<p>I got accepted into NU’s School of Communication but rejected from USC’s SCA (which is where I wanted to go). Should I try majoring in film at NU or go to USC and try to transfer into SCA later? Or go to NU and try transfering to SCA for grad school? Any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>NU alums from the communications school have strong alum network in the LA entertainment industry (called NU mafia). The chance of you transferring to SCA is very small and you may not want to put all eggs into one basket. I’d pick NU and then try to see if you can transfer to SCA. If you still don’t get in, at least you still have NU film to fall back on. </p>
<p>In case you don’t know anything about this recent addition: <a href=“http://www.communication.northwestern.edu/programs/certificate_creative_writing_media/[/url]”>http://www.communication.northwestern.edu/programs/certificate_creative_writing_media/</a></p>
<p>NU!
I’m doing the R/TV/Film major there.
I’ve heard that USC is very commercial, and NU tends to be a mix of commercial/artsy.
Plus, you don’t want to get stuck at USC in a different program in case you don’t get in as a transfer. & it’s not like NU’s film program is mediocre, either… it’s fabulous.</p>
<p>Cherry Crush,
It is evident you are proud of Northwestern. However, to say a student who would not be in the famous School of Cinematic Arts at SC would be “stuck” in another major is disrespectful.<br>
The University of Southern California is a Tier I university. It has highly ranked undergraduate schools of business, public policy, music, theatre, cinema, gerontology and communications.<br>
Also, how did you determine the School of Cinematic Arts at SC is “commercial”? What concrete evidence do you have SC cinema graduates are not imaginative, creative, original, inventive and visionary? Yes, a great many graduates are incredibly successful. This success does not necessarily mean the alumni do not possess the highest standards of artistic merit.
Here is a long list of SCA alumni.<br>
[USC</a> Cinema - Alumni Notable Alumni](<a href=“http://cinema.usc.edu/alumni/alumni-history/]USC”>http://cinema.usc.edu/alumni/alumni-history/)</p>
<p>Whoa whoa whoa don’t get so defensive there about USC!</p>
<p>if you read, I said “I heard” which means yes, I do not have concrete evidence it is just a rumor that may or may not be entirely true. However, in my experience, many rumors DO have some basis in fact. Take it with a grain of salt, if you will. </p>
<p>And by “get stuck” all I meant was, if what you REALLY want to do is film, yes you would be stuck doing another major if you don’t get into the program. I’m totally not knocking USC’s academics or anything, quite frankly I don’t know anything about USC outside of the film program so I can’t say one way or the other. But if one does not get into the program via transferring… well then one has to consider another major. & considering the fact that the film program at USC is so hard to get into, that is a very real possibility. So to the OP, if you do go to USC, you would have to be prepared for the possibility that you might not get to major in what you want. If you are okay with completely changing your plans, then it’s ok to risk it. But if you don’t want to resort to a 2nd choice major, then I would go with where you’ve already gotten in.</p>
<p>This isn’t simply about USC vs. Northwestern. In all honesty both are great schools for film so I honestly would choose the best “fit” all things being equal. However, if the OP goes to USC, there is no guarantee for majoring in film.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice everyone. Right now I’m leaning toward NU because I don’t want to take the risk of getting rejected again, but I might try transferring for grad. Either way I’ve heard great things about both schools!</p>
<p>What does OP mean? Haha I have no idea…</p>
<p>You are the OP. lol!</p>
<p>My S went to NW for Radio/TV/Film and had several internships including a quarter in LA and summers in NYC. After 2006 graduation he went to China and returned Fall 2008. He has been looking for a post production job in NYC and has had no success. He’s had many interviews for jobs and interviews. However, a paid job did not materialize despite what he felt were good interviews and some contacts. Companies started hiring freezes or hired interns from within. Many of the networks have eliminated positions. It is a tough time. He has two terrific internships but neither are paying. He is looking at this time as a period to beef up his skills. However, his NW connections have not been in the least bit useful. He and some of his friends in LA feel that NW has stronger alumni connections in Theatre and Journalism. However, he really enjoyed and learned his four years at NW. Another issue concerns summer internships. Many places are not interviewing during your March vacation and say to call again when classes are over. However, by the time my son returned home in June, most internships he liked were already filled. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>Wow…ok that scares me a bit…</p>
