UCLA Screenwriting MFA 2013

[stelladallas89]

Originally posted by SVC914:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by stelladallas89:
Long time lurker, first time poster. I was just wondering how many of the current MFA screenwriting students have part time jobs while at UCLA?

I can't give you the raw numbers, but there are plenty of MFAers who are working part-time, and small number who work full time. I work part-time (no more than 20 hrs per week). If I had a choice I wouldn't because it takes away from my writing time. It's doable, and has certainly taught me how to manage my time!

Once we have the FB page up you'll have an opportunity to hear about everyone's experience. Additionally, each of you will be matched with three mentors (current MFAers who you can turn to for advice). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks so much! I look forward to speaking with all of y'all!

 

[Chessirose]

How did all of you who got accepted receive the news? Via email or mail, etc?

 

[sftola]

@chessirose - I think everything is coming out via email. I have not yet heard anything one way or the other, which I imagine means I have not been accepted. While I'd love to get in this year and will be bummed if I'm not, I have a lot going on with my theater work and would be fine reapplying for next year. But I would really really really like to hear from them. Has anyone who interviewed received a rejection?

 

[B.A]

@Sftola I interviewed and have yet to get a rejection. Obsessively checking my email and the admission status page every thirty seconds lol.

 

[waffleflower]

Originally posted by B.A:
@Sftola I interviewed and have yet to get a rejection. Obsessively checking my email and the admission status page every thirty seconds lol.

Admission status page? Educate me as to where you can access. I must take part in obsessively checking there as well.

 

[B.A]

@waffletower LOL - http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasa...issions/applicat.htm
I guess the correct term is "Application Decision," it's right in the middle of the page under the three steps.

 

[waffleflower]

@B.A: You know what's sad? I've been obsessively reading through so many threads, I actually read through the wrong one. I didn't apply to UCLA. This is what's been happening to me...driving miles during my lunch hour to check the mail...other things I don't want to humiliate myself in admitting to doing.

 

[B.A]

@Waffletower OMG. I feel you, we're all going a bit insane around here. Good luck at the schools you DID apply to.

 

[waffleflower]

@B.A: Thanks. Good luck with everything on your end as well

 

[secretteachings]

Congrats to all of you who have been accepted! I interviewed but have not heard anything either, so I'm not very optimistic although it aint over until the fat lady sings. I too am curious about the PP, because I may sign up for that if I am rejected from the MFA. Not necessarily as a pipeline to the MFA, because I'm not sure I will apply a second time. But as a worthwhile experience in itself. Any thoughts from those who have done the PP? thanks!

 

[thehamm99]

Secretteachings,

I took the professional program online...

While I wasn't impressed with the experience levels of most of the other writers in my group, I was impressed with the enthusiasm and knowledge, willingness to help, etc. of the two teachers I had.

I appreciated the smallness of the group (there were 7 of us), and thus the time that was spent on each of our own work each week.

Overall it was a good experience, and well worth the cost of admission, considering what an MFA costs.

I would actually consider doing the course again on campus if I was in the area.

The down side (for me)...

I came from an undergrad writing program, so with the Professional program I've now had plenty of experience in screenwriting classes and the workshop environment. So when I get accepted at Chapman, and they offer me no scholarships, the thought of spending 1 year going back to short stories and partial scripts while accruing 50k in debt makes me doubt I'll attend that school. If I receive word that I got in at UCLA or USC I'll most likely go.

 

[thehamm99]

Originally posted by perspectivestudent:
Thanks guys, that is really helpful. I sat in on Hal Ackerman's PP class last night and it was really great. I'm pretty sure I will be enrolling in the program.

I love your handle, btw. I laughed out loud when I read it.

 

[secretteachings]

Thanks @thehamm99 for your insight! If I do the PP, I will do it on campus for sure. I was offered a place at USC which I am excited about but the cost of tuition is so prohibitive for me (I am considered an international student even though I have lived in CA for 8 years) that I'm not sure I can swing it. $5k for the professional program, on the other hand, I can handle. Do you have any preference as to USC or UCLA, just out of interest?

 

[thehamm99]

Everyone I know who's semi connected to the industry and did not attend UCLA says USC is better and you'll be more "connected."

The interviewer at UCLA said the difference was at USC you'll have 1-3 polished scripts, and at UCLA you'll have 6-7 scripts (polished on your own time because they don't focus on rewrites).

I went into the process preferring USC, and I still do. But I'd go to UCLA as well.

 

[secretteachings]

That's what I heard too...that UCLA is more focused on helping its students create a body of work, whereas USC is incredible for contacts and has a focus that is broader than the feature script. Interesting that they don't help you with rewrites at UCLA.

 

[Mike Clayton]

Thehamm99, have you heard from UCLA?

 

[thehamm99]

No I have not.

interviewed on campus, March 2nd.

 

[Mike Clayton]

Would love to hear more about people's interview experiences now that it's all over...

 

[B.A]

@mike Clayton
My interview experience was extremely pleasant. I was incredibly nervous, and then the interview started and it was so conversational and fluid, all nerves were gone. If you want specific details, feel free to contact me. Over all, it was so pleasant and not at all what I was expecting.

 

[B.A]

officially rejected... sobbing for eternity