Decisions 2023 - If accepted... Where are you thinking of deciding to go? And why?

[Chris W]

Congrats to everyone accepted to the various programs! (And certainly don't give up if you were waitlisted or rejected - sometimes it takes a while)

If you were accepted... Reply below with the programs you are thinking of attending and why/how you are making your decision.

Congrats again!

Accepted or not... Don't forget to log your application in our database to help others by improving our acceptance data.

 

[ktu222]

Hey Chris!
I got accepted 2 weeks ago into the USC MFA Film Production for Fall 2023, and was just waitlisted for the Directing Program at AFI. I'm really glad to be accepted into USC, but was really hoping to get into AFI, since I've always dreamed of studying there... to be honest I'm not really sure what to do now hahaha anyone else in this situation?

 

[billiejean]

I've been accepted into both Columbia's Creative Producing program, and AFI Conservatory's Producing track. Waitlisted for NYU which is my top choice. I live in NY and was hoping to stay in NY, but struggling between Columbia and AFI at the moment (while really hoping that an NYU spot opens up in the meantime). Honestly feeling very overwhelmed and grateful for my options and glad we have at least a month to make the decision!

 

[Tammy]

The top 3 schools only USC accepted me, so no doubt, I will attend USC~

 

[jhan]

Hey Chris!
I got accepted 2 weeks ago into the USC MFA Film Production for Fall 2023, and was just waitlisted for the Directing Program at AFI. I'm really glad to be accepted into USC, but was really hoping to get into AFI, since I've always dreamed of studying there... to be honest I'm not really sure what to do now hahaha anyone else in this situation?

Similar but reverse haha, I just got accepted to AFI Producing for fall and waitlisted for USC production (w/ guaranteed spring admission). No idea what I'm going to do yet lol.

 

[ktu222]

Similar but reverse haha, I just got accepted to AFI Producing for fall and waitlisted for USC production (w/ guaranteed spring admission). No idea what I'm going to do yet lol.

Oh, really? hahaha well, at least if USC is your top pick you are guaranteed for spring! congrats!

 

[edanna]

Hey Chris!
I got accepted 2 weeks ago into the USC MFA Film Production for Fall 2023, and was just waitlisted for the Directing Program at AFI. I'm really glad to be accepted into USC, but was really hoping to get into AFI, since I've always dreamed of studying there... to be honest I'm not really sure what to do now hahaha anyone else in this situation?

Reverse situation for producing. Any tips?

 

[edanna]

I've been accepted into both Columbia's Creative Producing program, and AFI Conservatory's Producing track. Waitlisted for NYU which is my top choice. I live in NY and was hoping to stay in NY, but struggling between Columbia and AFI at the moment (while really hoping that an NYU spot opens up in the meantime). Honestly feeling very overwhelmed and grateful for my options and glad we have at least a month to make the decision!

I’m in the same boat! Would love to connect!!

 

[edanna]

Similar but reverse haha, I just got accepted to AFI Producing for fall and waitlisted for USC production (w/ guaranteed spring admission). No idea what I'm going to do yet lol.

Same as you jhan, any thoughts? Would love to connect

 

[that.s_all]

Hi, everyone! Great to e-meet you all
I am a Korean who is living in Seoul! This year, I applied to some graduate schools in the US. (Film MFA)
(한국분 계시면 댓글 남겨주세요! 같이 얘기해요 ㅎㅎ)
My goal is to become an international producer for TV series, but I want to learn about cinematic stuff first and I think starting in the film industry is a good idea so I applied to film programs instead of other TV-related programs.

So, I'd like to get some wider information about Syracuse U and Art center. I got accepted into Syracuse University and Art Center of Design Film MFA. And I'm waiting for LMU and USC. For now, I just wanna research more about SU and Art center first.
I'd like to go to the LA side for sure, but the tuition and general costs matter as well.
Syracuse offered me a huge scholarship, which is so attempting.
Art center didn't offer any scholarships, but it's already cheaper than the full tuition of Syracuse U and is also located in Pasadena, near LA.

