<p>I'm currently a sophomore in HS, so I know it's quite early to be focusing too much on getting accepted to this one school, but it's all I think about lately. I'm OOS, and hope to apply to study film production at USC for fall 2015. Although it's a long way off I'm trying to figure out my schedule for Junior year. For my freshman year I got all As I believe, but this year I've been slacking and my lowest grade is an 80 in Honors Chem. I'm taking all honors core classes, as I did last year, and next year I'll be taking AP Bio and AP English. </p>
<p>I was wondering first whether it's worth it to take a third AP - History. Otherwise I will take Honors World Regions and Cultures. It's just that I know my Junior year is the last chance for me to do really well in my classes, obviously SATs, etc., and also add on extracurriculars. So I don't know if one more AP is worth it? </p>
<p>Also, my PSATs didn't go to well with "projected SAT scores" of around 550-620, it says on my Collegeboard account... I feel very strongly that I can get into USC SCA with my passion and experience in film, but is it true that you must be admitted to USC before SCA consideration? </p>
<p>I just feel as though I've blew it it a way, getting lots of Bs this year and not doing to well. But next year I'm going to dedicate myself fully to school so will succeeding in Junior AP classes be important more so than my lack of effort soph year?</p>
<p>Sorry my thoughts are jumbled and all. Any advice is helpful. I just really want to go to USC, and I feel like I'm strong enough in the film department and it will just kill me if I don't get in, as someone who's been thinking about it constantly for years, because my SAT scores, etc. are lacking..</p>
<p>Hi, I’m also applying for Film Production (for Fall 2014). Yes you have to get into USC the school to be allowed into SCA, which means that you definitely need good grades and scores. In some very rare circumstances, if you are like a film professional working in the industry, they may allow an exception but this is extremely rare. You WILL need 2000+ SATs and a 3.5+ GPA to stand a chance. Remember that everyone applying will be more than capable students who all have a passion for film.</p>
<p>Out of 1000 students applying, only 50 will get in. That means 950 people won’t. For those 950 people life isn’t over. I’m telling you right now that you don’t have to be accepted into SCA Film Production to have a career in the industry. There are plenty of other schools with arguably better film programs all over the USA and all over the world. In the end, it doesn’t matter what school you go to, but how passionate you are at filmmaking, and how much talent you have. Oh, and don’t forget luck. You’ve got to be at the right place at the right time.</p>
<p>So if I were you I really would work on those school grades to get a shot at not just USC, but also at all the other colleges with good film programs. Because if you work hard, you will get into one of them. And maybe it will be USC, and maybe it won’t. But if you keep trying no matter what life throws at you, you will always have the potential to succeed.</p>
<p>Thank you for the reply! I will have an adequate gpa, but I need to work on my SATs… my issue is time. On the comprehensive state assessment (MCAS, I’m from Mass) I’ve always scored advanced, but that’s because there’s an unlimited time frame… I think I will probably take SAT prep classes over summer or something… I’ve looked at schools like Chapman, Loyola Marymount, Emerson… and I know that I could likely get in with those. However I can’t help but watch video supplements and know I could have one just as great. But that’s not enough… What’s your story?</p>
<p>Add UWI to your list if you can afford UWI… even so, you have to score 2100+/31+ to have USC better than a reach…</p>
<p>@momo1997</p>
<p>I’m an Australian applying for film schools for the fall of 2014. I have an SAT of 2380 and a GPA of 3.9 so yeah you’d think I’d want to get into science or law or something but I have always loved media and film and really want to pursue my passion to the top film schools in the United States! </p>
<p>I’ve been doing my college search for a while now and like you I’ve come up with the list (USC, NYU, LMU, Chapman, Emerson, etc.). Like you, USC (film production) is my dream school but over the last few months I’ve come to realise that at the end of the day, a good school will mean a good alumni network, but that will never replace passion, drive, and dedication. Whatever school you go to, you will still be able to pick up paper and a pen, and a camera. Use these tools and make your films. Hone your craft. Read books and watch videos online by successful filmmakers. Read Rodriguez’s ‘Rebel With a Crew’, see if you can watch or go to Dov Simens 2 day film school. Heck I’ve never taken a film class in my life. I go to an academic school that doesn’t even offer media classes. I’ve learnt everything about writing and directing through reading books and training myself. Not through any film schools. I’ve seen what a lot of film students produce and I’m not that impressed. You can get a great film education no matter where you go because the best education for this kind of profession is your own.</p>
<p>That’s why I’m going to apply to Ivy Leagues as well because I think there are some things that you need to learn at a school, and film is not one of them. Get good grades and give yourself the best opportunity to get into whatever school you want to. Being smart will give you inspiration for your films. Aronofsky studied psychology. Shane Caruth was an engineer if I remember correctly. Many of the best filmmakers out there did not start in film.</p>
<p>I know you’re probably going to hate hearing this but get a…well maybe not a backup plan…but something that can earn you a decent living while you’re still making your way up the industry. I’m self-taught in coding so I’ve designed and coded my own film company website but in future I have the skills to get paid for this. Find something that’s not film that you also enjoy and pursue that too because then you become a more skilful person. You never know when these skills will be useful.</p>
<p>Hope your next few years do you well and I hope that we’ll both be at USC one day!</p>
<p>Coding, eh? Funny, computer science was a consideration of mine before I decided to focus on going to a film school. I do well in school so I feel like I shouldn’t waste my brightness (that sounds much more cocky than I mean it) and should be going to school closer to home and doing something practical where I could make real money, instead of going to a school like LMU and spending so much money to study… film. Production. Screenwriting. But those with a true passion for film like you can understand, it’s just irresistible! You never know where you could end up! Anyhow, I have a year or so to think about what I’ll do. What you said about the tools being provided wherever you go is very true. Although I’ve been focusing on USC’s reputation, that’s no reason to fall in love with a school - Chapman has an incredible film department, and is surely easier to get into… </p>
<p>Well, you’re applying for 2014, so I should be wishing you all the luck! Hope you have an exciting, successful application process next year!</p>