Which college should I try to get into if I want to become a comedian?

College Search & Selection
1

Background info:
I’ve loved making people laugh since I was a kid. I loved making my family and friends smile. (partly because I know the feeling of being depressed too well). To this day I try to come up with jokes to tell my friends and family and most of the time, they laugh.

All my life I’ve always stressed about what I want to do in life. I don’t have any special talents. I’m not athletic, I’m not super smart, and I’m not musically talented, however making people laugh is my passion. Whether it’s laughing at me or with me, if I made your day with a joke, that makes my day! With today’s economy, I wanted a career that would allow me to make lots of money, to support not only myself but my parents who have given up a lot for me. They want me to choose a career that is “successful” like being a doctor or lawyer… But the truth is, I don’t want to do any of that. I want to make people laugh for a living. I look up to comedians like Jimmy Fallon, Kimmel, Conan, and Louise CK. After being a comedian for a few years, I want to host my own talk show and be able to make celebrities and people laugh nation wide! This is truly what I want to do with my life, and you’re probably wondering, “oh he wants it for the fame and fortune” yeah that’s a nice plus, but ultimately comedy is what keeps me alive in this world! Making people laugh is what keeps me relevant, other than that I’m a nobody.

So back to my title, although being a comedian is a very hard path, I want to know what college would be the best for me. I’m actually very nervous to tell those that I want to become a comedian, because 1. I’m Asian and most of the Asians you see on the media are either super smart, martial arts actors, or weird people like that one dude from the hangover. I’m none of those things, but being weird is debatable once you get to know me. I haven’t told my parents about this choice and I probably won’t.

My game plan is:
go to a college like NYU or UCLA where I can find connections.
Major in Business just in case none of this works out.
Do stand up in local areas at whatever college I’m at, and hope, just hope that someone like an agent or another comedian finds me talented to support me on this path.

The colleges that I really want to go to are:
Stanford (super long shot, most likely won’t get in)
NYU (love new york, and the people. plus being a cast member on SNL looks like loads of fun and I feel like I can step up to the plate with my comedy. Being on SNL is actually what I want to do as a comedian. I love creating and being in skits.)
UCLA (hollywood, maybe I can find some connections here)
Berkeley (same reason as UCLA.)

Notice how all four colleges are prestigious colleges, so even if I do fail on this path, at least I got a good college on my resume when I apply for a job that I will not be satisfied with unless it requires making people laugh!

Thank you for reading this, I just want your opinion or advice on what I can do to make my dream more realistic.

2

What are your stats? Budget? State of residency? And how will going to UCBerkeley, 6 hours from LA, help you find connections in Hollywood?
Your list seems to be 4 very good schools chosen at random. All we know from your post is: a) you want to work in comedy and b) you plan to also study business. That’s not enough for us to help you.

3

What do you mean stats? I do well in school (straight A’s, some low some high). I play soccer, tennis and golf my freshman and sophomore year, I’m only a sophomore. I’m in student council which I’m involved in volunteer work at school, and I’m the current class president of the sophomore class. Taking all honors and one AP class. I’m in NHS. and some other stuff like yearbook but thats basically it, school wise. I can go into more detail if that helps you to help me. My parents are fairly well off. I go to a Christian Private School, so they make a good amount of money, they also have to pay for my sister’s college tuition at Baylor which is pretty expensive. I live in Houston Texas, not a great place for comedy. I guess I generalized the reason for UC Berkeley, but California itself is a great place for show business. My question is if the colleges listed are good choices, to help me do what I want with my life.

Sorry for being vague.

4

How about Emerson in Boston?

5

I would say, any college located in a city with plenty of comedy venues, open mic nights, Comedy Sports (and its ilk), etc.

I’m not sure any schools have Comedy as a major. If you enjoy speaking and creating new ideas, I would suggest majors like Marketing (or Business Admin), Communications, Journalism, PR/Advertising, English, Creative Writing, or any other writing- and/or speaking-intense program.

6

I guess I should try to aim for Columbia also, since it’s a prestigious university located in NYC and it would be great if I decided to go into business…

7

@arc918 like I said in my post, I don’t want to tell my parents about this career path that I want to choose, because they will tell me it’s too far fetched and will try to discourage me, and they’re my parents and I don’t want to disappoint them. So if I tried to apply to a Uni that was based solely on arts and communication, my parents will most likely say no. I will research more about emerson though. Thanks for the suggestion!

8

Yes, look into Emerson… they are starting a comedy major. I don’t know a lot about it but a friend’s son might be going into that program next year.
You are unlikely to find much in the way of Hollywood connections at Berkeley. Unless you get lucky with a roommate whose parent is in the business. Check out USC as well… they at least are in SoCal and have a well-known film school.

9

@washugrad thanks!

10

Fallon: College of Saint Rose; Kimmel: U Nevada & ASU (did not graduate); O’Brien: Harvard; Louis C.K.: None.

It takes talent, hard work, ambition, luck, etc. If there’s one thing it doesn’t take, it’s a calculation of which college to attend to increase your chances of success.

11

I’m pretty sure Columbia College Chicago has a Comedy based (can’t remember if it’s writing specific or not) major…plus Second City is located in Chicago.

12

@dunboyne my question is, which college can I go to where I can hopefully find a career in comedy, but in case it doesn’t work out, still be at a good college to go on another career path by majoring in business. I’m not trying to calculate my success, I’m asking for advice about a good university where I can do both comedy, but also have a degree just incase I fail, because the big screen isn’t for everyone, and I’ve learned that already. Everyone needs a plan B. The comedians listed inspired me to want to go on this path, I don’t want to follow their every foot step, by dropping out or not going at all. My parents would kill me if I did any of that.

13

I think my advice to you is to take classes in Business at a City University ( any major city tbh) and then pursue Comedy on the side as a hobby. Do gigs anything to get a following and your feet off the ground. Then if one doesn’t work you have the other! good luck

14

Depending on your stats, maybe look at Fordham in NYC as well.
Chicago is another great city for comedy (Second City).

15

If you are looking for a Hollywood connection then you better concentrate on UCLA or USC and few other lesser schools in LA such as LMU…

16

The greatest comedian of all time - Will Ferrell, went to USC. And the school also has several improv troupes.

Or there’s this place. It’s the Harvard of Comedy Colleges - http://www.sfcomedycollege.com/

I’d think any school in an area with comedy clubs offering open mike nights would be what you’re looking for.

17

People have provided some great advice but take a look at where some of your favorite comedians have studied their craft. Many SNL folks have come from Second City in Chicago and Upright Citizen’s Brigade from NYC and LA. There are others.

I think the important thing is to be in these major cities where you can take classes outside of college. And then work on your classes at college.

You mentioned Columbia. Yes an amazing school but it’s going to be hard for anyone to get in. Even kids with perfect stats.

18

Seth Myers went to Northwestern and I think Second City was started by a bunch of U. Chicago students or grads (or so someone said on our tour of Chicago last year) so I would look at those schools as well as the NY and LA schools but I think that many schools have comedy publications (think Harvard Lampoon) as well as stand up comedy clubs. I remember last spring when we toured Brown, our tour guide was active in both the written and stand up comedy scene.

19

As mentioned above Northwestern would be a great choice for academics and the ability to practice your craft. Of course you’d have to get in.

20

If you go to school in New York, try to get involved in the Upright Citizens Brigade or the National Comedy Theater. Since that is a very reachy profession, I’m glad you’re majoring in Business and minoring in something comedy related like Theater.