<p>not the usual "harvard vs yale", "princeton vs yale", etc.</p>
<p>im applying to usc's screenwriting program. i know that going there could get me a ton of connections in the industry. i wouldnt have to study to improve my sat scores for a retake in january or take anything besides online stats next term.</p>
<p>but then i'm drawn to yale, princeton, and a few of the other ivies.</p>
<p>can anyone tell me honestly what are the major differences between the top ivies and a school like usc? is usc pretty much just as good or is there a palpable difference (in education, in environment, student body, anything)?</p>
<p>This is just speculation - I have never been to these schools, so I can’t really tell you , but my guess is that although the difference in education will not be SO different at USC from schools like Yale and its peers (The professors will probably be more famous at Yale/other Ivies and top-tiered schools, and the quality may be a tiny notch higher, but not a huge difference), but one of the things that draws me to the top-tiered schools is the intellectual atmosphere/student body. Simply put, in my opinion the people you will meet at Yale, Harvard, Princeton, etc. will be more dynamic and interesting - a chance that you may or may not have ever again in your life. The communities at these schools are very strong (I believe particularly at Yale), and each school also has its own positives that make it appealing. For Yale specifically, because this is the Yale friend, you will have the opportunity to be involved in the residential colleges, participate in shopping period, etc. The most important destinction in my opinion, however, is the community.</p>
<p>yeah, that’s what i thought too…but most people at usc will be very smart too, so i’m just not sure how big a difference it is. i really do crave an intellectual, enthusiastic, go-getting environment though. i just wish i knew if it would be like that at both usc and yale/ivies or just the ivies. hmmm…</p>
<p>OMG. i’m dealing with the same problem.
I’m super interested in film, and I’m applying to USC’s film/television production program. And it’s really a toss-up. I mean, in my opinion, you should apply to a college because it’s good for your particular field of study, not because of its prestige or many other reasons. Because let’s face it…you’re in college to study. If I want to go into engineering, a good backup school for MIT and Caltech would probably be Georgia Tech. Sure, it’s not in the top 10 schools overall. But its engineering program sure is. </p>
<p>So…I’m kind of dealing with the same problem. There’s no doubt Yale is an amazing college. But at the same time, if you’re interested in film–the place to be is Los Angeles, in a college where the opportunities are RIGHT there in front of you. Yale isn’t going to offer those kind of connections, even if it is one of the best schools in the country. The extent of their film program is pretty much film studies and Bulldog Productions, which is absolutely no competition with the entire Cinematic Arts school at USC.
And the thing is–even if you don’t find a student body as strong at USC, the truth is that you’re in LOS ANGELES. You’re going to find really intelligent, dynamic people, like you would in any large city.</p>
<p>I think in terms of the KIND of education that you’re looking for–aka a film education–your best bet is going to be USC. Since you’re craving that go-getting environment, you’re most certainly going to get it in the film industry. The people in USC’s cinematic arts program are some of the brightest and best upcoming filmmakers/writers. Chances are, you’re going to be able to collaborate on some really great projects with them and make those connections that last throughout your career in screenwriting.</p>
<p>Based on my son’s experience at USC (film school), and his friends’ experience at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, I’ll say this (at the risk of speaking in generalities, to some extent). AT HYP you’ll be surrounded by very high-achieving peers, and the chance to study with famous profs and hear great speakers, etc. Yale is fantastic for both its resume value and the general vibe, and his friends at Princeton are wide-eyed at their opportunities. But he has some friends at Harvard who feel like most of their fellow students are boring robots. It all depends on what you’re looking for, and who you run into. </p>
<p>What my son loves most about USC is that he’s around a mix of people; they’re not all brilliant academically in the same way his high school friends are, but many of them have astounding talents in the creative realm. They’ve also had some interesting life experiences - like the kids who have to leave class early to go for an audition because their agent called at the last minute. Kids who have worked for years while also attending high school. And yes, there are plenty of the classically smart kids too (try Thematic Option if you can get in), so there’s plenty of intellectual engagement - but it happens in certain classes, probably not all. You just have to go out of your way to make sure you meet the smartest most talented kids. Make sure that you take advantage of all the screenings and speakers and poetry slams and other events that take place all the time. My son was denied admission to Yale, for which he’ll be eternally grateful. Had he been admitted, he might have attended, and missed the amazing life he’s found at USC! Both are great places, but for different reasons.</p>
<p>Okay, I cross posted with the last message, and I have to agree that the film opportunities at USC are amazing - even for a freshman who has never set foot in LA, the opportunities are there for the taking. There’s a culture that encourages collaboration and go-getting; you couldn’t avoid it if you wanted to. So, a great mix of intellectual vitality and creative passion.</p>
<p>@ ilikewateralot: gahh its such a tough call. i mean, i definitely see what you mean, and that’s the whole issue i’m grappling with. but what i wonder is: should i pick a college based on my major or should i pick a college that i would overall be really happy at for four years? that’s the whole dilemma. :-/ </p>
<p>the other thing i’m considering is grad school. i’m thinking maybe i should pick undergrad based on just what school i would be most happy at, and then see where connections lead me. and if i still don’t have film connections, i could always go to usc or nyu for grad school. have you considered that too?</p>
<p>In response to ilikewateralot, I understand your point of view, and it is definitely valid - USC will clearly open up numerous possibilities in the film world. However, I think it really depends upon what type of education you want to receive at college. Yale would probably provide you with a broader, “liberal arts” education which will no doubt be helpful to you no matter what goals you pursue in life. Ultimately, it comes down to how focused you are on studying film, and what your views/interests are in other acedemics fields. You really can’t, in your situation, make the wrong choice between those two schools.</p>
<p>^and that’s the other thing. i have a ton of different academic interests, but i’m very sure that in the end i want to be a screenwriter and filmmaker. :-/ so i do want an enlightening, intellectually-mind-blowing college experience but also i DO want to be a screenwriter…</p>
<p>Yeahhh. We’re really in the same predicament.
