<p>Hi, guys! I was planning to apply to the SCA but I really can't decide between screenwriting and film production. I'd like to be a director but a screenwriter, too, so I really don't know what to do. I think I have more possibilities to get accepted into the screenwriting program 'cause I have several creative writing works, but film production, on the other hand, does have writing courses, while screenwriting doesn't have anything that deals with directing.
So what I was wondering is if I can apply to both of them and then decide when (and if) I get accepted</p>
<p>Yes, you can. And, given how competitive it is, it is probably a good idea to apply to more than one as it increases your chances. The criteria for the varous school are different and parts of the portfolio requirements are different. So it is a LOT of work to apply to more than one, but well worth the effort. As for picking once you get in, not sure how that works. I think you have to select a first choice when you apply and, if you get in, that is where you go. You won’t be able to easily switch to another discipline.</p>
<p>Thank you so much ! :)</p>
<p>You’re welcome and good luck! BTW, I think the screen writing program is the only one that is a 4 year program. So, if you don’t start as a freshman, you can’t get in. (Same goes for the BCA – business cinematic arts major.) So be reaaaaaaallly sure before you pass on screen writing.</p>
<p>@legacymom: that is entirely false. I was a third year college student during my first year of USC screenwriting. Transfers can definitely get in, though they have to take 4 years like the freshmen.</p>
<p>Also, unless you are a transfer with most of your GE’s done you can’t double major while taking on a screenwriting degree.</p>
<p>Well, it’s not my case. I will be a freshman so I would like to apply to both to see if and where I could get in and then eventually decide where is better to go.
How is the screenwriting program @sydneyral?</p>
<p>Sydney,</p>
<p>My apologies for not phrasing that correctly. My point, as you acknowledged, is that it is a 4 year program. So, sure, you can apply to the writing program as a transfer…but you will be starting all over as a freshman.</p>
<p>Kuplor,</p>
<p>The point is, if you get into the screen writing program, don’t take it lightly. Because if you change your mind down the road and decide you do want to go into the screen writing, you have to start all over as a freshman.</p>
<p>KupLor94, the trick is deciding which of the majors to list as your first choice. If you list production and get admitted (yay) you will never know if the screenwriting program also might have admitted you. And vice versa. So make sure to think about which is truly your first choice and good luck.</p>
<p>And sydneyral, I don’t agree that LegacyMom posted anything that is: “entirely false.” Screenwriting at USC is a 4-year program, so if you don’t start it in your freshman year, you are essentially starting college over when you transfer to screenwriting, right? OTOH, I’m glad you added the info that students may apply and be admitted to screenwriting after they’ve already been in college a while. But it’s an expensive option and requires a lot more time.</p>
<p>@KupLor94: Screenwriting is excellent, but don’t take it lightly. Each student is hand-picked during admissions. If you get into Screenwriting as a freshman, chances are you can’t double major at all. You’ll get to discuss minors during the closing of your sophomore year. </p>
<p>@LegacyMom & @madbean: All of my credits came with me when I transferred. I am done with my GE’s and every bit of my degree except for the major requirements. Yes, I have to serve more time but I will be in class two days a week next semester which leaves me (and the other transfers who are ahead) with the option of double majoring. So no, you don’t have to “start over”, you just need to take the major-required courses in succession. Transfers into the program are in a grey area when it comes to class standing. The University sees me as an upperclassman, SCA invites me to freshmen events. </p>
<p>TL;DR, don’t pick Screenwriting if you want to double major in your position. If you’re going to attempt to transfer with lots of transferable credits and get in, then you can go for it easily.</p>
<p>syd–but do you have to pay for 4 full years of USC tuition from the point you transferred? And don’t you add 4 years until you graduate? It is not so much the question of your class standing that we are pointing out, but of the time and $$ it will take to complete your Bachelors degree. For some students, the extra 2 years (over a typical 4 year UG degree) is equal to getting a masters. And for some students, the cost is also a big concern. FWIW, there is nothing wrong with transferring in as a screenwriting major–but since OP is a HS student who is interested in screenwriting, we see it as an important decision to make up front–if possible.</p>
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<p>Actually, you can get into both majors. That’s what happened with my DS. He applied for Film Production first, and Critical Studies second. He was accepted to both (he received 2 letters of acceptance), which really confused him, since we, like you, madbean, assumed he’d only get into one or the other. Not sure if Screenwriting does this though, so KupLor94, you may want to call to find out.</p>
<p>DS also thought about a double major of screenwriting and film production. We were told - no way if you want to graduate in 4 years. The screenwriting program is very intensive and leaves little room for anything else. So, he decided to do Production with a screenwriting minor.</p>
<p>I want to thank you all for your big help here and I apologize for my late replay (I was on trip during my school break till few days ago). Although I could apply to both I then decided to apply to the screenwriting program only. I checked out the required courses of them both and screenwriting seems to fit me the most, so that’s my final decision! 
