect what you’re saying, but I don’t think you ought to forget that college education is essentially college education. Although an art degree may not mean as much as, for example, a science degree does, it is what it is! It’s a proof that you’re a university educated person, and nobody can take that away from you. No degree is useless. OP is asking which college to choose, so I don’t think trying to dissuade her from attending college at all is fair. I get that it’s your take on things, I do, but I think if OP already spent so much time and energy in applying to universities, and was lucky enough to get into highly selective schools, than s/he might like to attend one.

Whether finances are an issue, of course, is another matter.

Anyway, whichever school you choose, good luck! And congrats on getting in! :)