USC Film School Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Hi, I'm new to the boards so I don't really know how this all works...but I'm assuming I can just ask a question and you informed people may be able to help. Thanks in advance for your assistance!</p>

<p>So I was just wondering what my chances are at the USC School of Cinematic Arts (I applied for the Writing program). I have never actually taken classes or worked on major projects in film (although I did write a screenplay as an English project two years ago), but I consider myself to be a decent writer. I would really like to attend the USC film school and would choose it over any other school on my list (a few Ivies and a lot of Big 10 schools, oh and Stanford)</p>

<p>So I guess now I give you all some background info?</p>

<p>SAT I: 2230 (only took it once b/c I think standardized testing is a waste of time and refuse to buy into the CollegeBoard scam more than I have to)
ACT: 35 (although my essay score is pretty pathetic...10 i believe, or perhaps 9)
SAT II: USH, Chem, Math II 800, Biology M 790 (I know, disappointing)
AP: USH, Bio, Chem 5
PSAT: 224 (National Merit)
GPA: somewhere in the low 3.9s (school doesn't weight) in mostly honors and AP class (school recommends no more than 2 AP classes)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: A wide variety, including piano teaching, a lot of community service, organizing fundraisers, chairing a $2M fundraiser, tutoring, etc.
Essays: Common App is decent, USC general supplement question is also decent, film school supplement is thorough, if not wildly impressive
Interview: I thought it went pretty well, although I was a little too casual probably because the interviewer was pretty chill so I just had a conversation with her
Teacher Recs: Stunning (not to sound conceited, but my teachers either love me or hate me so I picked the ones who love me, obviously)
Counselor Rec: generic (1 counselor, 400+ students, go figure)
Ethnicity/Gender: Asian/White Male</p>

<p>If not USC film, I'd consider going to Viterbi. What do you think my chances are there? I assume a lot better. Oh my Viterbi short answers were really good (I think) but waaaaay too long. Do they take points off for that?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your help! Sorry for the plethora of questions.</p>

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<p>I think you have a decent shot at getting into the school at large, being an asian might hurt you. I would retake the SAT if you can to try and get above 2300. </p>

<p>Also, there is no way to know what your chances at getting into the film school are, as they don’t look at your Common App at all (according to my friend who works in the film admission office).</p>

3

<p>^actually, being an Asian INTERNATIONAL would hurt him. But he is Asian/White which might actually boost up his chances. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I would say your chances for viterbi is very high, but I’m not sure how harder the admissions are for the film school.</p>

4

<p>Thank you for the prompt responses! I think my chances at Viterbi are decent (forgot to mention that my school is very highly regarded and annually sends 15-20 to USC), but I guess the film school is a major reach from what I’ve read.</p>

5

<p>Your chances at Viterbi look very good. Your SAT score is excellent, but USC will look at your ACT which is even higher. </p>

<p>Your chances at SCA are simply impossible to figure. The supplement is the main criteria and your essays and especially your writing samples will make the difference. </p>

<p>I’ll also add that an applicant’s ethnic background will never hurt, however a URM will get a tip, perhaps amongst candidates with similar qualifications. A female would get that tip applying to Viterbi, btw. </p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>