Thank you for your interest in The Peter Stark Producing Program, a Graduate Master of Fine Arts program in the USC School of Cinematic Arts. This section includes everything needed to apply to the USC Graduate School and The Peter Stark Program-you must be accepted by both. The information here is specific.
Please read all the following information carefully. Every detail is important. There are three main sections:
Application Overview
Incomplete applications, or applications not submitted as requested, cannot be considered. Please check this page for information before contacting the program. Although we like talking with you, our office is small. To help us out, please direct all housing and financial aid questions to their respective departments.
Admission to any program at the USC School of Cinematic Arts is competitive. The program directors seek superior students who are creative entrepreneurs with a passion and commitment to the film and television industry and to producing. The Peter Stark Program is highly selective, and enrollment is limited to 25 students each year. The current admission ratio is about eight applicants for every available place. Acceptance to the program is contingent upon acceptance by USC.
Application Deadline - Fall 2012
December 1 (Fall Semester)
There is no spring admission for this program.
This is the application deadline for all material - USC Application for Graduate Admission, official transcripts, test scores and supplemental.
Note: Application deadlines for the School of Cinematic Arts are subject to change.
All matters relating to admission are the applicant's responsibility. When submitting an application, make sure you have completed all screens of the online process. The online application system allows you to check your application to verify your application materials have been uploaded and received.
Paying the application fee does not ensure you have submitted your application. If the online process is completed correctly, applicants will receive an e-mail verification that specifically states their online application was submitted. If you don't receive this e-mail with your application ID number, contact AY Help immediately to insure your application is submitted for review.
Notification & Deposit - Accepted Applicants
Decisions will be made by February 22. Accepted applicants are notified by telephone. They will have until March 14th to confirm their intent to enroll and send the Peter Stark Program a $1,000 commitment deposit payable to USC. This deposit is non-refundable but will be credited to the student's fall tuition. Make your decision carefully since admission cannot be deferred. Official acceptance will come from USC Admissions and is subject to verification of degrees, grades, and test scores by the university. Admission to the program is contingent upon acceptance to the university's Graduate School.
Each entering class is limited to 25 students. Notification letters will be sent to the current address indicated on the USC application. Those selected for the waiting list will get a waiting list letter. Those not selected will receive a letter notifying them as well.
Waiting List
A short waiting list will be selected and kept until the end of August in case any of the first 25 are unable to attend, but no formal waiting list will be maintained from year to year. Unsuccessful applicants, including waiting list candidates who did not get a place, may apply again, and should follow the Graduate Admissions reapplication procedures as well as contact the Peter Stark office.
International Students
The Peter Stark Program has a long history of cultural diversity. From the beginning, International students have been a part of the Stark student body and today comprise about one-fourth of the students - though quotas or limits are not part of the selection process and all Starkies are selected only because their application is one of the 25 strongest. In the past we have had students from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Columbia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Liberia, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Venezuela and Vietnam.
Application Elements
Each application is carefully evaluated based on the following elements:
Interviews
Admission Interviews are conducted between July 1st and December 1st. In person interviews are most useful for both the application committee as well as the applicants, so please call our office at 213.740.3304 early to schedule an appointment, as they fill. In the event you cannot interview in person, please call to schedule a short phone interview. If we cannot accommodate you for either, due to high demand your application will still get full consideration.
If you would like to schedule a tour while at USC for an interview, there are two options:
- Tours of the School of Cinematic Arts are offered through Student Services. For availability and reservations, call 213.740.8358.
- Campus Tours (not specific to the School of Cinematic Arts) are offered through Admissions. They are typically 55 minutes and are offered on the hour. Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm. For availability and reservations, call 213.740.6605.
Grade-Point Average (GPA)
A bachelor's degree (awarded no later than September 1 of the entering fall semester) from an accredited college or university is required. Applicants are expected to have a minimum grade-point average of B (3.0) including all undergraduate grades (major and non-major). Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. If an applicant has completed a Master's or other advanced degree, the university will consider GPA from that degree. If advanced degree is still in progress, undergraduate GPA will be evaluated. (All students are admitted into the Peter Stark Program on a "conditional" status. During the first semester students must complete 12 units with a minimum 3.0, "B" GPA, in order to continue. After the first semester, students meeting the conditions will have regular graduate status; those who do not will be dropped.)
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test
The GRE General Test is required for admission. The application committee will consider your Verbal and Quantitative scores on the exam. Beginning August 2011, the exam has a new format. We will accept scores from both the new and old formats. GRE General Test scores may not be more than five years old at the time of application for admission. Make arrangements directly with Educational Testing Service (www.gre.org or www.ets.org) to take the exam. The GRE is given worldwide. There is a fee for taking the GRE. Register early, as they may run out of spaces.
USC's institution code for GRE Registration is 4852.There is no Department Code.
