Columbia Film School MFA Applicants 2026 (3 Viewers)

[RPA]

I know!

And sorry, I meant on Tuesday, not Monday! Got my days mixed up haha.

A different poster said admissions told them by end of this week, but I got a different answer! Not sure what’s going on! I’m in a similar boat - I got into another program but I’ve been waiting for this decision (top choice)!

Yeah, I got a response last week, saying all decisions would roll out before end of this week.

 

[robbiegaz]

Are we assuming all acceptances have come out?

At this point, that’s the feeling I have. Interviewed w/NYU grad film and people got acceptance calls on a Friday. The following Monday I found out I got waitlisted. Guessing this is similar?

 

[gibs9000]

At this point, that’s the feeling I have. Interviewed w/NYU grad film and people got acceptance calls on a Friday. The following Monday I found out I got waitlisted. Guessing this is similar?

Yeah... it seems odd that only 5 or 6 or so have heard back, but maybe others aren't on the site

 

[aliceleigh123]

At this point, that’s the feeling I have. Interviewed w/NYU grad film and people got acceptance calls on a Friday. The following Monday I found out I got waitlisted. Guessing this is similar?

Yea I’m assuming I’m either waitlisted or rejected at this point. I’m taking it as a sign that I’m not supposed to go into debt for a film MFA.

I actually last minute decided to apply to Stony Brook university in NYC as I didn’t realize they’re still doing rolling admissions with scholarships, and after talking to the executive director who was wonderful, I realized it might be a program perfectly fit for me as a writer director. Just in case anyone is in a similar boat just wanted to share that it’s worth checking out.

 

[dyma]

Yeah I’ve been super stressed, I got into LMU but I was really hoping for Columbia, every other school rejected me and honestly for me it was alr very cool that I managed to get interviewed. I don’t want to give up hope yet, but rn it’s looking like either LMU or rolling admissions ESRA 1 year program in Paris to build my portfolio and reapply but I’m really torn between those options and what would be a good option. Family well off enough to not get scholarships but tuition would still be a big burden and if it’s not the best program where im really motivated.. not really certain whats the best decision. Would love any advice

 

[cheeseplank]

Yeah I’ve been super stressed, I got into LMU but I was really hoping for Columbia, every other school rejected me and honestly for me it was alr very cool that I managed to get interviewed. I don’t want to give up hope yet, but rn it’s looking like either LMU or rolling admissions ESRA 1 year program in Paris to build my portfolio and reapply but I’m really torn between those options and what would be a good option. Family well off enough to not get scholarships but tuition would still be a big burden and if it’s not the best program where im really motivated.. not really certain whats the best decision. Would love any advice

I got accepted into LMU too, congrats! It’s actually with Columbia one of my top 2 choices. When I was doing research I felt the two were similar in terms of philosophy. They both put heavy emphasis on collaboration and help you develop your own voice, rather than moulding them into one voice.

You mentioned that if it’s not the best program you wouldn’t be motivated, can I ask what about LMU’s program is making you hesitant?

Also whatever you end up choosing, there’s a chance I might see you at LMU!

 

[dyma]

I got accepted into LMU too, congrats! It’s actually with Columbia one of my top 2 choices. When I was doing research I felt the two were similar in terms of philosophy. They both put heavy emphasis on collaboration and help you develop your own voice, rather than moulding them into one voice.

You mentioned that if it’s not the best program you wouldn’t be motivated, can I ask what about LMU’s program is making you hesitant?

Also whatever you end up choosing, there’s a chance I might see you at LMU!

Idk tbh, from my research it’s hard to tell which program is really good like the Hollywood reporter ranked it above Columbia but idk how reliable that is, but I felt that I lowkey bombed the interview, made the submission film kinda a little wrong and one of my rec letters never arrived and they still accepted me lol, maybe it’s the flashy Ivy League name that by contrast makes it seem like just a another smaller private Jesuit college. For me the whole idea of going to film school was networking and meeting people who I can work with and actually get on projects, and Columbia seems like an auteur kinda more authentic art vibe rather than a consumerist media Hollywood pipeline.

