USC MFA Writing for Screen & Television (Screenwriting) 2021

[arigold8]

Wow... I’ve been counting down the days until the end of February... April feels like another year away! My anxiety might implode before then! At least we’re all in this together

 

[grocerystoremusic]

Hi!! Longtime lurker, third-time applicant, and first-time poster on this site

I decided to finally make an account last week and engage in some of the helpful discourse from this thread. A few years ago, I wrote a similar email to the one ngs091 sent to the SC writing office and got a close response: expect a decision on your app by April or May.

That year, acceptance letters were sent the last week of February. The waitlisted crowd heard back in early March, and I received my rejection letter around March 20. By April 23, roughly all decisions were made. That included the waitlisted folks who were eventually offered admission too! I'm not positive, but pretty confident April is when the dust settles, and the Class of 2021 is completely finalized at USC.

Since they're reviewing everything virtually, this year could absolutely be the exception that proves the rule. But for now, I'd still set my eyes on Feb 21 - March 4 (with extra special emphasis on Feb 28 to March 2)

Looking forward to sweating it out again

 

[EJohnson21]

Did any of you guys apply to multiple MFA programs within the same school? (I.e Peter Stark and Screenwriting at USC) I was wondering if it's even possible to be accepted into more than one and if so, would you have to choose or would they decide for you?

 

[llueve]

Did any of you guys apply to multiple MFA programs? I was wondering if it's even possible to be accepted into more than one and if so, would you have to choose or would they decide for you?

*EDIT: Now I'm wondering if you meant multiple disciplines within the same school, like applying for both Producing (Stark) and Screenwriting at USC. I think people do do it and I assume the student chooses, but I'm not sure! I only applied to Screenwriting programs but in 4 different schools*

Yes, I applied to 4 programs.
Based on previous threads, people do get into multiple programs and it is up to the student to choose.
You'll find threads on here from people seeking advice about which school to attend. And here's an article about one lucky guy who got into AFI and USC, for instance:

After Three Years of Rejection, I Got Into The Two Best Film Schools in The World. Here Are The Five Things I Learned...

It took multiple years, multiple applications, and over 1100 days for me to finally get into film school. Here are my biggest takeaways of the experience.

www.filmschool.org

 

[EJohnson21]

*EDIT: Now I'm wondering if you meant multiple disciplines within the same school, like applying for both Producing (Stark) and Screenwriting at USC. I think people do do it and I assume the student chooses, but I'm not sure! I only applied to Screenwriting programs but in 4 different schools*

Yes, I applied to 4 programs.
Based on previous threads, people do get into multiple programs and it is up to the student to choose.
You'll find threads on here from people seeking advice about which school to attend. And here's an article about one lucky guy who got into AFI and USC, for instance:

After Three Years of Rejection, I Got Into The Two Best Film Schools in The World. Here Are The Five Things I Learned...

It took multiple years, multiple applications, and over 1100 days for me to finally get into film school. Here are my biggest takeaways of the experience.

www.filmschool.org

Yes I totally should have clarified! Different disciplines within the same school

 

[arigold8]

Hi! How's everyone hanging in there?

 

[llueve]

Hi! How's everyone hanging in there?

Well... Using FilmSchool to distract from work, and then using work to distract from film school... Soooooo....

 

[marianass45]

Hi! How's everyone hanging in there?

Anxious. I honestly don't know anymore how many times I've been checking my email (and this forum) in the past few days. hahahaha
I'll probably set a record here because I keep coming back to read last year's thread for the 100th time.

At least here in my city things are starting to open again and I've been a little busier since Monday!

 

[katiebonnie]

Hi! How's everyone hanging in there?

I've kind of put it in my head that I won't hear anything until March and I'm determined to live in blissful ignorance until then

 

[Abbey Normal]

Hi! How's everyone hanging in there?

You know that feeling when you're watching a Zack Snyder Director's Cut and it's 4 HOURS long and you're waiting for it to end but the story keeps on going? Well, that's how I feel.

 

[arigold8]

It almost feels worse now that we've turned the corner on February... it's so close but not quite there... A part of me wants to put off hearing anything in case I don't get in, so I can savor this time where I'm still optimistic

 

[wuzpoppin]

i feel like i've invested more time reading old threads than i did writing my application

wish i had dr. manhattan powers

 

[katiebonnie]

It almost feels worse now that we've turned the corner on February... it's so close but not quite there... A part of me wants to put off hearing anything in case I don't get in, so I can savor this time where I'm still optimistic

exactly! If I don't know anything, then technically it's not a no yet

 

[imenergetic]

I'm feeling pretty crazy. I don't know why- but yesterday it's like I was hit with a brick of obsessive need to know what happens.

