USC -- Chance me for the SCA screenwriting program!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

Hi! I’m a junior in HS planning on applying to the USC SCA to get a BFA in the screenwriting program there.

Ethnicity/Gender: Japanese American Female

GPA: Probably a 3.6UW (worst case 3.5UW), 3.9W. Had a bad Freshman year–broke off more than I could chew–but since then I’ve had 3.9s and 4.0s.

SAT: Planning on getting a 1450+.

IB Courses:
• IB English HL
• IB Theatre HL
• IB Global Politics SL
• IB Math Studies SL

Extracurriculars:
• Top-ranked book in online writing archive out of 72k other works, with over a million readers and five thousand comments (since 2012)
• One of six main writers for a competitive global game development staff (the only minor in a team of adults) (3+ years)
• Published in school’s literary magazine
• President and Founder of Writer’s Club
• Played lead roles in six musical productions
• School of the Arts Certificate Student
• Touring Cast for musical production three times, as well as lead role
• Member of Japanese Media Club (3+ years)
• Member of Improv Club (2+ years)
• Winner of school talent show three years in a row

Community Service:
• Nonprofit art organization (575+ hours)
• Read to Me International

Letters of Recommendation:
Thinking of getting from my theater director, my dean, English teacher, etc.

I’m mostly concerned about awards–I haven’t won any yet and I don’t know if I’ll have time to write for some. I’m also concerned about my academics (I know that a 3.6UW is below the average and it’s really making me nervous). I don’t mean to sound like I’m bragging or anything, but I am confident that I can submit strong supplemental work to the SCA. Do I have a shot?

2

You may want to review the info supplied by responders in this prior thread…

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1733729-chances-of-getting-in-to-the-film-tv-production-program-p1.html

It applies to screenwriting as well.

My D is a HS Senior with a similar current aspiration - albeit for Film/TV Production. USC SCA is her goal scenario, and she is anxiously awaiting to learn her fate. Clearly, with acceptance rates in the 4-6% range, even the most qualified applicants should balance out their dream school reaches with a # of other back-up schools.

Screenwriting is on the low-end too… with an acceptance rate of around 4%. While you must also be accepted to USC generally and have the stats for it… an SCA acceptance is really going to hinge primarily of the strength and merit of your creative portfolio.

Good luck…