USC School of Cinematic Arts MFA Screenwriting Fall 2020

I submitted Friday evening and was pretty cool/relieved and took the weekend "off" before I finish my last 3 applications. Woke up this morning and was immediately frustrated by the fact that I've got to wait a lifetime to hear anything, ha. True Enneagram 3 right here - I need answers now.

Also, to whomever said this application was a bear - YES. My other schools don't feel nearly this daunting.

I also don't understand the application fees, but I felt the same way when I was applying to undergrad forever ago. Ah well. It's paid and sent.
 
SOS! I submitted the first 8 pages (my teaser) for the creative sample. I went back to look on sideroom just now and saw my title page explaining the context didn't attach. Should I try emailing them? Is this the end of the world? It kind of works as a contained narrative but I can't believe I made such a dumb mistake. I'm freaking out a bit.
 
Truth. One of my best friends is applying to grad school in a very different field at the University of Virginia. Submitted her application last Wednesday, had her interview this Monday, will know most likely by week's end. I might hate her a little.
 
Truth. One of my best friends is applying to grad school in a very different field at the University of Virginia. Submitted her application last Wednesday, had her interview this Monday, will know most likely by week's end. I might hate her a little.

Seriously! Multiple friends have asked me if I've heard back yet and while they're all well intentioned, it's definitely not helping my anxiety.
 
Guys, I've done something really dumb. I'm international, and I thought my GPA was 3.3, but it's 3.4 actually. Is that a big difference? Because I've been applying with my 3.3 GPA so far lol (btw, I blame my astrological chart for that) hahaha
 
Guys, I've done something really dumb. I'm international, and I thought my GPA was 3.3, but it's 3.4 actually. Is that a big difference? Because I've been applying with my 3.3 GPA so far lol (btw, I blame my astrological chart for that) hahaha
They'll be able to check the GPA on your transcript, so I don't think you have a lot to worry about. I'd definitely call the grad programs and alert them.
 
They'll be able to check the GPA on your transcript, so I don't think you have a lot to worry about. I'd definitely call the grad programs and alert them.
I'm Brazilian, so I don't have my GPA on my transcript :\ I thought about it a lot, and I think it's a small difference and I'm overthinking lol They're probably super busy, I don't want to be the student that bothered them because of a 0.1 difference :(
I'll be fine (or at least I hope so) ? hahaha
 
I'm Brazilian, so I don't have my GPA on my transcript :\ I thought about it a lot, and I think it's a small difference and I'm overthinking lol They're probably super busy, I don't want to be the student that bothered them because of a 0.1 difference :(
I'll be fine (or at least I hope so) ? hahaha
I could be totally wrong, but the impression I get is that they don’t care too much about GPA. It’s your great writing that will get you in. I certainly wouldn’t worry about a .1 difference. It would also be worse if you said it’s hire than it actually is, making you look like you’re trying to inflate the GPA. You’ll be fine.
 
I could be totally wrong, but the impression I get is that they don’t care too much about GPA. It’s your great writing that will get you in. I certainly wouldn’t worry about a .1 difference. It would also be worse if you said it’s hire than it actually is, making you look like you’re trying to inflate the GPA. You’ll be fine.

I agree. I have friends in MFA programs (whom I've asked for advice on this process) and the number one thing they stress is that it comes down to writing. Yes, GPA plays a role but the deciding factor will most likely be writing. I find that comforting and also nerve wracking. Like, I worked substantially on my writing samples but I don't know if it's their cup of tea. I feel particularly "iffy" on my autobiographical character sketch, but that's probably because I drafted so many different versions of that damn sketch.
 
While everyone is waiting for more info PLEASE take a moment to review the program on our site as an APPLICANT: (it can be anonymous)

List your pros and cons and why you applied to this program. If you can, please also review all of the other programs that you replied to on the site. It will help others A TON. :)


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Thank you! It'll be a HUGE help to the site and fellow applicants. :)
 
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Third try for USC - first as an MFA applicant. Also applied at LMU, UCLA, and NYU. G’luck all!

Good luck! Be sure to add your applications to the tracker! :)

 
Hey guys! I got a email from USC saying:

“Additional information or action is required to process your application for 2020-2021 financial aid. Please follow these instructions as soon as possible so that we can accurately determine your eligibility for need-based aid or review your request for an adjustment to existing aid.”

I got it at like 3 am, and was wondering if if anyone got something like this, or if it’s indicative of anything? Maybe I’m just being neurotic, but I already submitted financial aid stuff, so any idea why they would send this?

Thanks in advance!
 
Hey guys! I got a email from USC saying:

“Additional information or action is required to process your application for 2020-2021 financial aid. Please follow these instructions as soon as possible so that we can accurately determine your eligibility for need-based aid or review your request for an adjustment to existing aid.”

I got it at like 3 am, and was wondering if if anyone got something like this, or if it’s indicative of anything? Maybe I’m just being neurotic, but I already submitted financial aid stuff, so any idea why they would send this?

Thanks in advance!
I got an email in a similar vein to that. They needed me to update the transcripts I uploaded. Apparently I uploaded the unofficial ones and they wanted the official ones. Oops.
But you shouldn’t worry too much about it. Call them up and ask what exactly they need from you. Get that in ASAP. Ask if there’s a deadline if you want more definitive answers.
Good luck. Logistics suck.
 
I got an email in a similar vein to that. They needed me to update the transcripts I uploaded. Apparently I uploaded the unofficial ones and they wanted the official ones. Oops.
But you shouldn’t worry too much about it. Call them up and ask what exactly they need from you. Get that in ASAP. Ask if there’s a deadline if you want more definitive answers.
Good luck. Logistics suck.

Thank you so much! I’ll call them tomorrow to clarify, it’s just weird getting it late at night and not knowing what to do about it. I just don’t get why they care about financial aid right now haha, Bc I doubt I’m gonna get in tbh.
 
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