I’m a senior in high school applying to the USC School of Cinematic Arts this week! (Deadline is next Saturday). I was just wondering if anyone knows of anyone who got in without outstanding experience/awards in film. I have great grades, and I believe my writing samples show my creativity and passion for film, but I don’t have many impressive awards or internships related to film (as I realized pretty later on in my high school career that I wanted to go to film school). So basically I guess what I’m asking is, do you need tons of experience/an amazing film resume in order to get in? Or do they also mainly consider the relative passion/potential of students based off of their writing samples? I know it’s pointless to overthink these things, but I can’t help but worry as this really is my dream school. Any words of wisdom or knowledge would help… thanks 
Depending on the pursued major within SCA, the admit rate is circa 2-10%. Production is around 4% I believe. Writing and Interactive Media are even lower. Admission to SCA will likely come down to your writing ability, demonstrated passion and all of the elements of creative expression shown through your supplements. That will be challenge one… getting into SCA or having SCA willing to pull for you (should you not be immediately accepted by USC overall). But SCA does routinely accept applicants who demonstrate significant creativity or passion but also lack significant experience in film per se.
The second challenge will be gaining admission to USC overall. Every year, this becomes a greater challenge… as the overall admit rates has now fallen to circa 13%. Academic record/stats will likely be insufficient for most (regardless of the level / e.g. 3K+ 4.0 unweighted GPA applicants or those with 99th percentile test scores also get rejected), absent some other compelling reason to consider you for admission… i.e. excellent essay(s), motivating “Why USC?” explanation, unique or interesting other elements to your background / experience, ECs and leadership roles, etc.
Too many applicants with stellar stats apply… so it is how you present yourself and your commitment to USC (and SCA) that can differentiate your application and lead to admission. Review it all before submission. If it is not super clear that you have researched both USC and SCA and have detailed compelling reasons why USC is the right fit for you and what you will uniquely be bringing to the USC community, then you need to alter it before submitting. If USC/SCA is your top choice, tell them. But go further… explain why. Explain why USC specifically meets a compelling need for you. And explain what they will be gaining by admitting you. Absent such, admission is highly unlikely. Remember… the #s are now staggering, and like it or not, USC must reject 87-88% of all applicants. To be among the 12-13% getting in, you really need to present a quality application overall and make your case for admission.
In your case, assuming admission first to USC overall, it may simply come down to the subjective opinions of one or two key evaluations within SCA. It is possible to be admitted to USC and not to SCA. And it is possible and quite common to internally transfer into SCA later once you are already enrolled at USC. My younger daughter did so in fact, after first being admitted Undeclared.
But you will clearly never know unless you try. So apply and give it your best shot. But re-read your application… putting yourself in the shoes of both USC Admissions and SCA Admissions… before hitting send.
Good luck…