I'm a second year MFA in Film Production student at USC. I've talked to both faculty and students, and Icarus is right to an extent. It isn't as impossible to get in and we imagine. Several people that get in the waitlist end up getting in. If not in the Fall, they do in the Spring. That doesn't mean that they aren't good. Far from it. Some of my classmates that came in from the waitlist are just brilliant. Although the ratio applicant/accepted is still tight, and the acceptance rate is very very low (still I think it's around 5%), getting in is possible, even if you have no experience in film. There are people that came from fields as diverse as Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Public Health. I can't speak for the other schools, but I suppose it's all the same: I've heard of people at USC that wish they were at NYU and vice-versa.

As for Stellar materials, they are not a must, but they sure help. If you have something stellar, you'll sure to get in AND get a big fat juicy and respectful fellowship or scholarship as an incoming student. So, unless you're sleeping on a mattress full of money, having an application package that represents the absolute best you can be and do is a must.

Jumping to question 6, my advice would be if you have already applied, yeah, relax, do whatever makes you happy. If you haven't, I'd say work your ass off. Trim and rewrite that freaking personal statement. Be original with your writing materials. If it's not original, write 100 other options, and write them all, or pick one. Think about it for 10 minutes everyday when you wake up. Then some 20 more minutes during lunch break. Put post it sticker around your house with GRE words you have a hard time memorizing. Be the very best you can be. Know you'll get in, because you did everything you could. Film school is not for the mild. Plus, working that hard will make you value the experience of film school much much more, because you'll know you weren't picked by mistake, thou that's probably all that goes through your mind when you realize you're going to film school. At least that was all that was in my mind.

1. University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil (I'm Brazilian)
2. 1440 - 5.5
3. Editing for independent production companies, freelance camera operating and scriptwriting, producing for television, all in Brazil. Study of the arts; music, drawing and photography.
4. How each stage of my life, from the birth of my grandparents to the present day, was a parallel to a quality valuable to a filmmaker.
5. Two of my undergrad teachers. 2 Former bosses from a brazilian TV station.

good idea for a thread- this would have been useful when I applied last year.

I was accepted to NYU Grad Film as part of the new MBA/MFA dual degree at NYU. I start next month.

1- Boston College 3.78
2- no GRE thought I had to take the GMAT for my NYU Stern application.
3- no official film jobs but did minor in film in college and have done lots of film work for my band which I submitted as part of my application. I have mostly a music background.
4- Personal statement was basically about how I plan to combine my love of film, music and entrepreneurship as a producer. I focused on my personal story and where this program fits into that.
5- letters of rec from a film professor I had in college and A&R person at my band's label.
6- most important advice is have an angle. everyone who's applying loves movies and telling stories. tell them why you're different and what you want to do with your MFA.

To everyone whose posted

I just wanted to say thank you for the fantastic advice. Discovering this website and this particular topic has been incredibly timely. I've been preparing for almost 3 years to apply to film school. With under 5 months until many of the applications are due, you can see how receiving this kind of advice and reassurance is extremely beneficial.

So thanks a lot guys.

For those applying this fall, just remember that the majority of the posters here did NOT have this info when applying. They went with the numbers they had and their instincts.

Don't let anyone's "rockstar" statistics intimidate you, but more importantly don't allow the not so rockstar ones (like my own!!) to make you think you can slack.

The truth is, there is no formula to getting into film school.

Best of luck.

Jayimess, You have a great point.

Sometimes people work harder when they don't know. Much like not knowing when you're going to die, you live your life a lot more fully. But, I think I feel MORE empowered after hearing their advice, rather than lazy. For me, reading these is just another reason to keep pounding away at these practice films and to try my absolute hardest on my applications. To keep my head in the clouds and my heart set on one thing.

There are no guarantees in life. I'm finding that out right now. Trying to find work in London is, well, a real character builder.

So thanks again.

Well, I think either way this info rarely has any affect on your performance. I think it more or less just calms or excites your nerves about the instinct of you being "qualified".

You are still going to achieve approximately the same score on that test, most likely its either too late to boost that GPA, or you've made that many films. Your ambition to achieve certain statistics isn't because you have a desire to be that good at something, but it is just a measure of yourself in that category. By the time you read this, you will have less than approximately 6 months to mail your application, so nothing is really "changeable".

Then again, that A you got in Human Sexuality 101 or the fact you listed a claymation sync test on your resume isn't going to impress the admissions board. No matter how many things you do to inflate your profile, it is you they are accepting. I think the interview lets them hear you speak, know your life experiences and understand your passion.

All in all, I think its more of a "predestination" type of deal. There is nothing you can do to alter their minds. They don't pick you based off of experience, GPA or whatever it is, they pick you based on who you are. And to tell you the truth, you can't change that; believe me, I've tried.

Best,

Andy

Hey guys, this is my first post here. This is kinda offtopic but is there any age limit on these schools? I will be around 24-25 when im sending in my applications. Until then i have to work & save money.

Also do you think as a student from another country, does this in any way decrease my chances of getting aceepted?
For example i cant be there for an interview.

Greetz

Daniel

Daniel,

It depends on where you apply regarding the interview. USC doesn't interview, some other schools will accommodate with a phone or webcam interview.

