USC MFA - Writing for Screen & Television - Fall 2025

[Gandiva]

Hi everyone,

Just creating this to gather folks from the screenwriting pool for next Fall.
Was thinking we could do peer reviews/share necessary info/etc.,

 

[Chris W]

Good luck!

Here's our interview with USC admissions of you haven't seen it yet.

How to get Into USC SCA: Advice from an Admissions Committee Member

Considered by many to be the best film school in the world, it’s no wonder why the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) is so sought after by prospective undergraduate and graduate students alike. However, the film school’s prestige can often make the application process particularly stressful and...

• Svaja Paka
• Mar 5, 2020
• 5.00 star(s) 7 reviews
• Comments: 6
• Reviews: 5
• Category: Admissions Interviews

How to Get Into USC SCA in 2024: More Application Tips from an Admissions Committee Member

As the oldest film school in the U.S., the University of Southern California School of the Arts has helped usher exceptional talent to the forefront of the film industry. In 2023, TheWrap ranked USC SCA the no. 2 best film school in the nation, praising its advanced filmmaking facilities...

• Alexa P.
• Mar 14, 2024
• Comments: 2
• Category: Supporting Member Exclusives

Here's our guide to applying to USC:

USC SCA: How to Apply for 2026, Acceptance Rate, and What To Expect as a Film Student

For nearly a century, the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts (USC SCA) has trained the next generation of prolific filmmakers. USC SCA remains at the forefront of filmmaking trends, welcoming filmmakers with years of industry experience alongside beginners with raw talent...

• Alexa P.
• Nov 2, 2022
• Category: Applying to Film School

Also be sure to see the past threads as well as our stats for USC on link below:

USC School of Cinematic Arts Acceptance Rate (USC - Writing for Screen and TV MFA/All Years)

28.1%

Admitted

75 out of 267

6.4%

Waitlisted

17 out of 267

65.5%

Not Admitted

175 out of 267

Awaiting Results Admitted Waitlisted Denied

Click here for our full Admission Statistics for this program including interview and acceptance notification dates, accepted GPAs, waitlist acceptance rate, demographics of accepted applicants, $ amount of scholarship awarded, and more...

Past applications can be accessed in link above too.

Good luck! Be sure to log your application with us once you apply.

 

[Doran]

I’m in my first year of the program, Class of ‘26. I’d be happy to answer any questions. One of the great things about USC (and this board) is the spirit of helping each other.

A few graduating current students were really huge for me on making my decision, and I’m happy to pass that on. I don’t check this often so DM me because that sends me an email and I’ll get to it. Good luck, and fight on!

 

[Nicolas Hosea]

Is it OK if I submit the USC's Graduate Application for Admission before finishing the slideroom because I need the ID number before I can finish my required documents for slideroom

 

[Chris W]

Just added the 2025 category for when you do submit so you can log your application.

2025 Fall Entry

Film School Applications for the Fall 2025 entry application period.

www.filmschool.org

 

[highlandspring]

So who else has applied? Good luck everyone

 

[Gandiva]

So who else has applied? Good luck everyone

I submitted yesterday. not too hopeful though - had to rush with my writing sample. i feel i def could have done better with that. how did your submission go?

Are you applying anywhere else? I'm prepping my nyu application now

 

[asterism]

Applied and proud of myself! Good luck to all.

 

[VonnietheWriter]

I completed my Slideroom application at 1:15a EST on 11/15/24, then paid the fee, and went to bed. I woke the next day to another application fee, checked Slide\room and it was submitted. I didn't realize there were two fees, and two submissions required. I just saw the last sentence in the email this morning to submit both to Slideroom and USC. I've missed my shot this year because of this, just posting in hopes to save someone else for the error.

Two fees $30/$90 and two submits to complete your application.

 

[highlandspring]

I submitted yesterday. not too hopeful though - had to rush with my writing sample. i feel i def could have done better with that. how did your submission go?

Are you applying anywhere else? I'm prepping my nyu application now

Well it’s in destiny’s hands now. Yeah I’m questioning my autobiographical sketch, could have done better. Also applying to NYU and have nearly zero brain cells left at this point. I have to reread my entire sample now for errors. These applications have mentally ended me - would not be able to relive this again if I don’t get in!

 

[highlandspring]

I completed my Slideroom application at 1:15a EST on 11/15/24, then paid the fee, and went to bed. I woke the next day to another application fee, checked Slide\room and it was submitted. I didn't realize there were two fees, and two submissions required. I just saw the last sentence in the email this morning to submit both to Slideroom and USC. I've missed my shot this year because of this, just posting in hopes to save someone else for the error.

Two fees $30/$90 and two submits to complete your application.

That sucks I’m sorry. Were you not able to get in touch with the department to explain?

 

[Chris W]

Good luck everyone! Don't forget to log your application if you haven't yet. It's really just logging dates and other info and really helps people. let me know if you have questions.

Application Database

A database of thousands of film school applications to calculate acceptance rates to film programs and the minimum GPAs, minimum SAT and GRE scores, experience of accepted applicants, and much more....

www.filmschool.org

 

[highlandspring]

Good luck everyone! Don't forget to log your application if you haven't yet. It's really just logging dates and other info and really helps people. let me know if you have questions.

Application Database

A database of thousands of film school applications to calculate acceptance rates to film programs and the minimum GPAs, minimum SAT and GRE scores, experience of accepted applicants, and much more....

www.filmschool.org

Thanks! Is there an NYU thread for the MFA in Dramatic Writing 2025? Can’t seem to find one

 

[Chris W]

Is there an NYU thread for the MFA in Dramatic Writing 2025? Can’t seem to find one

One hasn't been created yet. Feel free to create one! I can create it if you want me to but it's always better to be user created. Let me know if you have questions on how to do it.

 

[danielani]

I applied!! If I'm being honest it's one of the most cumbersome applications I've had to put together, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I will say though that making the scholarship application the same deadline as the regular application is brutal. What other schools did y'all apply to?

 

[highlandspring]

I applied!! If I'm being honest it's one of the most cumbersome applications I've had to put together, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I will say though that making the scholarship application the same deadline as the regular application is brutal. What other schools did y'all apply to?

Agreed! I’m applying to usc and nyu. Wbu?

Do we have to do anything else for the scholarship stuff? I filled the prompts and the sample, is that all?

 

[highlandspring]

One hasn't been created yet. Feel free to create one! I can create it if you want me to but it's always better to be user created. Let me know if you have questions on how to do it.

I made one, thanks!

NYU Tisch MFA Dramatic Writing 2025

Who's applying? Good luck!

www.filmschool.org

 

[gla1019]

I applied too. Good luck to everyone!

 

[danielani]

Agreed! I’m applying to usc and nyu. Wbu?

Do we have to do anything else for the scholarship stuff? I filled the prompts and the sample, is that all?

Pretty sure that's all we have to do in terms of the application. I would just make sure to get in your FAFSA application as soon as it becomes available (if you're hoping to get some form of aid of course). And I was gonna apply to NYU but ultimately decided against it because of time. How, I'm still applying to Columbia and AFI.

 

[highlandspring]

Pretty sure that's all we have to do in terms of the application. I would just make sure to get in your FAFSA application as soon as it becomes available (if you're hoping to get some form of aid of course). And I was gonna apply to NYU but ultimately decided against it because of time. How, I'm still applying to Columbia and AFI.

Ah - I’m an international applicant so it seems FAFSA is not for me. Good luck with that though, and your other schools!