The School of Communication, the Career Center and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations invite you to apply for and participate in the 2025ÌýAU SOC L.A. Intensive Program from May 14-20, 2025.
COST
$1,400.00 (not including transportation to and from L.A. and 5 meals). This program cannot be used for academic credit. Scholarships are available on a limited basis and are highly competitive.Ìý
PURPOSE
The L.A. Intensive is designed for the rising junior, senior, graduating senior, graduate student, or recent AU alum (either undergraduate or graduates 2023 or 2024) with a focus in the field of entertainment--including television and film--who wants to meet alumni and industry professionals through site visits, meetings, panel discussions, and social events.
OUTCOME
By the end of the L.A. Intensive, the participants will have business cards and contacts for future conversations as well as a better understanding of
The industry and landscape for work in the field of communication, specifically television and film in L.A.Ìý
The opportunities and challenges of working and living in L.A.Ìý
How to launch one’s career in L.A. This understanding will be demonstrated in an exit interview at the end of the program.
2023 L.A. Intensive Information
Learn more about the 2023 L.A. Intensive fromÌýthis informational session with Senior Director of Experiential Learning Sarah Menke-Fish and SOC Career Advisor Felicia Parks.
What Is The L.A. Intensive?
This programÌýis designed for the rising junior, senior, graduating senior, graduate student or recent AU alum with a focus in the field of entertainment.
Selected
Eligibility
How to Apply
Cost
The L.A. Intensive is competitive.ÌýIn 2024, 52 students applied and 14 were selected.ÌýMeeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
14 students will be selected for the May 14-20, 2025 program.Ìý
This program is open to all Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ students, graduates, and recent alums.Ìý
Undergraduate students with the completion of 75 undergraduate credit hoursÌý
Graduate Students
Recent graduates (either undergraduate or graduates 2023, 2024)
Requirements Include:
Students who are in good academic and judicial standing or recent graduates with review of student file
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0Ìý
Completion of 75 undergraduate credit hoursÌý
Completion of this application and essay, including the name of an AU faculty member who can be contacted as a referenceÌý
Upon Acceptance
Acceptance to the program is conditional. There is a series of milestones that must be met before you can officially participate, these include
Proof of health insuranceÌý
Academic self-audit with SOC AdvisingÌýAttendance at pre-departure meetingsÌý
Clearance of all restrictions to registrationÌý
Applications for the 2024 L.A. Intensive will close onÌýMonday, October 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM (ET).ÌýÌý
Interested students should complete the and be prepared to submit their current resume and a statement of purpose.Ìý
Applicants will be notified of their acceptances by Monday, October 28, 2024.
Application Materials:Ìý
You MUST submit these two (2) documents for your application to be considered.Ìý
1. ResumeÌý
2. Statement of purpose in 600 words or less that:Ìý
Lists your name and preferred e-mail address at the top.
Gives us an overview of what makes you tick, who you are, and where you're headed.Ìý
Describes what you hope to get out of the program and your career goals.Ìý
Describes what you have to offer that makes you stand out as someone who will make the most of the experience.
Is proofread carefully.Ìý
Applications will be evaluated on the quality of the application materials.ÌýPreference will be given to those who demonstrate a career focus and professionalism through the application process. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed. Space is limited on the trip, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance in the program.Ìý
Timeline for those accepted into the AU SOC LA Intensive:
There are some milestones that must be met before you can officially enroll. These include:Ìý
Submit a $500 non-refundable deposit (cash, credit, or debit) by December 6, 2024
Submit final payment $900 by March 3, 2025
Attend the three pre-departure meetings December, February, and April
Meet with SOC Advisor, Felicia Parks to review your resume (December-January)
Submit your approved resume, short bio, and photo by March 18, 2025.
Questions?Ìý
Call Sarah Menke-Fish, Asst. Professor & Senior Director of Experiential Learning,Ìý202-885-2026
$1,400.00 (not including transportation to and from L.A. and 5Ìýmeals)
Deposit of $500 Due December 6, 2024Ìý
Final Payment of $900 Due March 3, 2025
Limited Scholarships Available
This program cannot be used for academic credit.Ìý
Questions?
Contact Sarah Menke-Fish, Assistant Dean of Experiential Learning at 202-885-2026Ìýor smenke@american.edu.
Young alumni @ AU West including Jeff Della Serra, A.J. Berna, and L.A. Intensive 2018 participants
Thursday, May 16
10:30 a.m.—1 p.m.
Site Visit @ CBS with Clyde Kaplan
1—3 p.m.
Lunch at The Grove
6:30 p.m.
Entertainment and Media Alumni Alliance Networking Reception @ the Intercontinental Hotel, Century City, featuring Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Eddie Leavy, Anedra Edwards, and Natalie Sasser.
Friday, May 17
10:00—11:30 a.m.
Danielle Gelber and Amber Glancy @ "AU West"
12—2 p.m.
Lunch and Conversation with Roya Vakili @ "AU West"
12—2 p.m.
Site Visit to Echo Lake Management with Claudia Myers
3 p.m.
Roy Lee @ "AU West"
6 p.m.
Dinner and Conversation with Barry Josephson, hosted by Barry and Brooke Josephson
Saturday, May 18
9:30—11 a.m.
Visit with Liz Kruger and Craig Shapiro, writers for the reboot of Charmed
3—5 p.m.
Conversation with Rob Chiappetta and Michael Menachem @ "AU West"
5 p.m.
Dinner and Presentation with Andrew Greenberger @ "AU West"
Sunday, May 19
All day
Independent/Small Group Student choice day: Universal Studios, Disney, Santa Monica Beach, Getty Museum, Walk of Stars, meet with other contacts, coordinate logistics for staying in L.A. after the Intensive program concludes
Monday, May 20
11 a.m.
Afshin Shahidi @ "AU West"
2—5 p.m
Site Visit @ Nickelodeon Animation Studio
7 p.m.
Adam Goodman @ "AU West"
Tuesday, May 21
10 AM—1 p.m.
Site Visit @ Amblin Studios with Darryl Frank
2—4 p.m.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
5 p.m.
Site Visit and Dinner @ The CW Network with Mitch Nedick, Dana Bramble, and Anedra Edwards