As for age limits, I laughed out loud when I read that. I was 27 when I applied, 28 when I started, and I'll be darn near 31 when I graduate. My incoming class, across all divisions, had ages ranging from early twenties all the way through to mid forties.

The programs actually seem to prefer older students because they've had more time to experience life, which plays a big part in acceptance. I've heard of applicants being told to apply again because they're too young and haven't had enough life experiences.

You'll be just fine.

Best of luck.

Hey Daniel,

Jayimess said there is no interview. I dunno if this has changed recently or maybe they don't interview for screenwriting, but I was interviewed for MFA in Production at USC. I'm Australian, but of recent have been in China, so my interview was done over the phone at 1am Beijing - 10am Los Angeles. It was very casual - more like a chat that went on and off topic.

As for age, Jayimess is totally right! If anything, age for something like a Masters gives you credibility. This is more true for places like NYU, Columbia and AFI, where they tend to benefit a very strong portfolio and professional background.

Good luck!

Hi all, this is my first post. This seems like a great site (I discovered it this week), so thanks to everyone for your great posts!

I was wondering what people think of an applicant to screenwriting MFA programs without hardly any film background, but a lot of theater background? Or to a production MFA program? (although I'm leaning strongly towards screenwriting)

I worry that my background is so strongly in a different field.

Hey guys! I'm new to this website and it seems EXTREMELY useful when thinking of the different academic pursuits film has to offer. I'm thinking of different graduate schools to apply to and I start production classes this year, and I have some pretty good ideas in mind for films and have been watching movies to see how some of the higher up directors put their scenes together and am just trying to get ideas from them. I'm going to be a junior at the University of Notre Dame and I know there's no specifics to getting into film school but at the same time an application should stand out and so should the videos you submit to that program.

The schools on my list so far are USC, UCLA, NYU, Texas, and Florida State.

SO far my credentials are..

1 - University of Notre Dame - 3.0 (Double Major in Film and English)
2 - Taking GRE this summer (scored a 1230 on 1600 SAT scale)
3 - Did an internship last summer at Azteca America TV (Spanish TV Station) and am currently interning at the San Antonio Film Commission (who oversees all production in San Antonio and has worked with Robert Rodriguez).
4 - Plan to talk about how I came to where I am in personal statement (grew up poor but made me want to try harder to support family).
5 - Plan to get letters of recommendation from former University President, film production teacher as well as the president of the Institute for Latino Studies (was a HUGE figure at UT Austin but moved to Notre Dame).

I know I have at least my junior year to improve on these but how is this looking so far?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: IrishGuy2010,

This thread has really veered off track...

Not really, Nitro. When you ask people for their stats who got in, you're likely to draw people who will share their own stats in the hope that you'll tell them their chances.

When you look at those who HAVE gotten in, there is one consistent fact:

There is no consistency, there is no formula to get into film school. There are no numeric values to aspire to that will guarantee you anything.

This ain't med/law/B-school, kids. Flub your GRE? Still can get in. Aced it? Still can get rejected.

It's who you are, the stories you tell, and the way you tell them.



Regarding the USC interview, they are pretty rare and always over the phone.

Thanks, Jayimess. I was reading all sorts of old threads after I posted and that does seem to be The Answer. Be yourself, try hard, and hope for the best. I will try!

Sorry if I took the thread off-track.

Suzako, don't fret. It's a forum.

Regarding your question, which I missed somehow...sorry...

At USC, you don't need any film or screenwriting experience. For either major. Plenty of my classmates had never touched a camera before the first day of Production 1, and it was amazing to watch what they could do by the end.

As for SW, scripts aren't required for writing samples, just the two scenes for the Creative Challenges. Plenty of people don't send in scripts.

USC wants to know you can tell a story. That you have a story to tell.

They figure if you've got those things already, they can teach you the mechanics.

That's a very vague and broad explanation, but hopefully it eases your mind.

I just completed the first year of the SW MFA, and my classmates were attorneys, neuroscientists, journalists, medical school dropouts, pastors...few of us were screenwriters before we got here, but we'll all leave screenwriters.

Then it's time to become working screenwriters.

Best of luck.

quote:

Originally posted by nitrofour:
This thread has really veered off track...

I was 100% certain, when I was posting my "veered off track comment", that you (Jayimess) would say "not really" and then continue to write a paragraph explaining why

And, for that reason, I love you. Sarcasm aside, I appreciate the amount of time you spend helping prospective students on these forums-- and for that, I thank you.

No problem, Nitro!

Glad to help...really.

I'm new to this site and I have to say, wow Jayimess, you do a great job keeping everyone at ease and informed. I've certainly learned a lot about graduate programs in film just from reading your posts. This is a great community and it's awesome to see how all of you got in to these great programs. I'm only a junior so I have a couple years to go, but it's certainly relieving to pick up some advance knowledge about film schools from your guys experiences.

My pleasure, glad this site is helping you, since that's what it's for....

originally posted by Daniel G:

quote:

1. University of Sydney, Distinction Average (Australia doesn't use GPA, Triple Major: Media & Communications, Philosophy & Film Studies)

A triple major? I know degrees in Austrailia are different from here (most only take 3 years, right?), but that's still Intense...Kudos to you