Columbia University: How to Apply for 2026, Acceptance Rate, and What To Expect as a Columbia SOA Film Student

The BA in Film and Media Studies at Columbia University School of the Arts teaches students how to become accomplished film scholars and artists. The program is offered through Columbia College, the School of General Studies, and Barnard College and open to newly instated sophomores who declare the Film Studies major. 12 courses (36 credits) are required to graduate.

Students analyze films, screenplays, and directing techniques to develop one short film or write an original screenplay. They also discover how to deconstruct the technological and cultural significance of a film and how to write stories imbued with meaning. Though the undergraduate film program has heavier theoretical focus, undergraduates gain hands-on experience through internships with film companies, assisting on Columbia graduate film projects, and the option to join Columbia Undergraduate Film Productions (CUFP), a student-led organization.

Undergraduate alumni pursue careers writing, directing, and producing films; they also work in film distribution, public relations, and film archival services. Take a look at the year-over-year program breakdown:

Year 1​

Undergraduates complete their general education courses through their college, in addition to the prerequisite course for the film major: Introduction to Film and Media Studies (FILM UN1000).

FILM UN1000 is offered at the start of each semester and examines film through the lens of aesthetics, history, theory, and criticism. Along with examining the evolution of Hollywood and how other artistic movements have shaped the industry, students learn how global warming and terrorism have impacted creating and distributing movies.

7 electives from the following list are required across two semesters:

• FILM UN2130: American Film: Comedy
• FILM UN2132: American Film: Cult ＆ Exploitation
• FILM UN2134: American Film: The Western
• FILM UN2136: American Film: Film Noir
• FILM UN2290: Topics in World Cinema: Arab and Africa
• FILM UN2292: Topics in World Cinema: China
• FILM UN2294: WORLD CINEMA: LATIN AMERICA
• FILM UN2310: THE DOCUMENTARY TRADITION
• FILM UN3010: AUTEUR STUDY
• FILM UN3013: Auteur Studies: Chantal Akerman’s Cinema, Writing and Moving Images
• FILM UN3910: Senior Seminar in Filmmaking
• FILM UN3925: NARRATIVE STRAT-SCREENWRITING
• FILM UN3950: SEMINAR IN MEDIA: SERIALITY
• FILM GU4020: Brazilian Cinema: Cinema Novo and Beyond
• FILM GU4294: World Cinema: Latin America
• FILM GU4320: New Directions in Film and Philosophy
• FILM GU4300: Black Film and Media
• FILM GU4310: EXPERIMENTAL FILM ＆ MEDIA
• FILM GU4910: Seeing Narrative
• FILM GU4940: QUEER CINEMA
• FILM GU4953: Reality Television

Upon successful completion of FILM UN1000 at the end of the first year, students can declare the Film and Studies major.

Years 2-3​

In the second and third years of study, undergraduates take Laboratories in Screenwriting (FILM UN2420), Fiction Filmmaking (FILM UN2510), and Nonfiction Filmmaking (FILM UN2520) to develop their portfolio. To graduate with honors, they must take the Senior Seminar in Film Studies (FILM UN3900), a course that requires a thesis project that demonstrates high-level proficiency in film criticism. A maximum of four screenwriting and filmmaking classes can be counted towards the major.

Year 4​

In their final year of study, students draw upon their theoretical, cultural, and historical understanding of film in the Senior Seminar in Filmmaking (FILM UN3910) capstone course, which culminates in the creation of a thesis film. Alternatively, the Senior Seminar in Screenwriting (FILM UN3920) gives students the opportunity to develop a 30-page screenplay.

How to apply​

Before you apply, check to see if your high school coursework meets Columbia's minimum requirements. Home schooled applicants have unique guidelines. Then, submit the following:

1. Columbia University undergraduate application: Complete the Common Application, Coalition Application, or the QuestBridge Application along with the non-refundable application fee of $85. (If the application fee is a financial burden, submit this form to request a fee waiver.) Each version of the application requires:
   • A personal essay
   • A list of your achievements and academic accolades
   • Employment history
   • Autobiographical information
2. Answer Columbia-specific questions in the Writing Supplement: The Writing Supplement gives the Committee on Admissions a better idea of how you currently contribute to your community and what you'll bring to the program. Explain why you are a good fit for Columbia by answering these questions from the website:
   • List a selection of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy. (100 words or fewer)
   • Tell us about an aspect of your life so far or your lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia's multidimensional and collaborative environment. (150 words or fewer)
   • At Columbia, students representing a wide range of perspectives are invited to live and learn together. In such a community, questions and debates naturally arise. Please describe a time when you did not agree with someone and discuss how you engaged with them and what you took away from the interaction. (150 words or fewer)
   • In college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not anticipate. Please describe a situation in which you have navigated through adversity and discuss how you changed as a result. (150 words or fewer)
   • Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (150 words or fewer)
   • What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering? (150 words or fewer)
3. Secondary school profile: Provide official transcripts from all high schools attended, one high school counselor’s recommendation, your school profile, and one completed mid-year report.
4. Two letters of recommendation: Upload two letters of recommendation from two high school instructors who taught you in academic courses. Personal recommendations from friends and family members are not allowed.

If your application is delayed by a medical emergency or a natural disaster, email an extension request as soon as possible to ugrad-ask@columbia.edu. For more information about the undergraduate application process, read Columbia's FAQ page.

Ready to apply?​

Get started through the Common Application, Coalition on Scoir, or QuestBridge.