Originally Posted By ecdc After years of going to school and saying my current life is temporary, it's time to make the leap of faith. I've decided against teaching for the time being and I really want to pursue a full-time editing/writing career. I've always wanted to be a screenwriter. It's just been a pipe dream in the back of my head and over the last several months it's moved to the front. I'm going to be applying to some graduate screenwriting programs (MFA) and would love any advice at all anyone can offer. My first choice is obviously the UCLA Film School program, which is amazing but very competitive (their stats show they accept roughly 12% of applicants). Other great places are USC and Loyala Marymount. Here's a couple of questions for any LPers that might know: 1) What other programs should I look at? 2) What should I know going into the application process that I probably don't 3) Any advice for writing my statement of purpose? For example, how specific should I be? I'd love to write both documentaries and features, but should I only focus on one or the other? 4) What are they looking for in letters of recommendation? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I'm from Utah and have had no involvement in the industry. I don't know the unwritten rules. I'm also open to candid feedback If this is the worst idea you've ever heard, tell me why. Many, many thanks!
