<p>Hey people what kind of stuff did you put on your portfolio list for SCA application? The only thing I have is a list of short stories (and poems which I will only mention in a side note). All I do is writing. Do you think I'm at a disadvantage for not having anything directly related to film?</p>
<p>Everything. Honestly, put everything in there that you consider creative. No matter if it's film, writing, music, sound, photography, painting, dancing, acting, etc. Try to be diverse.</p>
<p>I totally agree with awelex. My daughter is a first year SCA student and last year she put all kinds of creative activities down on her application- dancing, acting, film experience, and so on. Poems are awesome...they are important to highlight, just as your short stories are. Whatever you have done that is creative...put these things down! They want to know who you are. Don't hesitate to show your skills in leadership also, though you might put leadership positions in another section such as extracurricular activities. Good luck!</p>
<p>Good to know. Mine is thinking of picking up a second major.</p>
<p>But many of my stories are incompleted and scattered across notebooks. They aren't what one would define as "finished projects".
And do you think I should put EVERY poem of mine? It's a long list (most of them are very short) and many aren't dated nor titled. None of them has received recognition either (no one but me sees them anyway).</p>
<p>Or should I just write a note below indicating that most of my work is jotted down in notebooks and that nothing of it was created for any specfic purpose? That I just write because I like to write or something?</p>
<p>Hey Suenos, you mentioned extracurriculars - Do you think individual sports such as bodybuilding and jogging would count?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for all your help people.</p>
<p>USC_App--you have a unique situation in that many of the other candidates will have focused their creative works into real projects and ECs, for instance, they are members of the orchestra or chorus or participate in school anime clubs, win writing awards, produce films, get published in school journals, etc. Without quantifiable completed projects, it will be hard to convey your creative focus over the years, and also your creative breadth. I feel a lot of sympathy, since not every kid knows from day one that they will some day need to show some highly selective programs or schools a verifiable portfolio of amazing work. It seems you have been writing from the heart for a long time, and have done this for your own satisfaction and enrichment--which really does say a lot of good things about you. Still, you should think about how you can group some of your writings together when reporting them in the creative bio. For instance, you might list a category like: Short Stories, and then list the titles (and one-line synopses, approx date written) of all the short stories you've completed, and even those in progress. After all, this is just a list of projects and you won't turn them all in to USC. In the same way, list: Poetry, the years you've been writing poems, and the titles of them. Don't worry about the list growing too long. Many kids turn in lists that run more than 4 pages. </p>
<p>In addition, if you finished any special art projects in a fine arts class in high school, you could add that. Do think of anything else you have done that demonstrates creativity--even writing reviews of plays or movies for the school paper, etc. Or writing a program for an upcoming play? Or writing your own private birthday cards for friends?? LOL!!</p>
<p>If you are applying to the screenwriting major, this will all be considered in context with the writing samples you produce in your supplement. The quality of those samples, plus your creative statement are given a lot of weight, so don't worry too much. But, in answer to your question above, I would not list anything on the creative biography that were non-creative ECs. Even if they show leadership, there are other places for that info in your app. Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>I just wrote a mega message and it got lost when I tried to post it. :-(
At any rate, I agree with madbean that the extracurriculars belong in another section (not the portfolio). I pulled out my daughter's application last year and she had listed 9 projects. In her case, she put the date, the title, a short synopsis of the project, and the location. A few of her projects were with professional companies. Most were done at camp or at home.</p>
<p>My daughter wrote her portfolio as an afterthought. She spent 99% of her time and effort on the essays. Basically, she considered who she was as a person and tried very hard to present herself accurately to the reader. </p>
<p>Regarding bodybuilding and jogging. I would only list the extracurricular activities that have meant something to you. If you have spent a significant amount of time engaging in these activities, I would consider mentioning them. If you can show initiative and leadership in these activities, all the better. For example, did you coordinate a jogging team or help anyone train?</p>
<p>Oops. I forgot to mention that she also listed her position on the portfolio after the project title. For example, actor, director, script supervisor, production assistant, etc.</p>
<p>I profoundly thank all the help you've been giving me. I will follow your suggestions.</p>
<p>Regarding extracurriculars, they ask to mention travel experience. I have gotten out of my country bounds once or twice only, but it wasn't school-related or for any purpose in particular. Do you think I should mention it?</p>
<p>Well, none of my extracurriculars are club or school-related, so I'm at a bit of a loss on what to refer. And I've more or less shown leadership in school projects because I made most decisions, but it's not like I had the title of "president" or "responsible of the project" or something. Nothing really palpable, if you get my meaning. And there were no such things as clubs in my school either. I really feel like I have a shot, but that this type of stuff will end up harming me. My activity summary is really short.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks a lot everyone, I really appreciate your help.</p>
<p>PS: By the way, does something show up after registering online to SCA? Like additional information, things to send or something? Because I plan to fill the online app only after submitting my stuff through mail.</p>
<p>Last year, nothing showed up online after submitting the SCA form. So you must keep track of all the SCA supplemental requirements for your particular major and mail them all in by the deadline, as well as submitting the main USC app (either online or by mail) by that same deadline. A lot of stuff!! Best of luck.</p>
<p>And do yourself a favor and send your stuff early enough. There's nothing more stressful than checking a DHL tracking number every minute :D</p>
<p>I will send all the stuff tomorrow - The mailing service guaranteed that it will get there by Friday.</p>
<p>Well, sincere thanks to everyone. But by the way, is this the correct address of the USC office of admissions? Just to check really:</p>
<p>USC Office of Admission
700 Childs Way
University Park Campus
Los Angeles, California 90089-0911</p>
<p>Oh yeah and I'm writing a cover letter for my application. Should I address it to the Associate Dean (because it was from him a letter I've received concerning the part I application)?</p>