HELP! 2025 Admit: Choosing between UCLA and NYU for an MFA in Screenwriting/Dramatic Writing

[Kevvvvvy]

Hi there everyone. Thanks for taking a look...

I've been racking my brain for a couple days over this decision and I thought it was time to ask some "pro's." This forum was the first one to come up
I've read across the internet that NYU and UCLA are top schools, however, I hear different things from different people regarding their writing programs. I've read a lot of websites that say one is #1 or the other is #1 so I think the rankings are mostly jumbled. I think they're both great schools, I just want to be sure to pick the one that's right for me.

Both schools gave me scholarship that kind of equal out their tuition. And while I LOVE that UCLA has animation classes I can take, I LOVE the idea that NYU has a wide curriculum of play, TV, and screenwriting to build my portfolio on.

I also prefer NYC over LA, however, I know LA is where Hollywood is.

I would love to hear from any NYU Dramatic Writing MFA alum or UCLA Screenwriting Alum on why or why not you would pick that school... or anyone who would like to pitch in with their 2 cents. I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thank you all so much for the help

 

[cjf2795]

Hi! Chris reached out and told me about your thread so hope I can shed some light. I'm at NYU right now in the Dramatic Writing MFA and I'm so so happy I chose it. I was between NYU, USC, and Columbia — and I think I definitely made the right choice for me. My absolute favorite thing about NYU is the diversity of the kinds of writers in my cohort. Every person is so unique and different and it's clear the department curated a class of all different kinds of screenwriters, TV writers, and playwrights — and I learn so much from all of my classmates every week. I don't feel at all like we're being forced into a box or being told to use a formula, the teachers have all been so receptive to our unique ideas.

It's a huge plus to be forced to take all 3 mediums (playwriting, screenwriting, and episodic). Even though I wasn't interested in play beyond my required Play 1 class, it was great experience. NYU does have a lot of interesting writing electives (including writing for Animation, Climate Change, Low Budget Film, Rom Com, Adaptation, Alternative Narratives, Rewriting, etc.) and I you can take classes in Acting, Film, Cinema Studies, etc. as electives.

I hope this helps! I've loved my experience so far. Best of luck!

 

[Kevvvvvy]

Hi! Chris reached out and told me about your thread so hope I can shed some light. I'm at NYU right now in the Dramatic Writing MFA and I'm so so happy I chose it. I was between NYU, USC, and Columbia — and I think I definitely made the right choice for me. My absolute favorite thing about NYU is the diversity of the kinds of writers in my cohort. Every person is so unique and different and it's clear the department curated a class of all different kinds of screenwriters, TV writers, and playwrights — and I learn so much from all of my classmates every week. I don't feel at all like we're being forced into a box or being told to use a formula, the teachers have all been so receptive to our unique ideas.

It's a huge plus to be forced to take all 3 mediums (playwriting, screenwriting, and episodic). Even though I wasn't interested in play beyond my required Play 1 class, it was great experience. NYU does have a lot of interesting writing electives (including writing for Animation, Climate Change, Low Budget Film, Rom Com, Adaptation, Alternative Narratives, Rewriting, etc.) and I you can take classes in Acting, Film, Cinema Studies, etc. as electives.

I hope this helps! I've loved my experience so far. Best of luck!

Hi! Thank you so much for your response! I am very excited to hear that. Do you mind if I ask you a bit more about your experience/time there?

 

[cjf2795]

Hi! Thank you so much for your response! I am very excited to hear that. Do you mind if I ask you a bit more about your experience/time there?

sure ! DM me