I need help classifying my schools as safety/match/reach and figuring out which ones I am competitive for. I am applying to some film schools so I understand that throws a wrench into things due to the portfolio aspect, but please still try to judge me as well as possible. Thank you!
Personal Info: white, female, CA resident
High School Info: small, all-girls, Catholic – I have no clue how well it is ranked
Class Rank: school does not rank
GPA: 3.97 W / 3.71 UW
ACT:
June 2016 – Composite: 31 English: 36 Reading: 36 Math: 23 Science: 30
September 2016 – Composite: 32 English: 35 Reading: 34 Math: 24 Science: 33
SAT Subject Tests: U.S. History (750), Literature (700)
AP Exams: U.S. History (5), European History (4), English Lang (4) (will take 3 more this year)
Senior Course Load: AP Gov, AP Literature, AP Art History, Calculus, Anatomy, Drama 4 (as well as my school’s mandatory religion class)
Extracurriculars & Awards:
- Intern at film production company (2 summers)
- Girl Scout Ambassador (12-year member): received Gold Award in 2016
- Heavily involved in school drama program
- 3-time semi-finalist in local drama festival (hoping to make it to finals this year, I am also directing my category this year)
- School musical (grades 11-12)
- Volunteered at soup kitchen
- Volunteered at local animal shelter – served as adoption counselor
- NHS (grades 11-12)
- CSF (Grades 11-12)
- National Spanish Exam awards: Bronze (2014), Silver (2015)
- Played piano since freshman year
I also joined academic decathlon this year (I used to do it in middle school, but I wasn’t able to do it in grades 9-11 because it was held at the same time as my drama class until this year), but I haven’t decided yet if I will include it on my application. I figured it might look bad for me to only do it for one year. Should I include it?
Intended major: Film Studies
Schools:
USC (SCA)
Chapman (Dodge) (EA)
LMU (EA)
UCLA (TFT)
UC Berkeley
UCSB
Occidental
Pomona
Scripps
Stanford
U of San Diego
CSUF
I have legacy at Pomona and LOTS of legacy at USC.
My top choices are USC and Chapman.
The 32 tops the test score hurdle at all of these places, evennStanford. Your 3.71 is of more concern at the more selective schools on your list. I’d say:
Stanford - Reach
Pomona - Reach
USC - Low reach
Berkeley - Low reach
UCLA - Low reach
Scripps - Low reach/high match
Oxy - High match
UCSB - High match/match
USD - Match/Low match
LMU - Low match/safety
CSUF - Low match/safety
Chapman - Do they do direct admission to Dodge, or do you just get admitted to the university as a whole and, once there, apply to get into Dodge?
If the former, i have no clue. If the latter, I’d say it’s a low match (to get into the U).
@prezbucky You have to apply to Dodge separately. Thank you!
Actually to get into USC or UCLA for film (<4% rates of admission) is as difficult as to get into Stanford (and legacy will not help you much for USC). High reach for both. Chapman is more possible (match?).
Then the question is, how hard is it to change majors at USC and UCLA?
@uclaparent9 Yep unfortunately that’s what’s scaring me 
I was just hoping my stats would be up to snuff because I really do think I have a strong portfolio.
@prezbucky Next to impossible for film USC may admit me to my second choice major (English), but I likely would not go if I didn’t get into the film school. UCLA would just flat out deny me (they don’t do second choice admissions).
@filmstudent2 I agree with those above regarding the competitiveness of USC film. My cousin is a graduate of the USC film program and had a college list similar to yours. One of his business partners graduated from Santa Clara University and raves about their film program. Might be worth looking into!
@BayAreaRecruiter Thanks for the tip!
USC (SCA): Reach (not high reach bc legacy)
Chapman (Dodge) (EA): Reach (15% acceptance for film…)
LMU (EA): Low Match/Safety
UCLA (TFT): Reach
UC Berkeley: Reach
UCSB: Match
Occidental: Not sure
Pomona: Reach
Scripps: High Match
Stanford: Highhhh Reach (you are below average for ACT score and GPA…average is basically reserved for recruited athletes, legacy…)
U of San Diego: Match
CSUF: Safety
Your ECs are good and if you have a good film portfolio, that will help! However, you basic stats are low for schools like Stanford, UCB, UCLA, USC…I suggest deleting 1-2 reaches and possibly adding another affordable safety!
Good luck!
Have you considered Pepperdine film school. I don’t know good it is but I met a few people who went through the program and work in the industry(editing if I remember). They really enjoyed the experience. I’m sure it can’t compete with USC and UCLA but the campus is beautiful.
@LushLillies Thank you! To be honest, I really don’t want to go to Stanford (I visited and I didn’t feel a connection), but for some reason my GC keeps encouraging me to apply. I might not send in my application in the end even though I’ve completed it.
@chunkylumbee Thanks! I am just trying to go to colleges with less religious affiliation than Pepperdine (I know a few schools on my list are religious though).