CSUF, law school, or wait another year?

[snowingdrag]

So I haven't gotten accepted at CSUF yet, but I'm hoping for the best. If I get in, I have to decide whether to go there or attend law school at a T35 program.... or wait another year and send in apps to UCLA and USC again. I really want to work in the film industry and then go into public policy and educational policy later. Everyone keeps telling me to go to law school, but I feel like I would just be going so that I could say I have a doctorate. I'm not 100% against it, but I'm just not sure if it's wise with my career goals. Would it be worth it to attend CSUF for screenwriting? If I wait and send in apps, there's no guarantee that I'll get accepted; but at the same time, the apps I turned in this year were completed last second. That TV pilot and bible for UCLA? I completed those in less than 30 hours. So should I wait and risk not getting in anywhere knowing I gave up other opportunities? I'm asking because these are big life decisions, and I want to hear some thoughts of others? I'm only 20. I've always done things way too fast, I got my Bachelor's in two years. I want to slow down and focus on me, but I haven't had any luck in the job market and I don't want to have to depend on my family (especially since they disapprove of who I am and what I want from life). Any jobs y'all think I should consider? I've got my degree in Sociology: Law & Society. I'm currently in SoCal, as well.

 

[Chris W]

Got your bachelor's in two years? Woah!

 

[snowingdrag]

Got your bachelor's in two years? Woah!

Yup, was a D1 athlete my first year, then quit to finish fast.

 

[Chris W]

Yup, was a D1 athlete my first year, then quit to finish fast.

What sport?

 

[snowingdrag]

Track and Field, I was a thrower.

 

[Operator]

Apply to Chapman University for their dual MFA in Producing and JD. Then you can get the best of both worlds. It'll take 4 years to get both degrees.

 

[snowingdrag]

Apply to Chapman University for their dual MFA in Producing and JD. Then you can get the best of both worlds. It'll take 4 years to get both degrees.

That's a good idea that I'll have to keep in mind. I've never considered going for producing before.

 

[Septopus7]

Yup, was a D1 athlete my first year, then quit to finish fast.

It blows my mind to think that's even a possibility. Like getting a bachelor's degree in two years is literally inconceivable to me. Way to hustle, I guess!

 

[snowingdrag]

It blows my mind to think that's even a possibility. Like getting a bachelor's degree in two years is literally inconceivable to me. Way to hustle, I guess!

Thank you! It's something I don't talk about a lot just because it often gets misconstrued as bragging. It just happens to be the path I chose; looking back, it definitely wasn't the best choice. I worked with AVID kids most of the last six months, and I always told them to take however much time they need.

 

[WriterGirl33]

I did my undergrad at CSUF and took a lot of their screenwriting courses. The professors in the program our amazing. Many of them have written on shows that you’ll recognize. Most of them also got their degrees at top film schools in the country.

You’ll definitely have a strong portfolio coming out of the program. The only downside I found was the school is not extremely connected with Hollywood. You’ll have to hustle to land internships and jobs.

So if your goal is to work on your craft and build a portfolio do it! But if you’re looking for connections then I’d advise to go somewhere else.