The Next Episode: Here's a First-Hand Account of What It's Like to Attend Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre's Academy at USC

The school accepts 25-30 new students each year.

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Image via Complex Original
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The sky appears to be the limit for hip-hop moguls Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. After selling Beats Headphones to Apple this past summer, Jimmy and Dre are ready for their next big move - their own four-year bachelors degree academy within the University of Southern California. The program, which is officially called "The USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology, and the Business of Innovation," accepts 25-30 students a year and is aimed to train young individuals in the ways of the ever-changing music industry.

With the inaugural first semester at the academy almost in the books, Hypetrak was able to speak with a student enrolled in the school about what it's like to learn from Jimmy and Dre. Though the program is pretty high profile, the student, freshmen Arjun Metha, explained that education and learning is of course the ultimate goal. He also spoke about the day-to-day activities at the school, and how they really aren't that different from a normal university.

A typical day in my academic life this first semester consists of analyzing the practices of innovative companies, learning my way around Adobe After Effects, building a 3D geometric cardboard model using Adobe Illustrator and a laser cutter, and working on a PowerPoint slide deck for a potential product. During our senior year, we will partake in minimal coursework and are encouraged to put our freshly learned skills into action by beginning to build revolutionary products and launch companies. In an interview with New York Times last year, Iovine said, “If the next start-up that becomes Facebook happens to be one of our kids, that’s what we are looking for.”

Of course, there are certain perks that typical college kids wouldn't get to experience. For instance, backyard BBQs at Jimmy's house while Dr. Dre works the grill.

We see Jimmy and Dre, as we affectionately like to call them, from time to time. In late August, we went on a “field trip” to Jimmy’s home for a backyard BBQ where we met with him, Dr. Dre, will.i.am, and others…we have access to top-of-the-line 3D printers, laser cutters, industry-grade software, and a comprehensive fabrication workshop – everything we could possibly ask for.

A few of the courses offered in the program include "Computer Science," "Audio Production," "Graphic Design," and others that are geared to prepare students for the music world. Another upside of attending the academy is the use of top of the line technology, which includes 3-D printers, laser cutters, the best software in the industry and much more.

However, being a student at the Academy has perks beyond just opportunities to interact with accomplished individuals. We have access to top-of-the-line 3D printers, laser cutters, industry-grade software, and a comprehensive fabrication workshop – everything we could possibly ask for.

Hypetrak's full interview with Metha can be read here. If you're interested in applying to enroll in the academy, full information is available at the official website. Now if only one of these students could just leak Detox, or whatever it's called, already.

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