<p>I'm not 100% sure about that. I'd love for it to be the case, but when I e-mailed my admissions counselor about a month ago he told me my application was in SCA's hands. Film is my dream, but if USC let me sneak in undecided, I wouldn't be offended or anything :)</p>
<p>My daughter received a similar note from her admissions official. Wasn't sure how to interpret it but we were hoping that meant he was giving her a heads up...</p>
<p>S talked to his admissions counselor yesterday due to the whole issue with the scholarship he either had to accept or decline by today. She told him flat out that he is not accepted to SCA. She did not come right out and say that he's accepted as undecided, but that's the impression he had. So, we aren't sure he'll be accepted (as undecided), but we think probably so.</p>
<p>An aside...S accepted the ROTC scholarship, but it turns out that if he were accepted to USC and their ROTC dept. offered him a scholarship (and they most likely would), then he'd be free to accept that one instead.</p>
<p>So...about this sneaking in undecided.....yes, you could be accepted next year to SCA as a transfer, but the odds are against it (just like the odds of being accepted as a freshman). You could minor in film, but I would assume lots of people do that. Are there even enough sections of film classes available to do that? Would that just be an exercise in frustration?</p>
<p>I dunno. S has his heart set on studying film. Chapman, which has a very good film program, has accepted him in film production. But...USC is a better school overall. The "college experience" would likely be a lot better there.</p>
<p>For the record, S isn't really conflicted. He was glad to just know for sure that SCA isn't still dangling out there somewhere. I am conflicted on whether or how strongly to urge S not to rule USC out until we visit. And should we even visit? Since he's feeling good about Chapman, maybe it would not be best to introduce that element of uncertainty.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on this?</p>
<p>timely: we have a close relative who went in undecided; put his transfer app into SCA for critical studies in Oct of freshman year and was automatically accepted; now that he is in SCA and in critical studies, he (like TSDAD's son) is extremely involved in filmmaking and production (even though he is not majoring in it....)...just an example....Not trying to change your son's view, but from our end, (and others have told us as well with regard to the other specialized schools at USC), it is not nearly as difficult to transfer into internally than to be accepted as a freshman.....</p>
<p>Yes, I remember about TSDad's son. My S does not like the idea of doing critical studies at all, but it does sound like kind of a back door into film production. I will definitely keep that in mind and mention it to him so he can start mulling it over.</p>
<p>Hi Timely,</p>
<p>Wow! Congratulations to your son for his acceptance at Chapman!!! He's in a great position now. Check out studentfilms.com to get more comparisons of USC and Chapman film schools. Students from both film schools make comments and they may provide you and your son with more information which will help you.</p>
<p>Good luck in your decision making. Let us know what you decide to do!</p>
<p>Tsdad here. After four years in CS my son developed an interest in screen writing based on the courses he took in Cinematic Arts and the English Department. As I have written elsewhere, the screenplay he wrote with another CS student won the 2007 award at the LA Screamfest for the best horror movie script. He and his writing partner have an attorney who negotiated an option for them on getting it produced, which alas has not yet happened. </p>
<p>What you want to do when you are 17/18 can be quite different than what you are doing when you are 23. We are urging him to go to grad school (depends on how much money he can get) to hone his writing skills and himself.</p>
<p>timely, if your S does get accepted to USC undeclared, I think you should visit the USC campus along with Chapman. USC is simply an amazing school. If he is accepted at both schools, and has a ROTC scholarship to either one, let him see them both and get the feel and "fit" or their film departments, students, and other facilities. </p>
<p>Regarding internal transfers, they are aware that sometimes extremely talented students are (unfortunately) turned away at first and they do approve transfers to the department. One of the best ways to go about it is for a student to take an intro Production class in first or second semester freshman year, making sure to "bond" with the instructor and really sparkle. With that personal of relationship with a teacher in the department, and the chance to show great creativity doing projects, I would think the student would have an excellent chance to join the major.</p>
<p>Lastly, I myself work in the entertainment industry. As everyone knows it is a field filled with competition for every opening. The opportunities require great perseverance, enormous stamina and self-confidence even in the face of rejections. And I guess that life starts for our kids right here. For the young person who wants to seize the chance to get into such a highly regarded film school--with all the contacts to insider Hollywood--trying to step in through the side door is just one of the challenges. ;)</p>
<p>Best of luck. Sounds like either way, he's going to have a great college experience. He really can't go wrong.</p>
<p>my son's status changed yesterday, 3-18. Anyone else?</p>
<p>^from "we received" to the adcom status.</p>
<p>My status just changed as well. First the date said 3/18 at like 11 am but now it says 3/19 at 9:52 am...I guess they're getting a little update happy to make up for the long wait.</p>
<p>Hey everyone! I just got my acceptance package from USC and the film school! I have been accepted as a critical studies major, my second choice. The letter was postmarked March 18th, my status changed on tuesday to 'in review' after being in 'we have received' forever. My parents said they got the feeling from the admissions officer last week on the tour that he knew me and that I was going to be accepted, but they could have been making that up. I'm super pumped, and I wish all of you the best of luck.</p>
<p>Many congratulations, Basil!!! It sounds like party time at your house!</p>
<p>So....about critical studies...have you had time to think about doing that vs. doing production? Were you accepted to any other film programs? If so, are you choosing USC? (I assume you are since you are so excited!)</p>
<p>I have been accepted to the film school at the University of Texas and am waiting to hear from NYU. The only way I would not go to USC is if I get accepted to production at NYU, and that would still be a close call. I'm gonna try to learn more about the studies program and see how much access I have to production courses as a studies major, as well as if it is easy to transfer. There are a lot of options to consider.</p>
<p>Congratulations Basil!</p>
<p>Basil, Congratulations.</p>
<p>Thank you. Do any of you know if it is possible to switch majors within the film school and how easy that might be? Is it possible that I could still get accepted to my first choice (film production), but they just haven't decided yet?</p>
<p>tsdad may know more about how easy it is to switch majors within the film school. I got the feeling it wasn't impossible, but it wasn't as easy as just filling out a form.</p>
<p>Since they accepted you to CS, that means your first choice (production) must have passed. But since you are now an accepted SCA student, you can call the department office and ask any questions you need answered. Ask if kids have been able to switch majors once there. Also, you might be able to get on a waitlist in case an opening occurs in production. Just a thought.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>Congratulations Basil! </p>
<p>It's been awhile since I searched the decision threads from last year, but I seem to remember a couple people being notified of acceptance into both of their SCA majors. It shouldn't work like that, in theory, because they say you're not considered by your second choice unless the first choice rejects you. But I'm almost certain I saw that, because it surprised me. You might give a call and ask if there's still hope for Production. While you're at it, tell them they can put my son in the Critical Studies slot you give up when you get admitted to Production ;)</p>
<p>^^^great idea! Rainmama's S is extremely cool. :) I've been patiently waiting for SCA to admit more of you guys so my S wouldn't feel so alone in his happiness. It's really more fun to be excited among friends. Of course, I'm sure you all agree.</p>