UCLA MFA 2011 (Screenwriting)

[SheScribe]

Originally posted by Wenyi:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SheScribe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by WillieGreen:
Welcome, Bruins!

Congratulations! Exciting stuff. The Fall will be here before you know it.

For those who haven't heard anything yet, it ain't ova till it's ova. One of my classmates got in like a week before classes started.

For those who got bad news, just keep moving forward. Keep writing. If anyone's on the fence about the PP, I'd say do it. Workshop environments are invaluable, and the instructors are great.

Thanks, WillieGreen! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to be called a Bruin. I've heard so many good things about the program, that I can't wait to start. My friend (Michelle) is in your class, and only has great things to say about the program. Looking forward to it! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

SheScribe?would you plz share the great things if you don't mind? cause I am in a serious dilemma.

I got admission letters from NYU and UCLA( both are my dream schools) NYU also offers 10000 dollars in the first acedemic year. I really have to make a final desicion so that someone on the waiting list can get in as soon as possible. But it is really tough.

There are so many things that I love about both two schools.

I hate myself for being so hesitated.

SOS... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Wenyi...so sorry just seeing this. Glad you decided on UCLA! My friend says the support in classes, quality of the instructors, and access to successful professionals are unmatched. Good choice!

 

[Lobsterjoe]

Originally posted by Hiram Bingham:
I think NYU would b a MUCH better choice. After all, you free up a slot at UCLA for me!

lol! I was thinking the same to

But in all seriousness Wenyi I think you made the right choice. I would go to UCLA before going NYU. That of course could be because I live in New York but from what I've read UCLA has a better reputation for screenwriting. Also you're learning in LA which is film central! Congratulations... if you happen to change your mind though remember to recommend that a guy named Dwight would make an excellent replacement if anyone asks lol
Good luck

 

[Sahirr]

hey guys... congrats to all those who got accepted... and to those who didn't - power to you, carry on writing!

Did any of those who got accepted in the program get offered any scholarship from UCLA? I have read on this board that UCLA has very few scholarships to offer to first year students... If any of you have been offered a scholarship - please tell us - It would boost the optimism of many others like me...

 

[Pilnarie]

anymore acceptances/rejections/waitlist anyone?

 

[honeybadger]

@Pilnarie.

Nope, still no word, one way or the other. I am curious--those who were accepted, when you logged into the UCLA admission decision website, did it still say that "no decision has been made" on your application, or did your status change? I'm not talking about the applyyourself application site, but the actual admission decision site: UCLA Graduate Admission Decision.

 

[Quirky]

Still says no decision has been made, even though I received the email. Now I'm waiting on the "welcome packet" so I have an idea of what the future holds.

 

[Wenyi]

Originally posted by Lobsterjoe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hiram Bingham:
I think NYU would b a MUCH better choice. After all, you free up a slot at UCLA for me!

lol! I was thinking the same to

But in all seriousness Wenyi I think you made the right choice. I would go to UCLA before going NYU. That of course could be because I live in New York but from what I've read UCLA has a better reputation for screenwriting. Also you're learning in LA which is film central! Congratulations... if you happen to change your mind though remember to recommend that a guy named Dwight would make an excellent replacement if anyone asks lol
Good luck </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Haha,Lobsterjoe, thanks for ur sincere advice. I choose ucla because of the good connection among ucla's faculty,alumni and the industry. I heard that faculty at ucla will help students sell scripts. I really need to write something good and make some money out of it. Then I can be financially independent and stop relying on my parents' support. NYU has many independent filmmaker and artists in other fields. With enough money, I will move to NYC because being an independent fimmaker is my final goal.
good luck, Lobster hope we all can realize our movie dreams.

 

[Wenyi]

Originally posted by Hiram Bingham:
I think NYU would b a MUCH better choice. After all, you free up a slot at UCLA for me!

lol,Hiram Bingham,thanks for ur funny way of convincing me that ucla is the one I should choose.

 

[Wenyi]

Me neither?no decision has been made.

Two days ago, Cheri Smith asked for my confidential financial statement. I can't convince my bank to stamp on it because the bank has strict regulation about stamping and they don't stamp on documents that are not issued by themselves. So I email the document issued by local bank. Nothing has happened since then. I am so worried that they don't accept it.

I asked Cheri Smith yesterday when do they send out offical admission packet. Here is his reply:

Official letters come from UCLA Graduate Division. You will receive an email from them directing you to the online letter. That should come within the one to weeks.

Guess we have to wait for a while.

 

[filmart]

Hi Everyone...

I was wondering if anyone knew when orientation usually takes place. I'm working in Asia right now and am relying on my roommate to get any info to me, but that can be tricky since my roommate is also gone a lot. I've come to this forum frequently just to make sure I keep up with any new events. Thanks!

