USC Business Cinematic Arts (BCA) Joint Program

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I'm a high school junior in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois (and also new to the College Confidential forum). After taking the SAT and the ACT for the first time (and getting rather disappointing scores in the 1900s and the upper 20s, respectively), I began to contemplate college admissions a little more seriously. Ever since middle school I've wanted to go into some kind of media/entertainment business vocational field, and since then, I've looked into USC with a hopeful eye. Along the past few years--more so in this past year--I've narrowed my life's dreams to the "business side" of the entertainment industry. While taking the AP microeconomics course this year, especially, I've gotten to realize that I actually enjoyed dealing with numbers and the sort (not like calculus though; I'm not doing too hot in that class...).</p>

<p>From looking into a lot of colleges and their websites, I saw that many do not have much training for what I wish to pursue. Most of them have critical film classes, and some have cinema production and business administration separately as majors, but nothing that really combines the two fields into one convenient package. The two main schools that do offer such a curriculum were, as I've come to find, NYU and USC.</p>

<p>NYU offers a EMT (entertainment, media, and technology) minor to Stern undergrad (and graduate) students. But looking between the two schools and their programs, my first preferred choice is USC's BCA (business cinematic arts) joint program offered to Marshall undergraduates, taught by actual industry professionals.</p>

<p>As the BCA web site offers really no admissions information (or actually much useful information about the program at all) except that the prospective student must enter the program as a freshman and freshman only, that only about 50 seats are available, etc., I was wondering if there were anyone out there who either enrolled in the program, is currently taking course in the program, or was accepted/denied into the program that can help clear some things about the BCA curriculum (just how selective is the admissions, when/how/where does a student apply, how extensive is the program, etc.).</p>

<p>An early thank you to whoever contributes to this thread! :)</p>

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<p>Little late but I’m in BCA program and it is exactly what I wanted and more.</p>

<p>I didn’t pick NYU because I liked the idea of a campus and I didn’t like the feel of NYU.</p>

<p>I love the BCA program because I feel it gives you great opportunities to meet and talk to a wide range of business oriented people in the entertainment industry. Talent agencies, managers, studio execs, their assistants, producers, casting directors, and and anyone else you can think of. If you really love the entertainment industry but being the main creative brain isn’t your thing, go BCA. They even give you video game management classes.</p>

<p>I will advise you that there are many people who drop out. People who are not as interested in the entertainment industry and merely like movies or TV just because they like them might not be so thrilled. A lot of people drop off and pursue only business or entertainment law. However, if you are that person who desperately wishes to go into entertainment because you’re the guy who stays behind to read the credits, this is your stop.</p>

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<p>It might be a good idea for you to access the freshmen profile to see where you stand as far as projected class standing, GPA and test scores.</p>

<p>Can your family afford a private university education or do you feel you will qualify for financial aid? SC uses the CSS Profile and the FAFSA to determine financial aid. </p>

<p>SC has strong ties to the entertainment industry. In a Marshall brochure companies are listed which are the top hiring companies of Marshall graduates. Among those are the Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios. Marshall alumni are proactive in providing internships and opportunities for undergraduates.</p>