I have heard so many talk about how this forum "saved" their life and I truly believe it. Going through the application process is seriously a headache. So I figure I should ask for some help, advice, and tips as well.

I am attending a city college in Los Angeles. I am planning on transfering for the Fall 2009 term. What I know is basically what I have read from school websites, forums, and a mixture of both. I am following the guidelines and portfolio requirements for the film school based on what I found on their website.

I am planning on applying to a wide range of schools: USC, UCLA, Chapman, NYU and some other schools. I am applying as a Film Production major. The whole application process does seem overwhelming, so many essays required and the fact that there is so much competition...

Is there anything I should know? Should I stop being so worried because the competition isn't so bad, or is it true? Is it worse for transfer students? Anything in particular I should know about for the portfolios? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

I say apply to all the schools and chose one that resonates with you. I applied to both UCLA and Chapman. I was rejected from UCLA and I'm still waiting on an answer from Chapman's Dodge College of Film and Media.

Interestingly enough, my original plan was to attend UCLA, even though deep down I felt it didn't resonate with me. So I did some school searching. I found Chapman. I'm not sure how to put this in better clear terms, but Chapman, I got a colorful feeling about. UCLA felt very gray in comparison.

Now, I spent months on my UCLA essays. Yes, months...I panicked the day before I had to turn in the UCLA general application because I was still deciding what to put in my essays. It was very stressful for me indeed. I managed to get everything edited and turned in the day of the deadline, and everything seemed fine after that. Then I began to work on my essays that were going to go to the department. I spent weeks editing and going over what I was sure I wanted to say. I called the Film/TV office and asked the woman in charge of advisor, Cheri Smith, a bunch of questions. With the knowledge that I knew they were only going to admit a certain number of students, I made myself sound as interesting as possible.

The point is, in my experience, you're competing with a LOT of people for 15 spots in their undergrad program. It was a stressful process for me because of how anal they are about the registration...And I know this might sound like a little to much info to most of you, but if so, don't read the strike out line. I ended up missing my period the month I was putting this application together. That is how stressful it was. And I wasn't even paying attention to the stress. It was a lot of work making myself sound convincing.

My stats are decent:

GPA: 3.4
ACT: None (They didn't give me time to finish the test.)
SAT: None

Point is, I ended up getting rejected by UCLA, due to the fact that there were so many applicants this year.

Chapman's application process is a LOT more layed back. Take your time on it and turn it in at the early deadline. I turned mine in in February because I had just found out about the school in January. I'm still waiting to hear back from them.

Again, this is just my experience. MY advice is give yourself PLENTY of time to work on ALL of your essays. In fact, start now and keep editing them.

I really hope I helped you.

By the way!

Chapman definitely resonates with me. And I am very confident about attending that school!

Well, to be honest I always thought USC as the "dream school."

After visiting Chapman, I realized that's the school I'd probably feel most comfortable at. It's perfect for me, it feels like a great enviornment to study and work. I'm applying to a bunch of schools just because they're so competitive. It won't hurt to apply to a bunch.

As far as how stressed you were, believe me, I understand. Fall 2009's deadlines for most film schools are generally Nov-Dec and I haven't started yet on my application. I'm already stressing myself out and I am sick as I speak. For the past few weeks, I've been becoming ill because of how worried I am over the entire process.

My stats are similar to yours, about a 3.4. I really hope to get into Chapman and I'd love to hear I got into USC as well. I really do think I will start soon on my application, just to have months to edit and revise anything I have to.

You helped me a lot and please let me know if you got in. I really hope you go and good luck. Hope to see you at Chapman!

quote:

Originally posted by armen:
Well, to be honest I always thought USC as the "dream school."

After visiting Chapman, I realized that's the school I'd probably feel most comfortable at. It's perfect for me, it feels like a great enviornment to study and work. I'm applying to a bunch of schools just because they're so competitive. It won't hurt to apply to a bunch.

As far as how stressed you were, believe me, I understand. Fall 2009's deadlines for most film schools are generally Nov-Dec and I haven't started yet on my application. I'm already stressing myself out and I am sick as I speak. For the past few weeks, I've been becoming ill because of how worried I am over the entire process.

My stats are similar to yours, about a 3.4. I really hope to get into Chapman and I'd love to hear I got into USC as well. I really do think I will start soon on my application, just to have months to edit and revise anything I have to.

You helped me a lot and please let me know if you got in. I really hope you go and good luck. Hope to see you at Chapman!

Not a problem, hon! I was in almost the exact same spot as you a year ago. PLEASE don't stress. Don't do what I did. I believe I would have gotten into UCLA...But it just didn't seem right, so I stopped believing in that school. I believe VERY strongly in Chapman and should have applied to more schools. The HUGE part of getting accepted is believing that you will. I believe very strongly in spirituality and have gotten a few psychic readings from friends. Each of them said the same thing about UCLA. 1. I would find it boring, 2. There would be more of an emphasis on the money aspect. 3. It would only be OK and would force myself to finish the program.

I feel VERY strongly that I will get into Chapman. And I believe I will. GPA, if you have a 3.0 isn't weighed heavily on...It's the essays and how interesting you sound to them.
I hope to see you at Chapman too!

If you have anymore questions about the application process, don't hesitate to ask.

By the way, are you in college right now or high school?

I'm at a city college. I'll have 24+ credits at the time of applying and as I said - about a 3.4 GPA.

I have some good experience under my belt. Did a year long internship at a production company. They gave me my current job, as a writer/producer for a local television show.

All that's left is the application process. When you are accepted to Chapman, when do you start? Fall 2008?

quote:

Originally posted by armen:
I'm at a city college. I'll have 24+ credits at the time of applying and as I said - about a 3.4 GPA.

I have some good experience under my belt. Did a year long internship at a production company. They gave me my current job, as a writer/producer for a local television show.

All that's left is the application process. When you are accepted to Chapman, when do you start? Fall 2008?

Oh! Der...Of course, you'd said you were attending a city college. :P Sorry, I didn't go back to check.

Anyway, I would start towards the end of August for Fall 2008.

I think that's amazing that you have experience at an internship. I took a TV Production class my entire senior year of high school. I was offered an internship, but turned it down due to a job I had to keep....:| I regret not taking it, even if it was at a local TV station. It's OK though. I got so much experience in my class.

Oh yeah! Right now, I have a 3.1 GPA and 48 credits under me for Chapman.

So you're not applying straight from high school? You did went to college from high school and now you're applying to Chapman?

Just want to make sure because if so, our stats are very, very similar. Even our GPA and total credits. Mine will be in the 40's after Fall semester at my current college.

For Chapman, I'll have to make a two-minute video which is no problem. I'm also wondering if I should write and direct a short now, just to have it on my resume. Plus, schools like NYU wants a piece of my work. I don't know if it's completely necessary to get a short film done right now. I rather work on my writing and concentrate on the other parts of my application.

Armen, YES you should write and direct a short for your resume. Great idea!

quote:

Originally posted by armen:
So you're not applying straight from high school? You did went to college from high school and now you're applying to Chapman?
application.

Nooo. I graduated high school in 2006. I currently attend the University of Alaska Anchorage. In high school, I had a 3.4. In college, I currently have a 3.1

I encourage you to create a short film. For Chapman, the two minute video could be a long shot or a few shots of somethings that say something about you. I used a webcam because I don't have a video camera. I showed a story of a box, and the different things that were in there.

I probably should.