Match Me - Film, writing major [US citizen outside the US, 1540 SAT, 3.99 GPA]

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Demographics

  • US domestic (US citizen)
  • State/Location of residency: Asia
  • Type of high school (or current college for transfers): Private school
  • Other special factors: none

Intended Major(s)
Drama Writimg
Creative Writing
Film

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.99
  • Weighted HS GPA: 4.99
  • Class Rank: top 1%
  • ACT/SAT Scores: (superscore) 1540 - retaking

List your HS coursework

  • English: AP English Language and Composition (?), AP English Literature

  • Math: AP Calculus, AP Calculus BC

  • Science: AP Chemistry

  • History and social studies: AP World History (?), AP US History, AP Art History, AP Microeconomics (5), AP Psychology (?), AP Comparative Governments, AP Human Geography (?), AP Macroeconomics (5)

  • Language other than English: Japanese

  • Visual or performing arts:

  • Other academic courses:

  • General education course work:

  • Major preparation course work:

Etc. (I can’t recall all of them.)

Awards
Scholarship (for only top 1% students at school)

Economics ddebate contest (awarded by the minister - top prize)

Ecology research contest (awarded by the top university in our country - top prize)

Japanese speaking contest

International dance contest (top prize)

International art contest (highly recommended)

Mun (outstanding delegate)

(still working on)

Extracurriculars

  1. Founder & Main director/scriptwriter, film club, the only existing film club in our school
  2. Chief scriptwriter, drama club, assisted reactivating the club after 11 years, the only existing drama club in our school
  3. Chief announcer, school broadcasting club
  4. Intern, winter internship, in the top notch entertainment company in our country
  5. Author, research, cooperated w/ top notch law firm in one country about Asian drama/film industry
  6. Leader & Founding member, cheerleading club, only cheerleading club in our school, performed in front of 400+ people in total
  7. Dancer, my residence’s traditional dance club, awarded in the international dance competition, participated in traditional parade
  8. Painter, art club, painted for two exhibitions, sold painting, donated revenue, and was awarded in the international competition
  9. Tutor, volunteer, taughted girls who can’t afford English class
  10. Chief chair, mun, biggest highschool mun in our country, cooperated w/ 5+ foreign schools

Essays/LORs/Other
(Optionally, guess how strong these are and include any other relevant information or circumstances.)

Schools

  • Assured (100% chance of admission and affordability): NYU, USC, Chapman, other colleges in my residence
  • Extremely Likely: Columbia, BU, WU
  • Likely: Northwestern, Stanford, other colleges with drama writing major
  • Lower Probability:
  • Low Probability:
2

First, a few questions that need to be answered:

What year of school are you currently in?

What is your expected budget? Can your family cover the cost of these schools or are you looking for financial aid?

Except for Chapman, all of these schools have very low admission rates and should be categorized as low probability/reach schools. I’m not sure what school WU is so I can’t comment on that one.

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3

If OP is applying to Dodge for film production, that acceptance rate is around 7-8%. So, another reach.

5 Likes
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Thanks for the info. I’m not too familiar with Chapman and/or film type majors. Good information for the OP to have.

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5

Don’t take the SAT again.

How are NYU, USC, and Chapman assured ?

Have you already secured acceptance ?

Otherwise, they’re not.

You’re a great student.

You could get in everywhere. You could get rejected everywhere.

You likely, based on admit rates, get turned down most places.

If Stanford is a likely and you have no targets or reaches, why ask the question ? Stanford for film writing ?? It wouldn’t be on my list.

I would add Emerson, Loyola Marymount and University of Iowa so you definitely find a home. All are well respected in your areas of interest.

Ps - as no budget figures are listed, I’ll assume you can afford $100k per year ?

6

Oh… I’m sorry. I totally misunderstood the concept… I thought those “highly likely”, etc. meant if you are going to apply for sure or not. I think I missed the “100% assured admission” part :frowning:

7

I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I totally misunderstood the whole part… I thought those “highly likely”, etc. meant if you are going to apply for sure or not. I think I missed the “100% assured admission” part.

The budget really doesn’t matter to me as my parents told me to not be worried about the tuition.

8

Sorry of the inconvenience. Ignore what I’ve said in the post. NYU and USC, Columbia those are totally not my safeties. I think I misunderstood the whole part. Ignore them, and match me! Thank you and sorry.

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Also I wanted to ask you why you’ve recommened me to not take the SAT once more.

10

Makes sense Yea those are admission odds :slight_smile:

Please ensure your parents know what college costs.

Some of these will be $100,000a year - so $400k.

Then come back to us. College costs more than tuition.

2 Likes
11

It appears that you do not understand the admissions process among most selective colleges & universities in the US. Superior class rank, superior grades, and a high standardized test score does not assure admission to any of your listed universities.

You have focused on the right schools for your interests. (USC, Chapman, Northwestern & NYU are excellent choices.)

12

That was my mistake. I misunderstood that part and wrote the colleges’ names in the order of my preference :cry:

13

I’d say max $100k. My parents told me that it’d be nice if I go somewhere cheaper, but still they do can afford $100k per year.

14

Understanding that you have mis-understood the application in this context of the phrase “extremely likely”. I have two questions.

What is WU? Is this Washington University in St Louis?

What is your safety? Is it included in “other colleges in my residence”?

You are of course applying for potential majors for which avoiding debt is very important. The most expensive universities in the US cost about $95,000 for this current year, and will almost for sure be a bit over $100,000 before you get your bachelor’s degree.

15

I am actually not sure about my safeties in the states, and that was the biggest reason why I posted Match Me. Usually my safeties are in my residencr or around my residence.

And yes, WU is Washington University!

1 Like
16

Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles/Southern California.

Emerson College.

Florida State University.

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17

Not sure of the acceptance rates for the major but Iowa, SUNY Purchase, Cal State Northridge, and Ohio U might be others to look at that are likely easier admits. Some will require a portfolio (Ohio U).

You’ll have film writers come from Stanford (and many schools) but it wouldn’t be on my list - their film program isn’t geared to this. I’d check each school on your list to ensure they meet your writing needs vs. film theory.

Good luck.

18

Decide whether you want film school or creative writing. You’ll need to write in film school but your emphasis will be film. There are schools with creative writing majors but don’t necessarily have a film school or major. Some offer both but understand what you want to emphasize.

Most top film schools are reaches. Your portfolio will matter as much or more than grades and test scores. Acceptance rates will be below 10%.

Look at FSU, DePaul, Emerson, UNCSA and maybe SCAD. Everyone knows NYU and Stanford but when it comes to film there are a lot of lesser known schools that are very strong for film. Good luck.

2 Likes
19

Not completely accurate. Really depends upon one’s specific major or area of concentration within the film school.

OP: If you want to focus on screenwriting, then choose that as your major, not creative writing.

20

Reread. I said some offer both majors. The concern is that your degree will say Film but your concentration could be writing. People in the know will understand the difference but not everyone. Especially some HR recruiters.