<p>My best friend got into both Stanford and USC CNTV, and she's having a very difficult time deciding. She is concerned that the artistic opportunities at Stanford will be too few, while the academic opportunities at USC will be lacking. She wants to direct films, but also is interested in literature and writing. Does anyone have any insight about these issues?</p>
<p>I don't really think usc's academics will be lacking by any means. might not be ALL the way up to stanford level, but considering CNTV I'd say USC's more worth it for her..</p>
<p>I think she is concerned that she wouldn't be able to get into USC-Cinema again because their admissions rate is so low. But that would be a good solution if it were to work out for her.</p>
<p>IMHO, your friend's acceptance to USC Cinema-Television is truly amazing on its own (they say the acceptance rate is like Harvard's acceptance rate). USC's acadmics are quite good, so I think she should go to USC for undergrad and look into Stanford for grad school, if Stanford is still what she wants in 4 years...</p>
<p>OP: I'm in exactly the same situation as your bf and I am going to Stanford.</p>
<p>i dont know, but i'd choose USC allaround since LA would offer so much more. stanford has good academics and it has a name so there are pros and cons.. gl with the decision</p>
<p>Thanks for all your input ... I think she's leaning toward USC CNTV right now, mostly because she is less likely to have such a remarkable opportunity again. It is still a very difficult decision, though ...</p>
<p>visiting the campuses, and talking to people who work in the cntv department might help her make her decision...</p>
<p>How will she be less likely? If anything, coming from Stanford (which apprently is grade inflated) she can surpass the average undergrad GPA for the program (3.4-ish), and have more time to grow as a filmmaker and develop contacts. Plus, she'll always have something to fall back on, since filmmaking is a very difficult field to break into.</p>
<p>Ultimately, she should do what feels best, but if I were her, I'd go with Stanford, and then an MFA at USC or NYU.</p>
<p>It's less likely because she's already shocked she got in to USC CNTV at ALL ... she has not had extensive film experience or major artistic acclaim ... and she is doubtful that she will have such luck again. Ultimately, such opportunities are based on as much luck as qualification, especially for schools with such a low acceptance rate. That's hard to gamble with. She is particularly concerned with the artistic programs at Stanford, which apparently experienced cutbacks recently.</p>
<p>Time for your friend to visit both schools (preferably including an overnight) & departments & have honest conversations with both schools. Your friend has incredible opportunities & will do well with whatever she chooses.</p>
<p>USC would be a great choice. The academics, if you want them, are not lacking at all. Many classes are very challenging, but there's lots of support to help students understand the material.</p>