Any ideas on my chances?

[Bartleby Fink]

So I've been working on my apps for a while now, finally gotten off both UCLA and USC. Obviously these are hard schools to get into, but someone has to, right? I'm also applying to a host of other schools: UT, FSU, Boston, Columbia, Ohio, Syracuse, Chapman, LMU, and American.

But that's only because of the following reason: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MY CHANCES ARE ANYWHERE.

So, here's my question: If I list my "stats," will someone offer me some advice on what my chances are/where I should be looking to go?

Here it goes:

I took the GRE (1360 -- 700 verbal, 660 Math, and 5.5 writing)

I graduated as valedictorian from a large state school with degrees in English and Communication.

I have three letters of reference. One from the dean, one from my TV and Digital Video professor and one from a writing professor. I got to see one of them and it is very flattering.

Problem is: I don't have a whole of of TV and Film background. I've shot a couple of no-budget shorts (my first) and worked on a series of in-studio TV productions for a class I took. I wrote a script in a screen writing class, but that's all.

Anyone who bothered to read all that got any opinion?

 

[Winterreverie]

Most schools aren't really looking for prior experience so much as they are looking the ability to tell a story especially from a new point of view. In other words, so long as you excel the minimum requirements you should be good so long as you nail the creative parts of the application.

Also, don't choose a school off name or reputation alone-- just like a film school shouldn't choose you just because your academics are stellar. Visit each of them and see if they are a good fit for you.

I was dead set on UCLA until I visited Chapman and got to know the students there. Chapman was a way better fit overall and I can't imagine being anywhere else.

Really, before you get accepted or rejected check each place out and see what they look for in a student beyond GPA. You'll be a lot happier for the research when you're done

 

[Bartleby Fink]

Thanks, Winter!

Yeah, I'm heading out to check out the California schools around the first of the year. But some of the deadlines were early so I went ahead and put in applications.

Mostly -- even though I'm not quite sold on anywhere yet -- I wanted to apply to some of the top school to see if the hard work I've been putting in over the last few years would pay off. I've been told that I sold myself short by going to a large public university and just had to know if I had a chance at landing at somewhere more elite.

As for Chapman, I really like what I've seen and heard and read. I'm super excited about it and it's definitely one of my top choices. (That is, if I take to it when I visit.)

 

[ML133]

I wouldn't stress the not a lot of tv/film background. Your statement of purpose and recommendation letters are really the best things you've got going for you. Your grades will show that you're a hard worker, which is good. The GRE really doesn't prove anything but test taking skills.

All these schools are stressing a diverse background outside of film because anyone can learn to run a camera or edit video, but having something to say or having experiences to draw off are invaluable and can't be taught. Its the reason newspapers don't hire journalism majors right out of school. All you did for the past 4 years is learn how to write like a journalist, not what to write.

 

[Jayimess]

Your impressive stats will get you in the door, it's your creative side that will get you in the door.

My stats are hardly as impressive, and I got into UCLA and USC.

I know two people who got conditional admission because their undergraduate stats were sub par.



So....basically, you never know.


I wasn't able to visit ANY of the three schools I applied to, so don't fret if you can't get to them all. I know I made the right choice...even though I don't know how I did it.

 

[Bartleby Fink]

Wow. Thanks guys. I'm working on my UT application at the moment. What did you guys send in for your creative portfolio?

I'm thinking: a DVD of class produced (by me, for a class) shorts, a second draft of a screenplay I wrote, and maybe a published travel article (?).

 

[Jayimess]

I think that's way too much stuff.

 

[Bartleby Fink]

Really? Two shorts and a screenplay is too much?

 

[Jayimess]

My bad, Bart. Just hopped over to the RTF site.

I guess I forgot they don't impose limits.

Apologies!

I would only submit the best work you have.

 

[Bartleby Fink]

For those with knowledge (read: everyone but me):

So I'm now back in the "doubt-everything-you've-ever-learned rut" and now I just want to know if sending OK things is better than sending nothing. (I guess they are OK. People like them, but I -- like I do with everything I make -- kind of hate them and think they're crap/could be way, way better.)

I've got no gold, to send. Or at least, I've got no idea if anything I have is gold; it almost certainly isn't.

So, to send mediocrity or to send nothing at all?