Students with a documented learning disability can arrange to take an untimed GRE. Make arrangements early.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores
International students are required to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) unless their first language is English or they have a degree from a college or university in an English-speaking country (United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, USA etc.). The minimum required TOEFL score is: 250 on the CBT (Computer Based Test), 100 on the IBT (Internet Based Test), or 600-603 on the PBT (Paper Based Test). The minimum required IELTS score is 7. These scores may not be more than two years old at the time of application.
USC's institution code for TOEFL Registration is 4852.There is no Department Code.
Language
Most information is provided to students by lecture. This is because few text books exist on the subjects studied or can be current enough. Therefore, a strong command of idiomatic, conversational English is essential, and thus, an important factor in acceptance.
Transcripts
Official transcripts from all Colleges or Universities you list in the online system must be submitted in two forms: Request original copies of official transcripts to be sent directly from your institution to Graduate Admissions at:
USC Office of Graduate Admissions
3601 South Flower Street
Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
High School transcripts are not needed. Aside from the submission processes outlined above, it is our strong recommendation you keep an extra official sealed copy of your transcripts, in case they are requested down the line.
If you are accepted into the program, you will be asked to provide proof that your degree has been awarded.
Online Application
All following materials must be submitted through the university's online application. The online system may have provision for materials required by other programs, but we only require submission of materials specified herein.
Recommendations
We require (3) three recommendations. More will not be reviewed. Rather than letters, recommenders are to complete each section of the online application system's questionnaire, including the information about the recommender and the confidential questions about the applicant. The recommender should not upload a letter. Uploaded letters will not be read.
If you ask for more than three recommendations, only the first three will be considered, so choose carefully. Recommendations should come from diverse sources. Two from the same job or internship count as only one. You should ask no more than one academic recommender. These are least helpful to us, and therefore to you. Recommenders should know you well and be familiar with your work, commitment, and achievements. Do not ask for recommendations from relatives.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
To give us a full idea of you as a person, in addition to your education and work experience, please include activities that show your interests, skills and passions. Your resume can be up to (3) three pages. Also, include a section for travel, artistic experience and creative projects. Do not send essays on your travels. Do not send films, videos, portfolios, scripts, or work samples. They can neither be reviewed, nor returned.
Personal Statement
One (1) page only.We know this is difficult, and for those able to accomplish it, what you choose to say in that one page tells us important things about you. For our comfort in reviewing, use reasonable margins and spacing on the page. Either single or double spacing is fine. Please, no small print. Selection emphasis is placed on this statement. It should include:
- Why do you want to attend the Stark Program?
- What are your career/professional goals? Where ideally do you hope to be in 8 years?
- What will you do if you do not get into the Peter Stark Producing Program?
Be specific. General or vague information does not help us get to know you.
Personal Information
One (1) page total:
- Describe (no more than half a page) an emotionally significant experience in your life and how it affected you. This should be one specific experience not an extension of your Personal Statement.
- Do you perceive any weaknesses/shortcomings in yourself? Please detail/amplify. We know that many successful people make weaknesses into strengths. There is no need to comment on that. Instead, we're looking for an honest assessment.
Application Procedures
The application to the USC Graduate School is through the online application system. On this system, the applicant can upload the materials required by both the Graduate School and the Peter Stark Program. Please read the instructions carefully at the Graduate Admissions Web site.
It is the applicant's responsibility to check the system to see if transcripts, scores and recommendations have been received and if the application is complete. You can log in at any time, even if you have already submitted your online application. If you do not receive an e-mail confirming your application submission, complete with your application ID number, your application has not been submitted for review.
It is your responsibility to follow up immediately with AY Help at ayhelp@usc.edu, if it is a technical issue or with Graduate Admissions for general problems at 213.740.1111 or gradadm@usc.edu. Keep the Peter Stark Program informed of any problems or issues.
Applicants must submit all of the following:
- Application Form
Program Code Number is: 959
Program is: Peter Stark
Degree is: Master - Application Fee
See the Graduate Admissions Web site for the amount and details. - Transcripts
Official transcripts from all Colleges or Universities attended must be submitted. Request original copies of official transcripts to be sent directly from your institution to Graduate Admissions at:USC Office of Graduate Admissions
Additionally, request a copy of your transcript for yourself. Scan and upload your copy into the online application system. (If you are accepted into the program, you will be asked to provide proof that your degree has been awarded.)
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915 - GRE Scores (Required For Admission)
See information in the Application Elements section above.
Input scores onto the online application form and request official copy be sent directly to Graduate Admissions. - TOEFL or IELTS (International only)
Input scores onto online application form and request official copy be sent directly to Graduate Admissions. - Supplemental Materials
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Personal Information
- Recommendations
Three (3) recommendations to be submitted by the recommenders using the online application system. - Financial Guarantee (International only)