riot

csssa 2018 starts tomorrow!!! yikes!! here are a few tips for everyone who’s pressed about registration day (i feel u omg)

1) like the pamphlet says: u DONT have to do everything in order! it’s best to check in with ur department first to get everything underway but other than that you’re good

2) the meds line does get pretty long. if ur someone who has a lot of medication to drop off, it’s best to do that as one of the first things. just follow the pink signs down with ur parents! (side note: you DONT need to go to the meds line if you have over the counter stuff. it’s only for prescription!)

3) it’s a good idea to get to the dorms early so u can dump all of your stuff and feel at ease with the living situation. you’ll meet your RA and get your key then but won’t know your roommates until they all just show up in your room lol

4) the ID and photo line will be long but don’t sweat it. it does go fast and if you’ve dropped off ur meds/done housing before the line, you shouldn’t feel rushed

5) the department registration, ID, field trip paying (CASH ONLY!!!!!!), and meds station all take place in the main building which is the one with the iconic blue Cal Arts wall. for dorms and housing, you’re going to walk to your right (if you’re facing the blue wall from the parking lot) to Chouinard Hall. it’s a small walk but you’re gonna want to bring your luggage with u because of the heat

6) get there as soon as u can! a lot of people will show up at 9 so it might feel overwhelming, but it’s worth it. i got there at 9:30 last year and was all checked in by 12 so i had plenty of time to run to target/Von’s and get all the things i forgot before the opening speech and stuff

hi hello!

dude, i feel your situation so much. it’s so easy to think that your application is hot garbage compared to other ones, but that’s just because (cliche) you’re the hardest on your own work. 

that being said: my tips to someone who is applying to cw are to write what you know in ways that others don’t. cryptic, but let me explain.

the biggest leg up you have are your experiences because nobody else can write about those things. maybe i’m biased because i write mostly nonfiction so this is what i know best, but drawing from your own experiences always helps to make a well rounded set of characters and plot. even if i was writing fictional pieces, i’d still take inspiration from the ways that i interpret things to be sure that what i was producing was 100% authentic to me. when you master your own writing style and learn how to draw from your experiences, you’re able to create amazing pieces that sound genuine even if they’re fake.

another general tip i have for cw is to push all the boundaries you can. everyone can write a story about 2 people meeting in a cafe or a nasty break up, so why bother writing something like that when you’re an individual person who can write something that’s, again, unique to you? 

HI YES HELLO! i do know people who went for theatre last year and i actually applied for theatre as well and got in (but decided go to for creative writing instead) so i can help u out if u need advice on your app! 

if you can’t think of anything past the cliches, i’d suggest trying to figure out different ways to spin off the cliches. you could do the standard meet cute in a coffeeshop, but instead of a boy and a girl, it’s a boy and a vampire, or 2 undercover spies or something to make it more interesting. when you throw non-cliche elements into cliches, it makes it more compelling.

(wow this is late im so sorry) 

i was in state! i know a few people who applied for animation out of state and it is one of the more Competitive disciplines to get into, but there’s no harm in applying, especially if you’re super passionate about what you do. as long as you put in your best effort, i’m sure you’ll be 100% fine