<p>I originally wanted to apply to SCA as a film major, but I missed the deadline; it's probably for the best, as I don't have much hands-on experience in film production or relevant recommendations. I'm planning on applying as a journalism major, since that is an interest of mine, and then applying to SCA as a transfer in the fall after getting some experience; however, I can still mark film as my intended major on the Common App, even though the deadline for SCA artistic supplements has passed.</p>
<p>This is my question: Should I mark film as my first-choice major and journalism as my second, and then explain my plans in the supplements? Or should I just designate journalism as the first choice, film as secondary? Or do something else entirely?!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t really bother applying to SCA if you don’t think you have a competitive application, it’s one of the most competitive programs anywhere at any school. You can apply for Annenberg and try to transfer to SCA after you get in, just be aware that it’s just as difficult to transfer into SCA internally as it is for a freshman or transfer student applying for the first time. Very few people get in. It is an often told saga around campus - the 'ole “I tried to get into another school but really wanted to go to SCA and then still didn’t get in” tale.</p>
<p>Also, FYI, Annenberg is also pretty competitive, and will be especially so when the new building opens this fall. The coverage on CBS This Morning and other media has elevate the school’s profile (which was already competitive with other top Journalism/Communications programs).</p>
<p>Since it’s too late to apply for SCA, I’d advise you leave all mention of it off your application as you are currently applying to another School/major within USC. Then do your best to make Annenberg see how well you fit their program.</p>
<p>I have a lot of film related activities, though, on the general Common App. So I can leave out any mention of film on my supplements, but I can’t really do so on the app. Should I maybe just be open about it and email admissions, asking for advice? I was also thinking of perhaps not declaring a major, or choosing the “Undecided” option, and then mentioning my whole scope of interests? What do you think?</p>
<p>But be cautious about the “transfer” into film desire. There are just too many students for too few slots. A few months ago, a few students I talked to on campus were expressing some resentment at the “backdoor” attempts to get into the school by peers who didn’t realize they still had to submit the same extensive essays and portfolios that freshman had to submit. There’s no shortcut. There’s no “I’m on campus so I have a better shot” scenario."</p>
<p>In fact, at one of the other schools my child applied to it was known that if you don’t get into their film school as a freshman, you can NOT transfer from another department later. You have to leave and apply as an external transfer. That’s how often it had been tried.</p>
<p>You can suggest you’re interested in doing film as a minor, or taking classes to round yourself out. Many students are doing that anyway. But pick a major you would love to study at USC because there’s a good chance you’ll be stuck with it. You can pick up film experience by taking supplemental classes and crewing on SCA student projects. And if you get lucky, you might be one of the few who transfers in. But it’s rare, have a back-up plan.</p>
<p>The deadline for SCA was December 1st, btw. So don’t waste time listing it on the application. It just becomes another reason to reject you - (most USC applications are rejected). It would raise flags that you listed it as an option more than a month after the deadline. Listing it means you are “applying” now - not “interested later.”</p>
<p>BTW - Not everyone who gets into SCA has extensive (or any) film experience. And some who have a lot get turned down. Just be yourself. They seem to like an eclectic mix there based on the students I’ve met so far.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the extensive info and honesty. Seriously, this was very helpful!</p>
<p>Absolutely, I’m not looking for shortcuts. I applied to a film school back in November as a film production major and was rejected after submitting a screenplay rather than a short film, and it was a HUGE wake up call. I know I need to make a film (I’m working on that now!) and attain some serious, hands-on experience–to better my application and for myself in general–so working on student films and interning wherever I can is a must. I want to take my portfolio above and beyond. I graduated a year early from high school and took a gap year, taking some theatre classes here and there, but had to take another year off for family responsibilities, so if I have to extend my undergrad education a few extra years, majoring in something else or going in undecided and then applying to SCA as a junior, even, I welcome it. I really just want to be in that competitive, exploratory educational environment–for however long as humanly possible, haha.</p>
