Acceptances 2009

[Suzako]

Hi all,

I thought it might be useful to post people's acceptances in one place. When I found this forum last year, it really helped me to see the varying backgrounds of people who got accepted and it made me feel like I had a chance (even though I lacked film experience). So I hope this forum can help future applicants by putting info in one place.

So here it goes

Stats:

Applied to: USC Screenwriting, UCLA Screenwriting, Columbia, NYU Dramatic Writing
Accepted by: Columbia, NYU DW
Rejected by: UCLA (probably USC)
GPA: 3.0 from a top-tier school, not a consistent student with a few Ds and Cs as well as the occasional A. Majored in history, graduated in 2005.
GRE: 1250 (only took it for USC)
Recommendations: One from my current employer, one from a college professor (arts related), one from a theater colleague
Background: Since college, been working at a non-profit (in a really boring job). Took an into to film-making class and a tv writing class. Spending almost all free time doing theater related stuff.

Okay, that's me. I am really grateful to everyone who has ever used this forum this year and in the past. Its been a great resource for me so I hope people don't find it redundant to post this info in one place.

 

[SimAlex]

Great idea suzako -- and i too am SO thankful for this community.

Columbia -- interview, accepted
NYU -- no interview, rejected
UTexas-Austin -- no interview, accepted
AFI -- interview, rejected
UCLA -- no interview, rejected
USC -- no interview, waitlist
Chapman -- interview, accepted
LMU -- no interview, accepted

GPA: 3.38 (3.67 in junior/senior yrs) double-major Journalism/History from University of Missouri-Columbia; also did a 1-year-long screenwriting certificate course @ the College of Santa Fe

GRE: 1140 (took it for a bunch of places, UT, USC, LMU, NYU)

References: Two former college profs (one journalism, one playwrighting) and a prof from the certificate program

Background: Since graduating 2005, i've been working as a copy editor @ two tiny newspapers, writing headlines, photo captions, basically 1/2 remedial english, 1/2 mediocre graphic design. glad to be moving on, let's put it that way.

**I've edited this post to include where I've been accepted. I'll be going to Texas. Hook 'em horns!!

 

[bombshellfilms]

Yes, I agree with both of you. Very helpful, informative forum.

Columbia - interview, accepted, MFA Film
NYU - interview, accepted, MFA Film

GPA: 3.5 from Queens University in Charlotte, NC. Major in Communications (Journalism). That was in 1999, so I took a 10-year hiatus (which I think helped me).

Did not take GRE.

References: A writer, an editor, an old friend who is now an NYU professor for theater.

Background: Hmmmm. Lots of odd jobs. Also wrote and directed for theater, worked in casting for film, wrote and directed my own short films, involved with women in the arts organizations. Did some freelance writing along the way.

 

[Madison Ave]

Oh, this is pretty interesting. I only applied to one school (living in NYC now and most of my friends are here, so I wanted to stick around for two years before moving to LA).

Applied to: NYU Dramatic Writing
Accepted by: NYU
GPA: 3.0 from Loyola Chicago, horribly inconsistent in core classes, but majored in Theatre with a 4.0 average in my major
GRE: Didn't take it.
Recommendations: One from a friend/colleague who teaches Theatre at a middle school and went to undergrad with me, two recommendations from part-time NYU dramatic writing professors who I met taking summer classes in 2007
Background: In college, studied playwrighting though we didn't have a formal program. Had two shows produced in our studio. Since college, I've joined a writers' group and have been working on television specs while working in theatre. Placed as a finalist in the Top 20 of the 2009 ABC/Disney Television Writing Fellowship.

 

[Sonia]

Thanks for starting this thread, Suzako.
Sim, I can't believe how many applications you completed!

Columbia ”” no interview, rejected (pending)
Northwestern ”” no interview, rejected (pending)
UCLA ”” no interview, rejected
USC ”” no interview, accepted

I applied for screenwriting.

Graduated: May 2008
GPA: 3.7 (3.8 major) from Macalester College (US News ranked #25 for private liberal arts colleges)
Degree: BA in English (creative writing focus), minors in media studies & psychology
Took a screenwriting & production course at Goldsmiths College in London

GRE: 1250. I don't remember my writing score. I was in the 93rd percentile for verbal and the 48th for math. Took it for USC.

Recommendations: Former creative writing professors, my boss/creative director at the web design studio where I've worked since graduation (~10 months)

Background: Almost no film experience. In college, I took a couple of film analysis classes, poetry & fiction classes, won a couple of college-wide contests, helped with the student literary magazine, and interned at a small literary journal.

I want to mention (again) that none of the writing samples I sent to USC were screenplay/stage play excerpts. Except for the two scenes they assigned, my stuff was poetry & fiction.

 

[AviQ]

Hi Guys! This is a great thread...

I only applied to AFI, only school that interested me, got an interview and got accepted.

I applied for Producing.

