USC School of Cinematic Arts Reviews & Admissions Statistics

3.57 star(s) 3.57143 Stars (14 Reviews)
School Website
https://cinema.usc.edu/
Degrees Offered
  1. 4 Year BA
  2. 4 Year BS
  3. 4 Year BFA
  4. 2 Year MFA
Concentrations
  1. Film & Television Production
  2. Film Studies
  3. Producing
  4. Screenwriting
  5. Writing for Screen & Television
Tuition Range
$60k to $70k
Undergraduate Deadlines
December 1
Graduate Deadlines
November 15
Overview Reviews (14) Questions (15) Gallery (1) Discussion (37) Admissions Statistics

Reviews summary

Excellent 8
 
 57%
Good 1
 
 7%
Average 0
 
 0%
Poor 1
 
 7%
Terrible 4
 
 29%
Overall rating (14 ratings)
3.57 star(s) 14 ratings
Affordability
1.67 star(s)
Alumni Network
3.80 star(s)
Campus
3.70 star(s)
Career Assistance
3.10 star(s)
Coursework
3.10 star(s)
Facilities & Equipment
3.70 star(s)
Professors
3.20 star(s)
Scholarships
2.50 star(s)
14% are recommending this film school.

Helpful reviews

Most helpful positive review
panda
I'm beyond happy with the education and mentorship I received.
I completed USC's MFA screenwriting program in 2018. I'm beyond happy with the education and mentorship I received. Within two months of... view full review
4 members found this helpful.
View all positive reviews
Most helpful critical review
Great Marketing, Subpar Reality
I'm writing this review because there wasn't a lot of clear info when I was applying so I hope that this can offer some clarification beyond the... view full review
8 members found this helpful.
View all critical reviews
Write a review
Avec Love
Ultimately the school lives up to its ranking.
Reviewed by: Current Student
Degree: MA/MFA
Concentration: Film and Television Production
Pros
  • Students are among the most motivated and productive
  • Atmosphere of collaboration emphasized both in student populations and in curriculum
  • Professors who would be consider diamonds in the rough are more common here
  • More opportunities to be on set or to work on a film than you know what to do with
  • Editing facilities are top notch
  • This is small and ultimately not very important, but I was surprised about the kind of clout going to SCA gave me within the school. There is a sense of pride that goes along with it.
  • Self motivated and disciplined students never fail to find a plethora of opportunities
  • Sound and Producing department faculty are among the best in the nation
Cons
  • Students are selected by less tangible standards than necessarily the commercial quality of their work, their resume or their film literacy. The gap in initial competency among students can cause some friction.
  • For a school that claims to focus on industry practice, the opportunity to work on anything even approaching industry scale work is few and far between. Even advanced classes can sometimes have a more Guerilla feel.
  • Since films are thought of mainly as a form of practice, not enough time or emphasis is given for the preproduction phase
  • Sound and Production Design are disciplines get little emphasis.
  • One can spin their wheels and go unnoticed if they don't self promote
Ultimately the school lives up to its ranking. It's not a conservatory. Perhaps it should be, but beyond that claim it shouldn't be judged against other conservatories.

Furthermore, the student network is among the most ambitious and collaborative. The attitude among the student population is the reason I decided to go to this school and I haven't regretted it.

If you aren't disciplined and self motivated you can end up getting a little overlooked at the school but with a 3 year program, there is plenty of time to self correct.
Affordability
2.00 star(s)
Alumni Network
5.00 star(s)
Campus
5.00 star(s)
Career Assistance
5.00 star(s)
Coursework
4.00 star(s)
Facilities & Equipment
4.00 star(s)
Professors
4.00 star(s)
Scholarships
3.00 star(s)
3 members found this helpful.
Last edited by a moderator:
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