Repeat Offenders

[Healthy Choice]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering what you're thoughts are on reapplying to the same school(s). I plan on applying to a few schools, but am realistic about both my chances of getting in as well as my current financial situation. Do you think that applying to the same school in consecutive years (assuming I wasn't accepted the first time around) can have an impact on how you're perceived either positively or negatively?

And on the second go around, what do you change? Personally, I think changing your statements and portfolio pieces make a lot of sense, but what about things like Letters of Recommendation?

Of course, much of this depends on what sort of feedback you get, if any at all. Plus, with so many applications there's a good chance no one remembers anything you've done.

Anyone have an experience?

 

[kazedragon]

I don't know about how true this is, but I have a feeling that multiple applications can actually help you. My reasoning is as follows:

1. Due to the amount of applications, your name and information is a very forgettable thing to most of the people who would review your application. However, the more times they see your application, your name would eventually get into their memories.

2. Should the people who are reviewing your resume think that you have potential, but aren't quite there yet, submitting again would give them the chance to see how you have grown until they perceive you are "ready."

That being said, since I have been applying multiple times, and haven't gotten in, perhaps my feeling should be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[Kevin Wilson]

Hey guys. I was rejected from NYU Grad Film the first time I applied and got in this year; we start class tomorrow. I can say from experience that persistence is the key. If you're rejected, it's not necessarily because you're not good.... good luck with wherever you apply this year. I'm sure you'll have good news soon!

 

[Healthy Choice]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the responses.

When you applied, did you receive any feedback on your application? How'd you know what was working and what wasn't? Was your application vastly different the 2nd time around?

 

[Kevin Wilson]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the responses.

When you applied, did you receive any feedback on your application? How'd you know what was working and what wasn't? Was your application vastly different the 2nd time around?

I never received any feedback as nyu doesn't provide feedback for their applicants. The biggest diff. between the two applications was that on the 1st, I wrote and said things I thought they wanted to hear. On the 2nd I was completely myself and couldn't care less what ppl thought. That seemed to work! So that's my advice to anyone applying.... Be yourself and write about things you're really passionate about.

 

[TheArsenal1886]

Re-applying to schools is very common and very much encouraged. No school will look negatively at your having applied before-- some even discount or completely waive your application fee for the next year. To echo the previous commenters, I would suggest taking a very honest look at your application if you don't get in the first time. You don't have to change anything you don't want to change, but, if I may be so blunt, they rejected your application for a reason, right?

I definitely want to reiterate that you should NOT be discouraged by being rejected the first time. I've seen so many people on this website and talked to so many people in real life now that have applied multiple times before getting in. Perseverance is a necessary quality to have in this industry, and they love to see applicants who aren't discouraged by previous stumbles.

Good luck, and hopefully you won't even have to worry about it at all!

 

[IndecisiveElle]

I'm preparing myself to reapply next year, not because I'm not feeling confident in my abilities, but simply because it's a reality and I want to have something to do in the mean time. I mentioned in another thread I previously attended the UCLA Professional Producing Program so I'd likely try to spend my summer doing a similar program that's focused on screenwriting. The UCLA PP has many offerings, but I'd probably look elsewhere to vary my experience. I've seen suggestions in my years of lurking on these forums that those sorts of programs can really help your chances the second go-around.

 

[Zaff]

Hi Indicisive, why you're not considering BU or UNCSA ? you have thought about both schools ? how about Miami ?

at first, my top choice was NYU, UCLA, AFI, Columbia, and Chapman. cause i was too late to know that all the admission for fall program has begun months ago, and i haven't took a toefl test yet, than the priority goes to LMU, Northwestern, and BU.
After reconsidering it, i scratched LMU and Northwestern from my list.
- For Northwestern, i am not really impressed with their courses, looks like they have more theoretical than hands-on practice.
- LMU has really complicated admission for international student. LMU require all transcript since the high school (yes, no kidding, admission staff emailed me to confirmed it) that has been evaluated by credential service like WES. After estimating the progress duration and the costs (that took more than 600 dollars) i decided to cancel the application. it's really broke my heart since i have finished 80% of creative material (shame on me for not reading thoroughly the application requirement).

