USC MFA Fall 2014 (film & tv)

[mcholman]

Just sent mine in! Anybody else have trouble with making it too long to print out? The requirement was less than 500 words, but if you wrote 500 words it wouldn't print all of them!

Oh well. I think I found that my shortened essay was better anyway. One great thing about applying for this scholarship is that there's a chance it'll give you an early indication that you're accepted - if they call you for an interview about the scholarship, you know you got in; they don't do that unless you have!

 

[JFSWLA]

Just sent mine in! Anybody else have trouble with making it too long to print out? The requirement was less than 500 words, but if you wrote 500 words it wouldn't print all of them!

Oh well. I think I found that my shortened essay was better anyway. One great thing about applying for this scholarship is that there's a chance it'll give you an early indication that you're accepted - if they call you for an interview about the scholarship, you know you got in; they don't do that unless you have!

Dude I hope it works that way! I think they'll probably read them with the pdf because it's still scrollable - my essay was like 480...

 

[mcholman]

JFSWLA
Umm didn't you sign it? You have to sign it and scan it.

 

[JFSWLA]

JFSWLA
Umm didn't you sign it? You have to sign it and scan it.

Electronically. Whoops. I can always resend.

(edit)

I just reread it. I didn't see a signature requirement (but will do it if they need a scanned signature). I completed the signature electronically with my USC ID. I figured they sent us an editable .pdf for the reason you mentioned above (the word limit vs. the summary space provided). But dude, correct me if I'm wrong and you hear otherwise for sure!

 

[mcholman]

On my PDF it has a signature space and a date space at the bottom, and it wouldn't let me save. Don't know what's going on with that, but I just printed it, signed it and scanned it to them. Anybody know how much of a scholarship it is?

 

[mcholman]

BLAAAAAAGHHH!

Sorry. Just have to vent my impatience sometimes.

 

[JFSWLA]

BLAAAAAAGHHH!

Sorry. Just have to vent my impatience sometimes.

I feel you man...and I think we'd probably have to wait another month or so.

As for the scholarships...1. I don't think there is a set amount except for the Annenberg Fellowship (full ride one year, awarded to one person deemed "with the highest/best potential," I have never heard of or seen this person yet) and 2. I believe what we filled out was more for Spring than it is for incoming students. I've read that if there are scholarships for incoming grad students they are far and few between...but do exist.

 

[Ovsanna]

Hi there,
I've applied at the end of November. My application status now is.

• WE ARE REVIEWING YOUR APPLICATION. THE STATUS OF YOUR APPLICATION IS UPDATED DAILY AND/OR AS CHANGES OCCUR TO YOUR FILE. BECAUSE OF THE VOLUME OF MATERIALS WE RECEIVE, PLEASE NOTE THAT IT TYPICALLY REQUIRES 8-10 BUSINESS DAYS FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT FOR DOCUMENTS (SUCH AS TRANSCRIPTS) TO BE PROCESSED INTO YOUR FILE.

I wonder why all the statuses are different. Isn't there any formal response to write? Eventually, all they say is that you must wait until they make the decision.

 

[iWonder]

Mine still says it's in the first stage. Is anyone else still in the "First Stage?"

 

[theflry]

I got interviewed over the phone this afternoon. I was a bumbling fool, caught completely off guard.
I think the earliness of my interview was a special circumstance: the interviewer ranks very high on the faculty. I was told my application would now be passed on to the group for final decision.

I suppose this means interviews are be starting this week, so be more prepared than I was! I always read about student's rambling incoherency during their interviews on these forums, and honestly I never thought I would act that way myself. Alas, I'm grateful to finally have a reason to register here.

 

[Arijit]

Hi all,
I am Arijit from India. I applied for MFA in Film n TV prod. on Nov 25th.
I was not aware of this forum, or else cud hv joined earlier.
Like all u guys, pretty much tensed about what's gonna happen
Currently I'v received the scholarship package mail due on Feb 12th.
I completed my B.tech in Bio-informatics (pretty much unrelated )...decided on a full throttle career shift !!!
My visual sample -

 

[8mm]

iWonder, my status is still in the first stage.

theflry, congrats on getting interviewed! I think being nervous is a sign of how much you want it, you know. So I'm sure you did great and thanks for the heads-up on USC starting to call

Arijit great short and good luck!

 

[mcholman]

theflry
Welcome to the group!
So it begins! Sorry they caught you off guard, but I'll bet they're expecting a bit of that - they know it's a big deal. Can you remember any of the questions they asked?

Arijit 8mm iWonder Ovsanna
Welcome to you as well! We're glad you could join us!

Here's a new requirement, everybody! When you get your interview, post what it was like as soon as you possibly can!

 

[yifeisylvia]

anybody know if USC requires a interview for Film/TV Production MFA?

 

[mcholman]

yifeisylvia
Welcome to the group! I'm so happy to see so many new faces arriving!

From what I've heard, you may get an interview and you may not - the applications are divided up for multiple professors to review, and then these professors make recommendations to the final admissions board - it's these initial professors who have the option to do an interview, but it could be that the professor who's got your application doesn't like doing them - i.e. not getting an interview is in no way an indication that you didn't get in.

Best of luck, and stay tuned to this thread!

 

[Ciara17]

I got interviewed over the phone this afternoon. I was a bumbling fool, caught completely off guard.
I think the earliness of my interview was a special circumstance: the interviewer ranks very high on the faculty. I was told my application would now be passed on to the group for final decision.

I suppose this means interviews are be starting this week, so be more prepared than I was! I always read about student's rambling incoherency during their interviews on these forums, and honestly I never thought I would act that way myself. Alas, I'm grateful to finally have a reason to register here.

I'm sure you did great! I'm sure your interviewer understands that he/she caught you by surprise. What program did you apply for?

 

[Mate Boegi]

Mine still says it's in the first stage. Is anyone else still in the "First Stage?"

Im international... Mine is also at the first stage. A bit fustrating. Altough I did recieve an email with incomplete app. about a week ago, so I have completed it know. I guess?

 

[theflry]

I hesitate to even call it an interview... it was more of a 'do you know what you're getting yourself into?' conversation. I guess the professor didn't want to recommend anyone who wasn't serious. The best I could've done in preparation would be knowing the school and the program.

 

[mcholman]

I hesitate to even call it an interview... it was more of a 'do you know what you're getting yourself into?' conversation. I guess the professor didn't want to recommend anyone who wasn't serious. The best I could've done in preparation would be knowing the school and the program.

theflry Thanks for the info! Yeah, I'd call that an interview - I'd just classify it as a hardball one. They do want to make sure that you have your financials in place and that you're extremely dedicated. They don't want to give someone a slot and have them flake out after first semester when they could've given it to somebody who really wants it. Do you know who it was that interviewed you?

On another topic, I checked back on my application status and this is what it says:

"Your file has been forwarded to the academic department for review and an admission decision. You may check this system periodically for updates, and if the academic department requires additional information or renders an admission decision, you will be contacted."

Anybody else at the same status? It looks like it's in the right place, but I just want to make sure that I don't get left behind because of some silly detail that got missed.

I'm starting to check my email constantly now, waiting for that interview notice...

 

[Amina]

Ni

Hi Guys!

Great job with both of your films! They are really good!
It's really nice to get to know the other applicants. I've also applied just before the deadline, and here is the film I've submitted:

Nice! Where all have u applied?