And I know a guy who went to Harvard for undergrad and then to NYU (Tisch) for grad. And he loved both experiences. So I’ve definitely considered that.
Both experiences were different. But they were just what he was looking for.
I hate to say it, because no one likes to hear it. But even though we’re both getting great input from different posters…eventually, we can only attend one school for undergrad, and we’re going to have to make the decision for ourselves. </p>
<p>But I agree with dan92–I don’t think there is a “wrong choice.” So I’m trying not to stress myself out about it tooo much. Maybe the answer will just come to you in your sleep one day (at least that’s what I’m waiting for).</p>
<p>I am currently a USC student who got into the school a year early through the Resident Honors Program (so this is supposed to be my senior year). I am in the joint Business-Cinematic Arts program as well as Thematic Option (USC’s liberal arts honors program). Since USC was the only school I applied to last year, I have to say something very bluntly—Yale was my top choice had I applied “normal” way, and I spent the summer before coming to Los Angeles working in New Haven, living about a minute away from Yale (by foot) with Yalie friends. So how’s that for credibility? (:</p>
<p>I would have to agree that the main difference is in atmosphere. USC has more parties, and more people that like to party, and the kinds of parties you see are what you would expect from college. Frat parties and clubbing and such. Los Angeles is an extremely fun place to be in. At Yale, the atmosphere is definitely more “intellectual”. But I didn’t find it robotic. Most of the people I met in New Haven were not goody-goods or geeks. Both schools have a very well-balanced population, with Yale’s (as you would expect) being generally, I suppose, smarter (and I’m speaking from the point of view of a USC student). I found the environment of both schools to be fairly similar. Both are scenic campuses tucked away in some “dangerous” inner-city neighborhoods. I say “dangerous” because I’ve personally walked around at night by myself. But then, I’m a little reckless. Heh. New Haven is two hours away from New York City by train, so it’s not a stretch to go there on the weekends to party. In general, USC is more fratty than Yale.</p>
<p>As for film! It’s my absolute favorite thing about being here at USC! We get free screenings, screenings of movies that haven’t come out yet, screenings of indie films, screenings of foreign films that you otherwise wouldn’t see, screenings of films that are too rare to be pirated…We have a great cinema library. We have great faculty in the SCA (School of Cinematic Arts). We have tons of speakers, and Q&A sessions with directors almost after every screening. I myself watch about two or three new screenings a week. I. LOVE. FILM.</p>
<p>Why don’t you apply to both, and see what your choices are after the decision comes out?</p>
<p>Agree with rosinyangster. Apply to both then you will have months to research and think about it. When decision time comes, you will know what choices you actually have.</p>
<p>^maybe you didn’t read any of the thread? it’s usc vs yale for an aspiring screenwriter/filmmaker. even if it wasn’t, it doesn’t sound there is a gigantic difference between the two, only that usc is a little more party-heavy and yale is a little more intellectual. but there are certainly parties at yale and intellectuals at usc, so it doesn’t sound like it’s as big a deal as you’re making. </p>
<p>or maybe you’re being sarcastic/kidding like usual. yeah…it’s probably the latter.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it. Brand name is a “big thing” for a lot of people. We have to take it in stride—smile and acknowledge the fact that some people can’t look past titles and rankings.</p>
<p>On another note! Since you’re interested in film, I would also recommend applying to UCLA and UChicago.</p>
<p>Chicago is better known for indie film. The oldest film society (Doc Films) is founded there. It just depends on what you prefer. Columbia is quite good for film too, if you like New York City.</p>
<p>do you happen to know if uchicago has good post-grad film connections though? cuz if i go to school for film, that’s mainly what i hope to get out of it (well, some classes in film would be good too, but it’s all about the connections!)</p>
<p>Hm…Well then I really can’t say. The only school I can vouch for is USC, but you already knew that we had an extensive network. Seriously though, just apply first. It’s no use thinking about where to go if you haven’t filled out applications / got decisions yet. Fill out applications. Then, when you get in at both Yale and USC, you can ache over where to dedicate your talent, yeah?</p>
, but my guess is that although the difference in education will not be SO different at USC from schools like Yale and its peers (The professors will probably be more famous at Yale/other Ivies and top-tiered schools, and the quality may be a tiny notch higher, but not a huge difference), but one of the things that draws me to the top-tiered schools is the intellectual atmosphere/student body. Simply put, in my opinion the people you will meet at Yale, Harvard, Princeton, etc. will be more dynamic and interesting - a chance that you may or may not have ever again in your life. The communities at these schools are very strong (I believe particularly at Yale), and each school also has its own positives that make it appealing. For Yale specifically, because this is the Yale friend, you will have the opportunity to be involved in the residential colleges, participate in shopping period, etc. The most important destinction in my opinion, however, is the community.</p>