2016 UCLA Screenwriting MFA

[beardown]

I just received word that I am on the Wait List.

ditto

 

[Bigedblue]

I've been accepted. GL to all the others!!

A dream come true.

 

[loho]

I've been accepted. GL to all the others!!

A dream come true.

me, too! congrats!

 

[iYaro]

Just received my email that says TFT is recommending me for admission to the program! Talk about a weight off my chest.

It does say that UCLA has to approve my acceptance still. Does anybody know if this is just a formality or do I have to get back on my fence?

 

[Bigedblue]

Just received my email that says TFT is recommending me for admission to the program! Talk about a weight off my chest.

It does say that UCLA has to approve my acceptance still. Does anybody know if this is just a formality or do I have to get back on my fence?

Stay off the fence. UC formality. You are in.

 

[iYaro]

Stay off the fence. UC formality. You are in.

Thank god. This grass feels way to good. Congra-f'in-lations everyone!

 

[eggparanoia]

Finally, I heard back today: an impersonal rejection letter....

From: F Grad<fgrad@tft.ucla.edu>
Date: Thu, Mar 10, 2016 at 10:31 AM
Subject: Update from UCLA's Screenwriting Program
To: F Grad <fgrad@tft.ucla.edu>

March 10, 2016

Dear applicant:

Thank you for your application to UCLA’s M.F.A. program in Screenwriting. And for interviewing with our faculty.

The faculty members in our program were very impressed with your dossier, and enjoyed meeting with you. However, the admissions committee wishes to advise you now that you have not been recommended for graduate study at UCLA.

As you know, the program receives many more applications than there are places available. Each applicant is carefully screened and supporting material is reviewed by the admissions committee. Unfortunately, we are unable to admit many of the talented and promising students who apply.

Please accept my best wishes for your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Natasha

Natasha Levy
Recruitment & Admissions Coordinator
UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television


For all my fellow rejects: You got this far, it's in you. Keep writing, keep creating. Don't ever ever ever stop believing in yourself.

 

[mwchambe]

I haven't contributed to this discussion board yet but I was wait listed as well.

 

[Boethius]

I got accepted as well. Still in disbelief.

Do any of you know how the scholarships for UCLA works out? I'm concerned that I missed the date to apply for fellowships (December 15), and I didn't see any info about merit-based departmental scholarships in the link in the email.

 

[loho]

did anyone else just receive another email about the graduate committee doing a careful review of transcripts? This was already addressed in the acceptance email from yesterday so now I am feeling a bit paranoid. Seems strange.

 

[Bigedblue]

Yes. It is pro forma for this Grad school. We have been recommended for admittance to MFA from the committee, however we must be vetted by the Graduate Division. As long as you graduated from an accredited school, with a g.p.a. above 3.0, you should be just fine. If you are worried that your school might not be accredited, you can check their website, which usually has all that info. Mine was accredited in the Middle States Region. CUNY.

Now... Smile and bask in the affirmation of your talent.

 

[badidas]

Yes. It is pro forma for this Grad school. We have been recommended for admittance to MFA from the committee, however we must be vetted by the Graduate Division. As long as you graduated from an accredited school, with a g.p.a. above 3.0, you should be just fine. If you are worried that your school might not be accredited, you can check their website, which usually has all that info. Mine was accredited in the Middle States Region. CUNY.

Now... Smile and bask in the affirmation of your talent.

I'm also CUNY and was admitted to UCLA. Nice to see CUNY in the house.

 

[loho]

I started a FB group for admits and waitlisters if anyone is interested in the forum and support. https://www.facebook.com/groups/UCLAScreenwritingMFA2016

 

[Bigedblue]

Just got official notification.

Dear Mr.
Congratulations! As the Dean of the Graduate Division, I am pleased to extend your official offer of admission to graduate study at UCLA. You have been selected from a pool of exceptionally qualified applicants based on your academic achievements and potential for advanced scholarship.

GO BRUINS!!!!

 

[loho]

Anyone else get there official letter yet? Hoping it comes through so I can breathe easier and get on with my life!

 

[archbrenemy]

Got my official letter yesterday as well - they sent me email to sign in to a site and see it. I'm sure they are coming! The original acceptance email says it can take 15 business days or more for the letter to come out.

 

[UTFilmGirl]

I was accepted as well. Congrats to all who will be attending UCLA this fall. Can't wait to meet you all.

 

[Bigedblue]

See you soon!

 

[cnevins113]

Hello,

Been reading through the forum and found really helpful info, congrats to everyone on the news of their acceptances.

I am beginning my process to apply for acceptance in Fall 2017. I had a few questions I was hoping some alumni or others could shed some light on.

Namely, are recommendations other than academic accepted? Despite being in good academic standing with my undergrad institution and well within the minimum GPA req. for the program, I graduated over 7 years ago and am not sure any academic faculty would remember me well enough to write something effective. Has anyone else had this issue?

My time after undergrad was spent living and working part time in L.A. reading and writing script coverage for a prod. company among other things. Where can I show all the years of experience I gained in the gap between my undergrad and my grad application?

Lastly, I know its stated that MFA candidates do NOT require the GRE, but is anyone of the opinion that they should be included to strengthen the application?

Thanks for anything you can share and good luck to everyone

 

[Bigedblue]

Hello,

Been reading through the forum and found really helpful info, congrats to everyone on the news of their acceptances.

I am beginning my process to apply for acceptance in Fall 2017. I had a few questions I was hoping some alumni or others could shed some light on.

Namely, are recommendations other than academic accepted? Despite being in good academic standing with my undergrad institution and well within the minimum GPA req. for the program, I graduated over 7 years ago and am not sure any academic faculty would remember me well enough to write something effective. Has anyone else had this issue?

My time after undergrad was spent living and working part time in L.A. reading and writing script coverage for a prod. company among other things. Where can I show all the years of experience I gained in the gap between my undergrad and my grad application?

Lastly, I know its stated that MFA candidates do NOT require the GRE, but is anyone of the opinion that they should be included to strengthen the application?

Thanks for anything you can share and good luck to everyone

All recommendations are considered, but as Richard Walter said, don't count for much.
Your writing sample will be key. The personal statement will count towards the writing sample. As far as I can tell, Prof Walter didn't even know that I had graduated with a B.A. I take from the interview that all that mattered to the advisory council were my writing samples. I sent an original screenplay and my personal statement. I have been accepted and will be attending the MFA program beginning this Fall.

Good Luck! GO BRUINS!