Graduated in 2004, Bachelor in Mass Communications, specialized in Audiovisual Arts from one of the top tier universities in Venezuela (UCAB, Caracas)

GPA: 3.8 but 4.0 in all of my specialization classes.

Recommendations: 1 from a film and commercial director, 1 from an executive producer, 1 from an editor and 1 from a screenwriter and producer. The last 2 are AFI alumni.

Background: Worked as a TA for television and videography classes, 2 years at an Independant TV Production company renowned in my country, then as a post production coordinator in a feature film, then in an International Cable TV Network escalating to various positions. Currently Editor-In-Chief of an online news site, and freelance producer.

Most of my recommendation letters came from former employers.

Didn't take the GRE, my TOEFL score is of 650 out of 700.

Producers only get to submit letters of recommendation and resumes at AFI.

 

[KayS]

Yep, I think this will be a really useful thread for future applicants!

Columbia Film - interview, accepted
NYU Dramatic Writing - casual phone interview, accepted, but didn't hear until April 18th
UTexas-Austin screenwriting - no interview, waitlisted, then accepted
AFI screenwriting - interview, accepted
UCLA screenwriting - interview, accepted
USC screenwriting - no interview, accepted

GPA: 3.67 double major Plan II Liberal Arts Honors and Radio-TV-Film from University of Texas at Austin, did a UT Summer in LA program (internship + classes) during which I interned at Battlestar Galactica Post for a few months.

GRE: 1440 (I think I might have put the wrong score on a previous thread, but I can't seem to find it.) Took it for a some but not all of the schools.

References: A former college professor/director in Radio-TV-Film, a former supervisor at Battlestar Galactica Post, and a former supervisor from this other receptionist/production assistant job I had briefly in NY (at an editorial boutique for TV commercials)

Background: Graduated in 2007, worked very briefly in NY but came back because the job was heading towards producing and I wanted to stay in the creative side of the industry. Came back to Austin to explore the field and really pin down what I wanted to do. Tried acting, helped out with student projects at the UT campus, and joined a screenwriting group. Attended Austin Film Festival and a screenwriting workshop held by Dave Trottier (author of the Screenwriter's Bible). I am mostly unemployed, but I do freelance graphic and web design. I also do portraits from time to time.

Honestly I think being unemployed was an asset during the application process because I put all my time and energy into writing and working on my application. Submitted a short film and a feature length film (or a snippet of it depending on page limits). Have written a few features that all suck either during school or while being unemployed.

To consolidate this thread and Sonia's thread about conveying who you are in your application, I think Columbia and USC probably got the best picture of me because they had additional scenes you were required to write. USC had the most writing requirements, so I got to really give them all I got. I liked my Columbia scene, so I tried to maneuver most of the dialogue into one of my USC scenes. hehe.

I'll most likely be going to USC. Can everyone add in where they are going to attend whenever they decide?

 

[WillieGreen]

Congratulations to all of you guys!


And KayS, if you plan on going to USC, feel free to notify UCLA ASAP.

 

[96Mph]

Originally posted by WillieGreen:
Congratulations to all of you guys!


And KayS, if you plan on going to USC, feel free to notify UCLA ASAP.

Yeah, oh- and you should def goto USC...

 

[azuernd]

Applied to USC, Northwestern, Boston U, Loyola-Marymount and Miami for screenwriting

Accepted by: USC, Boston, Miami

Still waiting to hear from: Loyola-Marymount (no interview) and Northwestern (interviewed)

GPA: 3.50 from Emory University
Degree: Journalism/American Studies double major (BA)

GRE: 1330... Can't remember writing score but know I was pretty disappointed by it (4 maybe?)

References: Three editors at the newspaper I work at... Originally was supposed to be two editors and one college professor but after promising to get it done, the professor never did.

Background: Graduated in 2006, have been working as a sports writer at a newspaper in North Carolina since then. Write fiction on the side, but I have absolutely no film experience.

Like Sonia (who seems to be my surrogate on these boards), none of my writing samples were in screenplay format. All were fiction.

Had a 5-6 month stretch where I woke up every day and worked 5 hours on writing samples for applications, then went to my real job for 8 hours, then came back home and wrote some more. Was probably the hardest thing I've ever done but was totally worth it when I got into my top choice (USC). I only point this out to stress that lack of film experience can be overcome. I really didn't think that was going to be the case when I started the process.

I'm going to USC, pending my trip out there April 2-5. So long as I am not mauled by a Yeti on campus (and maybe even if that happens), I'll be a Trojan.

Also wanted to reiterate thanks to everyone on these boards, especially on behalf of the other lurkers like me that contribute nothing of worth but get tons of useful info in return.

 

[SimAlex]

Columbia Film - interview, accepted
NYU Dramatic Writing - casual phone interview, still waiting to hear back
UTexas-Austin screenwriting - no interview, waitlisted
AFI screenwriting - interview, accepted
UCLA screenwriting - interview, accepted
USC screenwriting - no interview, accepted

KayS, the new studentfilms forums God.

