UCLA Screenwriting 2012

[graffiti281]

I just finished my Skype interview with Hal Ackerman. It went really well, he seemed to like me. But he did say they don't normally take in students just out of undergrad (I'll be finishing only this April) - so now I don't know what to think. I hope they make an exception, but I guess I won't get this one.

Anyway, he said we should be hearing from them in about 2-3 weeks. So, good luck to everyone else who is interviewing!

 

[Nowon]

Well, okay. I guess it didn't go too terribly. I interviewed with Hal Ackerman and it lasted exactly 18 minutes. A lot of the questions he had were pretty general... like what I was doing now, why my spoken English was so good, which led to me telling him about attending college in the US, my major, etc. I talked about my time with the Professional Program and he seemed very pleased that I had taken it. Then I asked a couple of questions and he wrapped the interview up with how I had a great track record and great writing samples and how they're going to let us know in 2-3 weeks but that things were looking optimistic for me.

Then I smiled stupidly and gave him a very awkward goodbye as we logged off Skype.

Two more weeks! And the wait will finally be over. Good luck to those who are still interviewing. Hal is SUPER nice. Don't be nervous like I was.

 

[Lumaloo]

Did anyone who had their interview already ask how many people they were interviewing this year?

 

[N_A_Fitz]

that would be nice to know... and how many of those that they have space for.

 

[Dc1]

Hi all. Been following this post for a bit. I had my interview today on campus. Think it went well. For all of those curious about the professional program I can't recommend it highly enough. I took back in 2008 and they also offer the advanced professional program which I also completed. The school is great. The staff great. The rest of the students are a hungry, talented bunch of film geeks. It's really a great substitute if you don't get in. And from my experience they often accept a handful of professional program alumni each year into the MFA. Hopefully get to see some of you on campus if we're lucky

Best of luck and write on!

 

[i_spit_hot_fire]

When I interviewed with Linda, she told me they were interviewing about 75 people for maybe 12-15 spots.

 

[filmart]

Hi All...I asked Hal the other day how many applicants came in this year. Hal replied over 350...and they're interviewing around 80. If the new class is the same size as the ones that started in Fall 2011..then there should be 30 spots. I haven't heard anything about a smaller class. Good luck to you all!

 

[darkew]

This makes more sense. Hal asked me if I'd be interested in the Showrunner Track, which is a little harder to get into, as it only has about 10 spots. 10 spots out of 12 seems hardly harder

 

[N_A_Fitz]

Originally posted by darkew:
This makes more sense. Hal asked me if I'd be interested in the Showrunner Track, which is a little harder to get into, as it only has about 10 spots. 10 spots out of 12 seems hardly harder

You should definitely do that

 

[darkew]

Originally posted by N_A_Fitz:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by darkew:
This makes more sense. Hal asked me if I'd be interested in the Showrunner Track, which is a little harder to get into, as it only has about 10 spots. 10 spots out of 12 seems hardly harder

You should definitely do that </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If I'm accepted, yes

 

[SVC914]

Originally posted by Lumaloo:
Did anyone who had their interview already ask how many people they were interviewing this year?

I interviewed with Richard Walter. He said they had over 400 applicants, were interviewing 75 and selecting 30 for the incoming class. I didn't ask about numbers during my interview, he offered this information.

 

[PeopleGetReady]

I heard about the same. I interviewed with John Sweet last week, and he told me 400 applicants, about 80 interviews.

By the way, I've been lurking on some of the other discussions about screenwriting acceptances just out of curiosity. I didn't apply anywhere except UCLA, but I've noticed how unpredictable some of these admissions decisions are. Like, there were several people admitted straight up to USC, but they didn't even receive interviews at UCLA. Likewise, I'm sure that there will be some of you who get into UCLA after having been rejected by USC or NYU or AFI.

Some food for thought, guys.

 

[Lumaloo]

Hal told me about 90 people got interviews and they would be accepting around 30 into the program. Which threw me off a little because for some reason I went into it thinking they gave out around 40-50 interviews. Not sure where I got those figures? But I guess those still aren't terrible odds...

 

[Nowon]

Originally posted by darkew:
10 spots out of 12 seems hardly harder

I think the Showrunner Track is offered to both producing and screenwriting students. So it would be ten students picked from a much larger number.

 

[darkew]

Originally posted by Nowon:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by darkew:
10 spots out of 12 seems hardly harder

I think the Showrunner Track is offered to both producing and screenwriting students. So it would be ten students picked from a much larger number. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, I double-checked the handbook. You're correct

 

[graffiti281]

Has anyone heard from them, yet? It's been a week since they said two weeks, and I'm beginning to get rather antsy.

 

[N_A_Fitz]

nothing here.... maybe next week??

 

[graffiti281]

Also.

Is anyone else here an undergraduate applying directly after school? During my interview, Hal said that this 'might' go against me, though I had represented myself really well, and that this was a very good interview and they did like a broad international base in class. I've been running this part over and over again in my head since that day, and frankly I think it's about to burst. Can anyone else here interpret this for me? I really, really want to get this one.

Though the best thing might be to just stop thinking too much. Eh?

 

[graffiti281]

Originally posted by N_A_Fitz:
nothing here.... maybe next week??

From what it looks like, last year's students didn't hear of admissions till end-March. Some, even later. I think I'm going to seriously lose it if it takes so long.

 

[N_A_Fitz]

From what i hear they don't usually take ppl right from undergrad...but they did give u an interview so they must've seen something they liked... Your international status will prolly work in your advantage.

I am technically fresh from undergrad too. But i am also 35yo. I went back to school when i was 28. Graduated last year.

What is yer undergrad in?