USC MFA Writing for Screen & Television (Screenwriting) 2021 (1 Viewer)

[EJohnson21]

I was waitlisted for television production with a guaranteed slot for spring!! Waiting to hear back on this application

 

[Chris W]

Hi all! I've been lurking for quite some time now, I just checked my email and got my waitlist notification at 4:12 EST (domestic).

I was waitlisted for television production with a guaranteed slot for spring!! Waiting to hear back on this application

Congrats! Waitlisters can join the USC club and access the forum:

PRIVATE CLUB - USC

www.filmschool.org

 

[katiebonnie]

Got my rejection this morning, didn't get an email but I checked my portal. Letter was dated March 2nd but the portal updated overnight so I got it this morning (4th March). Good luck everyone!

 

[Inkie9]

Got my rejection this morning, didn't get an email but I checked my portal. Letter was dated March 2nd but the portal updated overnight so I got it this morning (4th March). Good luck everyone!

Same here, no email but rejection letter was on the portal dated 2nd March. At least now we know and can try to move on I guess. Wishing everyone good luck!

 

[ngs091]

Well.... I got my rejection letter.

The good news, however, after applying twice in four years... I think I realized now why I got these rejections.

I can't swear to it... but in short after looking on the website, I now realize that I CLEARLY can't read directions.

The samples I submitted for the Elevator and Dinner prompts were supposed to be mere single scenes.

I fucking (sorry) submitted full stories in that one location/situation and within the page count. I mean I had a clear conflict and a structure, a character arc, a twist etc....

I am pretty sure I shot myself in the foot with that. Unless someone who got accepted did the same?

 

[theMorrigan]

Also got rejection letter. I did get an email stamped around 1:30AM PST. Still waiting to hear from LMU, so I haven't given up all hope yet for this cycle. Particularly because I really fell in love with LMU's program as I delved into their curriculum and the energy and passion from the faculty with whom I interviewed.

@ngs091 I really hope that wasn't a mark against you. I've read challenge scenes from people accepted over the last few cycles that did the same thing. I've also read a number of articles here on filmschool.org that emphasize a point that may be hard to accept as we deal with the rejection -- but we should hold onto it like a mantra:

Great writers, great storytellers, get rejected every year because we may not fit the cohort the admissions committee crafts. And because USC accepts 32 of thousands of applicants. If we know in our souls, in our hearts and bones, that we're meant to create, then we take the rejection and keep on writing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sitting here picking apart everything I submitted to USC (and everything I said in my LMU interview) and trying to figure out where I went wrong, too. But I want to believe we'll get the right YES. And maybe that's not USC. Or maybe not USC this year. But I'm a closet optimist, so...

@katiebonnie and @Inkie9 for you as well, I hope that we all get better news from our other applications.

 

[ngs091]

Thanks

Also got rejection letter. I did get an email stamped around 1:30AM PST. Still waiting to hear from LMU, so I haven't given up all hope yet for this cycle. Particularly because I really fell in love with LMU's program as I delved into their curriculum and the energy and passion from the faculty with whom I interviewed.

@ngs091 I really hope that wasn't a mark against you. I've read challenge scenes from people accepted over the last few cycles that did the same thing. I've also read a number of articles here on filmschool.org that emphasize a point that may be hard to accept as we deal with the rejection -- but we should hold onto it like a mantra:

Great writers, great storytellers, get rejected every year because we may not fit the cohort the admissions committee crafts. And because USC accepts 32 of thousands of applicants. If we know in our souls, in our hearts and bones, that we're meant to create, then we take the rejection and keep on writing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sitting here picking apart everything I submitted to USC (and everything I said in my LMU interview) and trying to figure out where I went wrong, too. But I want to believe we'll get the right YES. And maybe that's not USC. Or maybe not USC this year. But I'm a closet optimist, so...

@katiebonnie and @Inkie9 for you as well, I hope that we all get better news from our other applications.

Thanks for the well wishes!

Ya.. you are right... that was more me too picking apart my pieces. So much that I am like 'did this one minor word repetition between paragraphs on page 5 do it?' Haha!

No idea what went wrong. Even if I would love to know. But like I said further up this discussion, it often comes down to taste and is kind of a crapshoot.

