Application Procedures
OVERVIEW
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 – THERE ARE 3 MAIN SECTIONS: Application Overview, Application Elements and Application Procedures.
Incomplete applications, or applications not submitted as requested, can not 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. It is possible, but not advisable to apply to more than one at a time. Successful applicants are committed to producing and to The Peter Stark Program. Before you apply to the producing program, please take time to learn the difference between the terms "producing" and "production." Applicants who try to use these terms interchangeably make their message very confusing to us.
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
There is no spring admission for this program.
The application deadline for all material - USC Application for Graduate Admission, official transcripts, test scores and supplemental materials is:
December 10 - for fall admission. Applications may be submitted from July 1. Applications are now submitted online.
Note: Application deadlines for the School of Cinematic Arts are subject to change.
All matters relating to admission are the applicant's responsibility.
Notification and Deposit
Accepted Applicants
Applicants will be notified of the admission decision, usually by March 17. Accepted applicants are notified by telephone unofficially. 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 different letter. Official acceptance is subject to verification of Degrees, Grades, and Test Scores by the University and that will come from USC Admissions. Admission to the program is contingent upon acceptance to the university's Graduate School. Accepted students will be requested to send to the Peter Stark Program a $1000 deposit payable to USC by April 15 to confirm intent to enroll. This deposit is non-refundable but will be credited to the student's fall tuition. Make your decision carefully since admission may not be deferred.
Waiting List
A short waiting list will be selected and kept until 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 and 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 usually comprise about one-fifth 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, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liberia, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey.
APPLICATION ELEMENTS
Each application is carefully evaluated by program directors of the Peter Stark Producing Program, based on the following elements:
Interviews
No Interview is required, but we want to meet you if possible. The interview period is September 1 to December 10. We have no specific questions, just want to know you as a person. Please call early. Appointments fill quickly. If you can't come in during those times, we will try and accommodate you, otherwise try to talk to us by telephone at least once to ask any questions you have. We may call some applicants if we have questions, or request an interview, during late stages of review. Such a call or request is not an indication of standing.
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
All applicants, including those with advanced degrees, must submit GRE General Test scores. Other tests (for example, the Graduate Management Admission Test or Law School Admission Test) are not acceptable. 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. GRE exams may be taken by computer as late as January 15, as long as scores are communicated to the Peter Stark Program immediately.
USC's institution code for GRE Registration is 4852. There is no Department Code.
A GRE General Test composite score (between Verbal and Quantitative sections) of 1000 or higher, though we are looking for scores over 1100. The average score of those accepted is about 1250. Maximum possible composite is 1600. No subject exam is required.
Students with a recognized learning disability can arrange to take an untimed GRE. Make arrangements early. No exceptions can be made for low scores. The GRE may be taken repeatedly. Only the highest Verbal and Quantitative scores will be considered and need not be earned on the same testing. Applicants should allow time to retake the GRE should they not be happy with their scores, for any reason--even through no fault of their own. No application can be considered without a GRE Score. Decisions cannot be delayed while awaiting GRE Scores.
If you take the GRE exam after submitting your application, have your scores reported to USC and in addition, mail, fax or e-mail an informal report of your scores to the Peter Stark Program. We will verify the informal score against your actual report later in the application process.
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 Tet). The minimum required IELTS score is 7. These scores may not be more than two years old at the time of application. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure all required materials are received by the deadline.
Language
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.
Letters of Recommendation
Three (3) only recommendations are required. If you submit more than three, 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 may send one academic reference, but never more than one. 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 submit letters from relatives. Letters of recommendation may be any length. You are highly encouraged to submit the letters of recommendation through the University's online application. Recommenders who will not use the online process may send their letters directly to:
Professor Lawrence Turman
Chair, Peter Stark Program
USC School of Cinematic Arts
University Park
850 W. 34th Street, Lucas 302
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Travel, artistic experience and creative projects can be included on an additional page. Please just list these accomplishments. 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 total. Typed on one side of the paper. 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. 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?
What do you expect to do if you don’t get into the Peter Stark Producing Program?
Be clear and be specific. General or vague information does not help us get to know you.
Personal Information
One (1) page total:
a. Describe (no more than half a page) about an emotionally powerful or significant experience in your life and how it affected you. This should be one specific experience. This is not an extension of your Personal Statement.
b. Do you perceive any weaknesses/shortcomings in yourself? Please detail/amplify.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Applying to USC Graduate School is now primarily on the Apply Yourself 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 website. If you have a general problem completing an online application, contact Graduate Admissions per their instructions. If you have a problem submitting an individual component of the application online, see the sections below for alternative means.
You can track what's been received by logging into your Apply Yourself account. Keep the Peter Stark Program informed of any problems or issues.
Applicants must submit all of the following directly to the office indicated:
To USC Graduate Admissions:
(check instructions on their Web site)
1. Application Form
Program Code Number is: 959
Program is: Peter Stark
Degree is: Master
2. Application Fee
See the Graduate Admissions website for the amount and details.
3. 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 and have a copy sent directly to the Peter Stark Program. (It can make sense to retain an extra sealed copy yourself as well as a back-up).
4. GRE Scores
Input scores onto the online application form and request official copy be sent directly to Graduate Admissions. If test is taken after you submit your application, contact the Peter Stark program with the scores and request an official copy be sent directly to Graduate Admissions.
5. TOEFL or IELTS (International only)
Input scores onto online application form and request official copy be sent directly to Graduate Admissions. As with the GRE, if the test is taken after you submit your application, contact the Peter Stark Program with the scores and request an official copy be sent directly to Graduate Admissions.
6. Supplemental Materials
a. Resume
b. Personal Statement
c. Personal Information
Applicants should upload all of the above documents onto the online application system.
7. Letters of Recommendation
Submit 3 letters of recommendation using the online application system. If one or more of your recommenders is unable to use the online system, have them send their letter directly to the Peter Stark Program on their letterhead or with contact information.
8. Financial Guarantee (International only)
To the Peter Stark Program:
1. Peter Stark Program Application Form
Download here and send directly to the Peter Stark Producing Program by mail, fax, or e-mail (contact details below).
2. Official sealed copy of College or University Transcript(s).
3. Any letters from recommenders unable to use the online application system.
4. GRE/TOEFL/IELTS scores taken after submitting your online application OR taken after December 10 and before January 15.
5. Call to schedule an interview (see ‘Interview’ section of ‘Application Elements’)
The Peter Stark Producing Program
USC School of Cinematic Arts
University Park
850 W. 34th Street, Lucas 302
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211
Tel; 213.740.3304
Fax: 213.745.6652
E-mail: pstark@cinema.usc.edu
Admission Checklist
Peter Stark Producing Program
USC Office of Admission
213.740.1111
• USC Application for Admission
• Official Transcripts (from all colleges and universities attended)
• GRE Scores (and TOEFL for international applicants)
USC School of Cinematic Arts
Peter Stark Producing Program
213.740.3304
• Peter Stark Program Application Form
• Résumé/Curriculum Vitae
• Personal Statement
• Personal Information
• Letters of Recommendation
