Chance me way ahead of time. Things to change...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Chapman University
1

<p>Hey guys. I'm not applying till next year, for Film Production, but here are my stats:</p>

<p>Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Mixed (White [German]/Black [African-American])
Residency: New York</p>

<hr>

<p>Unweighted GPA:
Probably like, 3.3 by end of this year.
[ul]
[<em>]9th grade avg: 86
[</em>]10th grade avg: 71... yes this year was VERY bad for extenuating circumstances u_u
[li]11th grade avg (so far): 94[/ul]</p>[/li]
<p>Weighted GPA:
No idea.
My 9th grade was all honors.
10th grade was all honors, Spanish and Geometry were regular, had AP World.
11th grade is all regular, w/ AP English Literature and Honors Film. </p>

<hr>

<p>School Rigor:
[ul]
[<em>]Private/Parochial
[</em>]top 25 in NYC.[/ul]</p>

<hr>

<p>Planning on taking the SAT a total of 2 times this year, the ACT once, and SAT II in Physics.</p>

<p>SAT first attempt: 720 Math, 700 CR, 700 Writing
SAT second attempt/ACT first attempt/SAT II have not been taken yet.</p>

<hr>

<p>Anticipated Senior Year Schedule:
[ul]
[<em>]Religion: Advanced Justice and Peace/Senior Involvement schedule
[</em>]English: St. John’s English Composition
[<em>]History or Social Studies: St. John’s American National Government, or Syracuse Psychology, or Advanced Constitutional Law (haven't decided yet, but we are forming next year's schedules soon)
[</em>]Math: St. John’s Pre-Calculus
[<em>]Science: St. John’s Human Biology / Anatomy & Physiology or AP Biology
[</em>]Electives: Film 12 (definite; I am in Film 11 and it is a 2-year course), and maybe Photography.
[/ul]</p>

<hr>

<p>Employment/Volunteer Work:</p>

<p>[ul]
[<em>]Director's Assistant at my old elementary school for Saturday classes (2010-)
I have done approximately 150 hours to this point.
(The amount of responsibilities entailed by this job is insane, because I am the only assistant the director has.)
[</em>]Just started working at Starbucks this year. Already looking to get a job at Best Buy.</p>

<h2>[/ul]</h2>

<p>ECs/Achievements:
[ul]
[<em>]Orchestra, viola (9th/10th grade)
[</em>]Self-teaching myself 3 languages (Korean, Japanese, German)
[<em>]Film Club (11th Grade-)
[</em>]I'm currently in the process of having an article published on me for losing 90 pounds. Don't know where this will lead... in terms of publicity, but it's worth mentioning.
[li]4 years of amateur film "experience" in editing and directing. (Final Cut Studio/Sony Vegas/Adobe Creative Suite)[/li][/ul]</p>

<hr>

<p>**Letters of Recommendation:<a href="completed%20already.%20my%20school%20is%20anal%20about%20recs">/b</a>: Really great. I have a glowing one from my film teacher. He's worked in the business, and he said I was the first one in his teaching career to present a perfect first project in a film class! :D</p>

<p>Essays: already working on them, so they should be really good by Fall. I had a tough upbringing so I have more to write about.</p>

<p>Film/Art portfolio: extensive, with tons of variety.</p>

<hr>

<p>Gross Income Bracket:
[ul][<em>]Mom - $100,000 - $120,000/yr
[</em>]Me - $10,000/yr (lol)
[/ul]</p>

<p>basically I'm asking now because Junior year is flying by and I feel like I have things I need to change or add to my stats (besides grades)
would like some feedback on where I am right now </p>

<p>thanks.</p>

2

<p>your stat is good enough for chapman. I would also recommend you applying for USC.</p>

3

<p>hey, thanks for a super quick reply.
I’m def. applying to USC! Also to UCLA, Tisch, Pratt and Wesleyan… though I screwed up pretty badly so I don’t know what they’re gonna say ~_~ </p>

<p>onwards and upwards I guess lol</p>

<p>Chapman/USC/Tisch are my first choices!</p>

4

<p>Hi Sfxchris,</p>

<p>I suggest you enter as many video film contests/festivals as possible between now and October and hopefully win something or at least be shown in some film festivals so that you can put it on your application resume. This seems to missing from your ECs if you want to get accepted as a film production major at one of the schools you mentioned. The competition to get into this major is very fierce at these schools with very few spots available. </p>

<p>Here is a good link for you to find places to submit your best videos:</p>

<p>[Film</a> Festivals - Forum](<a href=“http://www.studentfilms.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/3046029451]Film”>http://www.studentfilms.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/3046029451)</p>

5

<p>Thanks, definitely entering a few contests.</p>

6

<p>You have awesome SAT scores. Your GPA is on the lower side but if you have a good explanation for this then I’m sure it shouldn’t affect you too much. I’d say you have a pretty good shot. Best of luck!</p>

7

<p>I would focus less on winning film festivals and more on creating a stellar and highly original (autobiographical) video essay as required to apply to Dodge’s film production major. Dodge will judge you primarily by the film they can see for themselves. Check out video essays by Dodge applicants on youtube and note that there are two types – predictable ones that focus on a list of hobbies, etc., but are perhaps presented in unconventional ways, and even more original ones that tell a story. Go the story route, (as requested in Dodge’s directions) but personalize it. Don’t try to fit every single sport, club, hobby and experience into your short video essay, though. They will already have that info in your application. Remember the story aspect of it – this is what they’re after. It can be just one aspect of your life, but tell it in a visually intersting way.</p>

<p>Looks like you already have extensive film editing experience and a large portfolio (for your application, you’ll be asked to submit a written list of your projects.) Also a good plan to develop a personal web page where you can display your best work, then in one of your written essays, include a link to this page. (They may or may not look at it.)</p>

<p>You are already ahead of the game getting all your ducks in a row this early! D, freshman film production major, wrote, shot and edited her Dodge essay two days before the application deadline, but I think it was the originality, decent execution and the fact that it was presented in story form, (as opposed to a visual list of hobbies, accomplishments and traits), that got her noticed. (She had never won any significant film contests.)</p>

<p>Based on your other qualifications, you are a solid candidate. Good luck to you and have fun being creative with your application!</p>

8

<p>And if you can present it in a visually interesting way and you are comfortable with it, don’t be afraid to tackle something edgy like your “extenuating circumstances” or your weight loss. It certainly doesn’t have to be all sweetness and light. Many works by teens are more on the twinkly starry-eyed side than the edgy side. Sounds like you have more depth to you than the average teen. Use this.</p>