Because I've never been to those cities and never lived in the US,
I'm wondering how close Pasadena and LA are
and whether I will really have more advantages to getting into the film and TV show (The TV series) industry if I go to Pasadena.
I can search on a map or something, but I would really appreciate it if someone who actually knows the cities can give me a specific answer.
Such as... 'It's way further than you expect', or 'People just think they are a big one city', or 'It's far but it definitely has the advantage to getting into the industry'.

Also, What is living in Pasadena and Syracuse like?
I checked the weather and population and so on. But hard to get any specific expectations
Could you let me know these two cities better?
And also I heard that in Syracuse it's hard to cast actors and actresses... is it true?
How about Pasadena?

On top of that, if I get accepted into LMU and USC, do you think no matter what I should go to those high-ranked and LA-located schools...?
The financial issue is a big deal, but I'd like to check if the gap between the schools is really big or if I do my best in any school, it will not matter...
Since I will be an international student, winning awards or getting a good job directly leads to the work VISA problem. I am aware of getting a work VISA in the US will be tough no matter what, but I want to start at the right place..!

Thank you in advance Hope everybody gets good news!

 

[Chris W]

I'm wondering how close Pasadena and LA are

Pasadena is practically LA. It's not very close to the west side (an 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on traffic to Santa Monica or LAX) and it would probably be a 30 minutes to an hour (again depending on traffic) to the studios in the valley. Everything in LA takes at least 30 to 40 minutes to get to I feel like.

I live pretty close to the west of Pasadena and commuted fine every day to my production company in Sherman Oaks before the pandemic. It was around a 30 to 40 minute drive depending on traffic. I've been editing and producing remotely ever since though.

I hope this helps! Will you be able to tour at all before you make your decision

and whether I will really have more advantages to getting into the film and TV show (The TV series) industry if I go to Pasadena.

I unfortunately don't know too much about Syracuse's program but being geographically in LA is a huge plus to other programs. Does Syracuse have an LA internship program?

 

[Chris W]

And also I heard that in Syracuse it's hard to cast actors and actresses... is it true?
How about Pasadena?

I would think it would be harder to cast in Syracuse. LA is swimming with actors and actresses.

 

[that.s_all]

Pasadena is practically LA. It's not very close to the west side (an 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on traffic to Santa Monica or LAX) and it would probably be a 30 minutes to an hour (again depending on traffic) to the studios in the valley. Everything in LA takes at least 30 to 40 minutes to get to I feel like.

I live pretty close to the west of Pasadena and commuted fine every day to my production company in Sherman Oaks before the pandemic. It was around a 30 to 40 minute drive depending on traffic. I've been editing and producing remotely ever since though.

I hope this helps! Will you be able to tour at all before you make your decision



I unfortunately don't know too much about Syracuse's program but being geographically in LA is a huge plus to other programs. Does Syracuse have an LA internship program?

Thank you your answer! It helps a lot!!
Unfortunately I can’t tour at all..

Syracuse does have a LA internship program! But in the interview the professor mentioned that the internship is originally designed for UG students, so some of the Graduate students get disappointed from it..

 

[jhan]

Hi, everyone! Great to e-meet you all
I am a Korean who is living in Seoul! This year, I applied to some graduate schools in the US. (Film MFA)
(한국분 계시면 댓글 남겨주세요! 같이 얘기해요 ㅎㅎ)
My goal is to become an international producer for TV series, but I want to learn about cinematic stuff first and I think starting in the film industry is a good idea so I applied to film programs instead of other TV-related programs.

So, I'd like to get some wider information about Syracuse U and Art center. I got accepted into Syracuse University and Art Center of Design Film MFA. And I'm waiting for LMU and USC. For now, I just wanna research more about SU and Art center first.
I'd like to go to the LA side for sure, but the tuition and general costs matter as well.
Syracuse offered me a huge scholarship, which is so attempting.
Art center didn't offer any scholarships, but it's already cheaper than the full tuition of Syracuse U and is also located in Pasadena, near LA.

