<p>Alrightyyyyyy okay soooo basically I applied to USC's film program as a senior in high school and I didn't get in.
I want to transfers to USC. I;m not letting USC go... at least not yet. I'm attending a California community college and my first semester gpa was: 2.4 (had personal family issue that made focusing on school hard)
second semester: 3.85
Third semester: 3.88
Now I'm getting ready to apply for them film program yet again but in fear of rejection, I was planning to apply as a communications major? Being admitted in as a communications major rate is higher than a film major at USC, right?
And IF i get in than ... I can always transfer into the cinema school right? >.< good plan? .... help?</p>
<p>That 2.4 is going to hurt you, most likely. But it’s not impossible. That said, transferring into the film school is not easy…</p>
<p>Very hard to transfer into film. What does your portfolio look like?</p>
<p>Your plan to enter USC as a 3rd year (junior) means most all of your courses at USC will need to be in your major. If you start as a Communications major, you will not have room to take intro film courses which are req’d to apply internally to transfer to film major. Or if you do–you’ll eat up more time and take likely an extra year (at least) to graduate with a BA. It’s not an easy, or guaranteed, or even cost effective plan. And the req for submitting a creative supplement is the same whether you try to transfer to film major from outside or inside USC–and is just as rigorously evaluated. The upside is once you are at USC and take some film classes, you could gain a better understanding on how to improve your film submission. </p>
<p>USC is full of film school wannabes who foolishly believe their chances of gaining admission to the SCA are greatly enhanced by being a student, as though through osmosis they’ll get in. Forget film school at USC, it’s simply not probable or realistic. If you can pay full freight you likely will get accepted to Dornsife because USC needs the revenue, especially from transfers. Expect to spend at least an additional year at USC, which likely will not accept all of your credits. And look for a more promising career. Film schools pump out more graduates than the industry can absorb. Good luck.</p>
<p>Heed madbean’s advice, don’t listen to SeattleTW.</p>
<p>Madbean is correct. If you get into USC then you may be able to take a few film classes as an elective. But the most coveted ones will be filled first with film students and you’ll be busy fulfilling your degree requirements in communications. My advice - if you get into USC but not the film school, meet film students and crew on their films to get the experience. There is no lack of opportunities.</p>
<p>Ah, yes, hope springs eternal. I knew several SCA hopefuls who, like you, believed that being a USC student would enhance their chances of getting accepted. And one of my roomies, an SCA student, was hounded by others. None of the hopefuls got in. My roommate convinced me to enroll in two film electives which, aside from providing easy As, were nothing more than a way for the profs to steal ideas for screenplays. Ironically, one of those hopefuls and former friend transferred to UCLA and became a wildly successful producer who created several popular TV and cable dramas. But, his uncle was a producer so he had connections. And in that business, who you know is often more important that what you know. That’s why SCA internships are key. Unless you get in (unlikely) you will be denied such opportunities. </p>
<p>Have you considered NYU or Columbia? Better yet, what about a career in gaming or health services?</p>
<p>You are like the worst, SeattleTW.</p>
<p>If by worst you mean “like” candid then I plead guilty. It does this SCA hopeful little good in encouraging her to spend a small fortune either from her parents or massive student loans to chase a pipe dream by taking the few film electives that are not representative of the rigors of film making. If the SCA is as difficult to get into as Harvard (i.e., less than 5% accepted), which is a realistic comparison, then her chances of transferring in are far, far worse, especially given her first semester performance in college and despite her extenuating but hardly unique explanation.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone here is painting a rosy picture, but I also think you tend to offer a very narrow view of the world and whittle people down to a statistic, without knowing their ceiling. None of us are soothsayers.</p>
<p>The road into SCA is extraordinarily narrow even more so than the road into HYSP, look it up. Unless she is okay with getting any USC degree, she should attend Cal State Northridge and save her and her parents tens of thousands.</p>
<p>It’s not any easier getting into NYU or Columbia. I suggest the OP try Chapman. They’ve got a huge film facility and take a larger percentage of applicants for film than USC (although that might be changing as they move up the ranks). I also know of one person who is quite talented and went to Northridge. Also a very good choice.</p>
<p>But I do think it is realistic to help the OP understand that grades do matter. If she wants to study film at a school where that is less important than portfolio, then Cal Arts is an option. But in that case - portfolio is EVERYTHING.</p>
<p>Dreams must be turned into action. Some schools might overlook the 2.4 as an “adjustment” period if the remaining grades for the next three semesters is high AND are in substantial classes, not easy electives. Try - is a maybe. To not try is a “no.” Just realize there is an awful lot of competition for the spots you want. So make sure you show the school more about you as a person than just academics. They are trying to build a diverse class of interests, hobbies, abilities.</p>
<p>OP’s gpa is only 3.38. She might not even get into USC as a transfer, so this discussion is really hypothetical.</p>
<p>P.S.: one of my best USC friend’s (AB USC/JD USC Law) daughter was rejected by the SCA and is a freshman at NYU Film School. He pays full freight and is a bit stressed but justifiably proud.</p>