USC or Cornell?

<p>I have a question. I plan on going to film school for grad school. Do you think it would be best to attend USC for undergrad or Cornell? The reason I didn't apply for film school undergrad was because I want to study something else undergrad. I know that Cornell is a better school in terms of liberal arts than USC, but USC has the connections and would give me an early start towards film even in undergrad (even if I wasn't in the film program). Cornell is pretty isolated and I dont see much film exposure there. Wat do you think? based on that, should I go to USC or cornell?</p>

<p>first of all, for film, "breaking into the business" is next to impossible, unless you have connections already. you should definitely have a fall back for something like film... so i'd choose cornell.</p>

<p>not to be discouraging or anything. just realistic.</p>

<p>Both are excellent schools so you can't go wrong ... as a Cornell grad I definitely give it an edge academically. But I wonder if a USC undergrad experience might provide film connections (a lot of USC undergrads go into the business) that will be invaluable when you try to break into the business later.</p>

<p>PS - useless info for today ... did you know a lot of films in the early 1900 were shot in Ithaca ... when Johnny Weismueller (sp?) played Tarzan and was swinging on vines those scenes were shot in the gorges in Ithaca ... the Little Rascals were shot in Ithaca (famous scene where they top over a small row boat was shot on Beebe lake at Cornell) ... and many of the frat houses for Cornell were originally built to be used as sets for movies (terrific entry ways). Useless info for today!</p>

<p>My son applied to USC and Ithaca film programs. He was accepted to Ithaca, but not for film, and he is still waiting (believe it or not) to hear from USC. As between USC and Cornell undergrad, if you are not going to study film, go to Cornell and then apply to USC for grad school. You will have a better chance getting into USC grad program from Cornell, and the connections (or lack thereof) from undergrad won't make much difference. You will make connections ingrad school. Also, if you don;t go to film school for grad, you'll be better off having gone to Cornell. Then again, the weather is so much better at USC.</p>

<p>Good luck with whatever decision you make. Either way, you can't go wrong.</p>