<p>This month has been very stressful and frustrating, but I am extremely fortunate to be in this position. I've applied to both UCLA's Design | Media Arts program and USC's Roski School of the Arts. The reason why I've been putting off this decision is due to Financial Aid, I've been waiting (still waiting on a FA appeal from USC) for UCLA to process. Let me explain what type of career I want to pursue after I graduate:</p>
<p>I want to study graphic design to pursue a career path towards advertising or just graphic design in hopes of opening up my own creative firm.<br>
My plan is to study Design and hopefully be able to double major or minor in anything Advertising/Business related. </p>
<p>I was selected as the Presidential Scholar for Roski, and I have to say I love everything about USC (as a school). The entire Explore USC event made me feel soo welcomed and a part of the Trojan Family (which is the #1 thing I love about USC). However, despite receiving half tuition to USC their financial offer was not generous and is about double what UCLA would cost me. I did not entirely like Roski's art building compared to UCLA's.<br>
I did like the ability to major/minor in any study available on USC's campus, and I could double major/minor in business or advertising through Marshall. </p>
<p>UCLA, however, is beautiful and the arts building is no exception. The staff seem to be very involved and passionate of what they are teaching. Interestingly, many of the staff members were international in a sense. My main concern about UCLA is the type of arts education I would receive. UC's are known to be very theory/research oriented, and what I've heard about UCLA Arts is that it would prepare me for grad school more so entering the professional workforce. (is this true?) UCLA does not have a undergrad business major nor advertising, however I heard that many DMA students double major in Communications. Additionally, I did not get the impression of a strong network of alumni for UCLA. </p>
<p>Can anyone provide any advice/insight into either UCLA or USC? Basically, which school would better prepare me for the type of career path I want to pursue?</p>
<p>jcnickt, Congrats on your admissions! I am not familiar with either program but am wondering if either college offers a major or minor in “the business of art and design”. My D is a student at Ringling and although she is majoring in illustration, these courses are open to her as electives and of course are geared toward the art world. Also, does the course catalog show if there are classes in advertising within the graphic design major (in the art department)? I would be surprised if such courses weren’t offered or incorporated into the GD classes. As for what you will be prepared to do upon graduation (as you say, grad school v. workforce) ask the Career Services office where their grads go within 6 mos. after graduation, or look on the websites for this info. That way you will have concrete #s to compare! Finally, trust your instincts! Best of luck and let us know what you decide!</p>
<p>colcon2010,
Thank you! To my knowledge, neither school offers a major/minor in “the business of art and design”. From what the faculty told me from UCLA, there are some courses that focus on the business aspect of art. Additionally, all the faculty have personal experience with business.<br>
I plan on looking through the course catalog! Hopefully, I can find some insight.
Never thought to ask the Career Services office. Good suggestion! :)</p>
<p>Thank you for the suggestions! Hopefully my instincts are right. </p>
<p>@jcnickt
First off congrats! Getting the presidential scholarship is quite an achievement.
I have the SAME interest like you.(GD with advertising/business).
I think UCLA’s program is much different than the one of USC.You should look at all the classes offered at both schools on their websites.
I think USC has this thing where the students go to NYC and meet people from advertising agencies and their alums.</p>
<p>Hope this was of help :)</p>
<p>PS:I’d love to see your portfolio/profile/sat coz I’ll be applying to USC the next year.</p>
<p>Congratulations on having such great options. My son is graduating this year from the D|MA program. The beauty of that program is the small class sizes and the total access to professors. My son is about to start a very good job that is a direct result of an internship that he had last summer. He found the internship through his professor. He has also had many opportunities to do design work with other D|MA graduates who are now working at design agencies. My son feels that overall, the program at UCLA afforded him the opportunity to grow as an artist as well as from taking a variety of liberal arts classes. He also had to choose between USC and UCLA. My advice would be to look at the professors that will be teaching you. They are going to have a lasting impact on what you learn and where you eventually work. Then, look at the students. Who are the alumni and where are they working? Again, this will be your network. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Personally, I feel like UCLA DMA is a much stronger program and a more highly regarded program than USC roski. I’m also more impressed by the work UCLA DMA puts out. No matter which school you choose, I believe you’ll be happy. Good luck with your decision.</p>