I don't even care if I make it or not at this point, I just want to know.

 

[Inkie9]

Same here, finding it really tricky waiting to find out! I read back through my application materials and they all started to seem terrible! It probably wasn't a good idea to do that haha. It's definitely most likely that I won't get in, but I'm an optimistic person so still have a tiny shred of hope...Although there's also the difficulty of needing a massive scholarship to attend, so even if I got an offer it's not certain that I could go.

It's especially stressful being an international student, because if it ends up being a yes (which would be AMAZING of course!) I'll only have 4 months to prepare for moving halfway across the world...sorting my visa, accommodation, covid vaccine (?!) etc...but I'm trying not to worry about those things yet because it's likely to be a no anyway. My mind just keeps going in circles of stress and doubt and excitement. But wish we could all just find out now!

 

[amichan]

Same here, finding it really tricky waiting to find out! I read back through my application materials and they all started to seem terrible! It probably wasn't a good idea to do that haha. It's definitely most likely that I won't get in, but I'm an optimistic person so still have a tiny shred of hope...Although there's also the difficulty of needing a massive scholarship to attend, so even if I got an offer it's not certain that I could go.

It's especially stressful being an international student, because if it ends up being a yes (which would be AMAZING of course!) I'll only have 4 months to prepare for moving halfway across the world...sorting my visa, accommodation, covid vaccine (?!) etc...but I'm trying not to worry about those things yet because it's likely to be a no anyway. My mind just keeps going in circles of stress and doubt and excitement. But wish we could all just find out now!

Speaking of having to move, I wonder if classes will be purely remote so people who don't live in LA would have more time to figure out their new living situation? I'm also an international student so *high five*! And I'm also trying really hard not to read my application materials because I feel like I'll cringe at myself hahah

 

[katiebonnie]

Same here, finding it really tricky waiting to find out! I read back through my application materials and they all started to seem terrible! It probably wasn't a good idea to do that haha. It's definitely most likely that I won't get in, but I'm an optimistic person so still have a tiny shred of hope...Although there's also the difficulty of needing a massive scholarship to attend, so even if I got an offer it's not certain that I could go.

It's especially stressful being an international student, because if it ends up being a yes (which would be AMAZING of course!) I'll only have 4 months to prepare for moving halfway across the world...sorting my visa, accommodation, covid vaccine (?!) etc...but I'm trying not to worry about those things yet because it's likely to be a no anyway. My mind just keeps going in circles of stress and doubt and excitement. But wish we could all just find out now!

I promised myself I wouldn't read them back

I'm international too, pretty sure I'm not getting in this year so I haven't really thought much about the actual logistics haha but I think they would make allowances if we were unable to get there. Particularly for the visa process - we can't do anything about that!

Don't stress though! Nothing wrong with a bit of optimism

 

[marianass45]

Same here, finding it really tricky waiting to find out! I read back through my application materials and they all started to seem terrible! It probably wasn't a good idea to do that haha. It's definitely most likely that I won't get in, but I'm an optimistic person so still have a tiny shred of hope...Although there's also the difficulty of needing a massive scholarship to attend, so even if I got an offer it's not certain that I could go.

It's especially stressful being an international student, because if it ends up being a yes (which would be AMAZING of course!) I'll only have 4 months to prepare for moving halfway across the world...sorting my visa, accommodation, covid vaccine (?!), etc...but I'm trying not to worry about those things yet because it's likely to be a no anyway. My mind just keeps going in circles of stress and doubt and excitement. But wish we could all just find out now!

International here too and definitely the preparation is stressing me out! Not doing anything yet but definitely searching about visa procedures. I’ll probably get a vaccine in June (I’m hoping). In Brazil, they already finished with the first group (doctors and health workers) and just started with +80 years old.

Really hope that everyone here will be safe soon!

Keep been optimistic about it!
I’m trying to occupy myself with other things and forget the whole process but it’s hard and I often end up here reading things all day hahahahaha I just hope time flies in February!

 

[Umie13]

Good luck to you all! Sending you love and light as you await your responses!
I'm from the U.K. and wanted to apply but missed the deadline...ekk! I've applied to U.K. institutions but would've loved to have taking a crack at USC.

 

[JasperJohns]

Where in the UK did you apply? There are more than a few great film schools across the pond.