Chances for an Israeli applicant?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>Hello everyone,
My name is Dana, I'm almost 19 and live in Israel.
My whole life I wanted to go to college in America, I guess I can officially say it's been my life long dream.
Here, people don't take education too seriously, everyone gets out of the army at the age of 21-22, and starts to worry about school probably like a year or two later. I always thought I should finish the army and then consider it again and see if it's possible. But, last winter, before I was drafted, I visited some family in the states and this whole college thing really got to me, again. It took me maybe two days to realize what I really want to do in the next four years, and it wasn't to control air-traffic in the Israeli Air-Force.
I can go on and on with way too many unnecessary details, but I don't want to over do it. Main point- I decided I can not persue in this millatery service any longer, my heart is just not in it and I feel like I'm letting go of my dream.
I don't wanna go to college when I'm 21, and by sophmore year be the oldest one on-campus (I know people wait, drop, being held back, but the general feeling, you get my point)!
Now, here's where all the trouble begins, my parents don't have money to afford college in America, ANY college, sadly. They can't even afford buying me the plane ticket or my SAT's registration. Not to mention that they are not supporting this idea at all and would do anything to fail me.</p>

<p>I decided to go on with it anyway, left the army, even though there's no college acceptance guaranteed for me, I have neither my parents' support nor their money, am not a U.S. citizen and kinda messed everything up with the army, which is a bad thing if my future will be here after all (though I have done A LOT during my rather limited time there).
Now, that's all the stuff I have been ignoring for like 8 months now, basically reality.</p>

<p>My stats are decent, not really conventional. I haven't taken the SAT's yet, I will be taking them in Oct. 9th. So it's pretty hard to tell what my shots are at any school. My GPA is pretty good, but here we weight it differently, so it's hard to tell.
Schools here don't rank. I have some really great EC's, I have many of them and I did them all with great passion, I really didn't know in high school that I'll be applying to schools in America lol... Here schools only count SAT's (the Hebrew version) and high school grades. Again, I have some pretty intresting EC's, for example, I have founded a theatre group that brings together Israelis and Palestinians, I was a medic and a first aid instuctor at Isreal's national first aid orgenization (assisted treating patients in suicide bombings, all kind of critical cases, as some more casual ones), took acting classes for 9 years, have held several jobs, took part in the Gaza pull-out, also known as the "Disengagement" this summer, as a solider which most soliders didn't, was a math, physics and English tutor in the air-force acdemy, where pilots are trained, had a weekly column in a famous teen/kids magazines for 16 months, and there's a few more... </p>

<p>I really want to study film and theatre, and my one and only ultimate 1st choise is USC!! I'm optimistic, what can I say...</p>

<p>Now now I'm working 3 jobs to afford airfare and the few obligatory expenses, and I'll be coming to the states next month, hoping to get an interview with an admission officer.
Bottom line is, if I don't get any sort of financial aid package, and a decent job that would some how enable me to afford tuition, most likely, I will sadly have to leave the states after 6 months.
No one here (in Israel) is even slightly knowledgeable about the admission process to schools in the states, so I'm all alone trying to figure it out, and it's getting so close and I'm finding myself compelety clueless about certain things.
Any tips and advice will be VERY VERY VERT MUCH appreciated Thank you!</p>

<p>Dana</p>

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<p>I apologize in advance for any spelling/grammer mistakes :)</p>

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<p>I am the parent of a current USC film student--actually he's shooting a film this weekend.</p>

<p>USC likes internationals, it has approximately 9% of its student body made up of non-Americans,and has been recruiting Jewish-American students over the last few years. I really can't tell you anything about your chances absent your SAT scores. Your background does sound interesting though. </p>

<p>Keep in mind that the USC film program is highly selective, the production major more so than the critical studies, but both, as well as the script writing major, are extraordinarily hard to get into. You will have to get accepted to USC before you can be considered for admission to the film program. USC is also one of the most expensive school in the US, but generous with financial aid.</p>

<p>Spend some time look at its website, <a href="http://www.usc.edu%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.usc.edu&lt;/a>, that might answer some of your questions and prompt others.</p>

