I am currently filling out my slideroom application for it.
I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice?
My cinematic statement I think is a little risky- its really bold and it highlights what I think needs to change with Hollywood (I talk about how I am gay and want to stray away from creating the stereotypical heteronormative film), as well as how my childhood influenced me and what kind of film I want to do.
For the writing sample- I am choosing the 4 minute film that doesn’t contain dialogue. Is creating a nonlinear concept a bad idea? Do they want to see a concrete story in four minutes?
For the visual sample- It is deeply personal, and themes in it link back to my cinematic statement, as well as my common application. If I had the option to write about my film, I would go on and on about how my life has deeply influenced it. I’m really proud of it.
Past SCA applicants, what do you suggest I do, and what do you suggest I NOT do?
As an applicant for SCA’s BFA program in film and television production, you are, as you likely already know, automatically facing very steep odds. The admission rate for that exclusive program is likely going to be somewhere in the range of 2-6%. 4% is what we have most often heard. Another way to look at it is that 94-98% of all applicants will not succeed with their goal of gaining admission. With such odds, you might as well go with your own personal instincts, especially if it allows your creative portfolio supplements to stand out in a crowded field of applicants. That is what they most want to see from you after all… your unique individual voice or approach to film/television.
If done well, each of the elements that you have described could be positives for you. It is a highly subjective process, and there is really no way to pre-judge what they are looking for or hoping to see. In reality, there is likely no such thing. Instead, they likely approach reviewing application packets/files without any preconceived goals or expectations. They want you to somehow move them. They want you to make them say “yes”.
SCA is trying to seat a new class of only 50 or so BFA production freshmen. With a yield rate of 70-80%, they are thus only likely to admit 62-71 or so out of around 1700 applicants. So be unique. Choose to stand out.
Keep in mind though that you also need to be accepted by USC in general. Their acceptance rate is around 16% now. If your stats/etc (GPA, test scores, essays, ECs) are not on par with most of the applicants admitted to USC generally, SCA could choose to fight for you as an exception, but those battles are likely also extremely limited in number.
So, yes – being admitted to any SCA major program is a big challenge, but it is clearly worth it to try and make the cut. My daughter tried last year (production 1st/ CMS 2nd), but was only admitted to USC undeclared. She internally transferred into SCA, but as a CMS major, a few weeks ago for Spring 2018. She did not want to wait at least a full year to try again. That is always an option too… internally transferring into SCA. But for production, you would only be able to do so for the Spring semester of your sophomore year at the earliest. And for those that do, the program is B.A., not B.F.A. Externally transferring is also an option for some SCA majors… but fewer. It is an option for B.A. production, but still highly competitive.
I am completing my slideroom supplement, and I was wondering where the Cohen Scholarship and the George Lucas Family Foundation Endowed Student Support Fund for Diversity would be. Would we find it on slideroom?? Do we submit the scholarship applications separately? Where can the application form for those two scholarships be found?
They changed the process this year. It is now as follows…
The Office of Student Affairs will notify all students who submit a completed application for admission information about the SCA scholarship application process. Please note that in order to be considered for SCA scholarships, domestic students are required to apply for Financial Aid at USC. Therefore, please make sure to complete your application for financial aid on time. Please visit the USC Financial Aid web page for more information about the financial aid process and application.
The George Lucas Family Foundation Endowed Student Support Fund for Diversity
The purpose of this fund is to support incoming, full-time undergraduate students with underrepresented voices in the entertainment industry. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be in good academic standing. This award is renewable as long as the student satisfies the eligibility criteria each year.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association Endowed International Student Support Fund
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association Endowed International Student Support Fund, the largest and most substantial endowment of its kind here at SCA, is specifically designated for deserving students who hail from outside the United States. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be in good academic standing. This award is renewable as long as the student satisfies the eligibility criteria each year. Students who receive funds will be known as HFPA International Scholars.
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Fund for Student Support
This scholarship is awarded to incoming undergraduate students enrolled full-time in the School of Cinematic Arts who are dealing with and/or have overcome life obstacles resulting in financial distress. Students must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be in good academic standing to be eligible. The purpose of this award is to support deserving students for whom affordability may be a primary burden and who might otherwise be unable to pursue their educational goals at USC. Recipients will be named Cohen Scholars and may renew this award as long as they satisfy the eligibility criteria each year.
If you have any questions about this scholarship opportunity please contact the SCA Office of Student Services at studentservices@cinema.usc.edu.
