Peter Stark Program 2010

[moonfullofstars]

By the way, Witt, I saw that you sent me a private message. I received an e-mail notification that contained the message in the body of the e-mail. But I have no idea how to reply to it. Just wanted to say: thanks for the clarification and good luck!

 

[moonfullofstars]

oHaiZZ,

That's so strange that he said 35 during your phone call at 2pm on Tuesday and he told me 40 at 3pm on Tuesday! Are you on CA time?

Maybe he just happened to give me a rougher estimate than he gave you, or maybe you're a "higher up" possibility for admission! Who knows?

I'd be thrilled to even get the wait list, honestly. I can't believe we've made it this far! Congratulations again!

 

[oHaiZZ]

Originally posted by moonfullofstars:
oHaiZZ,

That's so strange that he said 35 during your phone call at 2pm on Tuesday and he told me 40 at 3pm on Tuesday! Are you on CA time?

Maybe he just happened to give me a rougher estimate than he gave you, or maybe you're a "higher up" possibility for admission! Who knows?

I'd be thrilled to even get the wait list, honestly. I can't believe we've made it this far! Congratulations again!

Congrats again to you too! Honestly, I'm glad just to have made it this far and even if I don't get in, I think this experience will generate even more confidence for next year's application and make it even better. That's all we can do, really!

And regarding the numbers, I don't necessarily think that there is a hard number at this point. I think over the next few days that number will fluctuate for them as they go through their process of whittling down the applicants to 25.

Also, I don't necessarily think I'm "higher" on the list. Actually, I think I'm probably more in the "on the cusp" group. But that's just personal feeling and gut - I have no evidence to back that up unless you count this horrible feeling of indigestion I've had since Monday, haha.

I guess, the best we can hope for is to be whittled. Or...not whittled. Whichever one is the good one. haha.

 

[Witt]

it floored me.

 

[moonfullofstars]

Witt, why do you think your personal statement was "blah"? What did you write about, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[moonfullofstars]

Witt, if you get in (and I think you will) I'd still like to read it after Feb. 23

 

[oHaiZZ]

Yeah, he made sure at the beginning of the phone call to say almost exactly what he told you, moon - that this wasn't a yes or no, and he was sorry for making me wait another 8 days, etc. He did say to me (after our discussion about Stark not being the only way into this profession) that he was "impressed" after our chat. Now, I don't know what that means. It could very well mean that he had made his decision in his head about me and was trying to pre-emptively soften the blow or if he was merely expressing an opinion. I'm trying not to read too much into what he said.

Witt, thank you for the congrats! I've got my fingers crossed for you!

Also, with the personal statement - I absolutely hated mine. I feel like my sentence structure was really simplistic and juvenile (argh! I envy wordsmiths!) but that the content of it really represented who I am, where I'm coming from and where I want to go. I really think that if your essay can do that, then you don't really have to think about SELLING yourself. I mean, every single letter on your application is going towards that goal. If you focus on representing yourself and expressing your passion and drive - there's not much more anyone can ask of you. If that's the kind of effort you put into your Rhodes essay, it will show no matter who is reading it and why.

I would like to see your statement after the 23rd if you're up for sharing. (totally understand if you're not. I'm not entirely sure I want anyone to see mine, haha. The only person who has seen it is my partner and I only showed it to her yesterday. haha!)

 

[moonfullofstars]

Wow, oHaiZZ! Sounds like your'e in! He's "impressed." But it sounds like he already was if he called you personally!

If I get in, it would be such a fantasy of mine to read everyone's personal statements. I know that sounds a little insane but I went through literally 21 drafts of my personal statement, I kid you not. It KILLED me--and I mean, KILLED me--that the personal statement was the most important part of the application. I really wish it was the resume or interview or even GPA/GRE (because I'm pretty solid, numbers wise) but alas, the selection emphasis isn't on any of those things.

It would really satisfy my curiosity to read admitted candidates' personal statements to get a general overview of what the admissions committee even considers to be a "good" personal statement.

I don't know if I'll get in though, we'll see! Fingers crossed!

