USC SCA Hopeful

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>I just completed my freshman year of high school, and my ultimate dream would be to attend the School of Cinematic Arts as a Film/TV Production major. The problem that I personally see is that I attend a very small public school, with only about 120 in my graduating class, and there are no extra-curricular activities available pertaining to the film industry. So here is my question:</p>

<p>Will not having any prior involvement with film-related activities hurt my chances at SCA?</p>

<p>I am currently in the process of getting a film club started at my school. I have written, produced, and edited 3 short films over the past year, although they were a "just for fun" thing between my friends and I. In my freshman year, I finished with a 4.0 UW GPA, and I took the only two Honors classes available.</p>

2

<p>And also, about how many ECs do you think are necessary in order to be a good candidate for USC? Because my school offers few ECs, and the ones they do offer, I am not interested in.</p>

3

<p>YOU DO have film related activities: 3 short films. You don’t need to do your extracurricular activities as school sponsored events. Keep working on your films. A film club is a great idea- and you can list yourself as the founding memeber. Try organizing a film festival at your school or in your county . Consider sending your films to various film festivals that accept student films. See the posts in the Visual Arts section by Digmedia and others: [Visual</a> Arts and Film Majors - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/]Visual”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/). Keep your grades up, and study hard. Both your GPA and your demonstrated passion for film will help your application. Work on writing as well as you can. Your essays will be a big factor in your application. I think you are well on your way to a competitive application. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Thank you so much for your advice. And actually, a school sponsored film festival is something that I’ve been talking about to the film club’s potential sponsor. I really hope I can get the club started.</p>

5

<p>Hi collegecontended,</p>

<p>I am a student who was recently admitted to the School of Cinematic Arts as a Film & TV Production major, so I hope I can offer some useful advice here.</p>

<p>First of all, the above suggestions are excellent. In addition to other student film festivals where you can submit work, keep an eye out for competitions that call for films, Example: where I live, Walker furniture does a competition for high school students to create a 30 second commercial. </p>

<p>Starting a film club at your school would show a huge amount of ambition and would look great on an application to USC. On that note, familiarize yourself with the supplemental application materials needed to apply as a film major. They will ask for a resume, example of your work, original screenplay, and two essays. I can not stress enough: LET YOUR CREATIVITY AND PASSION GLEAM WITH EVERY SYLLABLE. </p>

<p>I would look into working, as a junior when you’re a little bit older, as an intern at a local news station or something else media/film related. </p>

<p>Of course, your application to the School of Cinematic Arts is only one piece. USC is highly competitive and the number of applicants increases every year. In order to even be a candidate for admission to the school alone, maintaining a high GPA, getting involved in extracurriculars, and community service will be crucial to your success.</p>

<p>Your selected major choice is one of the most difficult to get accepted into in the nation (harder than Harvard Law School!), but with the right attitude nothing is impossible. And if you don’t get accepted the first time around, submit a formal appeal for admission no matter what!</p>

<p>Good luck, study hard, and STAY MOTIVATED.</p>

6

<p>Thank you MorganRS for your advice. And trust me, I have made myself VERY familiar with the USC supplement.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, an intern at ANY media place is highly unlikely where I live. But I will try to incorporate my passion no matter what I do.</p>

<p>And also, I have another question for anyone out there who might know:</p>

<p>Is it true that the School of Cinematic Arts appreciates creativity and potential over experience?</p>

<p>Because I am currently not fortunate enough to use some of the equipment that other aspiring filmmakers may have access to. In fact, one of the short films I shot last summer was recorded with an old VHS camcorder, and I was not able to edit it. I am afraid that my inexperience may hurt my chances. Will USC realize my passion and potential and overlook my unfortunate situation?</p>

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<p>No one expects you to have the finest equipment, you can make great short movies that show your creativity and ability to tell a story visually. Make films, watch films, read about how to make films. D started in similar situation, no school classes, minimal internship opportunities. Old VHS camera and final cut express on an old mac didn’t stop films from getting in film festivals. In some ways it is more impressive to see someone rise on their own, as opposed to the kid that goes to multiple summer film camps and has a film program in their high school. Wouldn’t hurt to look at summer film camp if you can afford it. Strive for SCA, but apply to other top schools also and you can continue to pursue your passion.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the reassurance. It’s just that… lately I’ve been watching a lot visual samples on YouTube for the SCA application, and it seems to me that a lot of the accepted videos used high quality camera and sound equipment, and included a lot of “visual stunts”, if I may. I’m not sure what kind of equipment I might have in two or three years, but I just want to tell a story in my visual sample. I’m planning on buying myself a “decent” camcorder and editing software before next year, but I’m more of a plot-driven filmmaker, and continuous action sequences is not my opinion of a good movie. Although, I’m not against action movies at all. I’m just saying that I feel like a good filmmaker should have the capability of making a mesmering movie simply through crafty camera work and strong dialogue, without any “visual stunts”.</p>

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<p>There are 3 most important things to have to get into USC, and they have nothing to do with your portfolio or extracurriculars because those things are so subjective:</p>

<p>1) Great SAT scores (2100 or higher)
2) Great GPA (4.0 or higher)
3) A family member who went there.</p>

<p>Having these things will improve your chances 10-fold. USC is a numbers school. They care a lot about numbers.</p>

10

<p>grabbit, I think you are mistaken on some of your advice.</p>

<p>1) SAT scores are much less relevant to the admissions reps in the talent-based schools. They certainly need to be strong (>1900)–but often the talent portfolio or audition or supplement will have a strong(er) impact on the decision for these majors.</p>

<p>2) GPAs in talent-based majors (like SCA) are generally less intense, as well. The reason is–they are looking for artists with vision and drive as well as those who are excellent students. The personal statement in the SCA supplement is very important to show that commitment as well as the artist’s voice.</p>

<p>3) For at least a decade, legacy status is not considered in admissions decisions, without regard to USC School or major. There will be, no doubt, extra consideration given to those whose families have been major (major) donors, as there are at all private universities.</p>

<p>For non-talent based majors, USC cares about the whole package. The strongest component is your grades in context with the rigor of your courseload in context with the rigor of your sending HS. For talent based majors, the extra honors and awards and accomplishments in your field will also be very advantageous.</p>

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<p>I’m going to have to disagree with grabbit here. USC takes a more holistic approach in selecting students and this is especially true for the SCA. If you’re applying for SCA, once your GPA hits ~3.4 you’re good to go. What I mean by good to go is a higher GPA won’t really make a difference anymore because what they look for is talent and creativity. This is why they have you submit a truckload of supplemental information. I have also seen Marshall applicants getting admitted from 3.3 GPAs to upwards to 4.0. People with 4.0s have also been rejected as well.</p>

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<p>The higher SAT and GPA scores might put you in the running for a presidential or trustee scholarship, however. So I would try for the best GPA and SAT scores you can achieve. Being at the top of your group academically can only HELP you application. It will never hurt it. Good Stats and a good portfolio will help you at USC SCA and at any school to which you decide to apply.</p>

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<p>Anyone else? Any and all advice is welcome.</p>

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<p>Have a good supplement for critical studies too in case you choose to go for the easier major to get into</p>