<p>I know this has been a topic of discussion before, but the threads are old. My daughter decided tonight she thinks she is going to choose Chapman to study TV Production over USC, where she was admitted in BA Dramatic Arts. USC was sort of her dream school and she worked very hard to get in, so I'm kind of sad about it, but I know Chapman, while not as prestigious, has some advantages, at least for us. She got a scholarship at Chapman, but only a grant (which could be reduded in the future) at USC. I don't want money to be the only factor in her decision, but I know that is swaying her. She also got in to NYU for Film Production, but won't consider New York (and probably no money anyway). She is making some compromises to go to Chapman-- TV over Film (which might not be a bad thing) and having to probably give up acting- her other passion (no minor in Theatre offered). At USC, I'm sure she could have dabbled in more areas, and might have gotten an overall better education. She seems like she is happy and at peace with her decision, but I still feel torn about it. She never dreamed she would get into USC, and now she has to say no to them. :( </p>
<p>First, if your daughter is happy with her choice and that college is affordable, I’d say this is cause for celebration! However, in rereading your post, I’m not sure you told us what in particular worked so well for your D at Chapman, since she is not in her most desired major there and also won’t be able to pursue acting there in a minor. As I’m sure your D is aware, it is easy to get a Film minor at USC with her Theatre BA major and several students we know either switched majors or added a second major in the film school–not a guarantee, but still doable if she’s determined. So, USC has more flexibility in her top areas of interest from what you wrote. </p>
<p>But these two schools have quite different vibes and communities and settings. If she felt truly at home at Chapman, she may just be realizing her long dreamed of USC is not really the perfect fit for her. But if it’s not that, perhaps she is having cold feet. Could actually attending USC be a little intimidating? It shouldn’t be, but our kids are facing a lot of growing up all at once with these college decisions. Or, if not that, could she be internalizing worries about costs to the extent she’s trying to make you feel better? What a sweet daughter, if so. And yet, so hard to tell what’s up. </p>
<p>But I’ll leave you with one little anecdote. A mom who posted here often had a student who was admitted to both USC and Chapman. The student felt a warmer vibe at Chapman and I think respected the student work he saw there. He also got a very nice merit award at Chapman and zero from USC. A year later, that student had decided to transfer out of Chapman. So you see, no matter how well a kid is able to judge what will suit him/her and his/her goals for the future, things change. He transferred to an art school, I believe. So we’re all just doing the best we can. Best of luck. Both are good choices. </p>
<p>Thanks for responding @madbean. I’ve been trying to get her to share her feelings and find out exactly what is swaying her most. She gets irritated with me because I tend to do the “Are you sure, are you sure?” thing. I just read her an article about the new dance program at USC. I do think USC offers much more flexibility. And apparently good connections. She has spent time on both campuses, and loved them both. At USC, she did an acting intensive and loved the program and her teacher. The teacher is head of the BA program, and I know my D was comfortable there, so I don’t think she is intimidated, but she might be scared off by the stories about the safety of the campus. She also did the summer film program at Chapman and loved her time there. She loves Dodge, and doesn’t really feel she is compromising too much by being in TV and even thinks that might be a better avenue for her. Dodge does have a Screen Acting program, but I’m not sure if she could switch majors. She is also a dancer and Chapman has a great dance program, so she is excited to be able to possibly minor in dance.</p>
<p>Some of the other things she pointed to as pluses for Chapman were being able to have her car there eventually, the availability of housing later, the fact that it’s smaller (though she sees that that could be a drawback, too). She also said she has been picturing herself there and that she really loved her time at Dodge. I do think the money was a big factor, as my ex-husband and her grandfather came over to talk about money and she wants to make them happy and not appear to be asking for too much. Still, she says she is at peace about her decision. Mostly, I think she is just glad to have decided something! I hope maybe with the money she’s saving she can go to grad school - maybe even at USC. I don’t know. It’s not every day you get into one of the best schools for theater and film. I feel like she needed more time and another visit to make an informed decision. It’s not really fair that they have to make these decisions at the busiest time of high school (at least for us). I’m exhausted!</p>
<p>@mrssoffel - It would have been a difficult decision for S14 as well if he had those great options. There was a big part of me that thought Chapman was the better fit for him. It also seems to me that a student can make the most of either program if they work at it. She should be able to dabble in acting by helping on other productions, not the full acting program, but maybe enough to satisfy the acting bug. 
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<p>@mrssoffel - I was so happy to see your post. (In fact, I just registered with College Confidential so I could join this discussion.) My son is going through a very similar struggle. He was accepted in film production at USC, NYU, Chapman and LMU. He does not want to go to NY, so NYU is not really on the table (plus, no FA for him there). He really loves Chapman/Dodge and has about a 1/2 scholarship, plus a small grant. He got ZERO financial aid from USC (well, a $5K loan, if that counts). We’ve been on tours of both USC and Chapman. Chapman seems to have a much better environment (to us, at least) than USC. My son would love to attend USC, but he’s not thrilled with the SCA. After touring the USC film school last week, we came away with the feeling that their beautiful buildings are really just a facade, because it’s so hard for the students, particularly early on, to really use any of the facilities or equipment. We were not able to talk with any faculty members or current students, while at Chapman they have students calling and emailing my son. Everything is pointing to Chapman, but it is SO HARD to turn away the opportunity to go to USC film school. We live about 20 minutes away from Chapman, so my son would live at home and save the money, at least for the first year. It is such a difficult decision, but for us, at least, going to Chapman and taking advantage of the opportunities there seems to make more sense than taking out 1/4 of a million dollars in loans! I’m sure these talented kids will do very well wherever they end up…</p>
<p>@my2sonsfromca Thank you! I think Chapman will be good for her, and you are right, it’s what you make of it. I think my D would have loved Emerson. If she had been offered any money there, she would have considered it for sure. Let me know what your son decided. :)</p>
<p>@Cinemaparent Boy, it does sound like you are in the same boat! And you are right, they will turn out well wherever they end up. Please let me know what you decide. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more!</p>
<p>@mrssoffel - He did choose Emerson. Really likes that right in the middle of the city environment and wasn’t put off by the snow and cold when we visited. Good luck!</p>
<p>@my2sonsfromca Great! We really loved it there too. I was saying to D that even though there is not a traditional campus, it still feels like a campus. The students seem really united and creative, and I think there is a lot to be said for being in such a great college town. Wish you all the best!</p>