<p>I want to major in Communication Studies and to go into Hollywood (making films). </p>
<p>UCLA
Pros
-Nice campus/ surrounding area
-Cheap: $25,000/ year (in state)
Cons
-I have not yet been admitted to the Comm. studies major, which is only open to juniors and seniors. Admissions is competitive (must maintain 3.85 gpa).
-Comm. studies is an interdisciplinary major (no department = weaker)
-No automatic internships and job hookups </p>
<p>USC
Pros
-Communication department is top notch (already admitted)
-Will be able to double major or minor in film or business
-Hollywood connections
-Easy to earn internships
Cons
-The campus/ surrounding area isn't too appealing
-Expensive: $39,000/ year <--- biggest concern</p>
<p>Yes, the communications dept. is stronger at USC and evidently, that is the better choice. However, you underestimate the strength of UCLA's internships. While USC has the stronger alumni connection, UCLA provides an opulence of internships/job opportunities if you apply yourself and actually attempt to secure a foothold in the industry. As for the money, I'm sure you can take out loans or some financial aid. </p>
<p>I chose UCLA over USC although I'm majoring in business and USC has a stronger undergraduate business program. However, I realize that in today's competitive environment, a master's degree is a necessity and therefore, why waste more money on an undergrad education when eventually, I'll be getting an MBA. Possibly the same theory can apply to your decision. Good luck!</p>
<p>
[quote]
UCLA
Pros
-Nice campus/ surrounding area
-Cheap: $25,000/ year (in state)
Cons
-I have not yet been admitted to the Comm. studies major, which is only open to juniors and seniors. Admissions is competitive (must maintain 3.85 gpa).
-Comm. studies is an interdisciplinary major (no department = weaker)
-No automatic internships and job hookups</p>
<p>USC
Pros
-Communication department is top notch (already admitted)
-Will be able to double major or minor in film or business
-Hollywood connections
-Easy to earn internships
Cons
-The campus/ surrounding area isn't too appealing
-Expensive: $39,000/ year <--- biggest concern
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I struggled between the same two choices, with the same two reasons (except in my case, it was bizecon with UCLA and marshall with USC, which i wasn't admitted to, but I hear it is relatively easy to transfer in).</p>
<p>With regard to internships, I would probably say that opportunities are similar at both UCLA and USC, you probably won't be "handed" an internship, you will have to work for it. No school will just give you job hookups, you have to work for them, but the opportunities at both schools are readily available --> ultimately, I find the whole "hollywood connection" and "easy to earn internships" irrelevent. So after eliminating future job prospects, you are left with ease of entrance into the major vs. cost. </p>
<p>I probably didn't help you much, but I would pick UCLA based on cost alone because if I wanted to do Communications THAT BAD, id bust my behind to do everything I can to gain entrance to the major.</p>
<p>when i visited SC, it did seem like SC had more to offer in terms of internships and jobs. I didn't know UCLA could match that. </p>
<p>Should the fact that I have yet to be admitted to the Comm studies major at UCLA be affecting my decision? Is Comm really as difficult to enter as everyone makes it to be?</p>
<p>why do people say USC is better for jobs? ok, maybe some jobs. but as a whole, the UCLA name is as marketable as any prestigeous school. also, UCLA is more appreciated than USC in the city of LA as a whole. the area where i live in, UCLA dominates, especially by people who havent gone to either.</p>
<p>Flopsy, you beat me to it. Spielberg was rejected by USC three separate times. He later received an honorary doctorate from USC in 1994. Rumor has it that Spielberg would only accept the degree if the guy who signed the rejection letters signed his diploma.</p>
<p>Realistically, you probably won't be making enough money in entertainment to justify $160,000, regardless of where you get your degree. Just sayin.</p>
<p>I was accepted into Annenberg and decided that, especially at the undergraduate level, USC couldn't offer me anything that UCLA couldn't (UCLA was always first choice though). I really love the Comm department and I'm happy with my choice. However, I think that Annenberg is less theoretical than Comm at UCLA and that may be something you're into. </p>
<p>Comm is actually VERY highly respected and it's really easy to get jobs/internships if you maintain good enough grades and display an active interest in the field (I've already had offers for full-time jobs, which ive turned down cuz uh, hi im still a third year). And UCLA does have a Comm department. It's only interdisciplinary in that it pulls from other fields in addition to its own classes. </p>
<p>All you need to get into Comm is a high GPA. If you think you can manage a 3.7 or 3.8, you should be ok. If doubling in film is really important to you, however, then UCLA is probably out. </p>
<p>I have to say though, I really think it's absurd that people still assume that the USC "connections" are some magical aspect of the school. If you work hard and do internships and maintain those connections, you'll be just as well off as some kid who got hooked up at SC.</p>
<p>Former UCLA student Jack Black (Didn't graduate) got his big break in the biz along with UCLA alum Kyle Gass (Tenacious D) with a little help from fellow Oscar winning UCLA Alum Tim Robbins.</p>
<p>Rob Reiner
Sean Astin
James Dean
Ben Stiller
Gore Verbinski
John Williams
Alexander Payne
Francis Ford Coppola
and more are all apart of the Alumni at UCLA.</p>
<p>Basically your gonna be around a lot of people with connections.</p>
<p>didn't JACK BAUER go to UCLA too? or...wait...I think he went to UCB. haha
EDIT: oh wait he did go to UCLA! wikipedia rulez! k back to the discussion</p>
<p>Regarding internships in LA, I'm currently interning for one of the top entertainment companies in LA.....and I go to SMC. So the school you attend doesn't matter as much as your own determination to get where you want to be. (Never underestimate the power of being a confident people-person and you should be fine in the biz...)</p>
<p><strong>allie</strong> , can you please tell me the statistics (or percentage) of people who make Comm.? Are there a lot of people who make it? </p>
<p>-Do people with GPAs lower than 3.7 get admitted? If so, how? </p>
<p>-Is it possible to enter Comm. as a second year? </p>
<p>-What are some tips you have for prospective Comm. students? </p>
<p>-What courses do you think I should be taking this fall?</p>