Since there's no BU's real review here, i am starting to doubt my choice. So, i add two more schools, UNCSA (screenwriting) and University of Miami (motion pictures). What do you think ? it's really worth for me to admit this year with all those optional choice ? or just wait for one more year to apply to my top choices?

Thanks

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Hi Indicisive, why you're not considering BU or UNCSA ? you have thought about both schools ? how about Miami ?

Since there's no BU's real review here, i am starting to doubt my choice. So, i add two more schools, UNCSA (screenwriting) and University of Miami (motion pictures). What do you think ? it's really worth for me to admit this year with all those optional choice ? or just wait for one more year to apply to my top choices?

Thanks

I don't want to live in the cities where those schools are located. LA, NYC and Chicago are worth relocating, but for me, Boston or Florida are not. Personally, I'm only applying to the schools I would 100% want to go to, I don't have 'back-ups'. If I don't get into one of my three choices this year, I'd probably apply to the exact same schools next year and maybe add UT-Austin and UCLA which I couldn't apply to do this year because I haven't taken the GRE and didn't meet the deadline for UCLA. I'm sure it all gets much more complicated when applying as an international student.

 

[Paul J.]

I'm only applying to the schools I would 100% want to go to, I don't have 'back-ups'. If I don't get into one of my three choices this year, I'd probably apply to the exact same schools next year

This!

I know of several artists, in different disciplines, who have applied year after year after year to that one school they really want to get into. One even applied for five years, I think, before getting in. But that one school was the only one right for her and I tip my hat to her decision. She is now a happy, working professional.

I'd hate to have "back-ups". I want to be 100% happy to get into any one of my choices. Then again would also be quite torn if I get accepted into more than one. But I guess that is far fetched

 

[Zaff]

Wow, thanks for the advice Paul, thanks Indecisive ! Since i'm fully funded from government's scholarship in my country, i have to used this tax based money wisely. So, looked like my turn is next year lol.

Two more question,
1. Recently here in my country, a production house offer me a contract to be screenwriter for they next feature film... Do you think it's necessary to go to film school in screenwriting ? or just keep learning by practice ?
(actually my plan pursuing my graduate study in U.S only for networking)

2. Why boston or north carolina are not worth for film school ? Are those cities not really helpful for student who aspired to be filmmaker or what ?

 

[IndecisiveElle]

My choices regarding where I want to move are based on my personal preferences for where I want to live. Investing in a master's degree both financially and with your time is a highly personal choice in my opinion, with so many factors I'm not sure we are always capable of giving the best advice in an internet forum. I just do not want to live in those cities, no consideration was made towards them period. I can't speak as to their film industry connections.

If it's paid for, sure why not go to film school? Yes it can be great networking. But so is writing a feature film and starting your career. There is no singular path in to the film industry in this country or any others.

 

[Paul J.]

1. Recently here in my country, a production house offer me a contract to be screenwriter for they next feature film... Do you think it's necessary to go to film school in screenwriting ? or just keep learning by practice ?
(actually my plan pursuing my graduate study in U.S only for networking)

Now the decision lays solely on your shoulders. That's a burden you have to carry but being practically in your shoes, I can give you my reasoning

I am in the situation that I know that with a bit of patience and some struggle, I would be able to fight my way into directing theatrical release(s) over where I live. One of the largest prod comps over here bought a script of mine and I was slated to direct but the project didn't get the last piece of funding and the whole house of cards came tumbling down. (the very same day I started putting my application together ) One of the reasons, I believe, was my lack of official education. Now, going to school in the U.S. does not close doors for me (or you, I'd think) back home. So I kind of feel that a good film school on your resume can only do good. Also about learning by practice; I just wrote in another thread that due to never being taught directing, I feel that I am making things up as I go. I feel I'd gain much from learning from others and step out of my own bubble And as you said, networking. Wouldn't matter if I'd be the equivalent of Spielberg (I'm not) if I'd know nobody and go about making Jaws all by myself.