UCLA MFA 2011 (Screenwriting) (1 Viewer)

[fobshady]

beezy16 and generallyspeaking22,

out of curiosity, who did you guys interview with last year?

 

[maughtry]

I'm applying for this as well. Or, I guess you could say applied at this point. Sent everything off last week and the last of my recommendations went in Friday, according to the website. Good luck everybody. I'm also applying to UT, USC, AFI and maybe BU and Chapman, depending on some things.

 

[Daniel Choi]

I'm applying to Production-Directing, but maybe someone here can help me out.

I finally submitted the application online, and just noticed that the time-stamp is registered as 11/2 12:40am. It's actually still 11/1 in California, but I'm guessing the credit card company/application server is located in the East, so it tacks on 3 extra hours. Anyone have any experience clearing this up with admissions? Thanks!

 

[Insearchof_]

As long as your online application reads "Submitted Date: 11/1", you should be fine.

 

[SheScribe]

Hi folks - I applied to UCLA's MFA screenwriting program last year as well, got an interview with Paul Castro, but didn't get accepted. Applied again this year so I've got my fingers crossed! My friend is a first year student now and loves it. I really focused on showing my true "voice" versus showing that I can already write a script, so I sent short stories and made sure my voice/personal story came through in the statement of purpose, per the advice of several people. Good luck to everyone! Nail biting time.

 

[Daniel Choi]

Originally posted by Insearchof_:
As long as your online application reads "Submitted Date: 11/1", you should be fine.

Yeah, but it's saying:

Submitted Date: 11/2/2010 12:39:00 AM EST

EDIT: Just called in, they said it shouldn't be a problem

 

[my handle]

Anyone heard anything yet? Interview notifications should be going out this month and/or early March.

 

[Theo.]

nothing yet. though I'm fairly certain we won't be hearing back until later this month...

anxiety anyone?

 

[jackgradus]

Someone said they were called for the producing discipline a few days ago. I applied for production, and I haven't heard anything yet.

 

[Max Keller]

Jackgradus, I'm assuming you're talking about me. I did get contacted in the last few days by people in the producing program at UCLA about an interview (which is on 2/16). I'm really surpsied by how quiet the forum has been over the past few days about hearing back from universities. I mean, I know each individual program goes on its own schedule, but I've literally not heard from ANYONE else about UCLA. The only other school I've heard about giving interviews thus far is AFI.

 

[Jaye]

Originally posted by my handle:
Anyone heard anything yet? Interview notifications should be going out this month and/or early March.

Going back to last year's UCLA posts, it looks like screenwriters were notified the week of February 17.

 

[lastofthepirates]

WillieGreen, would you mind sharing a few stats (or at least those you are aware of)? Basically, I was curious as to how many, if any, of your classmates came straight out of undergrad? Specifically a film undergrad? Even more specifically, the UCLA film undergrad?

I am aware that coming straight outta undergrad is likely to decrease one's chances, but I wanted to see if there are any in your class.

Being a current TFT undergrad, I'm just trying to suss out my chances. I realize there is a whole wealth of things that weigh much more heavily, but I'm a tad more confident in those areas. Life experience is less of an issue as I came into college at a later age than most, and I had varied life history prior to that.

Thanks for the info and your insights, you've long been a great presence on the UCLA boards here. Good luck to all!

 

[KrisKelvin]

Originally posted by lastofthepirates:
WillieGreen, would you mind sharing a few stats (or at least those you are aware of)? Basically, I was curious as to how many, if any, of your classmates came straight out of undergrad? Specifically a film undergrad? Even more specifically, the UCLA film undergrad?

I am aware that coming straight outta undergrad is likely to decrease one's chances, but I wanted to see if there are any in your class.

Being a current TFT undergrad, I'm just trying to suss out my chances. I realize there is a whole wealth of things that weigh much more heavily, but I'm a tad more confident in those areas. Life experience is less of an issue as I came into college at a later age than most, and I had varied life history prior to that.

Thanks for the info and your insights, you've long been a great presence on the UCLA boards here. Good luck to all!

lastofthepirates,

I was told by a current student in MFA Screenwriting (not sure if that's the program you're applying to) that only 1 of 28 in his class came straight from undergrad. Not sure if this 1 person had been a former UCLA (film) student, but I wouldn't be surprised if that helps some in general.

I don't know if it's the case in other disciplines, but at least for screenwriting UCLA is far and away the most difficult to get into straight out of undergrad, presumably because they don't think you have enough life experience. However, you say you entered undergrad at a later age then most, which likely nullifies the perceived disadvantage of coming straight from there. That is, as long as they see somewhere on your app that you're not 21 or 22...

 

[lastofthepirates]

My statement makes it pretty clear that I've been around, I think. But, to be honest, I was thinking that it being the UCLA film undergrad program, as opposed to another school, might actually put me at a bit more of a disadvantage. I don't know why, but that's how I feel. Perhaps because I would think that they would want to discourage any perceived feelings of privilege.

 

[SDsurfer]

Just received my letter of rejection. Awesome. Hopefully USC/Columbia will be more kind

 

[lastofthepirates]

Terribly sorry to hear that SDsurfer. Was this for UCLA Screenwriting MFA? I didn't realize they were sending such things out this early.

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

Just got an email saying that I got an interview for the screenwriting MFA program sometime in March, TBA.

I had an interview last year with UCLA, but didn't do as well as I hoped. I was pretty nervous. Definitely not going to let that happen this year.

Sorry, SDsurfer. I've been there. Good luck to you.

 

[WillieGreen]

Originally posted by Generallyspeaking22:
Just got an email saying that I got an interview for the screenwriting MFA program sometime in March, TBA.

I had an interview last year with UCLA, but didn't do as well as I hoped. I was pretty nervous. Definitely not going to let that happen this year.

You're back!

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

I am!

I just sent you an email actually.

How funny!

 

[WillieGreen]

Originally posted by lastofthepirates:
WillieGreen, would you mind sharing a few stats (or at least those you are aware of)? Basically, I was curious as to how many, if any, of your classmates came straight out of undergrad? Specifically a film undergrad? Even more specifically, the UCLA film undergrad?

I am aware that coming straight outta undergrad is likely to decrease one's chances, but I wanted to see if there are any in your class.

Being a current TFT undergrad, I'm just trying to suss out my chances. I realize there is a whole wealth of things that weigh much more heavily, but I'm a tad more confident in those areas. Life experience is less of an issue as I came into college at a later age than most, and I had varied life history prior to that.

Thanks for the info and your insights, you've long been a great presence on the UCLA boards here. Good luck to all!

Out of the 30 in the class, I think only one was directly out of undergrad. However, there are several who are 1-3 years removed, so I don't think you'll be barred due to age. There seems to be a pretty good mix.

To my knowledge, nobody was a UCLA TFT undergrad, but that makes you unique!