TL;DR: Got into both Columbia and USC's screenwriting MFA programs. Was set to move to NYC for Columbia in a few days, but just got off USC's waitlist. What do I do?
So to preface, this is such a non-problem to have. I have just never been so stressed out by good news and I’m having a hard time thinking things through.
Earlier this year, I applied for a few screenwriting MFA programs. I had a really great interview with Columbia and got in. I went to the admitted students day and loved all the faculty and people, found some roommates, went apartment hunting last month and found a great place, and I’m supposed to move to the city in just a few days. But then, out of the blue, I just got off the waitlist for USC’s writing for film and television program. Insanely last minute and I’d love some input from people who know more than me because I have zero time to really think things through.
For the purposes of this post, I want to take money out of the equation. There’s a lot of things people have told me to think about to make this decision like ‘which city will you be feeling more inspired to write in? Which will give you the kind of stories you want to write about?’ And honestly, I feel like that’s New York. I love the city and have so many friends there. I have people that I can make projects with. I understand how the city works and would absolutely be comfortable living there in a few days. Thinking about LA, I don’t have that same level of comfort. I grew up in California (up north nowhere near LA), loved the state as a whole, and think LA is sick as hell, but I have zero community there besides some old high school friends a few hours away. But I’m sure I would be able to meet so many people in the USC program. I just get scared that I’d either be living with a stranger or alone and just going to class and then going home every day being sad instead of going out and actually living. I’d just have to force myself out and to get involved especially since it’s the film and tv capitol of the world. Which I know I’d be able to do eventually. I know I’d be able to make a home there it would just be scary and stressful at first.
And on that note, the differences in the programs. From what I know, USC is much more the Hollywood track while Columbia is more indie/arthouse. One of the main things that’s making this decision so stressful is just the prestige of USC. My acceptance being so recent, I have no information about classes and what to expect there. How competitive it is among students. I was always told that it is THE film school and never expected to actually get in. Such an amazing alumni network too. But also Columbia is another top school. One that I’m very informed about right now. USC might help a lot with networking while Columbia might really help me get better as a writer. There is obviously no wrong decision my brain is just broken. Above anything and no matter what, I’m just going to take this as a huge confidence boost. Would love to hear from any alums. How much of a difference would either make in my future? I just want some harsh opinions on what the best choice is because everyone has been tiptoeing around me with this decision and it’s driving me a little crazy. Is changing my whole plan completely crazy?
So to preface, this is such a non-problem to have. I have just never been so stressed out by good news and I’m having a hard time thinking things through.
Earlier this year, I applied for a few screenwriting MFA programs. I had a really great interview with Columbia and got in. I went to the admitted students day and loved all the faculty and people, found some roommates, went apartment hunting last month and found a great place, and I’m supposed to move to the city in just a few days. But then, out of the blue, I just got off the waitlist for USC’s writing for film and television program. Insanely last minute and I’d love some input from people who know more than me because I have zero time to really think things through.
For the purposes of this post, I want to take money out of the equation. There’s a lot of things people have told me to think about to make this decision like ‘which city will you be feeling more inspired to write in? Which will give you the kind of stories you want to write about?’ And honestly, I feel like that’s New York. I love the city and have so many friends there. I have people that I can make projects with. I understand how the city works and would absolutely be comfortable living there in a few days. Thinking about LA, I don’t have that same level of comfort. I grew up in California (up north nowhere near LA), loved the state as a whole, and think LA is sick as hell, but I have zero community there besides some old high school friends a few hours away. But I’m sure I would be able to meet so many people in the USC program. I just get scared that I’d either be living with a stranger or alone and just going to class and then going home every day being sad instead of going out and actually living. I’d just have to force myself out and to get involved especially since it’s the film and tv capitol of the world. Which I know I’d be able to do eventually. I know I’d be able to make a home there it would just be scary and stressful at first.
And on that note, the differences in the programs. From what I know, USC is much more the Hollywood track while Columbia is more indie/arthouse. One of the main things that’s making this decision so stressful is just the prestige of USC. My acceptance being so recent, I have no information about classes and what to expect there. How competitive it is among students. I was always told that it is THE film school and never expected to actually get in. Such an amazing alumni network too. But also Columbia is another top school. One that I’m very informed about right now. USC might help a lot with networking while Columbia might really help me get better as a writer. There is obviously no wrong decision my brain is just broken. Above anything and no matter what, I’m just going to take this as a huge confidence boost. Would love to hear from any alums. How much of a difference would either make in my future? I just want some harsh opinions on what the best choice is because everyone has been tiptoeing around me with this decision and it’s driving me a little crazy. Is changing my whole plan completely crazy?
