Columbia University MFA Fall 2016

[granados_1111]

Hello everyone!

Application deadline is on the horizon and I wanted to create a thread for all of us interested in the Columbia MFA film program.

Please share any tips or opinions you have heard and I hope we can meet next fall in NYC!

 

[Chris W]

btw - I voted professor as I think a school would appreciate a reference in regards to the students qualities shown in a learning environment.

However for a job - obviously a working professional. At least that's my opinion.

 

[Indigo]

Well most schools require 3 letters, some 2, but none ask for only 1, so I think it's best to have at least one of each. For the schools that take 2 I'm using a professor, and a supervisor/professor I worked for during undergrad. For the third letter at schools that take 3, I'm using someone I worked with after I graduated.

 

[katavi08]

What program is everyone applying for? I'm applying to creative producing.

 

[granados_1111]

What program is everyone applying for? I'm applying to creative producing.

Directing/screenwriting

How is your application going?

 

[katavi08]

Directing/screenwriting

How is your application going?

Pretty good. I still need to write the dramatic scene, but everything else is pretty set; Just need to revise a couple of things. You?

 

[granados_1111]

Pretty good. I still need to write the dramatic scene, but everything else is pretty set; Just need to revise a couple of things. You?

Pretty good too.

I have the scene, but I'm missing the autobiography. I've read that is like 60% of the application, so I'm a bit nervous about it.

 

[katavi08]

Pretty good too.

I have the scene, but I'm missing the autobiography. I've read that is like 60% of the application, so I'm a bit nervous about it.

Oh really? It's so hard to tell with all these schools what pieces of the application they put more wait on. For some, the emphasis is more on the essay/personal statement while others pay more attention to the creative portfolio materials.

 

[Patrick Clement]

Hey everyone, I am a current First Year Dir/Scr Fellow at Columbia. Last year there were quite a few people who helped me along the way, so I want to return the favor. If anyone has questions, reply in this thread and maybe I can help.

 

[granados_1111]

Hey everyone, I am a current First Year Dir/Scr Fellow at Columbia. Last year there were quite a few people who helped me along the way, so I want to return the favor. If anyone has questions, reply in this thread and maybe I can help.

Hello Patrick! Thanks for helping applicant over here.

Any tips for the application process? What aspects of a student/filmmaker do consider resonates with professors over there?

 

[katavi08]

Hey Patrick!
Thank you for offering the help/advice! Any tips on the application process would be really helpful! What do they look for in a student?
Thanks!

 

[han]

Hey everyone, I am a current First Year Dir/Scr Fellow at Columbia. Last year there were quite a few people who helped me along the way, so I want to return the favor. If anyone has questions, reply in this thread and maybe I can help.

Hi Pat, good to see you in here

 

[Chris W]

I added Columbia to the film school review system:

Columbia University's School of the Arts

In 2022, Columbia University SOA was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the no. 6 best global university. Its Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies Program combines film studies with hands-on filmmaking laboratories. Alumni include director Anna Boden (Captain Marvel, Half Nelson) and...

• 3.67 star(s)
• Views: 52,356
• Reviews: 3
• Questions: 3
• Category: New York

It'd be awesome if you could write a quick review for the school based on your experience with it so far. You can give it a star rating, list pros, cons, etc...

 

[Patrick Clement]

Hello Patrick! Thanks for helping applicant over here.

Any tips for the application process? What aspects of a student/filmmaker do consider resonates with professors over there?

Hey Patrick!
Thank you for offering the help/advice! Any tips on the application process would be really helpful! What do they look for in a student?
Thanks!

I can't really speak about what the school is looking for, since I'm not privy to that process, but I can offer some incite into my current class make up. Maybe there is something common among us, but to be honest I don't know what it is.

The current class is made up of a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, geographical backgrounds, work experience, gender and age. Really, it is a very diverse group. I think Columbia has gone out of its way to make their classes diverse and it shows. I really like many of the east Asian students and their work. My classmates keep impressing me, like everyday. I went in having high expectations, so take that as you may.

