UCLA vs Columbia for work in LA Forum

[Sebas]

I realize that Columbia is far and away the better ranked school, but I would like to work in LA - not to mention my girlfriend lives there. If I want to stay in Cali, is there any significant disadvantage to going to UCLA instead of Columbia?

[mighttransfer]

Is Berkeley not an option?

[Sebas]

Not yet, and probably won't be given my gpa.

[Sebas]

I should also add that I would ultimately like to do in-house at a movie studio.

[timbs4339]

I should also add that I would ultimately like to do in-house at a movie studio.

How much in scholly money from each school?

CLS EIP my year (2010) was pretty bad for people wanting to go to LA. A number of people struck out in that market (granted they didn't have ties). It's probably one of the more competitive out there.

[quakeroats]

I should also add that I would ultimately like to do in-house at a movie studio.

Why's that?

[Curious1]

I should also add that I would ultimately like to do in-house at a movie studio.

Why's that?

[Jaeger]

Not yet, and probably won't be given my gpa.

So you got into Columbia but probably won't at Boalt? I'm not sure I buy that.

[Stanford4Me]

2L at NYU. A lot of my friends who were bidding on LA struck out, though they had better luck in SF/Palo Alto and San Diego, oddly enough...

[Sebas]

Not yet, and probably won't be given my gpa.

So you got into Columbia but probably won't at Boalt? I'm not sure I buy that.

From what I've heard, Boalt puts an unusually large emphasis on gpa. Mine is a 3.6, though a 177 LSAT might offset. We'll wait and see.

[RonnyDworkin]

For LA and entertainment law, I think the local ties at UCLA will carry more weight than CLS.

[Sebas]

I should also add that I would ultimately like to do in-house at a movie studio.

Why's that?

[FlanAl]

california had a pretty low percentage increase in SA's from 2010-2011 compared to other markets https://spreadsheets.google.com/a/corne ... XMHc&gid=9

It looks like a lot of the increase was in the bay and LA was kinda stuck in 2010. So these numbers are not 2012 and I'm sure its a little better but my guess is that it wasn't just Columbia having a struggle in LA big law.

UCLA gives you the advantage of having access to all the non big law LA stuff that people not going to school there probably won't have the same access to (hollywood studios). You're also probably going to be looking at a significant price difference between the two including the savings in travel to visit your gf.

Are you a southern california native? If not it could be worth establishing the ties if LA is what you want especially if they give you a schools. Did you apply to SC? I'm sure they'd throw the bank at you.

If you want more of my opinion on UCLA feel free to pm. I came really close to going there but I followed my gf to the east coast.

[DaftAndDirect]

I should also add that I would ultimately like to do in-house at a movie studio.

Why's that?

I have a theatre background, I would like to contribute my talents to the film industry, I like the campus-like atmosphere of a studio lot, the hours seem very doable, and I just love working with creative people.

[dproduct]

For LA and entertainment law, I think the local ties at UCLA will carry more weight than CLS.

This. Go over to Melnitz and talk the UCLA Film School.

It was my double at UCLA. They are all extremely friendly, have amazing connections and network opportunities. If you want an in at studio-law, UCLA gives you the chance to do your own private networking.

Sony is a 15 minute drive from UCLA down on Overland, ABC is in Burbank/Hollywood.

If you are dead-set on the working for film, I would go for UCLA. If you'd give in to TV, go to Columbia and get familiar with NBC.