But I am still waiting on other schools. So we will see!

And good luck to you all too!

 

[katiebonnie]

Also got rejection letter. I did get an email stamped around 1:30AM PST. Still waiting to hear from LMU, so I haven't given up all hope yet for this cycle. Particularly because I really fell in love with LMU's program as I delved into their curriculum and the energy and passion from the faculty with whom I interviewed.

@ngs091 I really hope that wasn't a mark against you. I've read challenge scenes from people accepted over the last few cycles that did the same thing. I've also read a number of articles here on filmschool.org that emphasize a point that may be hard to accept as we deal with the rejection -- but we should hold onto it like a mantra:

Great writers, great storytellers, get rejected every year because we may not fit the cohort the admissions committee crafts. And because USC accepts 32 of thousands of applicants. If we know in our souls, in our hearts and bones, that we're meant to create, then we take the rejection and keep on writing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sitting here picking apart everything I submitted to USC (and everything I said in my LMU interview) and trying to figure out where I went wrong, too. But I want to believe we'll get the right YES. And maybe that's not USC. Or maybe not USC this year. But I'm a closet optimist, so...

@katiebonnie and @Inkie9 for you as well, I hope that we all get better news from our other applications.

It's such a hard one and this is a very strange year too. I never actually thought I would get in so it's not much of a surprise but still disappointing.

I'm wondering if any of the accepted applicants would be willing to share their materials? I found the autobiographical character sketch really hard and wasn't happy with it even when I submitted so would love to read some successful samples before I try again next cycle.

 

[Krmg]

Got my USC rejection too. I feel relieved in a way. Still waiting to hear back from AFI and Chapman

 

[its_me_mari]

Same here! Got my rejection 2 hours ago. I received a email asking to check the portal and it was there.

Still waiting to hear back from other schools!

 

[imenergetic]

Rejected here too! So relieved to know! I really hate having things hang over my head.

 

[arigold8]

Got my rejection this morning too. Definitely stings to see the fine print right now, but at least the band aid was ripped off.

 

[sraz]

Got a rejection letter too. Just wondering what everyone's letter says - mine says that the faculty suggests building my portfolio and reapplying in the future. Wondering if there's any significance in that or if I'm reading too much into it.

 

[ngs091]

Got a rejection letter too. Just wondering what everyone's letter says - mine says that the faculty suggests building my portfolio and reapplying in the future. Wondering if there's any significance in that or if I'm reading too much into it.

Probably! I got an obvious form letter.

Edit: Whoops... I actually got that too in the first paragraph. I skimmed the first time I read it. But.... ya... it is an obvious form letter, though. At least for me.

 

[llueve]

Also got my rejection. Man, I tell ya, it smarts! Silly me, I thought my materials were gonna get an acceptance.

Makes me feel better though to see others in the same boat, not out of pettiness, but makes me feel like OK, other applicants who to me seemed really really great also didn't get an acceptance, I'm in good company in that sense.

Thanks everyone for building community on this wild ride!

Just wondering what everyone's letter says - mine says that the faculty suggests building my portfolio and reapplying in the future. Wondering if there's any significance in that or if I'm reading too much into it.

Mine said the same thing: "Nonetheless, the School of Cinematic Arts faculty recommended that you continue to build your portfolio and reapply for a future semester."

And I took it to be something they put into every letter. Sorry to be the bearer of more bad news

 

[ngs091]

All that said... as others I am still waiting on Chapman and Cal State Northridge.

However, if any of you want to add me on social media, here is my Facebook......

Facebook

www.facebook.com

And/or if you want to shoot the shit about movies... here is my Mubi profile where I have 1,700+ capsule film reviews.....

Nick G

Nick G is on mubi.com, the social network for people who love film.

mubi.com

 

[Abbey Normal]

Ugh...got my rejection letter/email. I really thought my application was strong lol. And it was vetted by a staff writer and a fellow MFA writer haha. Oh well, guess I was not Trojan material.

Still waiting on Chapman, UT Austin................and NYU (???)

Really hope I get into AFI cause that is my number one choice.

