I’m not going into too much detail but I’m applying for the film program at UCLA and want some kind of input.
Since I’m a transfer student, my high school GPA doesn’t really matter but that was 3.9/4.0. At the end of this semester, I’ll be a Junior and my GPA thus far is 3.9. I did start college at 14, but will that really matter? I’ll be 17 by next fall so the dorm thing really shouldn’t be a concern and I’ve definitely proven my maturity. The film program is competitive but I did direct a film that was at an Oscar-qualifying festival when I was 15 and I’ve been in the industry for a while so I have a heavy resume. I got Deans Honor a few times and the rest of my awards are film-related. So, roughly, what are my chances??? Thanks.
Hey there! I’m a transfer student in the UCLA undergrad film program. I’m a little new to forum posting. I got accepted for Fall 2016 so I believe my insight will be the most up to date.
Also because you didn’t go into too much detail, I’m assuming you’re at a community college and you’re applying as a junior-level transfer.
I’ll address your questions –
- Your high school GPA doesn’t matter to UCLA TFT if you’re applying as a transfer. Mine didn’t, I believe.
- The department looks more at your supplements (personal essay, critical essay, and creative supplement) than your GPA. I have classmates that don’t have any filmmaking experience but they showcased they were great storytellers with unique voices through the supplements they submitted.
A 3.9 GPA is a high GPA, especially for a film major applicant. I actually got accepted with a 3.5 GPA, which is lower than the average accepted 3.8 GPA. Like you, I was on set constantly for student films & professional shoots while I was in school. So even though I had a lower GPA, I compensated by doing a lot of film work outside of school. The department will evaluate you holistically.
I personally think because the film industry itself doesn’t care about GPA that much, TFT may value film experience more than a good GPA. It appears you have both though.
Hal Ackerman, the former UCLA screenwriting co-chair, told us it was the creative supplement they look at the most. I would recommend getting a head start on the material you submit. Make sure it’s the best reflection of what you bring to the table as a storyteller.
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I can’t think of age being an issue. You’ll only be a couple years older than the freshman students. There’s also older students in their mid-20s or 30s that are in the junior-level transfer class. The undergrad students are diverse and come from different backgrounds. Don’t worry about your age. If anything, embrace it because you offer a unique perspective no one else has. If you are a CC student, you’re probably used to being around non-traditional students or students from upbringings different than yours.
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It seems like you check the boxes – relatively high GPA, industry experience, film awards, involvement in the festival circuit. Those are boxes most of my classmates and I checked off too.
However, I can’t judge your chances. There are so many applicants that did check those boxes but didn’t get in. There are also applicants that had no industry involvement or awards but still got in UCLA TFT.
UCLA TFT only accepts about 15 film transfer students each year. I honestly don’t know how they dwindle down hundreds of applicants to just fifteen. What I do know is that each of the other 14 transfer students that got accepted with me are extremely passionate, very brilliant, and very aware of what makes a compelling story. Many started off just like you and worked their ass off to get in.
I hope that helps! Best of luck!