 

[Lobsterjoe]

Originally posted by Pilnarie:
anymore acceptances/rejections/waitlist anyone?

I haven't received any info yet. I received one email response to a thank you email I sent Professor Walter but other than that I haven't heard anything in regards to my rejection/waiting list status. The application status site still says an admission decision has yet to be rendered... Is it really weird that at this point I'm slightly looking fwd to receiving my rejection letter/email? I think I just want to deal with being officially rejected already *groan!

 

[Pilnarie]

Sorry to be a bother, but I'm really interested in people responding to my previous question:

Whoever els was rejected previously and then accepted this time: What about your portfolio did you change? Did you completely change your statement of purpose, change it slightly or not at all?

Did you use the same letters of rec.?

Did you send completely new creative samples? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[filmart]

Originally posted by Lobsterjoe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pilnarie:
anymore acceptances/rejections/waitlist anyone?

I haven't received any info yet. I received one email response to a thank you email I sent Professor Walter but other than that I haven't heard anything in regards to my rejection/waiting list status. The application status site still says an admission decision has yet to be rendered... Is it really weird that at this point I'm slightly looking fwd to receiving my rejection letter/email? I think I just want to deal with being officially rejected already *groan! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Lobsterjoe... Recently I was asked, "what would I do if I got rejected from all the schools I applied to?" I replied, "I'd keep writing." Regardless of the outcome...keep writing. Good luck to you and everyone who is still waiting out there.

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

Originally posted by Pilnarie:
Sorry to be a bother, but I'm really interested in people responding to my previous question:

Whoever els was rejected previously and then accepted this time: What about your portfolio did you change? Did you completely change your statement of purpose, change it slightly or not at all?

Did you use the same letters of rec.?

Did you send completely new creative samples? Any advice would be appreciated.

I changed most of my SOP. I felt the second version was more in-depth. Also, instinctually I felt that since I had an interview the first time around they already got to know me to a certain extent. My new SOP focused on just as relevant but different aspects of how I came to be who I am. If you didn't get an interview this time around, then I definitely recommend changing your SOP completely.

I did use the same letters of rec. I felt they were strong and that I couldn't replace them with better ones. If you feel you can replace one or two of yours with something better then go for it! I don't see the harm unless you are approaching people with "clout" who don't know you very well. I think a generic letter of recommendation is weaker than a heartfelt one from someone who isn't in the industry (though that is just my opinion.)

I refined the two writing samples that I submitted the first time, but also added three new writing samples to my second application. In total, I had two pilots and three tv specs. I sent in large excerpts (20-27 pages each.) I think they like to see that screenwriters are doing what they should be doing on their own anyway, writing.

I also did/am doing the PP via Skype which I think is a great way to get some serious feature writing done.

Good luck to those who are going to try again and to those who aren't too!

 

[Pilnarie]

Thanks a lot generallyspeaking. I got the interview at ucla and AFI, got waitlisted at USC. I dont know how I can make my sop better than it is, but I'll sure as hell try. Gonna work mostly on my writing samples, send a new script and short story, and do the PP via skype (presuming I don't get in anywhere). thanks for the advice

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

Originally posted by Pilnarie:
Thanks a lot generallyspeaking. I got the interview at ucla and AFI, got waitlisted at USC. I dont know how I can make my sop better than it is, but I'll sure as hell try. Gonna work mostly on my writing samples, send a new script and short story, and do the PP via skype (presuming I don't get in anywhere). thanks for the advice

Hopefully something will work out for you this year. If not, good luck to you!

 

[my handle]

Pilnarie, I changed my approach to the SOP significantly and replaced one of my letters of rec with a new one. I also sent in brand new material.

Btw folks, sorry if my earlier post on the PP was long, but I wanted to answer Sophie's question and at the same time speak to future applicants considering the PP who have varying needs and experience levels. Just wanted to give a thoughtful response that took those things into account. Hope it helps.

 

[Pilnarie]

Thanks my handle. By the way everyone here should see "Win Win." Saw it last night, it's an incredibly heartfelt script.

 

[nonamejoe]

I've been lurking for awhile. Has anyone gotten their rejection from UCLA? I haven't heard anything since my interview in March in LA. I thought they said we would know something by the first week of April. I know some of you on here have gotten acceptance notices so I'm assuming I didn't get in. But, I thought I would have gotten a rejection by now. Do they not send rejection letter? Do you just assume you aren't in if you don't get anything?

 

[Turner]

I got another email from the graduate counselor on April 5th- after the notice from Hal and Richard's assistant on March 30th- asking that I notify them of my intent by April 15th and saying to expect official notification from Graduate Admissions "within a few weeks". Maybe that is when notifications go out to everyone?