<p>This is my first quarter at my UC. During this time, I realized that the degree I truly want to pursue (Animation) is not offered here. The closest thing I can do here is major in Film Studies and minor in Digital Art, but I'd rather not do "the next best thing," so I'm in the process of planning out how I'll transfer elsewhere. I'm hoping to be at UCLA, USC, or San Jose State by the time I become a junior, which means I have a year to work on my portfolio, get letters of recommendation, etc.</p>
<p>When should I transfer from my UC to community college: After fall quarter? After this academic year? Should I transfer to a CCC at all? It would save my parents money if I move back home and start community college next quarter, but I'm not sure if it'd look better to complete IGETC at a CCC or to stay here and complete my UCs GEs.</p>
<p>I would also be grateful for any tips concerning transferring to UCLA/USC/SJSU or studying animation. Thanks everyone.</p>
<p>The UC schools give preference in xfer admission to those who xfer from a CC. Even if you have some units from a 4-year, if your last X number of units are from a CC (you’ll have to look up how many X is, I don’t know off the top of my head) then you are considered a CC xfer.</p>
<p>That said, at UCLA admission to the Fine Arts program is very difficult no matter whether you apply as a frosh or xfer. And their animation program seems to be a MA program, not a Bachelor’s. So you should check further into whether the UCLA program is a fit for you and what you need to be doing now in terms of creating a portfolio to be a good candidate for admission.</p>
<p>^ This is the program I am aiming for. The MA in Animation seems great too but I’ll be looking at that in a couple years’ time. UCLA’s film program encourages the actual production of student-made films. The fact that my school’s film and media studies program focuses on the history and theory of film but lacks in production/practice makes me uber-reluctant to get my degree here… Hence the transfer question.</p>
<p>Would it be better to get an Animation degree at a state college than a remotely similar degree at a UC?</p>
<p>I’ve been told that job prospects can increase with the mere stamp of a brand name school (like those in the UC system, I guess), which makes me scared to transfer out of here at all :(</p>
I’m betting this is hearsay from friends, family, etc. I don’t know the answer any better than they do, but I can tell you how to find out. </p>
<p>Its one thing to debate the generic “is a History (or whatever) degree better from a brand name school” all day long and there is no definitive answer since there are so many variables – how reputable the school, who recruits there, what you want to do after graduation, how to figure out what to do after graduation, etc. None of this applies to you; it sure sounds like you have a specific field in mind, even a specific career in that field. And for that you can find an answer to your question.</p>
<p>You need to do what is called “informational interviewing”, described at length in the classic job hunters book “What Color is Your Parachute?” They come out with a new edition each year, any from the last 5-7 or so is fine. Read up on this, then use the approach to turn “I’ve been told” into an accurate and reliable answer.</p>