As an applicant, I came in with some professional experience, quite a bit of "life" experience, a strong portfolio film and a slightly sub 3.0GPA.

I spent time on my application, wrote a sort of non-traditional essay and had two academic and one non-academic LOR. I am a comfortable interviewee and I was very interested in story, character and writing. Although I am a directing concentrate.

Not sure if that helps, but feel free to ask any other questions.

 

[Patrick Clement]

Hi Pat, good to see you in here

Han Solo is one of my brilliant classmates.

 

[Boethius]

Hi, Patrick, thanks for answering questions! Columbia is a top school in my list. I was wondering, how do you crew Columbia student films? Are the technical positions hired out, or do you use fellow MFA students?

 

[katavi08]

Thanks for the info Patrick! Could you talk a little bit about the structure of the program? Columbia is one of my top choices, but my concern is how I'm going to pay for it/afford to live in NYC. I know they don't allow students to take classes on a part-time basis, so if I were to attend I wouldn't be able to get a full-time job. They also seem to discourage students from taking part-time work as the program is so intensive. I'm not sure how I could afford classes and living expenses without some income. :/
Could you speak to this a little? How do you and other students deal with this?
Thanks!

 

[Patrick Clement]

Hi, Patrick, thanks for answering questions! Columbia is a top school in my list. I was wondering, how do you crew Columbia student films? Are the technical positions hired out, or do you use fellow MFA students?

I see that you are a Producing candidate. We may have different needs since I am a Dir/Screenwriting Fellow. I can't speak to a future class, but this years class seems pretty good about crewing for each others exercises. This semester (our first semester) we will do about 4-5 short exercises. These are as simple or complex as we want them to be. It seems most people find their crew person-to-person, but they have also found crew by just asking in our FB group.

Of course the exercises are only 3-4 hours of crewing, so I do not know how it will shake out with bigger projects. We shoot a 3-5 min "bigger" exercise over Winter Break. We are allowed to hire for bigger projects, but we are limited to a budget. If you have friends, they are always welcome to work on your sets, as far as I know.

I have noticed there is very little overlap between years. I am sure there are some first years working with second years, but I dont believe alot of that goes on. I think this is actually a real weakness with the program.

Thanks for the info Patrick! Could you talk a little bit about the structure of the program? Columbia is one of my top choices, but my concern is how I'm going to pay for it/afford to live in NYC. I know they don't allow students to take classes on a part-time basis, so if I were to attend I wouldn't be able to get a full-time job. They also seem to discourage students from taking part-time work as the program is so intensive. I'm not sure how I could afford classes and living expenses without some income. :/
Could you speak to this a little? How do you and other students deal with this?
Thanks!

I think everyone has different financial situations. Personally, I have no family helping me or savings, so I had to borrow tuition and living expenses. The Grad Plus Loan allows borrowers to receive FULL cost of attendance. This includes tuition and expenses listed by Columbia. (http://arts.columbia.edu/tuition-and-fees) But with the cost of living in NYm even after taking a COlumbia Apt ($1400/mo) The budget is tight. I get by, but barely. You should take serious inventory of your financial needs and ask yourself "is this worth it?" I am borrowing about $80,000/yr for the MFA program. Is this smart? Who knows. Maybe I should jump off a bridge? Kidding. Sort of.

As far as work, I am a workaholic and always have had two + jobs or owned my own business, so long hours and meeting deadlines has never been a problem for me. You should ask yourself honestly if you would be able to work 20 hours a week , or more and still take advantage of the program. There is no point in working like a dog, to be in a program you wanted, just eeking by.

Good questions.

 

[seok]

Hi guys! How's everyone doing with your application? I have a question on visual submission. Do you think it's better to stick to one short film of our best work or include two or three films to add in some varieties? My favorite work is done 2 years ago a bit old compare to others.. What are you guys submitting?

 

[katavi08]

I've been going back and forth on the visual submissions myself. Originally, I was going to submit two pieces, but now I think I might just submit the stronger of the two. I'll probably change my mind again though before submitting my application.