<p>I would definitely choose USC if you’re interested in film. SCA is really on its own level in the film industry. Even if you don’t get in for undergrad, you can minor in the film classes. If you’re planning on doing graduate film school, then majoring in film as an undergrad might not be necessary. Coming from USC undergrad, you would have a better chance at getting into SCA grad.</p>
<p>I have a family friend who is in the industry & who went to USC, and she said that basically everyone in the film industry has gone to either NU or USC. So, in terms of connections and whatever, either school is great. There are cases of people not finding work for both schools, I mean my family friend hasn’t exactly had that lucrative of a film career (she films weddings now). However, there are wonderful success stories from both as well. Basically it comes down to what you put into it, your experience, and how hard you look for internships/jobs. If you truly shine, you will shine no matter where you go. I think both schools are similar so I would go with fit: i.e. where you want to be, what feels more comfortable, etc. </p>
<p>But seriously, you really have to think about what’s going to happen if you don’t get into the film program at USC. I doubt you want to risk not doing film at all…</p>
<p>I love NU (just visited the campus with my S2 who is a HS soph last week) and it’s an awesome school. It is, however, in Chicago and the film business for the most part is in LA or NYC. Mostly LA. Whereever you end up going to college, if you intend to pursue a filmmaking career, you’ll be moving to one of the coasts. The best way to break into the television or film business is to have personal contacts, and the truth is–going to a school in Los Angeles is going to serve you best in this regard. Internships are still plentiful in LA (although things can always change) and sometimes these opportunities come up quickly. A friend’s son worked for a weekend on a film shoot and was invited by one of the producers to drop by another shoot the next month. It’s the LA location that makes this offhand invitation possible and invaluable. USC SCA also has a program where students can have dinner with top filmmakers–a chance that only can occur when the filmmakers live down the street. (OK, way down the street in the best neighborhoods!). Two weeks ago Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis appeared at a sceening of “Forrest Gump” to take questions. This is the benefit of going to a film school in the backyard of Hollywood.</p>
<p>USC students who want to transfer into the SCA major must be diligent and crafty and clever–oh! The very talents one needs to make it in Hollywood. LOL. No, really. If you go to USC as an undeclared (non-SCA) major, you would be wise to register for the 190 Intro to Film class your first semester. That is a req for all film majors and the professor, Dr. Casper, is the highest paid professor in all of USC–he literally gets standing ovations after his lectures. Anyway, the idea is to do really really well in the class. Get to know the TAs and impress them. Declare Film production minor and you will have many opportunities to work your way into a major. </p>
<p>You cannot go wrong with your two great college choices. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Ok I think I’m set on NU since I’ve already filled out the acceptance form and then I’ll try to transfer after two years.</p>
<p>I recommend transferring. I received my generals and associates degree in film crit. from two different colleges, and the latter has a professor who taught most of the film department and had gone to USC. He had a great overall look of film, including the times in which they were made, the music–everything. Honestly, I loved getting a film experience from various sources before solidifying it as a concrete major and attempting to apply to USC. I saved a lot of money, got to go to different states, and in the end chose a place with the best connections, funding, and overall college experience, for me.</p>
<p>Truth is, who you are as a person at this age, and a filmmaker, is going to change drastically by the time you actually enter a career. Better to learn a little but more about your passion, desired city, and yourself in general, before choosing a place that will educate you and dry up your piggy bank(unfortunately). You’re young. The university isn’t going anywhere, and there is always the option of graduate studies.</p>