Because I've never been to those cities and never lived in the US,
I'm wondering how close Pasadena and LA are
and whether I will really have more advantages to getting into the film and TV show (The TV series) industry if I go to Pasadena.
I can search on a map or something, but I would really appreciate it if someone who actually knows the cities can give me a specific answer.
Such as... 'It's way further than you expect', or 'People just think they are a big one city', or 'It's far but it definitely has the advantage to getting into the industry'.

Also, What is living in Pasadena and Syracuse like?
I checked the weather and population and so on. But hard to get any specific expectations
Could you let me know these two cities better?
And also I heard that in Syracuse it's hard to cast actors and actresses... is it true?
How about Pasadena?

On top of that, if I get accepted into LMU and USC, do you think no matter what I should go to those high-ranked and LA-located schools...?
The financial issue is a big deal, but I'd like to check if the gap between the schools is really big or if I do my best in any school, it will not matter...
Since I will be an international student, winning awards or getting a good job directly leads to the work VISA problem. I am aware of getting a work VISA in the US will be tough no matter what, but I want to start at the right place..!

Thank you in advance Hope everybody gets good news!

Living in LA would definitely be more beneficial for networking since you'd be so close to the industry. Pasadena is essentially LA so same difference. Syracuse is not exactly the first place I'd think to go to pursue film.

 

[Chris W]

Has everyone made their decisions?

 

[ktu222]

Has everyone made their decisions?

yes, I'm going to USC next semester!

 

[flmmn]

Hi, everyone! Great to e-meet you all
I am a Korean who is living in Seoul! This year, I applied to some graduate schools in the US. (Film MFA)
(한국분 계시면 댓글 남겨주세요! 같이 얘기해요 ㅎㅎ)
My goal is to become an international producer for TV series, but I want to learn about cinematic stuff first and I think starting in the film industry is a good idea so I applied to film programs instead of other TV-related programs.

So, I'd like to get some wider information about Syracuse U and Art center. I got accepted into Syracuse University and Art Center of Design Film MFA. And I'm waiting for LMU and USC. For now, I just wanna research more about SU and Art center first.
I'd like to go to the LA side for sure, but the tuition and general costs matter as well.
Syracuse offered me a huge scholarship, which is so attempting.
Art center didn't offer any scholarships, but it's already cheaper than the full tuition of Syracuse U and is also located in Pasadena, near LA.

Because I've never been to those cities and never lived in the US,
I'm wondering how close Pasadena and LA are
and whether I will really have more advantages to getting into the film and TV show (The TV series) industry if I go to Pasadena.
I can search on a map or something, but I would really appreciate it if someone who actually knows the cities can give me a specific answer.
Such as... 'It's way further than you expect', or 'People just think they are a big one city', or 'It's far but it definitely has the advantage to getting into the industry'.

Also, What is living in Pasadena and Syracuse like?
I checked the weather and population and so on. But hard to get any specific expectations
Could you let me know these two cities better?
And also I heard that in Syracuse it's hard to cast actors and actresses... is it true?
How about Pasadena?

On top of that, if I get accepted into LMU and USC, do you think no matter what I should go to those high-ranked and LA-located schools...?
The financial issue is a big deal, but I'd like to check if the gap between the schools is really big or if I do my best in any school, it will not matter...
Since I will be an international student, winning awards or getting a good job directly leads to the work VISA problem. I am aware of getting a work VISA in the US will be tough no matter what, but I want to start at the right place..!

Thank you in advance Hope everybody gets good news!

hi, what school r u attending? Just wondering how you made up your decision. I'm also considering applying for Art Center too. Hope you're having a great time at the school you chose. (안녕하세요! 저도 한국에서 석사 준비하고 있는 입시생이라 반가운 마음에 댓글 남깁니다. 괜찮으시면 질문 몇 가지 드려도 될까요? )