 

[Justin18]

Yeah, really, KayS. you aced those applications! I was interested in your background. You should use the buzz created for yourself on this site to sell a script even b/f school

Sonia, as a fellow "liberal-arts"-er, I feel you on the need to give xtra info on the school. Nobody knows these schools, but you get so much out of them.

Schools - mostly for screenwriting, except UCLA and both Columbias)
AFI - interviewed, rejected
Florida State - interviewed, ?
Northwestern - no response, probably rejected
Columbia College - interviewed
USC - ?
UCLA - rejected
Boston U. - accepted
Columbia U. - no response, probably rejected

GPA
3.35 from Beloit College (WI)
Majored in Communication Theory

GRE - 1120 first time, 1330 second time. Essentially a waste of time.

References - a theatre prof, a producer for an independent film show at a PBS affiliate, and an editor at a political news agency (print) where I worked

Background - Just finished a first draft of a 350-page novel. (Yeah, that took all of 2 years. I need to write faster). After finishing college 4 years ago, I've read fiction/screenwriting craft books, written my novel, some short scripts, tried converting my novel to a screenplay, interned in marketing at 3 non-profits, worked as a print news reporter, interned at PBS Chicago, and taught English as a Second Language in Chicago and rural China.

What's next: Beats me. I'd like to finish my novel, but that's hard given the time demands of living in America. So maybe go back to China, where you can live like a king off of 12 hours of work, to finish it there?

Graduate school? I came so close to AFI this year, but no dice. So wait 'til next year? Is there still hope for USC or Florida St. this year? Maybe, maybe not. Is a $120K degree in writing with small odds of a job writing what you actually want to write afterwards even worth it? Maybe, maybe not.

So, I guess, play it by ear. Keep writing, live life, make money, and let go. Guess that's all you can do.

And this site is awesome.

 

[TDK120]

Okay, here's me:

Applied: NYU & USC
Accepted: NYU & USC
(dramatic writing/screenwriting MFAs)

GPA: 3.8 college, 3.9 grad school, both in music, both many years ago

References: A writer, a communications professor and a musician/writer

Background: self-taught writer, mostly fiction, decided at the last minute to apply to both places (particularly USC -- I wrote the stuff over a weekend -- dumb, I know, but what the hell...)

Good news for you waitlisters: I probably can't afford either school.

 

[HandzOn]

Alright here goes:

Applied: NYU, Columbia, FSU
Accepted: Columbia, FSU, NYU Asia (pending)

Undergrad GPA: 3.48

Background
Visual artist, writer, wrote and shot a couple shorts, interned on a couple features

Congrats to all!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KayS]

Alex! That's blasphemy! Everyone knows JAYIMESS is the true goddess of the studentfilms forum.

And YES! I will definitely notify UCLA as soon as my deposit is safely in USC's hands. And I'll pray (maybe to Jayimess?) that someone on this glorious forum gets bumped as a result.

 

[SimAlex]

Alex! That's blasphemy! Everyone knows JAYIMESS is the true goddess of the studentfilms forum. Smile

i dunno kay. you may have bumped her off the top spot with your epic film school application successfulness.

**sim is now waiting for jayimess to smite him with a lightning bolt**

 

[Melanie]

Hey guys, here's mine:

Columbia - no interview (therefore rejected)
NYU - no interview, rejected
UCLA - no interview, rejected
CalArts - no interview, accepted

Where applicable, this was for directing/production.

Went to Haverford College in PA, rated #10 liberal arts school by us news

Majored in Comparative Literature. Cumulative GPA 3.5, major GPA 3.5

Graduated in 08, spent this year in Europe traveling the continent, learning languages, and making my own shorts.

 

[Melanie]

oops I meant 3.8 major GPA, but clearly that didn't help on the applications

 

[ArtVandelay]

Hello all. New here. And may I say, this site has been a huge help. My thanks.

NYU - No interview, rejected (You can't fire me. I quit.)
Columbia - Interview, Accepted
UCLA - Interview, stilll waiting

3.8 GPA from a top 30 school. Been out a year and a half, working hard. Very excited to get to the typewriter. It's about time.

 

[MoeFab]

I'm from Northern California went to Undergrad at a small private school 30 minutes east of LA. Got a BA in Television Broadcasting.

Applied:

USC- interviewed: accepted (production)
Loyola- not interviewed: accepted
AFI- not interviewed: rejected
Chapman- not interviewed: rejected

GPA undergrad: 3.63 Cum Laude and graduated with departmental honors

Letters of Rec: (mixed and matched for different schools but here are the ones I submitted for USC since that's the school I am going to)..My TV professor who is a USC alum, The Communications department chair who is also a USC alum, and my theater teacher.

Background: In college I made about 8 documentaries, some commercials, experimentals, and a short movie. I've written for a local newspaper for the past four years and was involved in theater in college.