<p>First, I’d like to apologize in advance if this is all over the place. When I’m flustered, I stick with my stream of consciousness. I’ve lurked this board for quite a little while and I’ve done a few searches on the issues that have bothered me, but none of it’s helped to make me worry any less, really, so I thought that I would just put all of my eggs in one basket. In fact, I’m more worried, if anything else.</p>
<p>I’m a rising senior, and I’d like nothing more than to go to USC’s John C. Hench School for animation. The thing is that I’m sure that any portfolio I could scrap together wouldn’t be enough to get in, but I think I could get admitted to the school on a general basis for creative writing or English. However, I love film, and I’ve considered applying for Critical Studies. I just don’t know how I’d be able to support myself with a degree in creative writing or critical studies afterward. I can see myself doing animation and creating pictures to go with words. I’m passionate about writing, but I don’t think there’s stability. That’s just a bridge to be crossed another time, though.</p>
<p>I’ve got a small window of time to refocus, which is something I should’ve been doing all summer, so I guess this is the first step in me really getting off of my ass. The next is meeting with my guidance counselor on the first full day of school for me on Tuesday and preparing to do a lot more temple-rubbing.</p>
<p>Here’s my questions, though:
- “Language and TOEFL Test Scores
Most information is provided to program students by lecture (because few text books exist on the subjects studied.) Therefore, a strong command of idiomatic, conversational English is essential; and thus, a significant factor in acceptance.” <- I’ve seen this enough to know that I don’t have to take the TOEFL, but what is this language test and does it apply to me? </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Am I allowed to apply to multiple schools, i.e. Hench and the critical studies program, at the same time? I’ve seen that it’s possible at other universities, but not generally recommended because it looks indecisive. </p></li>
<li><p>If I got accepted for critical studies, would it be possible to switch over to animation later? I’m thinking not, but if I submit a portfolio, say at the end of freshman year or by sophomore year, would it be possible? That seems dumb to ask, now that I think of it, but I figure that I should ask to put it to rest anyway.</p></li>
<li><p>How does USC’s creative writing/English program stack up against other schools? I’ve gotten a lot stuff about going to UChicago, which seems like a school that scouts about everyone (though I did visit it and it was a nice school), and Yale has been, as well. And then there’s all those other miscellaneous colleges. I mostly want to go to USC on the strength of its film programs because it’s… impressive, to say the very least. I’m also a bit of a sap, so I’m hooked on that idea of the “California Dream”, which I’m aware might be a bit of a farce. But it’s part of the reason I have emotional connection to USC. Also, Mark Danielewski is an alum, though he first went to Yale. UChicago is close to home, surrounded by a good city, and has Harry Dresden. Yale is Yale, but they apparently call themselves “Yalies”, which is an awful, awful word.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>This is getting to be a block of text. In short, why should I go to USC if I can get an education of the same caliber closer to home?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If I don’t get accepted into John C. Hench, is it possible to get accepted to the school at all? I’m not sure if that wording makes complete sense.</p></li>
<li><p>I would probably be applying through QuestBridge, if I got through as a finalist for their College Match thing. I’m not holding my breath, but how would that work for the application process?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Here’s my stats:
ACT (composite, reading, English, science, math, writing): 33 - 35, 34, 32, 31, 8 of 12 (I died on the prompt)
SAT: not taking
I’d say that I’m in the top 5% of my class, as I’m ranked 1 out of about 300 or so.
AP courses: We don’t offer many, but I got a 5 on AP US and a 1 on AP Chem. There shouldn’t be any excuses for the latter, so I won’t give any. I’m taking AP Art, AP Lit/Comp, and AP Gov. this year. I take every honors course possible, and I was on an accelerated math and sciences track until I didn’t feel that I’d do well in AP Cal. I’m not sure why I didn’t do the same for Chem.</p>
<p>I’m an undercover Asian living in Tennessee. My dad is thoroughbred white bread, though.</p>
<p>Extracurriculars/accomplishments: *3rd-year wrestler (co-captain this year)
*4th-year Beta Club member (2nd-year as President)
*4-H: was a camp counselor for a week; went to 4-H Congress, which strives to show how the state’s legislature works
*Boys State participant: think 4-H Congress, but sponsored by the American Legion
*Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts alternate for film (no one got sick or died, so I didn’t get to go)
*Member of our school’s Associated Student Government for two years, was vice-president
*Member of National Honor Society for 2 years, with a leadership position this year
*Editor of school newspaper for a year; schedule conflicts didn’t allow for further
*Accepted into school’s student broadcast program twice; see above
*I tutor kids in credit recovery after school and aid them in their path towards graduation
*This isn’t really anything, but I won an art contest for our school system back in 8th grade for an anti-smoking thing. They put my drawing up on a billboard for two weeks, instead of the promised month and change for a burrito ad.
*Art Honor Society member
*Did Environthon - a field-based ecology trivia bowl competition - for a year, until our program dissolved (we had a clean sweep for first and second place every year that we went, since two teams were allowed from each school; we’ve gone to nationals a few times)
*I participated in a student council-type thing hosted by my school system to convene on what could improve our schools</p>
<p>I’m drawing a blank now, and I do apologize for all that text. I feel like we could be soul mates at this point now, since I’ve shared so much with you all. I also feel like I need a little bit of guidance more than anything else.</p>