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<p>I am Another Parent
Dana, if you are applying for film, you have to really get to work, I think their application is due Dec 1 st, anyway it is earlier than the rest of USC. I assume you are applying for fall 2006? Film requires extra submissions in addition to the regular app. My son worked on his USC film application from end of August up until a week before the deadline.
You have a good chance. They seem to like actors in the film school. My son was also an actor, and a writer too, like you. He also is in Critical Studies and it is a wonderful major for him, he also has worked on 2 films since school started outside his classes. Once you get in the film school - you can take a theater minor. My son was considering it due to his heavy acting background, but enjoys film so much more and is very busy extracurricular with it.
Things to stress EC would be the theater group you started and the magazine column you wrote - that I think is more important than the GPA/SAT though it is to your advantage to get them high as possible. The film school likes people who work with groups rather than alone and you are definately in that league. The fact that you were able to bridge the gap to bring Palestinians together and Isrealis with theater is wonderful and unique indeed. USC is big on diverse groups coming together to make a change in the world and you did this through theater.
Don't worry about the $$ - do filll out the finaid part, but try to get accepted first. You seem like someone they would consider with your interesting background. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Thank you both so much for the informative, encouraging replies! Honestly, I was thrilled to read both and wish I had found this board earlier. Considerring the fact that on line discussion boards are my one and only source of information regarding the college admissions process.</p>

<p>tsdad,
I know being an international will automaticaly make me stand out, but I'm not the only international applicant out there, and sadly, I am asking for financial aid, which is not need-blind for foreigns in USC.
I know all about the high selectivity and am extremely nervous because of that, I keep that in mind all the time. Ironically, money is not a concern. Since I can't afford any college, I'm more dependant on their generousity towards giving aid to international students.</p>

<p>ebayispayingforcollege,
I have been working on the writing samples since June or so, so I believe I'm doing ok so far :)
I never thought they'd like actors in the film school, it made more sense to me that they'd think actors/actresses usually more career focused with succeeding in acting, and are taking film for the wring reasons (connections, for the most part). That's the case for schools here. The combination of a minor in theatre and a film major is, without any doubt, dreamy for me!
About my EC's, I can present some of my columns as samples, and maybe get the editor to write me a rec (I think there's a new one now though), but how can they evaluate it if it's all in Hebrew?
The acrting group my friend and I have formed was very special, it was a great experience, and I can teel/write all about it, but is that how the expect me to present my EC's? I apologize for all the burdensome technical questions, but sounds like you have just recently gone through this process with your own child.
I will definitly fill out the finaid form, that's my only shot!</p>

<p>Thank you so much for everything! And it's good to hear that your kids enjoy the film school, it gets me even more motivated!</p>

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<p>Dana -
True, you are not the only international applicant to USC, but you may be the only one applying to the film school with such a unique resume. That is where you stand out. Are you a woman? Another edge if you are.
Your recs if in Hebrew should be translated into English by you or someone else and both pages submitted together. But you should try to see if you can get recs in English. Someone who worked with you as a medic, someone at the theatre group that writes in English perhaps? You need at least 3 recs, though 5 is even better. The more the better especially from the diverse groups you were part of. Don't take my word though - do call or email admissions about this, but in my opinion, try to do whatever you can in English so you can show them you can study in the US in a totally English envoirment .
Presenting your ECs - when you fill out the essay questions on the app or the film app, look over the questions as to what best fufills your talking about your ECs. Last year the question was "what is your passion" and you could write about your passion for your theatre group and what motivated you to start it. There is a film question too where you could write about that. About the column you wrote, last year there were short answer questions, maybe you could focus on the challeges of meeting deadlines for your column or challeges on finding topics to write about. Another short answer focus on your medic work. Whatever the questions ask, totally gear it towards your uniqueness.
As far as admissions interviews, the film school does not do them. They do the tour for you, that is all. However, it is good to do the tour, it shows you want to go to USC, but I think they would understand because you are so far away and it is so expensive to fly to LA just to take the tour of the film school though they do give good advice about applying. When my son went for his interview in NY, he was told straight out, "we like you very much, but its not up to us - the film school does their own thing". So I wouldn't stress trying to get an interview, they don't base it on that.</p>

