futuretelevisionwriter02
New Member
I’m a an aspiring television writer who has just been accepted into Columbia’s Writing for Screen and Television, USC’s Writing for Film and Television, LMU’s Writing and Producing for Television, and UCLA’s Screenwriting MFA for the TV track. I’m so grateful to have four great options so far, but I’ve been struggling to decide. I've only graduated with my Bachelor's from Cornell around 10 months ago, where I studied English and Sociology, but since then I've struggled to get entertainment internships and entry level positions like Mailroom Clerk and Office PA positions that could lead to Scripted Assistant gigs.
Columbia
Even with a $25,000 scholarship for 2 years, Columbia is extremely expensive and their program is only a couple of years old, and most television writing happens in Los Angeles. It’s also three years long. I did really like the interviewers and I would love a chance to direct. However, after a very expensive undergraduate education I hesitate to take on over $200k more debt so soon.
UCLA
UCLA has a quarter system that would allow me to take multiple workshops and in each I. can complete a pilot, rewrite, and digital series bible within 10 weeks. I think I would also qualify for in-state tuition and as long as I take a course, I'd be more likely to be guaranteed 1-2 TA’ships for the second year that pays California tuition + around $2250/10 hours or $4000/20 hours monthly stipend as long as I complete a TA course. I have also heard that it is pretty easy to get into directing/cinematography electives and access equipment and soundstages if I’d like to make a short film. Since the tuition is fixed and not by the credit, I think I’d get to take more classes without worrying about paying additional tuition per credit. My only concern about this program is that I’ve not heard the best things about networking although many professors are actively working WGA members. I also think saving money with this program would let me take classes in my other creative interests outside of UCLA through comedy/acting classes like UCB or recent interests I've had in singing/songwriting. I've always considered myself a multi-hyphenate, though my other interests come second to television writing.
USC
USC has a well-rounded writing program that encourages writing both features and television. It also has production and business elements built into the curriculum. The facilities are unparalleled for production, but as a writer, I’ve heard I’d have very limited access even if I were to take a production class, as I’d love to direct my own short. I keep hearing that USC’s network is unparalleled, but does this really go as far as getting staffed or selling pilots soon after USC? Would USC's network be impossible to build at UCLA and worth risking a hefty price tag? I haven’t heard back about scholarships or financial aid either, and am unsure whether they have been given out already. I also don’t know if it will be more difficult to get a TA’ship at USC than UCLA, though I have heard they put a much smaller dent in tuition, around $3k a semester plus stipend. My bachelor’s degree had a similar price tag to USC’s so I am hesitant to take on this much debt with no promise of aid.
LMU
LMU’s program is focused more on show running. It eases students into the program, but is three years long. It culminates in a thesis project that I will produce as a sizzle reel or short film in the third year and 3-5 polished scripts. This would be a cool opportunity to take control of the production process and write at the same time, as being creator and showrunner is an eventual goal of mine. The elective offerings seem limited compared to other schools. It is a lower price tag than the other programs, but I’d prefer to graduate in 2 years rather than three.
NYU
Don't want to get ahead of myself on NYU, but my concerns with NYU are pretty similar to USC. Many of my favorite shows began as plays, and I would become a well-rounded writer because of how writing-intensive the program is. I also do really admire the work of their recent Dramatic Writing alumni, but it's not in Los Angeles and is a more expensive program so I'm not sure it's the best choice for television writing.
Thank you so much for your help and input in advance!!
Columbia
Even with a $25,000 scholarship for 2 years, Columbia is extremely expensive and their program is only a couple of years old, and most television writing happens in Los Angeles. It’s also three years long. I did really like the interviewers and I would love a chance to direct. However, after a very expensive undergraduate education I hesitate to take on over $200k more debt so soon.
UCLA
UCLA has a quarter system that would allow me to take multiple workshops and in each I. can complete a pilot, rewrite, and digital series bible within 10 weeks. I think I would also qualify for in-state tuition and as long as I take a course, I'd be more likely to be guaranteed 1-2 TA’ships for the second year that pays California tuition + around $2250/10 hours or $4000/20 hours monthly stipend as long as I complete a TA course. I have also heard that it is pretty easy to get into directing/cinematography electives and access equipment and soundstages if I’d like to make a short film. Since the tuition is fixed and not by the credit, I think I’d get to take more classes without worrying about paying additional tuition per credit. My only concern about this program is that I’ve not heard the best things about networking although many professors are actively working WGA members. I also think saving money with this program would let me take classes in my other creative interests outside of UCLA through comedy/acting classes like UCB or recent interests I've had in singing/songwriting. I've always considered myself a multi-hyphenate, though my other interests come second to television writing.
USC
USC has a well-rounded writing program that encourages writing both features and television. It also has production and business elements built into the curriculum. The facilities are unparalleled for production, but as a writer, I’ve heard I’d have very limited access even if I were to take a production class, as I’d love to direct my own short. I keep hearing that USC’s network is unparalleled, but does this really go as far as getting staffed or selling pilots soon after USC? Would USC's network be impossible to build at UCLA and worth risking a hefty price tag? I haven’t heard back about scholarships or financial aid either, and am unsure whether they have been given out already. I also don’t know if it will be more difficult to get a TA’ship at USC than UCLA, though I have heard they put a much smaller dent in tuition, around $3k a semester plus stipend. My bachelor’s degree had a similar price tag to USC’s so I am hesitant to take on this much debt with no promise of aid.
LMU
LMU’s program is focused more on show running. It eases students into the program, but is three years long. It culminates in a thesis project that I will produce as a sizzle reel or short film in the third year and 3-5 polished scripts. This would be a cool opportunity to take control of the production process and write at the same time, as being creator and showrunner is an eventual goal of mine. The elective offerings seem limited compared to other schools. It is a lower price tag than the other programs, but I’d prefer to graduate in 2 years rather than three.
NYU
Don't want to get ahead of myself on NYU, but my concerns with NYU are pretty similar to USC. Many of my favorite shows began as plays, and I would become a well-rounded writer because of how writing-intensive the program is. I also do really admire the work of their recent Dramatic Writing alumni, but it's not in Los Angeles and is a more expensive program so I'm not sure it's the best choice for television writing.
Thank you so much for your help and input in advance!!
When do you have to choose? 
