<p>I know it can't hurt obviously, but as I'm in the process of applying, I need some more information. Before I send everything I want to know that it's worth it. My dad is to be paying for this and, while he said he would, he's now very hesitant because he was skeptical of me actually going through with it. I know I don't know if I'll get in, but my understanding is that it's much easier to get into and attend the summer program than it is their actual undergraduate program (they say so on the website!). With that being said, I'm from Michigan so I'll have to board and that's another added cost onto the already incredibly steep (and to me, sickening) price tag. </p>
<p>My dad approached me today saying that unless I can prove to him that this experience will help me in some very positive, drastic way, he will not pay for it. Filmmaking and storytelling is the only thing I understand and I cannot imagine myself doing anything differently with my life. I feel this program will benefit me greatly, not only with the amazing resources and teaching staff, but the opportunity to network and meet people pursuing goals very similar to mine. Beyond that, however, I have NO idea if it will really and truly benefit me. He's very concerned with getting me into a good school- preferably University of Michigan- and because I don't have the most stellar GPA (3.3 unweighted), I believe what he wants to hear is that going to this program will assist me in admissions to schools like UofM, NYU, and potentially USC itself (among other top rated film schools). Is there any truth behind this? What I've taken away from reading other people's posts and experiences is that what is really amazing is the resources (the technology, the staff, the SAG actors, etc.) and that it has less to do with the fact that you're going to USC, but more to do with the kind of work you'll be able to produce. Is that true? Or is the USC Transcript you receive just as helpful? </p>
<p>I really, really hope to attend the program and I don't know what to tell my father. I kind of need to pitch this program to him and I don't know what else to say. He wants to hear statistics and examples of how this will get me into school, and to my knowledge there are none. Any advice? Experience? People who've attended the program, is it worth it?</p>
<p>You write so clearly and with great understanding of your challenge. Just by reading your intelligent analysis of your position and your dad’s position, I salute you and suspect you will make an excellent producer/director/writer some day. :)</p>
<p>Your dad must know that in the college admissions game there are no guarantees. In fact, no college acknowledges any advantages to applicants–even if your dad were to donate a million dollars to a program. It’s just a maddening gamble.</p>
<p>For programs like USC and NYU, to name two top film programs, a lot of the decision will be made on a student’s creative work. In this way, any investment you make in your training and guidance you may get this summer in making a student film will be geared at exactly the product that may help you get admitted. But that’s like saying getting straight A’s will help you get into Yale. It is no guarantee. Ever. But since you say your gpa is 3.3 (below the average admit for U Mich, USC, NYU, etc), your best bet may be to throw everything you’ve got into your ECs (like spending time at a summer film program), LORs (like from a highly respected mentor/teacher you bond with at a summer film program), and especially your creative submission needed for your film school supplement (like one you may make in a summer film program). </p>
<p>Of course, it is also possible to self-teach, spend time this summer filming and filming and filming away at home, finding a mentor in your area who has professional film experience and trying to get an internship (even unpaid) to assist her/him. Some HS filmmakers get funding through Kickstarter, get a group of likeminded kids to work on their production and do amazing things, too. Some might say that many prestigious film programs may look even more favorably upon applicants who find a way around any obstacles–especially financial–and make their voice heard.</p>
<p>So if the cost is not possible for your family right now–and after all, they have to pay for 4 years of college soon–all is not lost. </p>
<p>My son will be attending the USC Summer film program as a minor this summer. He has been accepted. As parents, we are hoping for 2 things from this program. First, to be sure this is really the career path for him before we spend even more on full college tuition. Second, to add some higher quality work to his portfolio for applications in the fall. He will also be living there at the additional cost. I believe that is a bonus, for him to experience living away from home for 6 weeks, he will be better prepared for college.</p>
<p>A high quality summer program, like USC’s, is great preparation for college life. Our son did three summer programs at UCLA (two in Animation, one in film). Living in the dorms and working collaboratively with other students was very valuable. He knew what college was going to be like before even applying. This made his adjustment much easier than for freshman whose first experience was on Move In Day. The summer programs also cemented his resolve to pursue a major in digital arts.</p>
<p>DS also got an amazing LOR from a well-known UCLA professor who worked with him for those two summers. This professor extended an open invitation to DS–to apply to the graduate UCLA animation program. </p>
<p>I have no statistics for you to present to your father, but we saw that this investment made during the high school years greatly benefited our son.</p>
<p>P.S. I want to echo what madbean said, clairbutler: there are other ways to gain experience, show college readiness, and develop a fine portfolio. If the costs are too steep for your family, you can write scripts, do independent summer film projects, and submit to local film festivals. A summer program can be very helpful, but it’s not necessary, nor does it guarantee admittance to film school.</p>
<p>I did the USC summer course last year and i can assure you that it will definitely help you figure out if its right for you and point you in some directions but i cant guarantee that it will help you get in!</p>