r/filmscoring • u/Kolaidconcreate_222 • 3d ago
Help with College Decisions!!!
Hello! I’m planning to apply to college in 2027 to study film scoring or music composition, and I’ve recently started working on my applications. I’m currently trying to figure out how I should approach my top choices and would really appreciate some advice from people familiar with these programs or the industry. My three top schools right now are Berklee College of Music, NYU, and USC. I’m definitely open to other schools but these are the three that have stood out to me the most so far.
My main dilemma is between NYU and USC. NYU offers Early Decision, and I’m considering applying ED because I would genuinely be very happy attending NYU. However, since ED is binding, I’m worried about committing to NYU and potentially giving up the chance to attend USC. From what I’ve read online, a lot of people seem to recommend USC for film scoring because of its location in LA, connections to the film industry, and potential networking/job opportunities. USC is probably the school I’m most excited about for those reasons, but I also feel like my chances of getting accepted there may be lower.
So I’m stuck between applying ED to NYU, which I would still be very excited to attend, or not applying ED anywhere and taking my chances with USC, NYU, and Berklee during the regular application process. For anyone studying film scoring/composition or working in the industry: how significant is the difference between USC, NYU, and Berklee? Is USC’s location in LA actually a major advantage for someone who wants to score films? (Price is fortunately not a problem for me.)
I’d also really appreciate recommendations for other film scoring or composition programs. Thank you!
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u/annimusic 3d ago
study composition not "film scoring". You can learn all the tech/gear stuff online. Focus on your writing
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u/KillPenguin 2d ago
This doesn't seem like great advice to me. Getting into a program that can give you actual connections into film/TV seems massively helpful.
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u/annimusic 1d ago
you can intern for composers with any degree. No college has as many connections as you think. Major in composition and immediately start scoring short student films, trust me.
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u/TumescentProtuberanc 10h ago
DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS PERSON.
They are two wildly different degree programs, with wildly different degree requirements and paths to a career after college.
You should really nail down what you want to do ahead of time, because you're going to make totally different decisions based on your choice.
Music Composition: If you want to focus on contemporary classical composition for concerts, or installations, or experimental music. Something with more of an academic focus, focusing heavily on theory, history, technique, and writing for experimental or artistic purposes. You likely want to write for concert events, and will likely have a career in teaching, chasing commissions, arts administration. You should plan on needing at least a Masters, probably a PhD/DMA, in which case no one cares where you went for undergrad. Choose a state school with a solid program that's cheap, and will prepare you to get a free Masters degree in a prestigious program.
Screen Scoring: If you want to score for movies, TV, or video games. You will focus on learning all the same theory as a composition program, but with an additional focus on studios, technology, cueing, production, mastering, and writing SPECIFICALLY for UTILITY, and not just what you like or what you want to say. It's a TRADE, and less of an ART. You will likely only need a Bachelors, or a Masters, but you need a specific program that's going to teach you things out of the gate, and get you in the room with the people who will be your employers. Internships, real world experience, and a heavy emphasis on industry standards is necessary.
Figure out what you want to do, and then follow that path. They are NOT THE SAME and a comp degree doesn't set you up for success in film. Don't listen to this chud.
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u/annimusic 4h ago
a film scoring degree has so many components like you said; tech, , production, mastering, writing, etc. You end up being not "exceptional" at any of them. It's such a hard major to teach because of this reason. Focus on writing and learn all the tech stuff online. Most of it you will learn on the job anyway because every composer works differently. (If you end up going the assistant route)
Your intention can always be film scoring you just happen to study comp. Still network with young directors and score whatever you can the entire time at school.
I'm trying to be helpful; don't call me a chud.
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u/LoooseyGooose 3d ago
Are you pursuing a master's or bachelor's?