Peter Stark Program Fall 2017

[FSprospect2017]

This forum is not quite as lively as it was in previous years haha. I wonder if less people applied this year...

 

[Meryam]

Hi all,

First time posting on the forum--but I've found it incredibly helpful during this application process (and I'm just generally heartened by how supportive everyone is). I've applied to NYU and USC Stark. Just had my interview with Stark today. (NYU next week) Not sure how I feel about it. It was very short and they really just asked me where else I was applying and what my top choice was if accepted to both programs...no questions on my app or work experience. I don't know whether to take that as a good or bad sign.

Does anyone know about how many people get through to the interview process? And what are they screening for?

 

[Meryam]

I'm really curious about this too. I sent Stark two emails and never got a reply... also haven't heard back about my application so I guess I haven't been selected for the interview? It's like a black box, argh.

Hi there, yes, I think it's the interview and then final selection. I had mine today and they said that we should expect a decision in 3 weeks. They weren't clear, though, as to how many people received interview requests.

 

[coffeeteaandme]

Hi all,

First time posting on the forum--but I've found it incredibly helpful during this application process (and I'm just generally heartened by how supportive everyone is). I've applied to NYU and USC Stark. Just had my interview with Stark today. (NYU next week) Not sure how I feel about it. It was very short and they really just asked me where else I was applying and what my top choice was if accepted to both programs...no questions on my app or work experience. I don't know whether to take that as a good or bad sign.

Does anyone know about how many people get through to the interview process? And what are they screening for?

Hi Meryam! I know a lot of us are anxious to hear about NYU interview requests, so just out of curiosity, what program at NYU did you apply for? Congrats on your interviews!!

 

[Meryam]

Hi Meryam! I know a lot of us are anxious to hear about NYU interview requests, so just out of curiosity, what program at NYU did you apply for? Congrats on your interviews!!

Hi Coffeeteaandme,

Thank you! I applied for the MBA/MFA program at NYU. I got an email from Susan on Jan 30 and am heading up there next week for an in-person interview. What program did you apply to?

 

[coffeeteaandme]

Hi Coffeeteaandme,

Thank you! I applied for the MBA/MFA program at NYU. I got an email from Susan on Jan 30 and am heading up there next week for an in-person interview. What program did you apply to?

Awesome! Best of luck with your interview. I applied for the Filmmaking MFA

 

[ireneyang]

Hi all,

First time posting on the forum--but I've found it incredibly helpful during this application process (and I'm just generally heartened by how supportive everyone is). I've applied to NYU and USC Stark. Just had my interview with Stark today. (NYU next week) Not sure how I feel about it. It was very short and they really just asked me where else I was applying and what my top choice was if accepted to both programs...no questions on my app or work experience. I don't know whether to take that as a good or bad sign.

Does anyone know about how many people get through to the interview process? And what are they screening for?

I wouldn't worry too much about a short interview. They probably think they know enough about you and are satisfied with your app! Because the other possibility is that they are not impressed at all, in which case you wouldn't be interviewed. So relax
They did mention to me that there's only a very limited number of applicants invited to an interview, but didn't say how many. Since the acceptance number is 24 (if I remembered correctly), my guess is between double to triple of that. Just guessing.
I asked them "which quality do you see in an applicant is the most important", and their answer was very ambiguous and diplomatic lol

 

[ireneyang]

There's one week left until the decision, is that right? Gosh I'm so nervous! Tho I know there's nothing to be done at this point...

 

[Meryam]

I wouldn't worry too much about a short interview. They probably think they know enough about you and are satisfied with your app! Because the other possibility is that they are not impressed at all, in which case you wouldn't be interviewed. So relax
They did mention to me that there's only a very limited number of applicants invited to an interview, but didn't say how many. Since the acceptance number is 24 (if I remembered correctly), my guess is between double to triple of that. Just guessing.
I asked them "which quality do you see in an applicant is the most important", and their answer was very ambiguous and diplomatic lol

Hey--I just want to say thank you for this response. It's really the exact pick-me-up that I needed. I really appreciate it and helped me feel a lot more grounded.

Appreciate you.

 

[CaliIvy]

Yea I haven't gotten an interview either, and I would like to think i'm a pretty competitive candidate. I emailed them about it tonight to see if its a necessity to be accepted into the program.

