Choosing a Film/TV Program

I want to study Film and TV in college and go on to a career in TV production (specifically editing). I need to decide between Boston University and USC, but there is a slight issue.

I was admitted into BU’s film/tv with a generous scholarship, but I was also admitted into USC’s School of Communication (Annenberg), but with much less aid. Furthermore, I did NOT apply to USC’s Film/TV program, but I was told that if I study at USC my freshman year, I may have a better chance at getting into the Film/TV program as a sophomore from USC if I have USC faculty write my recommendations (rather than applying from BU). However, this does not guarantee that I will even be accepted as an internal transfer. Furthermore, at BU, I will be studying Film/TV right off the bat as a freshman, whereas at USC, I will be studying Communication (which is fun, but not my true passion). Furthermore, USC is much more expensive as a whole (travel + academic fees), and I was admitted as a Spring admit, so I would likely study at a community college in the fall to knock out some general courses.

So, with all that in mind, should I pay more money to go to USC, study my second choice major with the hopes of transferring into SCA (still very difficult to get accepted), OR, should I study Film/TV right away at a cheaper, but maybe less prestigious school for the TV industry?

Thanks.

No brainer. A bird in the hand… BU does have its own “study abroad” opportunity in Los Angeles and you can also try to get work on anything being filmed in the Northeast. For example, a bunch of BU (and other school) kids worked on Moonrise Kingdom when it was being filmed in RI. (Lots of other examples but that’s the one I know personally).

The thing that matters the most is to build your portfolio. Write. Make films. Master your editing software. Enter festivals to win. Etc. Use the money you save to make some really good student films, because those will do more for your career than the name on your degree.