Appealing to USC Film Prod. and Writing Undergrad; any advice from appealees or USC undergrad transfers?

[skyyfarlow]

Hello! I am a high schooler who was recently rejected from USC undergrad after my interview. I am looking towards my next steps. I appealed on Saturday after hearing from someone that it actually does work and is successful for the film program but I am still proceeding to plan for the next year. USC tends to hold this mysterious air around their transfer qualifications but, from what I have heard, it is harder to get in than applying as an incoming freshman. I was offered TTP but I know it is not the same as it used to be, and maybe never was for film specifically. I know that they do prefer and have higher rates for in-state community college transfers. It would require me to reject my other school I got into but I am willing to risk it for the biscuit. It is also possible for me to apply for Chapman and UCLA for options as well.

Is there anyone who can give me some advice on what the transfer process is like, if TTP works for SCA, and if anyone has gotten in off of appeal? Thank you!

 

[GabrielSR]

Hello! My name is Gabriel. I'm currently a USC prod student. I was accepted as a transfer from SF State (California State School). My understanding is that the acceptance rate for transfers is higher and it's a very different pool of applicants. I HIGHLY recommend transferring into USC. You will save money and if you complete your GE requirements at a community college you will be able to focus on film classes once you get to USC. Happy to answer any specific questions you have and I wish you the best of luck with whatever path you choose!

 

[skyyfarlow]

Hello! My name is Gabriel. I'm currently a USC prod student. I was accepted as a transfer from SF State (California State School). My understanding is that the acceptance rate for transfers is higher and it's a very different pool of applicants. I HIGHLY recommend transferring into USC. You will save money and if you complete your GE requirements at a community college you will be able to focus on film classes once you get to USC. Happy to answer any specific questions you have and I wish you the best of luck with whatever path you choose!

Hello Gabriel! My name is Skyy Farlow. I appreciate you so much for your responding. This alleviates a lot of my fears. I would love to ask you a few questions, especially about your portfolio and the application process. Do you know if there were any other four-year university admits? Specifically from another state? I got into U-Michigan LSA and am currently debating about whether to go over there for a year and transfer or would that inhibit my chances of acceptance?

 

[GabrielSR]

Hey Skyy! In my cohort of 60 ish students I'd say about 3/4 came from community college and the remaining from four year universities. Actually there are two people in my cohort who went to U-Mich (I can connect you with them if you want to ask them some questions!). My cohort is a good mix of in state and out of state students. I wouldn't worry too much about this factor. If I'm remembering correctly the transfer application has a question about why you transferred so I just explained what I got out of the film program at SF State and how it didn't live up to my expectations / wasn't what I was looking for. Hope that's helpful!

 

[skyyfarlow]

Thank you so much, I would love to connect with them! Do they have a LinkedIn account?

 

[GabrielSR]

They said to just shoot them a text.

[EDIT - removed phone numbers and DM'd them to you privately-Chris]

best of luck! Let me know if I can help in anyway

 

[skyyfarlow]

Thank you! Can I ask, what extra work did you put in your application? Was it bigger projects, more prestigious festivals? I have one prestigious festival, the All-American High School Film Festival, but what can I do in this following year to really make my application strong?

 

[GabrielSR]

Amazing!! I think most students transfer as juniors but check the requirements bec I don't remember exactly.

After high school I worked on a feature doc and some other short films during my two years at a state school and I think those experiences helped me figure out what kind of films I want to make. I'd def recommend producing 2-3 projects of your own that relfect your voice and the stories you're interested in. In some ways I think it's much stronger to have examples of the work you want to make in your portfolio vs. describing what you what to make in the future in your written app. Hope that makes sense.

 

[skyyfarlow]

I see, I have been telling myself I wanted to go to college and focus on a few projects I’m passionate about so I can really make them great. I would love to ask you some more questions, can I have your contact info?

 

[Chris W]

can I have your contact info?

Send them a Direct Message (it's private) if you want to share contact info. Good luck!