Peter Stark Program Fall 2017

[Anja]

Yes! Please say what they said on the phone! If they give you any info about your status I guess I'll call too...

CaliIvy you do seem like a great candidate to me, but in the threads of the past few years people have also said, that they sometimes do not accept people who have too much experience already. So in case you find out that you weren't accepted (but it's not over yet!!!) it might just be that they feel like you don't need the program anymore in order to succeed?

 

[CaliIvy]

That part is definitely understandable. Except the case is that was my main reason always being noticeable to faculty and going to seminars. I asked them would me already working in the industry be a reason I wouldn't be accepted. They said no. They have people with tons of experience who go thru their program every year. But I'll be calling Keryl this morning and letting you guys know.

I slept on it and felt much better this morning lol. I hope to see everyone working in the industry in the future too!!

Update us when you find out. I'll also be calling. Especially since I never received an interview opportunity. I'm a little pissed about that, cause I consider myself a very competitive applicant since ive been working for 7 years now and am very specific about what I wanted out of the program. I even visited all the seminars and spoke to professors all last year. So even if I didn't get accepted, i'm mad I wasn't even a consideration. This is my 3rd time applying to USC. At this point, i'm just over it. Steven Spielberg even got denied to USC, so maybe it just isn't my calling.

 

[ireneyang]

UPDATE:
I just called Keryl (for the 100th time since 8AM, and now she finally answered) asking for the status of my app. Here's what she said,
"We are not quite ready to send the decisions out yet. We'll send them out by this Friday. "
I've also called Susan, the Director of Admissions, and she basically said the same thing.

--- Like someone in this forum said, sh*t ain't over till it's over. Think about Moonlight at the Oscars might help. *sigh*

 

[CaliIvy]

UPDATE:
I just called Keryl (for the 100th time since 8AM, and now she finally answered) asking for the status of my app. Here's what she said,
"We are not quite ready to send the decisions out yet. We'll send them out by this Friday. "
I've also called Susan, the Director of Admissions, and she basically said the same thing.

--- Like someone in this forum said, sh*t ain't over till it's over. Think about Moonlight at the Oscars might help. *sigh*

Thanks for the update! I won't call her then. I already know I didn't get accepted cause I never got an interview lol. I'm just waiting for decisions to come out so I can get a review. I love the Oscars analogy. Peep my profile pic? I just worked the oscars this year too. That situation definitely wasn't as lighthearted for Damien and the producers of La La land. They were so upset, they never even went to get their Oscars engraved after. They just left. It was such an embarrassing moment.

 

[Anja]

Thank you for the update!
I just wish they could confirm so that I can move on...

CaliIvy What exactly do you mean by review? Is there any way of finding out what you could improve on in case you decide to apply again?

Very exciting experience! I thought it was a joke at first. Seems to me like one of the absolute worst things that can happen at an event like that.

 

[CaliIvy]

Thank you for the update!
I just wish they could confirm so that I can move on

CaliIvy What exactly do you mean by review (sorry I'm new to everything!). Is there any way of finding out what you could improve on in case you decide to apply again? I'd just like to know if they even formally accepted my application, since I'm such an awkward case (lived & studied abroad my entire life, but an American citizen, so I'm not considered an international student even though I didn't go to an American university). Very exciting experience! I thought it was a joke at first. Seems to me like one of the absolute worst things that can happen at an event like that (especially for that award category in particular).

So when they post decisions, and say for instance you're not accepted to the program, you are more than entitled to ask what you can work on next year to make yourself a more viable candidate for the program. They should know and remember you especially if they read and reviewed each applicant. Don't ever be scared to ask. And it goes for the same for jobs when you go on an interview.

And yes. I mean the PR surrounding the entire situation for pwc is a nightmare. It sucks that it happened, but the academy does have very strict rules about what to do during your job. And you have to pay attention.

 

[FSprospect2017]

Wait List has been sent out by email!

 

[Anja]

CaliIvy Thank you very much for the info!

I (of course) didn't get an email lol - but thank you for the info!

 

[CaliIvy]

Wait List has been sent out by email!

CaliIvy Thank you very much for the info! Things are so entirely different from what I'm used to... I'll definitely ask then (do you recommend asking via phone or email?)!

I (of course) didn't get an email lol - but thank you for the info!

No problem at all. Definitely call. You paid and spent time preparing for it.

 

[ireneyang]

Waitlisted : /
Time to move on.

 

[CaliIvy]

Waitlisted : /
Time to move on.

Don't give up. Someone might concede their spot. You interviewed with them too?

 

[ireneyang]

Don't give up. Someone might concede their spot. You interviewed with them too?

Than you. It's just there're several people on that list and since there's no rank, it's like musical chairs. Yes, I had an interview.

 

[CaliIvy]

Than you. It's just there're several people on that list and since there's no rank, it's like musical chairs. Yes, I had an interview.

I say wait it out till April. And if you don't get in, and you want to apply next year, you'll have a better shot.

 

[mbosma]

Than you. It's just there're several people on that list and since there's no rank, it's like musical chairs. Yes, I had an interview.

How did they notify you? Also, waitlisted with Stark is still something to be proud of/fight for if you really want it.

 

[ireneyang]

How did they notify you? Also, waitlisted with Stark is still something to be proud of/fight for if you really want it.

By email. Btw no message in the youSC portal (what's it for anyway?)
Thanks, I think I will! I just don't wanna bet on that for the sake of my nerves haha

 

[Anja]

I got my rejection letter on Friday and just wanted to ask real quick: In the email it says "Decisions are final: we do not re-review, nor can we give individualized feedback on your application." Can I call and ask anyways?

 

[Meryam]

I got my rejection letter on Friday and just wanted to ask real quick: In the email it says "Decisions are final: we do not re-review, nor can we give individualized feedback on your application." Can I call and ask anyways?

Hi Anja,

I don't think it hurts to call and ask, but just don't be discouraged if they repeat the same line. If you're planning on reapplying, I think you may consider reaching out to folks that did get accepted and see if they can help you workshop your materials. You might get better, more thoughtful feedback that way. And if you're in the LA area, I also don't think it hurts to request informational interviews with professors there (or folks on the admission staff).

 

[Meryam]

Quick question to folks admitted...what are you thinking about housing? Are you going to do graduate housing (I got a packet about it a few days ago and it looks like all the available housing requires sharing a bedroom). I'm 28 and I am not super excited about that idea. What neighborhoods are you looking at and are you planning on rooming with other USC students? (cross-posting to USC cinematic arts board)

 

[ethwang]

Hey Meryam--I'm already established in Los Angeles, so my plan is to commute from my house in East LA (City Terrace neighborhood). Depending on what you'd like to prioritize (proximity to school, cost, stuff to do), there are several neighborhood options: Downtown / Little Tokyo, Koreatown, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, Culver City.

Let me know if you have any questions--I'd be happy to provide a second opinion.

Quick question to folks admitted...what are you thinking about housing? Are you going to do graduate housing (I got a packet about it a few days ago and it looks like all the available housing requires sharing a bedroom). I'm 28 and I am not super excited about that idea. What neighborhoods are you looking at and are you planning on rooming with other USC students? (cross-posting to USC cinematic arts board)

 

[Kai Yen]

Any one heard a word from the waiting list...?