A dilemma...Opinions appreciated

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi everyone, I'm new here so I'm not quite sure if this is the right forum topic...</p>

<p>In a few days, I have to make one of the biggest choices of my life. As of now, I have been admitted to USC under Roski School of Fine Arts with minimal financial aid. USC has been my dream school and to have finally been admitted was overwhelming. Because of USC's high tuition (about 50k/yr), my parents are considering the community college route. However, I really want to go to USC to have the full college experience (dorm life, meet teachers, make new friends, etc). </p>

<p>After reading a few threads about USC transfers, it seems the avr. gpa is 3.8, but admission is still a gamble. To add to the problem, I plan on going to USC's school of Film/Television to pursue its animation/digital media major. The general consensus is that this school is very competitive. </p>

<p>To summarize: Should I pay the pricey tuition and go to USC (I also have to change majors) or go to community college and transfer to USC's film/vfx school? How does most USC undergrads deal with the tuition (summer CC classes, job, get outside scholarships?) and what are the benefits of being an undergrad at USC as opposed to CC?</p>

<p>FYI: I was also very lucky to get into USC in first place so going to CC will be a step back ,especially if I don't make the transfer
My HS record: 3.6 weighted GPA, 2000 combined SAT, but a strong art portfolio).</p>

2

<p>Instead of going to community college, have you considered taking a gap year and then spending 2 years at a 4-year college that's less expensive to USC, and where you'd have a good chance of transferring to USC after your second year?</p>

<p>Is there any 4-year college that you could still get into now -- and afford, spend 2 years at and then transfer?</p>

<p>I think that there are more options than USC and community college.</p>

3

<p>I'd suck it up and go straight to USC, especially if you want to go to the film school. The pricetag is worth the loans later.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the quick reply guys. Are there any USC undergrads/grads who are willing to offer some input? Any help appreciated :)</p>

5

<p>I would go to the USC collegeconfidential page to ask that, a lot of USC students are in there. Good luck! :)</p>