 

[moonfullofstars]

I feel like my personal statement did what it needed to do technically. It was well-written and I think it gave the "right" answers to the questions asked. Even though there are no right answers, I definitely feel like I responded the right way for my own goals if that makes sense. I just don't think I made myself unique enough. I wish I had taken more of a risk and done a better job of branding myself.

My personal statement was very straightforward. It wasn't really humorous or filled with personality, which annoys me because I'm a pretty quirky person. But I'm terrible at writing about myself!

 

[Max Keller]

Waiting on the end of the world

 

[Max Keller]

Beware of the leopard

 

[Max Keller]

Oh, it's already been broughten

 

[Witt]

damn it.

 

[cindykhoo]

oh my, seeing everyone getting calls just make me feels that my chance of getting in is worse. I wonder if they make calls to those overseas as well?

but anw congrats to those who got their calls.. the rest of us.. good luck!

 

[seeconrun]

@Witt

I'm sorry to hear about your Mum, I hope she recovers soon.

A Stark nest egg is fantastic. That's so wonderful that you partner is also as supportive.

I created a "grad school" savings account on SmartyPig, which collects a portion of my paycheck every month builds and builds interest.

I agree--I'm not a big fan of loans or debt.

Best wishes and crossing fingers for acceptances with scholarships!

Originally posted by Witt:
seeconrun,

if I get through (god willing), my partner and I have saved a nest egg we've been calling our "Stark nest egg" for the last three years or so and that would pay for the full first semester atleast (plus more considering the floundering of the US Dollar. Australian dollar beating US dollar atm). I'm not a fan of loans from anyone other than family. My dad was going to put in some, but my mum's really sick and he spends lots on her medical bills and probably can't afford to give us anything.

I'd be hoping for some sort of scholarship too and my partner would keep woking full time in L.A so we'll get by.

 

[alliestark]

Hey all! Congrats to those of you who got a call from mr. T! I had already spoken to him in person during my interview so I hope that they are not calling me because he already knows me.... I am going crazy though!! Six days?? I think it's going to be a terribly slow week...and I hope to get in and to have all of you as classmates! It would be awesome to already know each other, right?

I officially need to do some zen breathing before I answer any phone call with a 213 area code...and before I go to bed...and more in general randomly during the day when I start thinking and it gets out of control. But you know what? We are going to make it. We only have one week left to be positive and picture ourselves in the sca rooms discussing our film projects. We have 6 days to daydream and to feel shivers running down our spines hearing the word peter stark or usc. We could ALL be already on that damned list. We could be among the 25. This is the time to hope. And I hope that we all get in, because I have never encountered anyone more willing and more dedicated than you guys. We all deserve it.

And after this pep talk I will go to the gym, to a class called "mission possible" where at the end we are all forced to gather and scream "mission complete!" I love to work out, but this time I will run and avoid the embarrassment of feeling like lara croft at the end of a mission. ..

 

[moonfullofstars]

Witt,

I totally understand how you feel about the temptation to "check in" with them. I'm proud of you for resisting!

I have to physically restrain myself sometimes from sending a horrible e-mail that asks them how many applications are left now. If there are still 40, if there are 35 now, if there are 30 now, if there are 26 now, etc.

It's going to be a rough 6 days, that's for sure!

 

[moonfullofstars]

By the way, you guys...the Stark Program LOVES international students. Sometimes I feel like you guys have a better chance of getting in than we lowly Americans do. Every year Stark accepts about 7 international students! I think that's a huge percentage of the incoming class!!!

 

[Max Keller]

Witt, I'm glad you liked my personal statement. I worked really hard on it and attempted to make myself stand out from the crowd. I didn't get a chance to tell you in the e-mail but I REALLY enjoyed yours. It was very well written and really nailed you and your interests.

I'm happy to share my personal statement with everyone else via private messages. I'd also love to read all of yours as well.

 

['K' Chang]

oh well... seems not many people have gotten a call from USC yet. It makes me kinda nervous, but at the same time, it relieves my tension somehow. Is it too early to give up. USC is definitely the number one pick, but it's harder to get in as I expected.

What do y'all think about AFI?
I had an interview with AFI a couple of weeks ago. Just wondering what's so unique and different about USC, compared to other hollywood-based schools?