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<p>International Freshman Academic</p>

<p>Amount: Half tuition (approximately $16,000)</p>

<p>Selection Criteria: For entering international freshmen only. Competitive candidates will be in the top of our applicant pool with respect to SAT and will typically be in the top 10% of their class.</p>

<p>Application Process: Submit 2006 Undergraduate Application by December 10, 2005. Submit all supporting documents, including proof of financial support, by January 10, 2006. No additional scholarship application is required.</p>

<p>Notification: April 1, 2006</p>

<p>Jewish Leadership</p>

<p>Amount: $10,000</p>

<p>Number of awards: 2 awards to freshmen</p>

<p>Selection Criteria: Entering freshmen only. Competitive candidates will be in the top of our applicant pool with respect to GPA and SAT or ACT. Emphasis is placed on leadership within and outside the Jewish community. Recipients are expected to become involved with the USC Jewish community and are asked to volunteer with prospective Jewish student recruitment activities.</p>

<p>Application Process: Submit a completed 2006 Undergraduate Application and Jewish Leadership Application by December 10, 2005. The Jewish Leadership application is available online to download. </p>

<p>Notification: By April 1, 2006</p>

<p><a href="http://afaweb.esd.usc.edu/dcpage2.cfm?PageBaseID=50223%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://afaweb.esd.usc.edu/dcpage2.cfm?PageBaseID=50223&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I agree with ebay about your being unique. Many of the internationals are from Asia. I'm not sure there are too many students from Israel.</p>

<p>I notice from another contribution you made that you were interest in Boston College. Did you mean Boston University? BC is a Catholic school and doesn't have a film program that I'm aware of. BU is non-sectarian with a large Jewish student population and a very good film program.</p>

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<p>ebay,
Yes, I am a female. I never realized it was a plus.
I will definitly translate my recs, as well as my entire application materials.
I just wasn't certain about how I should present my columns, for example, that suppose to show talent and creativity, into English, and still preseve their meaning and originality. Hopefully, I will translte all the recs myself, but they all have to have the affirmation of some kind of a lawyer, who will verify they were all written by other people, not me :) Which does cost, a lot.
I will try and e-mail them this week with all my questions. Though I cannot make phone calls out side of Israel. As for the studying in English part, I am required to take to TOEFL test, a standarized test all internatiols take to inticate their English skills and ability to study in an English speaking instetution.
Needn't I send any solid proff of my EC's? If the only place to reveal them the essay, a person can conclude anything they wish they had done and know one will doubt or try to verify it. I'd imagine they'd ask me for some kind of a more concrete proof for doing what I have done. That's why I never thought just bringing it up on the essay will be efficiant.
I will most definitly take the tour, I am flying to LA next month, hopefully. That is if I manage to purchase a plane ticket. If I dont, I will have to wait a little longer I assume.</p>

<p>Once again, I couldn't thank both you and tsdad enough for your help!</p>

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<p>tsdad,
I did go through USC's list of scholarships available for internationals, but it's still early to determine weather I am a qualified candidate for any! I haven't taken the SAT's yet, so none of the merit based ones apply to me yet.
About the Jewish leadership one, do you think I can try to compete for it? So yes, I am Jewish, and did contibute to the "Jewish community", but it wasn't anything direct or intentional, it was simpley because everyone in Israel is Jewish, it was nothing religously related. Vice versa, some people may think it wasn't much of a "Jewish thing to do", talking about my theatre group.
A contibution to the Jewish community in a place like America, where you actually have such defined community, is measueable and I believe is what they're looking for. It also says they want these two scholars to recruit Jews to the school, and I believe that includes doing interpetation activities and such, which I can see myself doing, but will be a bit awkward sine I'm not an American jew, I'm an Israeli one, I feel there's a big difference and I hope it stills stands for their requirements and standarts.</p>

<p>I actually did look into Boston College as my second choise, after being told by a few people that they do a have good film school. However, this information wasn't quite accurate, and I dropped the idea as soon as I heard that. Needless to say that for film USC is hard to bit, both reputation wise, and of course, the location.</p>

<p>And again, I am thankful for having found this board, both you and ebay are amazingly helpful!</p>