The University of Southern California

Date: Mar 17 2009
Major: Video/Media (This Major's Salary over time)
Those wishing to get into the "Film Production" program need only apply if you are extremely sure you can handle rejection and/or not getting in a few times. USC is one of, if not, the best film program you can get at a university and therefore is extremely hard to get in. I got into Production my freshman year and could not believe that only about 19 others made it as well. Oddly enough, Production has a sort of "cousin" major called "Critical Studies."

There was always something nagging me in the back of my head about Crit Studies that I could never put my finger on. It was and still is offered to applicants with strong film backgrounds but who are just lacking in some regard. Many of the people I knew in Crit studies knew more than most of the people in Production! Many of them seemed like know-it-all's to a certain extent which could be why they were offered the other major.
Needless to say, getting into Crit Studies is kind of irrelevant because both Production AND Crit studies receive the exact same diploma title:

USC School of Cinematic Arts

so there really is no telling who graduated from what.

My advice: apply to this school if you are SERIOUS about not having a social life and enjoying one of the best and most rigorous majors USC offers. You will live and breathe film and so will your friends and you will graduate with a breadth of knowledge which will enable you to fixate on any one branch you want be it sound, editing, cinematography, or directing (even acting!). You will get schooled in everything: and I MEAN everything: you will take music courses, art courses, writing, editing, sound, lighting, directing, even design courses. It's incredible and I would not have traded my 4 years at 'SC for anything in the world.

Bummed about getting into Crit Studies? No worries! You can keep applying till you get in! I knew LOADS of kids that did it and they weren't behind or anything and equally respected and everything.

Your bikes will get stolen a lot but at least you're in the heart of LA where all the stuff is happening.