USC Application Status

[Ryan C.]

I called up USC today and learned some cool news. My application is now at the admissions comittee and they are hoping to have all of the letters sent out by April 1st.

Wow! The time has finally come!

 

[gbnypat]

Hey all. I too have been snooping about these boards in this time of uncertainty, and found reassurance in them. Just wanted to say hello. I've applied to USC only for screenwriting, and my nails are down to fine paste from all the biting. Good luck all.

 

[Ryan C.]

gbnypat, hesker and chrisanthemum,

Howdy and welcome aboard! I too have found reassurance by reading this forum. It is great to know that there are others out there who are in the same boat. Few know the suspense we are in. I had some difficulty falling asleep last night. Exciting times.

Be well!

 

[Jayimess]

Hey, yall, just spoke to the MFA advisor, screenwriting acceptances are going out this week...that's all I know.

 

[A Plan Unfurled]

Just thought I'd let everyone know-

I JUST GOT ACCEPTED TO USC FOR SCREENWRITING!

good luck to everyone that applied.

 

[Jayimess]

Congrats!

Guess "this week" meant "we started last week."

 

[gbnypat]

A Plan Unfurled,

CONGRATULATIONS! God willing I'll see you there, but even if I don't, congrats and do well.

 

[trajan9]

I just got accepted to USC screenwriting program today. I've been admitted to Columbia and USC...I don't know which one to choose. Good luck to everyone out there.

 

[Jayimess]

Congrats.

A little FYI for everyone considering USC...the tuition estimate is grossly overstated on the website.

I accepted USC's offer of admission expecting to pay $35,000/yr.

It was less than $26K this year, with 10 hours last semester, and 12 this semester.

That $35K is based on a flat rate, and we all pay per unit.

Also, I walked past the new facility construction yesterday, and they're already slapping up drywall.

It will be open in December...and effing sweet.

Wheeee!

 

[Ryan C.]

Jayimess,

Thanks for the info! Does that 26k include other fees, such as the health insurance fee?

Hey, have you heard anything about the structure of 507 changing starting the Fall semester? I have heard rumors of such changes. Know anything more?

 

[Jayimess]

No, doesn't include health insurance, but that's roughly $1100 for a full year.

And yes, 507 is supposedly changing, though nothing's been confirmed yet...so it might not happen next year.

Starks and Writers will take it together, with a less intensive schedule of assignments, and PR will take it all alone.

Bummer, in my opinion...everything I've done with Stark students has come from 507. Either I had it with someone or they had it with someone who recommends us to each other.

Oh well.

 

[Icarus Ascending]

Well, this is really super.

I plan a trip to L.A. to visit USC (and other schools), assuming I'll get my questions answered, that I'll sit in on classes, etc. When it's too late to change my travel plans, I find out that USC WON'T answer my questions or let me sit in on classes UNLESS I'm admitted.

Then, while I'm in L.A., USC sends out admissions letters, and I can't check my mail, so I haven't the foggiest idea whether I've been admitted.

From inside the situation, it feels like Attic tragedy.

Eheu.

--Icarus

 

[Ryan C.]

That is wonderful you were called. I totally agree with the down-to-earth and realistic observation you made, that has been my own experience as well. I think those are important qualities the culture of a film school should have. It is part of the recipe for healthy collaboration.

A couple more weeks huh? Wow. I was looking at the application book I got during the campus tour and noticed it said MFA Production letters go out by April 15th. Oh well...

 

[Allen Ho]

Congrats Bartleby on getting the call. Are you for screenwriting or production? Details! Details!

 

[Bartleby Fink]

Production.

It was just the standard "get to know you" call that, apparently, only a few people get. I haven't firmly decided why, but I have some ideas. Like: "This essay doesn't tell me enough about this person, but I like everything else I see." Or: "The GRE and transcript of this person is kind of "meh" but their essay is glorious."

Something that puts whoever they decide to call as a "borderline" candidate.

Or it's something more positive (certain admissions committee members are planning to "recommend" certain candidates to the committee and want to get to know them before) or something more negative (committee members trying to cross people off their list.)

I actually have NO IDEA why some people get called and some people don't. And, really, I'm just thrilled and humbled to know that my application even warranted consideration.

 

[chrisanthemum7]

People are getting called now? Okay, now I'm really nervous...

 

[Bartleby Fink]

I think it was mentioned earlier...but very few people get called.

Jayimess, this is true right? I think you said you know no one who is currently in the program who was called? (This is not looking good for me on further examination...)

 

[Jayimess]

I said that nobody I know, exclusive of Stark.

I don't know that many people though, and they might not have told me about their call.

I don't think it could possibly be a bad thing that you've received a phone call, folks.

And Icarus, best to get your butt on the web thing and see if they updated your info.

 

[Bartleby Fink]

Yeah, I definitely felt pretty good about getting a phone call (except when I was writing that last post and the numbers were working against reason).

 

[Jayimess]

Calm down.

It's so funny, this is how it was with USC last year for me. I had interviewed everywhere, got excited about the other programs, and then there was SC, just lurking, not drawing any attention to itself with talks of interviews and such...almost forgot about it for a month or so there.

Then, bam, I got in, and I realized that in spite of and because of all that I'd been through with the other schools, I wanted to come here.

The call can't be a bad thing, but it's also not a bad thing if you DON'T get a call.

Make sense?

 

[Ryan C.]

Bartleby,

If I were to get a phone call, I would generally take it as a good sign. Esp. if the conversation went well, and it sounds to me like yours did.

Jayimess, I am sure you have been asked this before- but last year when did letters start to go out for MFA Production?