AMA - 1st Year UCLA MFA Screenwriting Grad Student!

[Arthrax]

Hey everyone!
I'm a first year international grad student studying for my Screenwriting MFA at UCLA, and I'm just about to wrap up my first quarter at TFT. I know all too well how stressful it can be applying for grad film and/or writing programs, and it was quite hard for me to find information about UCLA's program before starting, so I'm happy to answer any questions prospective applicants may have - about UCLA, the program, LA, and just life as an international grad student!

A little bit about me:

1. I'm an international student from the UK on a J-1 visa and my wife moved with me.
2. I'm a BAFTA-Fulbright scholar.
3. I applied to UCLA, and USC (accepted) and NYU (accepted for fall 2023) for their grad film production programs, but ultimately chose UCLA - and I still think it was the correct choice for me!
4. I had 5 years of experience in the UK film industry working as a script supervisor, and previously in production, before applying.
5. I'm a writer-director, but wanted to specialize in writing.

 

[futuretelevisionwriter02]

Hi!
Can you speak a little bit on why you chose UCLA over USC?