<p>I really want to go to USC for their film school. I have a 3.5 preliminary gpa but i dont think i could afford the full years there. So I am deciding to go to either a CC or a CSU and then transfer in, but im getting mixed responses. My parents and my counseler say go the the cal state and then transfer in to get the master their, but some people tell me to go to community college to transfer into usc. Can I go to a cal state and transfer into USC after two years or something? Is it hard, or even possible. Im just stressing out because I really want to go their but I want to make the right decision.</p>
<p>You don’t transfer to get a master’s. You get a master’s after you get a 4 year degree. That is certainly a decent option to save the money for the Master’s from USC or AFI or such. In the meantime you can do things to prepare like develop your writing skills, take literature and film classes to develop some storytelling skills and historical perspectives, and doing film stuff on your own. If you look at CSU Long Beach and SF they have film programs, maybe others too.</p>
<p>I think it may be easier to transfer from a CC, USC certainly takes quite a large number of transfers, as does UCLA where there is also a prominent film department. If you do you can look at Orange Coast’s flim program and take classes aimed at transfer. LA city college also has film classes. I don’t know where you are but you can check out the colleges in your area too. </p>
<p>Did you run the NPC and find out what USC would cost your family now? What can your family spend?</p>
<p>Go to CC. You may be able to finish the transfer requirements in a year if you start in summer and have taken AP classes (make sure to look at USC’s transfer prereqs!) Simply getting a film degree isn’t very useful in the field; it’s the connections that count. If you intern and network you probably won’t need a master’s degree, saving you more money.</p>
<p>I agree with BrownParent, UCLA is an equally good school and (I’m assuming you are in CA) offers TAP programs with certain community colleges that increase the odds of getting in as a CC transfer. So research before enrolling in a CC as well. </p>
<p>The presidents of both UC and USC have made policy speeches endorsing increasing the acceptance of CC transfer students within the last 6 months. A well-researched CC is probably a really good bet, followed by 3 years at UCLA or USC.</p>
<p>USC’s film program is incredibly hard to get into, especially as a transfer. I would assume that the likelihood of you getting admitted is about 1/20 and then go from there. By the way, what other Cal States are you considering? </p>
If you honestly believe you want to transfer out into a bigger university don’t go the CSU route it’s nearly impossible to get out. Way easier out of CC, and anyway going to USC is going to be a lot of money anyway.