USC SCA Writing for Screen & TV MFA Fall 2023

[Achow]

I'm on the film production track and I received an email from USC yesterday saying I need to send them my college transcript cuz it's missing from my profile (I did send it once the application was submitted). They're giving me a week to do so, maybe another week to process it, but it's hard to say if they will make decisions for others when mine is not finished yet

 

[ThomA97]

I'm on the film production track and I received an email from USC yesterday saying I need to send them my college transcript cuz it's missing from my profile (I did send it once the application was submitted). They're giving me a week to do so, maybe another week to process it, but it's hard to say if they will make decisions for others when mine is not finished yet

In addition to this. I called and they said it’s really just on a rolling basis until mid March. So keep faith friends and congratulations to those who have already been accepted!

 

[Chris W]

In addition to this. I called and they said it’s really just on a rolling basis until mid March. So keep faith friends and congratulations to those who have already been accepted!

Nice. I can't remember - this is different than past years? Check out the old threads:

USC Writing for Screen & Television MFA 2022

This is a thread for those of you applying to USC Writing for Screen & Television MFA for entry in Fall 2022. Reply below if you are planning to apply to meet your fellow applicants. Here are our current admissions statistics and acceptance data from our database for the program: When you...

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USC MFA Writing for Screen & Television (Screenwriting) 2021

Hello! I didn't see a thread for USC's MFA Writing for Screen & Television, so I figured I'd start one. How many of you are planning to apply, or have already applied? How are we feeling about the essays, challenge scenes, and 10-page writing sample? Personally, I feel like my essays are in...

www.filmschool.org

And all USC threads are here:

USC Film School

All FilmSchool.org discussion threads related to USC School of Cinematic Arts

www.filmschool.org

 

[Million Dollar Baby]

Not the commenter but I received an email that my decision letter was available online and I needed to log in to youSC to download it. And there are no interviews for the screenwriting course! Hope that helps

Got it! It seems like nothing happen to me. I will keep positive and waiting. Thank you!!

 

[Million Dollar Baby]

Exactly what katiebonnie replied above! I received an email that my decision letter was available online, and I then went to youSC to see it. I thought that meant I had been unsuccessful because it wasn't an interview invite but as pointed out by others, there are no interviews for the screenwriting course.

Thank you so much for your congratulations and I hope this helps!

It's super helpful! I am glad that you guys both get in! I think they just keep coming up and all I can do is wait, even for the rejection letter. Lol.

 

[tryingmybest]

Hi everyone! I'm a domestic student and got my acceptance on Saturday. Good luck!

Congratulations! And thanks for letting us know; the waiting was the worst. Calling time of death on that hope now haha, it’s been great waiting with you all. Thanks for keeping me as sane as possible. Wishing all of you a high spot on the waitlist if you’re still hoping, and sending hugs

 

[Chris W]

Congratulations! And thanks for letting us know; the waiting was the worst. Calling time of death on that hope now haha, it’s been great waiting with you all. Thanks for keeping me as sane as possible. Wishing all of you a high spot on the waitlist if you’re still hoping, and sending hugs

It's not over. See this:

I called and they said it’s really just on a rolling basis until mid March.

 

[ThomA97]

It's not over. See this:

I also deep dived into the old forums and it really is on a rolling basis. Some people were getting their acceptances a couple days after the initial acceptances. After that is waitlist then rejections in late late March. At least that’s what I deciphered. We have to consider that there’s only a small portion of the applicant pool on here.

 

[monetswaterlillies]

I got my acceptance yesterday with the rest of the international crew and promised myself that, if I got in, I'd share as much of my application materials as I could (click here for application log).

I know Supporting Memberships are what makes this site possible and I hope everyone who can afford it subscribes, but I also know that the cost can be prohibitive for some folks (the USD exchange rate is brutal!). So, I also wanted to share a very brief description of the materials I sent in in hopes that it will be helpful for future applicants (Chris, let me know if this isn't alright and I'll take it down).

1. Autobiographical Character Sketch: I talked about my relationship to stories, literature, and the act of storytelling through the lens of all the languages I've acquired in my life.
2. Creative Challenge A: the infamous elevator scene! I wrote about a trans woman and drag queen getting stuck with an uptight businessman. They talk about unhappiness, understanding/acceptance, and how you just have to give things (and people) time. Whether the businessman is the trans woman's former self, or just someone who strongly resembles the person she once was, is left ambiguous.
3. Creative Challenge B: At the end of the world (literally—Earth is about to be destroyed), a teenage girl tries to sneak out so she can lose her virginity at a party. Her dad isn't pleased. She thinks he's stifled her; he thinks he's just protecting her from the world. They argue/talk it out and eventually reach a truce.
4. Most Challenging Moment: I used a tabletop roleplaying game as a framing device for a deeply emotional (and arguably traumatic?) experience.
5. Writing Sample: A one-page summary followed by the last 10 pages of a feature script. I figured I'd already shown with the creative challenges that I could set up a good story; I wanted to demonstrate instead how I could pull together multiple storylines and character arcs into one big, explosive climax.

Best of luck to everyone still waiting for a decision! I hope this helps, if not this year's cohort of applicants, then the next.

Omg our Creative Challenge A are super similar I am terrified.

 

[Kris 4_2]

Omg our Creative Challenge A are super similar I am terrified.

Hey, it's okay! People create similar things on accident all the time. I'm sure the admissions department will take into account that there is no way we could have copied from each other (and I'm very sure you submitted yours before mine, which is in your favor—I submitted at literally the last minute, lmao). All the best and I hope you get good news soon!

Also, for anyone wondering about scholarship award letters, I emailed the admissions office yesterday:

 

[Bradyb]

How many people does USC accept?

 

[katiebonnie]

How many people does USC accept?

32 I think

 

[Chris W]

32 I think

I wonder how many applicants they get. Too bad they don't all find this site. (Or at least post on it)

 

[Chris W]

For those that have gotten in... as a Supporting Member, you can join the USC student club and access the private forum for more private discussions not visible by the public web or google.

https://www.filmschool.org/forums/usc-school-of-cinematic-arts-private-forum.187/

Join the club using this page:

PRIVATE CLUB - USC

www.filmschool.org

 

[tryingmybest]

I asked at the info session and the admissions person said for this program they get less than 500 applicants on average. So 7-10% acceptance rate, approx

 

[Bradyb]

Did anyone get a rejection notice yet?

 

[BR2023]

Did anyone get a rejection notice yet?

No, but would love to hear either way!!!

 

[tryingmybest]

Did anyone get a rejection notice yet?

Still waiting for it.

 

[BR2023]

In addition to this. I called and they said it’s really just on a rolling basis until mid March. So keep faith friends and congratulations to those who have already been accepted!

What’s the purpose of rolling acceptances for a couple of weeks? Do some people admitted let them know right away they won’t be attending, freeing up spots so they can continue to roll out? Is there a date admitted students must respond by?

 

[tryingmybest]

What’s the purpose of rolling acceptances for a couple of weeks? Do some people admitted let them know right away they won’t be attending, freeing up spots so they can continue to roll out? Is there a date admitted students must respond by?

I ask myself this every day