I'm talking about the calls to people for acceptance. I'm still confused whether people are getting letters or phone calls. I'm wierded out by the implications of getting a phone call as opposed to a letter, and why we're not being told simultaneously. Are they still deciding? Does that mean the people that know now were a shoe in? It's just making me second guess my ability to be accepted.

I don't think anyone has been called for acceptance.

The person I spoke with said that they were meeting later this week and decisions should be made shortly thereafter.

Nobody's been called for acceptance...that's not how USC rolls. You'll get a postal letter.

I don't remember the timeline, I'm sorry, Ryan.

Bart, stop worrying about the money. I know that sounds ridiculous, but if you're already committed to borrowing tens of thousands for an MFA, what's a couple extra from one program to another?

;-)

Seriously...I could've gone to one school for almost free, but I knew I would've been plagued with what ifs if I didn't come here. My final attitude was the same that I had when deciding not to apply to safety schools...that is, "If I'm going to do this at all, I'm going to do it right, and I'm going to go for the gold."

Please...don't go choosing a school on price. Go where you want to go, where you think you'll be able to benefit the most. It's hard to do, I know. But I've speak from experience. I'd rather borrow $100K to go to the program that's best for me than borrow $50K and go somewhere I'd rather not be.

ok, so i got into USC summer seminar...does that maybe improve my chances of getting in to USC when i apply?

oh, I misunderstood. I thought I read that people were getting called. this whole situation has got me on crack.

Hi everyone,

I hate to add to the confusion, but I too received a call from USC today. The person who called me was Jeremy Kagan, a professor who teaches directing.

Honestly, he kind of put me on the spot with his questions...not in a bad way though. He stated that the reason for calling was to see if I had any questions about the program (I applied for production), however, it sounded a bit like a tiny interview (esp. cause he asked what I saw myself doing in five years, why I want to go to USC, etc.). It could have gone better but we’ll see. I already submitted my deposit to Chapman so at least I have a safety.

- Christian

Chris,

Glad to hear you got a phone call! I have a question: if you got in to USC, would you take the offer? Have you visited both campuses?

Hi Ryan,

That's a tough one. I have not had an opportunity to visit either of the campuses. USC has always been my dream school; however, just like many others, the financial burden frightens me (a bit). At least for Chapman, I was offered a reasonable fellowship (though I’d still need major loans to help pay for everything). It’s a toss up right now -- it depends what USC offers me (and the government, in terms of financial aid).

- Christian

chris did you get into chapman for the directing program?

quote:

Originally posted by Chris22:
At least for Chapman, I was offered a reasonable fellowship (though I’d still need major loans to help pay for everything). It’s a toss up right now -- it depends what USC offers me (and the government, in terms of financial aid).

- Christian

1. USC will not offer you anything your first semester, but just about everyone gets aid and/or assistantships after that.

2. The government will not offer you anything for your MFA but loans. No Pell grants for master's degrees, unfortunately.

3. The flat rate tuition at Chapman is a double edged sword. As it was explained to me by a Chapman directing student, it's $25K no matter how many credits you take per year...if you get out in three years, with the fellowship, it's like getting a free year at USC. However, USC charges you per credit hour. I took 22 hours this year, which is more than most PR students, and my tuition cost just over $25K, not the flat rate $35K the books assume, and I was expecting. If you require extra time to complete your thesis, you are only charged for 2 credits to remain a student...Columbia does the same thing. Something to think about, because as I understand it, and I could be wrong, Chapman will still charge you that flat rate tuition.

4. Chapman gives each student substantial funds towards their films' budgets, and that's a big deal on the balance sheet.

I still say, don't choose on price. You will likely regret it, or be plagued with what ifs. If you feel that one school fits you better than the other, that should be your choice.

I also didn't visit my schools before choosing. I'm glad I didn't, honestly.

Good luck.

Just to make sure...you guys who received a phone call applied for the GRADUATE program right? I applied for the undergraduate and I was wondering if i should prepare myself to receive a phone call too

nhfilm,

I was admitted as a cinematography-emphasis student (at Chapman).

Jayimess,

Thanks for your inside info. I had read about Chapman’s flat-rate tuition, though I didn’t think much about it. I guess I have some homework to do before making my final decision. And, just like you, I don’t think I’ll have the opportunity to visit either campus beforehand. Jayimess, could you shed some light on residence life (university housing) situation at USC. Is there available housing for graduate students? Thanks!

notalent,

Yes, I received a phone call from the Graduate Program (MFA). I don’t know anything about the undergraduate admission process. Sorry.

The way I understand it, USC has a real campus housing shortage. I doubt university housing will be possible...after reviewing the odds, and the prices, and remembering that I'm almost 30 years old, I kept my fifty dollar app fee and found my own place.

I just remembered that I DO know one guy who lives on campus, but he has some admin job with residence life and RAs, I guess he was an RA in UG...and he got the job before he got accepted.

Mmmmkay, that's not much help.

There are tons of apartments in the USC University Park area, however, and plenty of my classmates live there. They're owned by companies that cater to the USC community. Try Conquest, CalStudentHousing, etc. I believe USC has a list on the housing website.

Congrats again, everyone.

Did anybody else apply to the interactive media program?

Well, after having e-uttered some less-than-flattering words about a few nameless administrators at USC, I think it's only fair that I relate this story:

I went to the admissions office at SCA this morning and related my tale of woe (which I've already told in this thread). They did, in fact, tell me that due to their policies ("we can only communicate admissions decisions in WRITING!!!") they wouldn't tell me my admissions decision, and that without any decision having been made, I couldn't, say, sit in on any classes.

However--and here's where I retract my less-than-subtle recommendations about which scatological procedures USC administrators ought to perform--they DID determine that, while they couldn't TELL me whether I'd been accepted, they could WRITE IT DOWN and show me.

And, yes, I got in. (Woo-hoo!)

I was then told that, having been admitted to the program, I could STILL not sit in on any classes (due to their POLICIES!!!)... but oh well.

They WERE extremely helpful thereafter, answering an afternoon's worth of questions and giving me access to a lot of student work.

Bottom line: USC SCA administration has earned the much-coveted Icarus Seal of Warm Runny Personal Happiness.

Just thought I'd share.

--Icarus

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!

Wow! I am so happy for you! Yea, with that news any worries about sitting in classes or not melts away.

Any other thoughts about visiting the campus?

Icarus,

Did they say anything about when the letters for Production would be mailed out?

Much thanks!

so how many SW people are there. the seats are dwindling. Blast, finding this stupid messageboard! Now my sleep is hampered.

Guys, if I don't get in you'll see me anyways. B/c I'm just gonna move to LA and walk around the campus like I go there, and go to the classes until I'm escorted away by campus security. I'll be the widely known mentally ill person that roams the campus, trying to buy books and asking where the Lucas building is. I should've put all this in my autobiographical character sketch.

quote:

Originally posted by chrisanthemum7:
so how many SW people are there. the seats are dwindling. Blast, finding this stupid messageboard! Now my sleep is hampered.

Guys, if I don't get in you'll see me anyways. B/c I'm just gonna move to LA and walk around the campus like I go there, and go to the classes until I'm escorted away by campus security. I'll be the widely known mentally ill person that roams the campus, trying to buy books and asking where the Lucas building is. I should've put all this in my autobiographical character sketch.

We have a really old lady like that at Tulane. She hangs around the theater building with a cart and just sits in random classes and rambles.

To those admitted to USC, does anyone have any idea when we have to respond by?