USC MFA Screenwriting Fall 2016

[scriptgal16]

Hey folks,

Current MFA Screenwriting candidate here. Just wanted to offer my support and good vibes to you all. I know this is a crazy stressful time -- but I wouldn't fixate too much on when the notifications go out (impossible to predict). Know that you have a lot of people rooting for you, that a rejection letter shouldn't end your grad school aspirations (the faculty holds persistent candidates who reapply in high esteem), and as previously mentioned, the waitlist can remain open up until a week before the start of the fall semester.

Try to funnel that anxiety during this home stretch into something creative, or at the very least, distracting. But above all, don't give up on your dreams. There are many paths to a fulfilling career and success in this industry. You never know which one will ultimately pay off.

May the force be with you!

 

[Boe21]

Hey folks,

Current MFA Screenwriting candidate here. Just wanted to offer my support and good vibes to you all. I know this is a crazy stressful time -- but I wouldn't fixate too much on when the notifications go out (impossible to predict). Know that you have a lot of people rooting for you, that a rejection letter shouldn't end your grad school aspirations (the faculty holds persistent candidates who reapply in high esteem), and as previously mentioned, the waitlist can remain open up until a week before the start of the fall semester.

Try to funnel that anxiety during this home stretch into something creative, or at the very least, distracting. But above all, don't give up on your dreams. There are many paths to a fulfilling career and success in this industry. You never know which one will ultimately pay off.

May the force be with you!

Hi @scriptgal16 --

Was wondering if you could fill us in on what a typical day/week is like for you in the program? And whether or not you really feel that you are better equipped to make a career in the industry from having attended USC? Not just connections wise which I hear a lot, but in terms of becoming a better writer?

 

[Boethius]

I spoke to someone at USC today. I was told to expect notifications for the writing MFA in mid-March. So... who's ready to wait a couple more weeks?

 

[marzillanyu]

Hey Boethius, I am new and I wanted to ask you about the DW program interviews, because I email the school and they said the DW program does not hold interviews and that decisions are solely based on portfolio materials.

 

[panda]

I spoke to someone at USC today. I was told to expect notifications for the writing MFA in mid-March. So... who's ready to wait a couple more weeks?

I actually still believe some people will hear this weekend. Last year, all applicants heard by mid-March so it makes sense that that's the date they give out. Accepted applicants seem to hear earlier, then mid-March is when rejections and WL decisions go out (presumably, after accepted applicants have had some time to consider whether they'd like to take the offer).

On the other hand, they could very well have been overwhelmed by the number of applicants this year and mid-March is a true indicator.

 

[Timothy Marc Hopper]

I actually still believe some people will hear this weekend. Last year, all applicants heard by mid-March so it makes sense that that's the date they give out. Accepted applicants seem to hear earlier, then mid-March is when rejections and WL decisions go out (presumably, after accepted applicants have had some time to consider whether they'd like to take the offer).

I'm all aboard this idea.

 

[marzillanyu]

Glad you said the mid March thing! Makes sense!

 

[Timothy Marc Hopper]

 

[marzillanyu]

Did anyone see the OSCARS?

 

[Paul J.]

Dure did, though the time difference is slightly taxing. Starting my Monday with 2hrs of sleep.

I was kind of wondering why no Oscar discussion on the boards, nor any theories of getting USC notifications during the Oscar weekend

 

[FranklyMyDear]

Thought Fury Road's sweep of the art department + post-production Oscars (6!!!) indicated it would win one of the bigger awards (Director and/or Picture). Disappointed that momentum dried up after Best Editing.

If an Oscar existed for "Movie Most Likely To Be Studied By Future Film Students," Fury Road would have won unanimously.

 

[Paul J.]

The biggest surprise for me was Ex Machina's win in Visual Effects. I mean granted, the effects are well done and essential to the story but still. I was sure it would have been a duel between the old school feel of Mad Max and the epic scale of the new Star Wars.

 

[marzillanyu]

Chris rock was shocking... well done! & Happy for Leo!

 

[panda]

Check your emails! I just received my decision notification! ACCEPTED!

Over the last few weeks, I've re-read my application so many times that I thought for sure there was no way I would get in. Woke up to the most pleasant and shocking of surprises. Best of luck to everyone!

 

[Matt Ramphele]

Hey kids. I'm an international student and I also got accepted for the program. Pending boring international documents (financial documents and passport).

 

[CReynes]

Wow, congrats panda! I didn't receive a letter so it looks lIke I'll have to reapply next year.

Best of luck to everyone!

 

[panda]

Wow, congrats panda! I didn't receive a letter so it looks lIke I'll have to reapply next year.

Best of luck to everyone!

USC has been pretty weird this year with notifications, they could be sending out letters slowly. I guess we'll know as more people check their emails today.

 

[kcrabb]

GOT MY EMAIL! THIS IS SURREAL! Good luck to all those still waiting... I know the pain.

 

[ZSwriter]

Hey everyone! I have kind of been hiding in the shadows, but I received my USC acceptance today! SO exciting! Best of luck to everyone!

 

[panda]

Received the email from the School of Cinematic Arts directly yesterday, but couldn't find it until this morning. For some reason it was filed away under the "Promotions" tab on my gmail. It contains a link similar to the "Intent to Enroll" from the general grad admissions office, but specific to SCA. Thought I'd post here in case others haven't been able to find this second email either.