<p>Hi,
I really hope I get some replies because I'm in desperate need of answers! Here I go ...</p>
<p>I have always had a passion for writing/film/television and after high school wanted to apply to USC but I thought it was impossible since my grades weren't super high. So after giving up my dream and being in college, getting a degree in god knows what and being quite miserable, I decided I wanted to try to transfer to USC now. However, I'm quite discouraged because my high school credentials are:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.5
ACT: 21 (wasn't a fan of high school :|)</p>
<p>Clubs:
Yearbook (Editor, designed each page myself)
S.A.D.D (Students Against Destructive Decisions)</p>
<p>... and my college credentials are:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.7 (took a fall semester + winter semester/total of 28 credits)</p>
<p>So the problem is my realization came a little late, meaning after the deadline for the USC application.
Also, I was planning to finish the gen. ed requirements for USC by taking another fall semester at my current college (making my total of transferred credits 41) but I don't know if USC allows applications to be turned in for the spring semester.
I also recently discovered that the program I want to get into (Writing for Film & Television) only accepts 26 applicants a year. Sounds impossible.</p>
<p>So my questions are:
1) Do I have to wait until the Fall of 2014 to apply to USC since I missed the deadline of February 1st, 2013?
2) Does USC allow applications to be turned in for the spring semester? Is this even possible?
3) How hard is it to get accepted into the Writing for Film & Television program? If your in the program or know of someone in the program are your/their ACT/GPA scores and extracurricular's amazing?
4) If you've gotten into the Writing program what was your ACT/GPA score? If you're a transfer what was your ACT/GPA and College GPA score?
5) What is looked at the most for acceptance into the Writing for Film & Television program? Is acceptance based more on the supplement rather than past grades?
6) Also since I am a transfer with 41 credits, with they even look at my ACT score?
7) Suggestions of what I should do :( --& Honestly, do I even have a change of getting into USC?</p>
<p>Thank you so much!</p>
<p>Hello, I’m a Cinematic Arts transfer and I can try to address some of your concerns! :)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>“I’m quite discouraged because my high school credentials are…”
Provided that you have completed 32 units of coursework at university (for me that was a full year), USC will focus primarily on your college record and not on your SAT/ACT. I believe you still have to submit your transcript to prove you graduated, but you do not need to submit test scores if that is the case. Your university grades are so much better than your high school grades! I had similar grades (I was rejected out of high school but accepted after a year at college) though I ended up submitting my test scores anyway because I thought it helped my application.</p></li>
<li><p>USC does not accept applications for spring admits. They only defer fall applicants to the spring in some circumstances. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until next year to apply (I think the transfer deadline is in February), but don’t let that keep you from doing so! The upside is that you’ll have over 32 units of coursework, therefore they’ll focus primarily on your college record and not your high school record and standardized test scores. Furthermore, this gives you extra time to work on your application materials! Maybe you could try doing film-related stuff at your school, like a minor or starting a film club… all of these things would be so great for a transfer application! 
Or, USC offers summer courses in film for non-majors, so you could consider going that route too if money is not an issue.</p></li>
<li><p>I have many friends who transferred successfully into the program, though! They do accept transfers. You’d be SO surprised at how many transfers there are in the film school. Now, here’s the part you’re not going to like: Writing for Film & Television is a strictly four-year program. That means that no matter how many units you have under your belt, you will still take four years to complete the degree because of the structure of the program (you take the classes in a certain sequence with everyone). However, your transfer credit will still get you out of GEs and electives, so you might have room for a minor. If you’re not interested in spending that much time in college, consider one of the other programs in the film school or a Screenwriting minor. I’m a Critical Studies major and I want to be a screenwriter… it really doesn’t matter which division you’re in, you’ll still be able to do what you want to do.</p></li>
<li><p>Admissions to SCA are difficult to predict because it is such a holistic process. As I mentioned, I do have friends who transferred successfully into that program (as well as Interactive, which I believe is more competitive) so it’s possible. Don’t get too caught up in GPA, 3.7 is pretty high - remember there’s an entire portfolio with visual/writing samples that is probably pretty important! If you’re curious, my HS GPA was around a 3.3 (33 ACT/2100 SAT/7 AP scores) and I had a TON of EC activities (probably 6 or 7), my college GPA was a 3.6 and I only had one or two ECs (movie theater projectionist and a volunteering thing I did). I applied for the fall and was admitted for the fall (Critical Studies).</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Super helpful!!! :)</p>
<p>Ok so then I’m gonna forget the Writing program cause it just doesn’t seem like a good choice. The biggest reason I want to attend USC is because of the opportunities, to get internships and get recognized. I also liked the Writing program because of the First Pitch event which would be one of the best opportunities but I guess I’ll just have to deal with not having that opportunity!</p>
<p>I will do a Screenwriting minor (didn’t know that was offered) and with the extra time I have here I will join some clubs. </p>
<p>Writing is my strongest point. I feel that in a student film I would want to work with a screenplay I wrote. I am thinking my major would be Writing/Film Production but am so scared for the supplement because I have nothing to really put in my Creative Portfolio. :/</p>
<p>Consider applying for Critical Studies if you like writing. Contrary to popular belief, it’s an incredibly writing-intensive program and the people in it are some of the best writers I know. Furthermore, I don’t believe there is a visual sample, or at least there wasn’t when I applied.</p>
<p>Also consider the Narrative Studies program, which is an interdisciplinary program through SCA and Dornsife. I know quite a few people who opted for that.</p>
<p>[Bachelor</a> of Arts in Narrative Studies](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/general_studies/showcase/Narrative_Studies/index.htm]Bachelor”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/general_studies/showcase/Narrative_Studies/index.htm)</p>
<p>And don’t worry about First Pitch. There are plenty of other opportunities to be had at USC.</p>