I know it is still nearly 4 months away until November and the application due date, but I think when you start working on your app, you will realize that 4 months isn't that far away, so I am starting a discussion thread now, especially for the first time applicants, so that you can pose questions to those of us that are going through this a second time. So, here we go. I will start this off by telling you a little bit about myself. I reached the interview stage at UCLA after applying for the first time. I received my degree from a Big Ten college in English with a creative writing emphasis, and I studied under a couple of novelists in a program headed up by a national book award finalist who had his novel adapted into a feature film. This year, I am attending an MFA fiction program and will be doing UCLA's professional program--and I will be reapplying to UCLA's screenwriting for fall 2012

geez, 2 mfas? that's a bunch of education, buddy.

I an planning on applying to UCLA for screenwriting; im only 22, with little field experience and a less than stellar gpa. Do I stand a chance?

@lovelyamedown: From what I know about the UCLA process, it doesn't matter what your GPA or experience is. What matters is whether you can write or not. A good gpa and experience can help, but in the end, it is your writing portfolio that will help you to at least get to the interview stage. If you don't have a lot of screenplays or teleplays, include poems, short stories, etc... You need to show that you can write. @jackgradus: yes, 2 MFAs--god forbid I have an education and am making myself marketable. If you are going to be disrespectful, go find another site to post at.

Come on...university for SCREENWRITING!!!! JUST WRITE THE STORY!

STORT STRUCTURE, STORY STRUCTURE, STORY STRUCTURE - go see Kal's excellent work at http://www.clickok.co.uk/index4.html

I'm applying. Do they want a sampling of your material or could you just throw down 2 feature lengths and call it a day?

They want up to 200 pages worth of stuff, whether it is a screenplay, poem, short fiction, creative non-fiction. Whatever. I would send a variety of writing if you have it. I made it to the interview by sending in a sitcom pilot, a short story, a poem, and a work of creative non-fiction. I would error on the side of showing that you are versatile in your writing.It truly depends on who you are as a writer and what writing you feel best represents you. If you feel that your 2 screenplays are your best works, send them. If you feel that one screenplay is stronger than the other, send the better one, and if you feel that you have other works that are stronger than your worst screenplay, send those, too. What you send is up to you.

Cool thanks.

I think my best bet will be just to submit two feature lengths as I don't write poetry, short stories etc...

My friend who got an interview last year suggested that I just large chunks of scenes, but he also sent some short stories.

I'm betting they want to know that I can write a structurally sound piece, so I don't see any alternatives aside from sending in a few shorts.

i'm interested in this program too, and preparing it now. i want to ask that how you describe and introduce yourself in your personal statement?
it's my first year to apply.

I submitted my application last Friday to UCLA. It felt really good to get it done early this year. Hopefully it's good enough to get me past the interview stage this year. I am truly enjoying doing the Professional Program, and I feel I've learned more about writing (not just screenwriting) in the past several weeks than I have in several years. If anyone is planning on applying to UCLA's MFA program, and you have a year to spare, I highly recommend taking it--they offer the course online through Skype, so you can take it from anywhere. Anyone else finish their application? @amaryllis, in regard to the personal statement--be true to yourself. You are introducing the faculty to you, so let them know who you are the best you can. That's about the only advice I, or anyone else can really give.

By the way, as a tip on what to submit, what to put in the personal statement, etc... I am not an expert. I am not. But, I did get accepted into more than one MFA creative writing program, and the truth is, from what I understand, that multiple people help decide who gets into any MFA program. There is no UCLA, USC, etc... way of thinking, because you are dealing with multiple professors who have different thought processes. There is no sure creative piece or key thing to put in your portfolio or personal statement. All you can do is submit what you think is your best work and write the personal statement that best represents who you are. Don't worry about guessing what UCLA wants, because you can't and won't guess it. Be yourselves--the best selves you possibly can be, and leave the decision making up to where it is--with the faculty. That's my advice, anyway.

I just applied to UCLA as well. I sent in my application last week, and my final recommendation went out today, so it's official. I haven't taken the GREs yet, so my application options are limited, but I plan on applying to Chapman as well. This is my first time applying for a screenwriting MFA. This is all very exciting.

If I don't get in to either school this time around, I plan on making the move to California anyway, and have my sights set on the UCLA Professional Program.

Just sent my application today, though I'm still waiting for my recommenders to respond. I assume it'll get done at the last minute. I agree with what others have said about being yourself in the personal statement. Without being guaranteed an interview, it's one of the few ways to introduce yourself to the admissions committee.

I'm curious to see how my application plays out, since I applied to the screenwriting MFA but made note that I'm going to pursue the Creating, Writing, and Producing for Television track if I get in. I was hesitant to come out and say that on my application, but I'm not going to BS them and I want them considering me in light of that program, and not a standard feature writing MFA.

Either way, nervous as all hell. This whole process is so subjective.

One of my recommenders is cutting it close, too. So, it's okay if I send the application without all the recs? (As long as they submit the rec by Nov. 1st, of course)

Yes, it is okay to submit your app without your recommender having submitted their letter. They can still send their letter in after you've submitted the app. Plus, if UCLA is missing anything from your app, someone will contact you later on about it. But, I would try to get everything in as complete as possible, as soon as possible. If your app is complete, with the exception of the letter, by all means, submit it. Just make sure you remind your recommender, and if it were me, I would be safe and have a backup recommender.

Thanks, honeybadger

@filmclassicgirl: No problem. By the way, the deadline for postmarking your app is tomorrow, everyone. Nov. 1st. I'm sure that you've all had it drilled into your brains. I hope everyone is finishing up.

Its MFA Screenwriting 2012 Application Deadline Day! Who has already turned their app in, or is working up to the deadline to get their app out? Good luck, everyone!

hey all,

I'm presuming everyone has sent off their application long back......i myself have applied for the production / directing program....good luck to all.

Submitted by still waiting on a final recommender. Going to send a reminder email out today along with links to my USC app. I'm assuming it shouldn't be too problematic with the app; still stressful though.