NYU/SVA/Art Center/Parsons/USC/UCLA

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>Hello all. </p>

<p>I'm planning on transferring to either New York University, School of Visual Arts, Parsons New School, Art Center, University of Southern California, or University of California Los Angeles to study photography (a little bit of fashion, but mostly editorial), but also film (cinematography), and screenwriting if it's available. </p>

<p>I attended SVA for a bit last year in 2009, but left because their film program didn't fit my needs. On the other hand, their photography program is highly reputable, and all of the photo majors I met are back again for their second year. New York University is my dream school. I'm planning on applying to Gallatin so I can combine photo, film, and dramatic writing, but I've also been thinking French as well! I really want that "college experience" at a university, but I haven't heard much on NYU's photography program, so that's why I'm hesitant. My heart is set on NYU, but I'm not sure if I'll get in. But, again, it's just the fact that I've heard nothing about the photography program. Another friend, checked out the facilities for NYU and she said she wasn't that impressed compared to SVA.</p>

<p>I was accepted last year to Parsons, but I've heard some things that make me believe Parsons isn't as "great" as everyone makes it out to be. I also don't think Parsons is worth $60k. I know NYU is around the same amount, but I would be studying other things than just photo. My mother wants me to go to Parsons out of all of them, I guess because she's obsessed with Project Runway, but that's a horrible reason to attend a school. </p>

<p>I live in Maryland, but last year I lived off-campus in an apartment in New York, and I felt so comfortable there. But, California has always been a dream of mine as well. I'm tired of the east coast's crappy winter weather, and I would love 50 degree weather in the winter time haha. I have a friend who's planning to attend USC, but I've only heard great things about their film program, nothing really about their photo, and the same goes to UCLA as well. I was looking into Art Center and I really like their curriculum, but I've heard mixed reviews about the school. </p>

<p>Can anyone give me some advice? I know in the end it's up to me to decide, but I was just curious if anyone attended these schools, or knew someone who did! I'm just worried I'm going to dedicate everything to the school and end up jobless in the end and deep in debt.</p>

2

<p>I am not sure of all the requirements but it could be very difficult to transfer to any college if you attended “SVA for a bit”. Without a full freshman year under your belt, you may find that transferring is not an option. I would call the schools you are interested in to determine whether you are eligible for a transfer or whether you will need to apply as a Freshman. All of your options are going to be expensive and you say you don’t want to graduate without a job but with a lot of debt. Even with a job, and a good paying job, heavy debt from undergraduate studies can be a terrible burdent. Please look at some of the forums on Financial Aid.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply.</p>

<p>Right now I’m at another university, I took summer classes, and I’m planning on taking summer classes again this summer; I’ll have more than enough credits since most universities at least require around 32 credits min. I believe. I’m not really trying to get financial advice, since I know the schools I’m looking at range from $30k-60. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the schools’ programs.</p>

4

<p>I have a similar major and ended up with the same dilemma since Photography majors fall under the Art Department and so have to meet those requirements. I’ve researched and visited NYU, UCLA, and USC and wasn’t really that impressed with their Photography departments and degrees but absolutely love all three Film schools, degrees, and classes.
It wouldn’t be worth the time or money or educational value for me to do just Photography at any of these three universities but it would be for film and cinematography.</p>

<p>If I wanted to be able to mix a bunch of photography, journalism, screenwriting, studies, and production classes together, like I have done, I would more likely be able to continue doing so at a CSU over a UC. The most economical (I pay about $250 a year) and best solution I found to do it all was to pursue an AA in Photography and complete all my lower division film classes with the likelihood of obtaining a Film/TV AA as well. </p>

<pre><code>I’m primarily a film person since film isn’t going away anytime soon. If one is not interested in the medium of film they might as well just get a Digital Imaging or some sort of Interactive Media Degree. Personally I think anyone seeking a Photography or Cinematography Degree should be forced to do the traditional year of B&W darkroom.
</code></pre>

<p>When so cal gets the Santa Ana winds building up pressure over Utah and then heated by compression when forced through the mountain range it warms up into the 70’s in LA during the winter months at times. When it’s not raining I still walk around in shorts and t-shirt but people look at me funny. If it drops below 59 degrees Californians tend to complain its freezing outside and dress up like Eskimo’s. Locally, I think Glendale’s Photographic Arts program is good but if are serious and leaning towards fashion/portraiture and commercial/print SMC’s Photography program is really good for by the beach in so cal and is #1 in transfers to UCLA and USC. </p>

<p>Required Courses: (26 units)
Art 10A, Design I (3)
Photography 3, Commercial Photography Techniques (6) or
(Photography 3A, Commercial Photography Techniques 1 (3)
and Photography 3B, Commercial Photography Techniques 2 (3))
Photography 4, Portrait Photography (3)
Photography 6, Advanced Commercial Photography (8)
Photography 39, Beginning Photoshop (3)
Photography 43, Beginning Portfolio Development (3)</p>

<p>Additional courses to total 36 units and recommended electives may be selected from:
Photography 1, Introduction to Photography (3)
Photography 2, Basic Photography Lab Techniques (2)
Photography 5, Fundamentals of Photo Digital Printing (3)
Photography 7, Advanced Portfolio Development (3)
Photography 9, Advanced Photography of People (3)
Photography 11, Color Transparency Photography (2)
Photography 13, News Photography (3)
Photography 14, Photography for Publication (3)
Photography 21, Alternative Photographic Process (3)
Photography 24, Photo-Graphics (2)
Photography 29, Production for Still Photographers (3)
Photography 37, Advanced Black and White Printing (3)
Photography 40, Digital Capture (3)
Photography 42, Advanced Photoshop (3)
Photography 44, Building Web Sites for Photographers (2)
Photography 50, Basic Color Printing
Photography 51, Printing from Positive Materials (3)
Photography 52, History of Photography (3)
Photography 60, Business Practices in Photography (3)</p>