For everyone else, I feel ya! Rejection hurts, but it's part of the writing life. Keep at it. I'll be having myself a glass of whiskey on behalf of everyone here.

Congrats to those who were accepted!!! Plz hire me when you become a showrunner. Cheers!

 

[Chris W]

Got my rejection this morning, didn't get an email but I checked my portal. Letter was dated March 2nd but the portal updated overnight so I got it this morning (4th March). Good luck everyone!

Same here, no email but rejection letter was on the portal dated 2nd March. At least now we know and can try to move on I guess. Wishing everyone good luck!

Well.... I got my rejection letter.

The good news, however, after applying twice in four years... I think I realized now why I got these rejections.

I can't swear to it... but in short after looking on the website, I now realize that I CLEARLY can't read directions.

The samples I submitted for the Elevator and Dinner prompts were supposed to be mere single scenes.

I fucking (sorry) submitted full stories in that one location/situation and within the page count. I mean I had a clear structure, a character arc, etc....

I am pretty sure I shot myself in the foot with that. Unless someone who got accepted did the same?

Also got rejection letter. I did get an email stamped around 1:30AM PST. Still waiting to hear from LMU, so I haven't given up all hope yet for this cycle. Particularly because I really fell in love with LMU's program as I delved into their curriculum and the energy and passion from the faculty with whom I interviewed.

@ngs091 I really hope that wasn't a mark against you. I've read challenge scenes from people accepted over the last few cycles that did the same thing. I've also read a number of articles here on filmschool.org that emphasize a point that may be hard to accept as we deal with the rejection -- but we should hold onto it like a mantra:

Great writers, great storytellers, get rejected every year because we may not fit the cohort the admissions committee crafts. And because USC accepts 32 of thousands of applicants. If we know in our souls, in our hearts and bones, that we're meant to create, then we take the rejection and keep on writing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sitting here picking apart everything I submitted to USC (and everything I said in my LMU interview) and trying to figure out where I went wrong, too. But I want to believe we'll get the right YES. And maybe that's not USC. Or maybe not USC this year. But I'm a closet optimist, so...

@katiebonnie and @Inkie9 for you as well, I hope that we all get better news from our other applications.

Got my USC rejection too. I feel relieved in a way. Still waiting to hear back from AFI and Chapman

Same here! Got my rejection 2 hours ago. I received a email asking to check the portal and it was there.

Still waiting to hear back from other schools!

Rejected here too! So relieved to know! I really hate having things hang over my head.

Got my rejection this morning too. Definitely stings to see the fine print right now, but at least the band aid was ripped off.

Bummer! But take this in a positive way as a chance to further hone your skills and keep writing and creating. Use it as motivation to move forward.

I'm wondering if any of the accepted applicants would be willing to share their materials?

There's some in the database such as @Septopus7 but yes if people could update their applications in the database with as much as they can share would be an awesome help to people. Some have already done that for this year.

Got a rejection letter too. Just wondering what everyone's letter says - mine says that the faculty suggests building my portfolio and reapplying in the future. Wondering if there's any significance in that or if I'm reading too much into it.

Mine said the same thing: "Nonetheless, the School of Cinematic Arts faculty recommended that you continue to build your portfolio and reapply for a future semester."

Yes! Keep applying! Do not give up! Some people applied many times before getting in.

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

So...you’re applying for film school, huh? I mean, that’s just my assumption. Not sure why you would bother reading this otherwise, especially with where we are currently in The Cycle of Applications. These next couple weeks are pretty much when all the major film school programs have their...

• Septopus7
• Nov 19, 2020
• 5.00 star(s) 2 reviews
• Comments: 9
• Reviews: 2
• Category: Applying to Film School

 

[Chris W]

For everyone else, I feel ya! Rejection hurts, but it's part of the writing life. Keep at it. I'll be having myself a glass of whiskey on behalf of everyone here.

Yes keep at it for sure. Do not give up.

 

[aaaaa]

I'm wondering if any of the accepted applicants would be willing to share their materials?

I didn’t get accepted but I’m curious about other people’s submissions too. I’d be down to trade. Is anyone else open to share their scenes and their autobiographical character sketch?
If so...how does one direct message on here? Hmmm