I know there are only 24 lucky people, so I hope to be one of them! It’s like applying to Harvard or even harder :S
Thank you again, guys!</p>
<p>If you want to be a writer/director (auteur) then choosing between production and writing really just means choosing which program will emphasize more. Production and writing are both excellent programs (critical studies not so much) and plenty of writers come out of production and plenty of directors come out of writing. Writing also produces a lot of editors and development execs as well.</p>
<p>I would suggest adding a non-film minor as well as it will inform whatever you do in the industry and being able to do “production/writing AND” is a good professional edge to have. One of my friends double-majored in physics and now directs a ton of stuff on cable relating to the sciences. That kind of stuff will set you apart from the generic film grad.</p>
<p>BTW to answer your original question: yes, a lot of people apply to two different SCA programs, although keep in mind that if you are rejected from both programs then you are rejected from the university. That’s where you have to ask yourself if you’d want to go to USC apart from the film school. The university has a lot to offer apart from the film school but film school isn’t the only possible entree into the movie business.</p>
<p>Oh and read the book “Film School Confidential” by two NYU grads. Will give you some insights into different film schools.</p>
<p>@USCAlum05 thank you for the suggestion! I surely will! By the way, I heard that you can be admitted to the university but not to the film program sometimes? Maybe I got that wrong. I don’t know whether I wanted to go to USC if I didn’t get in. I’m going to apply to Champan Univeristy also, that’s my second and only choice among film schools (besides USC of course), and the other universities I’m going to apply to are liberal art colleges, so I would keep film as a future master if I didn’t get in this year. Sounds good or am I taking a wrong decision?</p>
<p>KupLor94,
From what I remember, you can apply to two majors, and if not accepted to either, USC will still consider you for “undeclared” within Dornsife. At least, that’s what they told us on the tour. Might want to check it out with the admissions department directly, I can’t find that fact on their site.</p>
<p>Also, have you considered NYU (lots of good screenwriters from there) or LMU (also LA and a LAC)?</p>
<p>Couple of corrections. </p>
<p>1) You certainly can be admitted to USC (undeclared) if you are not admitted to SCA. The criteria will be based more on your overall academic credentials and ECs. Many have taken this opportunity to attend USC and apply for internal transfer to SCA. It is by no means easy, but happens regularly.</p>
<p>2) The faculty and administration of SCA admissions do not intend to admit a student to 2 majors. I has happened from time to time and been described by SCA as an oversight. The general policy is to look at a student’s application and send the admission to their first choice major, but slip ups do happen–which I think is good for the student who has a second chance to think through their favored major. </p>
<p>3) I disagree somewhat with USCAlum05’s opinion that Critical Studies is a lessor major/degree. In fact, it allows greater flexibility in double majoring or adding extra minors. There is one sequence of advanced production classes that are reserved only for production UG majors, but that seems the only substantive difference. </p>
<p>Just one 'SC success story is Bryan Singer, the director of “The Usual Suspects,” “X-Men: First Class,” and the TV series “House.” He spoke at the SCA graduation this year and told the story of how he transferred to USC (after being rejected by the film school) as undeclared, tried more than once to change majors into the film school, and finally got in as a CS major. It was a great story in perseverance, but also shows that there is not simply one path, one school, or one major that can guarantee happiness and success. </p>
<p>Enjoy the journey. Even the setbacks (maybe especially the setbacks) can lead you where you need to go.</p>
<p>@madbean thank you for your clarification! Interesting story about Bryan Singer by the way, it makes us remember that an acceptance or a rejection doesn’t mean success or failure necessarily !
@FilmerMom I have considered LMU and it seems a really great school but kind of non-fitting me, I don’t know why. I just have that feeling with USC screenwriting and Champman Dodge College film production. I know it’s a little bit risky to apply to only two film schools - especially if one of this is USC SCA - but I believe it’s important to go to a college you’d love to attend, you know. I considered NYU also, but the website says that they don’t give either aids or scholarships to international students, so I had to immediately delete it from my list. I found interesting the Chicago film school which have a combined screenwriting/directing program. Maybe I will add this to my list since it’s relatively cheap : 50k for all four years and it still seams a very good school.</p>