College Versus Self-Education
The Brass Tacks of Education for Creators and What to Know For Your Own Consideration.
Anyone who's been in the game long enough hears this question from newcomers again and again: Should I go to college for writing and filmmaking, or should I just go out and do it?
I don't hate the question itself. I hate that the answers are often overly black and white: "Go to college," or "Avoid it like the plague." Both paths have pros and cons, and forcing a binary choice does a disservice to new creators.
We all come from different backgrounds. For some, college might be a great fit. For others, it's not an option at all. So let's break down the real positives and negatives of each path to help you make the right decision for yourself.
The College Path
College is the traditional route to success. But is it really the best option for creative fields?
It depends on what you study. Degrees like programming or engineering often lead to stable, good-paying jobs, provided you work hard and gain internship experience. In contrast, writing and filmmaking degrees can provide excellent education, but don't guarantee jobs after graduation. Hustling is still mandatory.
Whether you go it alone or attend a prestigious school, if you're pursuing writing or filmmaking, you're stepping into the wild. Engineers get plugged into established systems. Writers and filmmakers must find or build their own.
That said, a solid education can be incredibly valuable. It can teach you industry basics faster and provide a crucial network. When you inevitably face the harsh realities of the creative world, you'll be better equipped to survive and thrive.
However, college is expensive. Expect to pay not just for tuition, but also for books, housing, and food (which, to be fair, can be great). Plus, you'll have to take general education classes like Algebra I or Biology, which can seem unnecessary when each course costs thousands.
Plan to spend anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000 a year for a good school. And in competitive fields like film and writing, "good" might not be enough. Ideally, you would want to attend top schools like UCLA, AFI, NYU, Stanford, or Columbia, which are harder to get into and even more expensive.
Regardless, any formal education can give you tools, skills, and connections. But it can also come at a tremendous financial cost. And a degree alone won't guarantee anything. Success still depends on your hustle, networking, and the value you bring to the table.
The No-College Route
What if you can't afford college or grants, though? Well, you’ll probably have to educate yourself. That's fine, but understand that this route comes with its brutal challenges.
Self-education is like being dropped in the middle of nowhere without a map. It's terrifying, confusing, and lonely. But surviving it forces you to develop deep problem-solving skills and a unique voice.
College teaches you the basics quickly. Learning on your own teaches you how to:
Leverage value to gain opportunities
Manage projects under high-pressure conditions
Secure funding and resources
Sell yourself and your ideas
Self-education can make your craft far more unique because you're solving problems your way, not just the "school-approved" way. Plus, it forces you to master all of the tiny nuances with a shoestring budget, which can make you far more effective at the professional level.
But without a curriculum or built-in network, it's easy to get lost. That’s why discipline and lateral thinking are crucial when taking this path. Additionally, you’ll probably work a day job while learning and practicing, which means you’ll also need to be economical with your time while enduring a lot of mistakes. But that's how you grow: Create, fail, reflect, and improve.
Conclusion
So, should you go to college? To determine this, ask yourself:
Can you afford it without crushing debt?
Can you get into a truly great school for your field?
If yes, college can be an incredible asset.
If not, don't despair. There are plenty of free resources, writing groups, and filmmaking communities to explore and find like-minded people. If you can't find them, create your own group. But whatever path you choose, make it count. Aim high—just not so high that you bankrupt yourself before you begin.
Hope this helps, and as always, best of luck in your creative endeavors!
__________________________________________
Story Prism,