<p>If you don’t mind, I have a few more questions: So, I’m definitely taking off SCA Film Production from my choices. And you said going in undeclared/undecided isn’t uncommon, but if you don’t get into your intended major, they automatically consider you as an undecided applicant, don’t they? So, would it, for lack of a better term, give me a leg-up to choose two intended majors, in the event that I’m rejected from both and then delegated to the undecided pool; or just go in from the start as undecided, the plus being the opportunity to take a variety of diverse courses? </p>
<p>Would it also help me in the long run to choose majors that can, in some way, be related to cinema in the long run? Narrative Studies was always particularly attractive, for example. It overlaps with some film classes, too, so that’s a plus. Would it matter much if I select Narrative Studies as the primary and then Journalism as the secondary, or would Annenberg not even consider the application in this case, you think?</p>
<p>Dornsife and Annenberg will view your application separately, so picking Narrative Studies or Undeclared won’t have any bearing on that. USC will not necessarily extend you an admissions offer as Undecided if neither of your choices pan out; most times they just reject the applicant. It does happen however and it actually happened to me.</p>
<p>Be aware if you are admitted as Undeclared and you want to go into Comm/Journalism, you’d have to transfer into Annenberg and that’s a competitive process as well.</p>
<p>Narrative Studies seems cool, though. I always thought that was a neat major, Dornsife has been making a big push for its students to consider that as a major.</p>
<p>You could always pursue a minor, by the way.</p>
<p>Narrative Studies IS a SCA major. That was our D’s major from USC SCA. It also required a portfolio and a significant application or supplement.</p>
<p>The only Narrative Studies program I am aware of is run out of Dornsife’s English department. It <em>is</em> interdisciplinary and you get to take SCA classes, but it’s never been listed as a SCA major as far as I know:</p>
<p>Sorry, I stand corrected. She was going to double-major in narrative AND critical studies but ended up just sticking with critical studies and dropped narrative studies (tho she did take quite a few courses for it). I do get the two mixed up, since neither existed back decades ago when I was a student at another U. :)</p>
<p>I think everyone gave good advice. I only have SCA to go by but what I’m told is that USC admissions is separate from selective programs. If students don’t get their first choice, USC may still admit them as undecided. (Operative word: MAY)</p>
<p>I think I read USC gives three attempts to apply to SCA (external?). I noticed the incoming classes were smaller than the spaces available this year so I suspect those slots will fill with internal and external transfers.</p>
<p>But the good news is, I’m liking the flexibility USC has shown in allowing students not in specific programs to take classes in them. And honestly - don’t worry about screenplay versus film. Like I said - they don’t just take experienced people. They look for your intent, your vision, your passion.</p>
<p>And even then, there are more good applicants for the small number of places. So don’t assume it is something you “did” or “did not do” that tipped the scales out of your favor. Just do your best - and as a back-up, see if there is another degree program you can be passionate about. </p>
<p>BTW - if all else fails, there are other good film programs in the area. Chapman is working really hard to move up the ranks, Cal-Arts is great at artistic indie stuff, and I saw a marvelous short film done by a student at Northridge. USC is one of the best schools in the world - but as Steven Spielberg will attest - it’s not the only path into the field.</p>
<p>Our D had NO cinema experience when she entered USC as a transfer in sociology (which she promptly switched to undeclared). She did get a summer and part-time school job in TV and cinema, and later applied to enter once she decided she really wanted to major in it. If she wasn’t accepted, she had planned to minor in cinema and take a lot of courses in it.</p>
And, though she did not have to employ it, your daughter’s plan was very reasonable!</p>
<p>One of the reasons my student chose USC was that she had an interest in Cinema/TV, but did not want to major in it (she had a very definite major that she wanted in Dornsife). While attending USC her interest grew so she declared a Cinema/TV minor (the process to declare a SCA minor is to take either CTCS 190 or 191 and then sign a form - super simple) and ultimately took 48 units in SCA (the minor requires 20 units).</p>
<p>Thank you all for the great advice, you guys were beyond helpful! I chose Narrative Studies as my primary major of interest, Print/Digital Journalism for my secondary, and I submitted my app this past Sunday! Really excited to see how things turns out. Thanks again, everyone! :)</p>
<p>My son too chose USC because he had an interest in film but didn’t want to major in it. He declared it as a minor and is enjoying his production courses which tend to be very small and hands on. Good luck to you!</p>