Does anyone know what the acceptance rate is for this program and how many students are admitted?
While SCA does not publish such admission stats, the overall perception seems to be an acceptance rate of 2-11% for SCA, depending on the undergraduate major. I would suspect that Writing, simply due to the low # of admits per cycle, would equate to the lowest possible range… likely only 2-4% admitted. I know that I have seen the specific #s posted somewhere here previously on CC as to how many they seek per year by program. From memory, I think that the writing program is only designed for around 15-20 per year. If accurate, with such a high yield rate (like 70-80%), they may only admit something like 18-25 each March.
SCA puts a huge focus on the creative supplements, so the selection process is of course highly subjective. If you have confidence in your writing ability or believe that you have an unique voice to share, here is no real harm in applying and testing the waters. Clearly a lucky few do make the cut and get selected.
@madbean posted the following info last year on a prior SCA related post…
“My info came from conversations with SCA Admissions some years ago when they said they aimed for class size (translation: they admitted slightly more to allow for yield) of 75 Cinema and Media Studies, 50 production, 12 IMGD, 15 Screenwriting, and 24 animation majors. The quote of 4-6% admitted also came from the SCA director of Admissions back then, when they emphasized that production was much tougher than CMS for admission. At the opening ceremonies of SCA a few years back, IMGD said they had admitted 20 out of 1000 applications that year. So… 2%. But I imagine the applicant pool was skewed toward males and female applicants would have a better shot in order to comprise a balanced class. Sobering, if true. Even if not, each applicant must realize that of 100 applicants to SCA, about 95 will not be admitted. My advice is to give it your best shot, take special care writing your supplemental essays to really stand out as an individual and to express your vision as an artist. Best of luck.”
Good luck…