NYU vs UPenn for Aspiring Writer

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
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<p>It's a week before I have to officially decide where I'm going to school, and I've hit a wall in choosing between NYU and the University of Pennsylvania. My entire life I've wanted to be a writer, but I don't know if I want to write Fiction or Plays/Screenplays.</p>

<p>I've been accepted to the Dramatic Writing Program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts as well as the College of Arts and Sciences at UPenn. Which university would be better for an aspiring writer?</p>

<p>Here's what I THINK I know so far: If I choose NYU I'll be immersed in Playwriting/Screenwriting and I'll have the opportunity to make publishing connections in NYC. Conversely, if I choose Penn I'll have access to the Kelly Writers' House and I'll have the prestige an Ivy League education.</p>

<p>Which university would open up more opportunities for a CAREER in writing, not just a degree? Would literary agents and theater/screen producers be more impressed by NYU or Penn?</p>

<p>I'm worried that if I attend NYU I'll miss my only chance on an Ivy League education, and that if I don't make it as a writer I'll have nothing to fall back on. However, I worry that if I attend Penn I'll be "playing it safe" as a writer, rather than diving headfirst into the competitive world of New York City. I also worry that if I attend Penn I'll get stuck as an English major with nothing but a "concentration" in Creative Writing, and my love for writing stories will get shoved aside just like it was in high school. Whereas at NYU, I'll be thrust into the Dramatic Writing major with very few general education requirements.</p>

<p>NYU also seems to have more opportunities for all forms of writing (Playwriting, Screenwriting, and Fiction) while at Penn I can't even find a single Playwriting CLASS. (I have no interest in Poetry). At the same time, I know there are thousands of kids who would love to attend school at an Ivy League, including myself. I love UPenn, and the idea of turning down their offer of admission makes me want to throw up.</p>

<p>While I don't believe a person can be "taught to write," I do believe it's important to hone one's skills and to make the necessary connections for publication as early as possible. Where do I go to school?</p>

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<p>These are both very fine schools and I think whichever you choose, you will be a terrific writer. You have to choose whichever one “feels” right to you. My daughter is in Tisch’s Film and TV program and she loves it. I’m answering here partly because I feel bad that no one has responded to you yet. What I do know is that there are a lot of students in the Film and TV program that are always looking for a script to shoot. If your writing and creative tendencies lean toward playwriting/screenwriting you could possibly find your script actually filmed/performed by your Tisch colleagues. This doesn’t mean commercial success. I don’t think any school can guarantee you a career in writing. But just like being in NYC doesn’t guarantee you contacts, you have to network with everyone and anyone no matter where you go to school, going to an Ivy league school doesn’t guarantee you anything either. Again, as I’ve visited both schools but am bias toward NYU and NYC, understand that YOU have to decide which environment you think you will find more inspirational and complementary to your goals. </p>