Columbia University General Admissions Requirements for Graduates for 2026 Entry

Before you apply to Columbia University School of the Arts for graduate film, take a look at the general application requirements:
  1. Complete the application: Fill out the online application and submit the the non-refundable $110 application fee. To request a fee waiver, you must fall into one of the categories below and email proof of status to the Office of Admissions soaadmissions@columbia.edu:
    • Veteran of the U.S. armed forces
    • Foreign national who is externally or internally displaced with refugee status or who has received US asylum or submitted a US asylum application
    • Alumnus of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).
    • Undergraduate Pell Grant Recipient
  2. Upload transcripts: Graduate applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution at the time they matriculate into Columbia University School of the Arts. Upload a scanned copy of your transcripts from the institution from which you received your bachelor's degree. Columbia only requires official transcripts after you are admitted; they must be sent by June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Request that each institution you attended sends an electronic copy of your transcripts to Columbia School of the Arts at soaadmissions@columbia.edu.
    • If the institution you attended does not have electronic transcript delivery or a vendor for electronic delivery, write to soaadmissions@columbia.edu and include a link to the institution’s website that outlines its transcript orders and delivery. Columbia School of the Arts will reach out with more information.
    • International applicants have unique transcript requirements:
      • Unofficial and official transcripts must be translated into English.
      • If you attended a Chinese institution, contact CHESICC to arrange submission of a “Verification Report of China Higher Education Student’s Academic Transcript” and a “Verification Report of China Higher Education Qualification Certificate” (for those earning a degree in China) to the School of the Arts at soaadmissions@columbia.edu.
      • All other applicants who attended an international university must submit an electronic transcript, bearing that the institution offers secure online delivery. If the institution cannot send transcripts electronically, contact World Education Services (WES) and order a Course-by-Course Evaluation and International Credential Advantage Package to be sent to soaadmissions@columbia.edu.
  3. Three letters of recommendation: Provide three letters of recommendation from collegiate academic instructors and professional contacts who can speak to your creative ability and potential. Personal references from friends and family are not allowed. After you input your recommenders’ contact information, they will receive an email with instructions on how to upload their letters.
    1. If you received a bachelor’s degree in the past 5 years, at least one letter of recommendation must come from an instructor at that institution.
    2. Letters of recommendation must be submitted via the online portal no later than one week after the application deadline. Letters submitted after this date may not be reviewed, and your application may therefore be disqualified.
  4. Creative materials: Each MFA degree has unique portfolio requirements. Your creative materials must clearly state your name, date of birth, name of program to which you are applying, and title of the material (dramatic writing sample, autobiographical essay, etc). The School of the Arts does not provide portfolio or application material reviews. Learn about each MFA's requirements:

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Ready to apply?​


Click here to begin the graduate film application.
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