UCLA 2009

[dirtydog]

I decided today that when I get rejected from UCLA, I'm going to get a dog, someone to love me.

 

[VeritasFilm]

Just got an e-mail from the UCLA Producers Program... Accepted!

Got the e-mail for the interview last Thursday, and was interviewed just yesterday, so this was all really unexpected.

 

[Starbuck7]

Hi Pintobeans,

Are you attending UCLA in the fall? Also, have you recieved the official acceptance through the graduate application page? I have had several acceptance emails from the film school, but my offical status still says that no decision has been made. I should just chill out, but I'm rather anxious.

I'm hoping that you still check these forums...

 

[magicmyk]

Starbuck-

I wouldn't fret too much about not having received your official letter from the Graduate Division. I was told that they're pretty busy right now, for obvious reasons, and are a little behind.

As long as the film school has been in contact with you I'm sure you're alright. Still, it couldn't hurt to just send a polite email to whoever you've been corresponding with at the film school and let them know you haven't received the official letter yet. Maybe then can help push things along for you.

 

[pintobeans]

Yes, I received an official acceptance. this was a few weeks ago.

I got an email stating to check my admission status. There was a digital version of the official acceptance letter there with some important instructions.

You should definitely contact maureen or someone to get it cleared up, because you need to officially ACCEPT your acceptance.

Good luck!

 

[momotato]

Starbuck7, My status changed on the official website yesterday. Cheri told me it would take probably a week or so for the Uni to update our profiles though.

 

[Sonia]

Just got a letter inviting me to enroll in the Professional Program even though I didn't even interview for the MFA. Nice.

 

[SimAlex]

Just got a letter inviting me to enroll in the Professional Program even though I didn't even interview for the MFA. Nice.

yup. me too. thanks for the consolation prize, UCLA.

 

[notroberttowne]

I wonder if anyone who did interview has gotten that letter. I certainly haven't.

 

[saintelmosfire71]

nope, I've gotten no email.

 

[96Mph]

No letter here.

 

[Starbuck7]

Yeah, I called admissions and a nice lady told me it would be updated in a few days. She checked my file and knew that I was accepted...essentially, she just told me to calm down I tend to worry.

 

[saintelmosfire71]

hey all, just got a thoughtful consolation from UCLA, lol, i just received in the mail an invite to enroll at the Professional program.

 

[momotato]

I just went down to LA to check out neighborhoods. Most of my friends live in the Silver lake/ Echo Park area and it would be nice to live near them. I've been told conflicting things about the commute to UCLA from those parts, I would love advice from someone who goes to UCLA now.

 

[dharmagirl]

I love those areas, too, but I have chosen not to live there while I'm at school because the commute is pretty far. An hour with no traffic, but it can easily get up to 1.5 hours if Sunset is backed up. There are a few people who live out there and don't mind. The reality is that you only have classes usually 2-3 days per week so as long as you are okay with that, go for it. I live in West Hollywood and I like it because it is about half the commute, but also still pretty close to those areas.

 

[jpcam]

Has anyone applied or decided to do the professional program in screenwriting next year?

With living in LA, I've noticed a lot of places have cut prices, and some have even started a two free months promotion. It seems like every building is looking for tenants, so don't settle for just anything. West Hollywood is good and a pretty unique area. There's Culver City and Hollywood, but they both vary in quality and people. Burbank and Glendale are very quiet and have a suburban feel (if that's what you're looking for), but the 405 can make that a long drive (like this post? sorry). I hope that little bit helps.

 

[notroberttowne]

I'm definitely not doing the professional program. For one, I want the MFA. It might be nice to be able to teach some day. I have some personal issues I've developed with UCLA that make me rather unwilling to do any program with them at the moment, too. Probably most importantly, though, is the fact that 4500 bucks with no financial aid is a lot harder for me to come up with than three to five times that amount would be with a FAFSA on my side.

I got an application in at Chapman before the deadline, and if that doesn't work out, I'll probably just jump on the MFA roller coaster again next year.

 

[jpcam]

I completely understand. I hope Chapman works out for you. I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm taking this year off to work on my stuff and am lucky to have some money leftover from undergrad to do the program, if I get in that is. I only applied to UCLA last year for Dir./Prod and I really want to work on my writing this year. Next year I'll have to open it up and apply to about 5 or 6 for dir./prod.

 

[asp_sw]

I've been self-taught in screenwriting for about 2 years. I read books and got consultants. I finished one feature screenplay. I found the UCLA Professional Program in Screenwriting by accident when I was looking at UCLA Extension courses. It looked to be more rigorous and I liked the fact that they use the same faculty as the MFA program. So, they say they have an admissions policy and I wrote to the school asking if people are expected to have some form of professional experience. They wrote back and said that they were looking for writing ability. I was accepted three days later after submitting my application materials. Does this program accept anyone? I wonder if anyone has ever gotten rejected? If they do, do weaker applicants bring the class down? Thanks to anyone that can shed some light on this. By the way, I may eventually want to apply for an MFA in film or screenwriting. I'm doing my preparation right now so I can actually be competitive in the admissions process.

 

[96Mph]

I don't know what the acceptance rate is, but my impression was that they don't turn down too many people. Considering how much it costs, I imagine most who apply are serious about writing and prob have some talent.

If you're wondering if that brings the program down, check out the alumni list. There are some good writers that come out of there. Some continue on to the grad program. I think they keep the class sizes to a number where they insure you get enough attention from your instructors.