USC SCA Film Production MFA 2023 (1 Viewer)

[dibsfreenergy]

Hey guys, I got accepted for fall 22 but couldn't attend due to personal reasons so I'm reapplying for fall 23.
Do all of my creative submissions have to be brand new?
Example: the personal statement, visual sample, writing sample?
what parts of my application can be the same and which parts have to be completely new?
I understand if I have to build a new visual and writing sample but what should I do if I feel my personal statement last year was the best representation of who I am and is completely spot on for me?
I have just done more work in the industry and explored avenues in this year but my purpose remains exactly the same.
Can somebody help me out here?

 

[Chris W]

I understand if I have to build a new visual and writing sample but what should I do if I feel my personal statement last year was the best representation of who I am and is completely spot on for me?
I have just done more work in the industry and explored avenues in this year but my purpose remains exactly the same.

I don't recommend sending an exact carbon copy of your old personal statement as that doesn't show much effort.

I'd mention somewhere near the beginning of the personal statement that you applied last year and was accepted but couldn't attend due to x and you are ready to attend this year. Or something like that.

Then update anything else in the statement that would bring it up to present day in terms of experience. The bulk of it can be very similar as you got in last year and it apparently worked so just bring it up to date and fix anything like typos if they exist etc.

Good luck!

 

[dibsfreenergy]

I don't recommend sending an exact carbon copy of your old personal statement as that doesn't show much effort.

I'd mention somewhere near the beginning of the personal statement that you applied last year and was accepted but couldn't attend due to x and you are ready to attend this year. Or something like that.

Then update anything else in the statement that would bring it up to present day in terms of experience. The bulk of it can be very similar as you got in last year and it apparently worked so just bring it up to date and fix anything like typos if they exist etc.

Good luck!

Thanks for always being so helpful, Chris!
Just one last follow-up question,
Am I supposed to get 2 completely new letters of recommendation?
I used the best ones I could on my last application, and even today they'll be better than any new ones I get people to write.
Can I have the same people recommend me this year too?

 

[Chris W]

I'm honestly not sure and maybe others can chime in too but I think that's fine.

 

[Chris W]

Here's our current USC acceptance rate:

USC School of Cinematic Arts Acceptance Rate (All Programs/All Years)

27.9%

Admitted

254 out of 912

17.9%

Waitlisted

163 out of 912

54.3%

Not Admitted

495 out of 912

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...

Deadline appears to still be November 15th.

USC Cinematic Arts | Graduate Application Procedures

 

[r_film]

Does anyone know if we can start the slideroom application, and then come back to it a different time or does it need to be done in one sitting?

 

[teyyana]

Does anyone know if we can start the slideroom application, and then come back to it a different time or does it need to be done in one sitting?

You can save and make changes later. You'll be able to submit when all of the required fields are filled

 

[r_film]

You can save and make changes later. You'll be able to submit when all of the required fields are filled

Awesome thanks! I just want to be prepared before I start the application. Also, do you know if I need physical copies of my letter of recommendations or do I just tell them the reference and email?

 

[teyyana]

Awesome thanks! I just want to be prepared before I start the application. Also, do you know if I need physical copies of my letter of recommendations or do I just tell them the reference and email?

On your Slideroom page you just need to input your recommender names and email addresses. They will receive a link that directs them to a form and they can upload the scan of the letter or input their recommendation message into a text box just like sending an email. You'll receive an email when they have submitted their recommendation

 

[r_film]

On your Slideroom page you just need to input your recommender names and email addresses. They will receive a link that directs them to a form and they can upload the scan of the letter or input their recommendation message into a text box just like sending an email. You'll receive an email when they have submitted their recommendation

Awesome thank you! Do you know if there deadline the same as the overall deadline or do they get extra time?

 

[Chris W]

Awesome thank you! Do you know if there deadline the same as the overall deadline or do they get extra time?

It appears that they're due by the deadline:

USC Cinematic Arts | Graduate Application Procedures

 

[teyyana]

Awesome thank you! Do you know if there deadline the same as the overall deadline or do they get extra time?

I applied for the spring. The submission deadline was August 15 but recommenders were allowed to send their letter until September 1

 

[r_film]

What would you guys say is the most important part of the application? The 5 minute short? The personal statement? I ask because I currently don't have the best access to make a great 5 minute short, but I worked really hard on my personal essay, writing samples, and I think I have a decent film resume. I'm just worried this 5 minute short might cost me....

 

[Chris W]

personal statement

Personal statement is the most important. See our interview with USC admissions.

Film School Admissions Department Interviews

Film school admissions departments share in-depth insights on applying to film school, mistakes to avoid, and other tips.

www.filmschool.org

Actually pretty much any of our admissions department interviews say that your personal statement is pretty much the most important.

 

[Chris W]

Our new guide on applying to USC is up.

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

 

[scaldwellkerson]

What would you guys say is the most important part of the application? The 5 minute short? The personal statement? I ask because I currently don't have the best access to make a great 5 minute short, but I worked really hard on my personal essay, writing samples, and I think I have a decent film resume. I'm just worried this 5 minute short might cost me....

Personal statement, hands down.

 

[Chris W]

Deadline is November 15th.​

Who's got their application in?

 

[r_film]

Do I need to mail my transcript if I already copied and uploaded it on there website? The deadline passed, but they don't send you your USC ID until a couple days after your submission so I am unsure if I need to also mail them a transcript.

 

[teyyana]

Do I need to mail my transcript if I already copied and uploaded it on there website? The deadline passed, but they don't send you your USC ID until a couple days after your submission so I am unsure if I need to also mail them a transcript.

Yes, you do. Wait until they give you the USC ID, then mail your transcript to them. Don't forget to ensure they have received your mail, because they couldn't find my mail at first. After I showed them the delivery receipt, they finally found it

 

[r_film]

Yes, you do. Wait until they give you the USC ID, then mail your transcript to them. Don't forget to ensure they have received your mail, because they couldn't find my mail at first. After I showed them the delivery receipt, they finally found it

How do I make sure they get it? And can all this be done after the deadline? Because they don't send you your ID until you submit your application, and I submitted mine the day it was due.