<p>Hello! I am currently a rising Junior at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC majoring in music composition. My dream is to, after finishing my undergrad, get my masters in film scoring. I have a few questions:</p>
<p>-Where is the best school for this degree?
-Is there a difference getting a certificate rather than a degree?
-I hear going to LA is best, so of UCLA and USC, which is the best program?
-Should I get my masters at a local school in film scoring, and then journey to LA to get a certificate from one of the schools listed above?
-Also, is there anything I should be doing right now to get ready?</p>
<p>I'm sorry I have so many questions! My composition teacher is not very helpful and I am just so overwhelmed with all of my options! I just want to make sure that I make the right choices to better my chances for success. </p>
<p>Thanks! Brittany :)</p>
<p>Bedunton, I’m not a musician, and I can’t speak to the difference between a certificate and a degree, etc. Nor can I advise you on how to get ready for studying scoring. Hopefully others here can.</p>
<p>But… I do work in the business, and I’ve taught at UCLA’s graduate program in my particular (non-musical) film discipline. While UCLA is obviously a fantastic choice as well, I believe USC is unrivaled, both because of its association with the USC School of Cinematic Arts, arguably the best film school in the country, and the USC professional network in the business itself. </p>
<p>And yes, while of course it’s possible to study elsewhere and then come to LA, it’s worth studying film scoring in LA, if you possibly can. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. This is a business of talent AND connections, not to mention internships, etc. Despite the fact that they’re made all over the world, movies are still to LA what politics is to D.C. and theater is to NYC. Check out the website for information about the USC film scoring connections to many of the major studios.</p>
<p>Do check out the price of USC’s program, though. It’s as much as law school, although for a shorter period. Took my breath away when I saw it.</p>
<p>USC admissions is need blind. The university has the reputation of having generous financial aid. Also, approximately 20% of students are attending with merit scholarships.
USC administers one of the largest financial aid programs of any private college or university in the U.S.</p>
<p>Since this student is from out of state his costs at a Univ. of California university would be comparable depending upon housing and other factors.</p>
<p>The MM program is not as generous as USC’s “need blind” undergrad program.</p>
<p>GeorgiaGirl - I know you respond to most USC posts but we were talking about the graduate program in film scoring, not undergraduate! Need based aid does not apply to grad school. And, btw, USC was the least generous of any of my son’s schools - offering multiple loans, and a gap - even though he was a Presidential Scholar. Out of state Michigan was more generous.</p>
<p>USC was the least generous in D’s grad (MM-VP) offers as well. They were at the bottom of a list that included CCM, UMich, SFCM,and UCLA.</p>
<p>I can’t speak to affordability or generosity with aid. But I will firmly maintain that the career value of a film scoring program (or any film-related study) based in Los Angeles is… priceless.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your quick and kind replies. I did some research prior to posting this thread, and USC’s graduate film score website made it clear that their program is not offering any form of finacial aid, TA possitions, or scholarships. Knowing how much the cost is, my plan is to apply for other scholarships that are not through the school based on music or performance in school ( I’ve made the Dean’s list the past 4 semesters in college).</p>
<p>After talking about the finacial side of USC, is the program worth the money?</p>
<p>SpiritManager – I didn’t realize they have no fellowships or TA positions, and they don’t publish the tuition price on their FAQ page for film scoring. Do you recall what it was? (Prepares to take a deep breath…;)</p>
<p>Last I looked, a few years ago - tuition was around $50,000. (Not including living expenses etc.) But jazz/shreddermom is right - it’s probably a great place to make connections and they have some impressive internships, such as on Lost. Anyone know how much your average film scoring/tv scoring/ad scoring/game scoring composers generally make per year - as opposed to the millionaire handful?</p>
<p>Thank you, Spirit Manager, I was unaware there was no financial aid associated with that particular graduate degree. Please excuse the error.</p>
<p>Bedunton,</p>
<p>I’ve been scouring the web looking for information on music composition schools as well to do my graduate work. I happened upon this forum and, while researching UCLA, I came upon this program:</p>
<p>[MA</a> program in Composition for Visual Media](<a href=“http://www.music.ucla.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1263%3Ama-program-in-composition-for-visual-media&catid=12&Itemid=110]MA”>http://www.music.ucla.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1263%3Ama-program-in-composition-for-visual-media&catid=12&Itemid=110)</p>
<p>Have you heard of it before? It looks quite promising.</p>
<p>-Trumpetstud</p>