Hi everyone!
I just (re-)discovered this forum and am so happy to see several people have joined the 2017 thread! I wish all of you good luck. It would be really exciting to see some of you be accepted!

I applied as well but was pretty sure from the beginning on that I don't really have chance. I haven't gotten any email or any other message yet either concerning an interview so I was just wondering if they send out an official message saying you haven't been accepted or if not getting any message automatically means you haven't been accepted (I'm not familiar with the whole U.S. university system, sorry!).

Good luck and hang in there everyone!
And greetings from Germany

 

[Anja]

CaliIvy I personally don't feel like they'd accept someone without interviewing but obviously I have no idea how they decide. Have you gotten an answer from them yet?

I also have a general question - how did they contact you? Email or via the appicalion platform?

 

[lianlee]

CaliIvy I personally don't feel like they'd accept someone without interviewing but obviously I have no idea how they decide. Have you gotten an answer from them yet?

I also have a general question - how did they contact you? Email or via the appicalion platform?

I am not sure about Peter Stark Program, but if you check the google sheet in the previous years, there are several students who were accepted by USC production program didn't get interviews

 

[Clumpy C]

Any word yet? How are we all doing?

 

[Clumpy C]

Yea I haven't gotten an interview either, and I would like to think i'm a pretty competitive candidate. I emailed them about it tonight to see if its a necessity to be accepted into the program.

Calilvy,

Did Stark ever reply to you? I did not receive an interview invitation either.

 

[Anja]

Has anyone been accepted yet?
Is there any way of finding out why you weren't accepted so you know what to work on if you decide to re-apply?

 

[Meryam]

lianlee ahh now I've got my hopes up a little again

Has anyone been accepted yet? Or gotten news about whether an interview is necessary to be accepted to this program? Is there any way of finding out why you weren't accepted so you know what to work on if you decide to re-apply? So many questions (sorry!)...

I haven't gotten any news yet. Anyone else? And I could totally be wrong, so don't let me dash any hopes, but when I interviewed, they introduced the call saying something along the lines of "this means that you're on the list (however long--they didn't specify) of people we are still considering". That's not to say it's a definite 'no' if you haven't been interviewed, b/c you may have had a rockstar application, but that's just my tidbit of info.

And if you don't get in, you should absolutely apply again next year. And I'd be happy to help review your app or answer any questions...

I was interviewed by the Cinematic Arts program at USC as well and he said that the personal statement can often make or break the rest of the application (he said when he reviews them, he starts with the personal statement and if it's good and unique, he tends to view the rest of the application through that lens--and vice versa). He also said that if you start your personal statement with "I want to attend this school because I am passionate about film" or something along those lines--that's generally a non-starter.

And recommenders are super important.

 

[Meryam]

lianlee ahh now I've got my hopes up a little again

Has anyone been accepted yet? Or gotten news about whether an interview is necessary to be accepted to this program? Is there any way of finding out why you weren't accepted so you know what to work on if you decide to re-apply? So many questions (sorry!)...

I also don't know how the waitlist works. I know at NYU, you're either given an interview, denied outright, or put on the waitlist (without an interview). I also have seen in past years, a lot of folks get through after being waitlisted. I think folks got notifications as late as June. So there's hope there as well.

 

[Meryam]

CaliIvy I personally don't feel like they'd accept someone without interviewing but obviously I have no idea how they decide. Have you gotten an answer from them yet?

I also have a general question - how did they contact you? Email or via the appicalion platform?

And they contact you via email. The application platform isn't updated (my status hasn't changed even though I interviewed).

 

[Anja]

Meryam thank you so much for all the answers!

I'm pretty sure I don't have a rockstar application, since I applied kind of last minute (I wasn't going to at all because of the competition lol).

f I do decide to re-apply I'd really, really appreciate help, thank you!! It's a little difficult when you don't understand the system, don't know anyone who understands the system and don't really have anyone to ask/look over your stuff from a film school point of view..

It'll still be really exciting to see who of the applicants here get it (fingers crossed)!!

 

[Meryam]

Any news yet?! USC's Cinematic Arts Program (the 3 year MFA) posted their decision letters today. When are we going to hear about Stark?!