I also hate LA lmao, but the beaches r nice atleast. Idk it’s definitely still a good school and their undergrad film program is notoriously hard to get into I heard, there’s a chance I’ll see u there.

Like i said it’s just the prospect of my parents paying for it, and then I just don’t fw LA or something I feel like I just wouldn’t feel the pressure to not just drop out and try to reapply to bigger schools but then it would feel like a waste of time and I rlly wanna avoid that. And also im just at that stage in my life where I wanna finally feel like im working hard on actually doing something, rather than just coasting through life so maybe it’s also a personal thing. Going to France again would also maybe feel like exile and nobody guarantees I’ll get in after a year there. But then again maybe I’ll meet my soulmate in LMU or something idk still not decided

 

[Chris W]

I got into LMU but I was really hoping for Columbia, every other school rejected me and honestly for me it was alr very cool that I managed to get interviewed. I don’t want to give up hope yet, but rn it’s looking like either LMU or rolling admissions ESRA 1 year program in Paris to build my portfolio and reapply

I also hate LA lmao, but the beaches r nice atleast.

LMU is right next to the beach! lol Columbia is a great program from eveything I've read and heard but quite pricey.

Honestly a year in Paris sounds awesome to me though. I studied abroad for a year in Grenoble when I was in undergrad and had an absolutely wonderful time. Although the franc was still in effect so it was quite affordable.

Please don't forget to log your applications when you get a moment.

 

[cheeseplank]

Idk tbh, from my research it’s hard to tell which program is really good like the Hollywood reporter ranked it above Columbia but idk how reliable that is, but I felt that I lowkey bombed the interview, made the submission film kinda a little wrong and one of my rec letters never arrived and they still accepted me lol, maybe it’s the flashy Ivy League name that by contrast makes it seem like just a another smaller private Jesuit college. For me the whole idea of going to film school was networking and meeting people who I can work with and actually get on projects, and Columbia seems like an auteur kinda more authentic art vibe rather than a consumerist media Hollywood pipeline.

I also hate LA lmao, but the beaches r nice atleast. Idk it’s definitely still a good school and their undergrad film program is notoriously hard to get into I heard, there’s a chance I’ll see u there.

Like i said it’s just the prospect of my parents paying for it, and then I just don’t fw LA or something I feel like I just wouldn’t feel the pressure to not just drop out and try to reapply to bigger schools but then it would feel like a waste of time and I rlly wanna avoid that. And also im just at that stage in my life where I wanna finally feel like im working hard on actually doing something, rather than just coasting through life so maybe it’s also a personal thing. Going to France again would also maybe feel like exile and nobody guarantees I’ll get in after a year there. But then again maybe I’ll meet my soulmate in LMU or something idk still not decided

I get what you mean about NY vs LA, Im kind of in the same boat gravitating more towards New york especially since I'm not built for the heat lol. And Columbia is very much an auteur driven school, it’s one of the reasons why I like them so much too. But that being said, from everything I've seen, I still think LMU is the closest version you'll get of that environment within LA. It doesnt feel as Hollywood pipeline heavy as some other schools in the same area.

Also for the money side, it's rly nice your parents are able to afford it!! I actually got into Columbia with a scholarship but even then there's still a pretty huge financial gap. And no matter how much I love them and their program, personally, I don't think i can justify going into debt just because it's Columbia. I don't know if this will help but the way I've been thinking about it is that at the end of the day, we're filmmakers and what we make matters way more than the name on the degree.

I would say I was in a similar state to you a year ago and the only advice I can give is that you have to keep in mind that the push or hardwork you’re looking for doesn't only come from the school, it can also come from the people you surround yourself with and how you choose to engage with the program. Film school is rly just what you make of it yourself, and no matter if it's Columbia or LMU or elsewhere, they can give you what you need as long as you don't hold yourself back by the idea that one is inherently less than the other. No matter where you go, if you commit fully for those years then it wont be a waste.

 

[mcox]

Hey everyone — quick temperature check. All 5 reported S&D acceptances so far have been scholarship recipients (congratulations by the way!! That’s huge!). Has anyone been accepted without a scholarship? Curious what the odds are that acceptances went out to the full class and the only people who happened to post here were all scholarship students. @Chris W — does this match the pattern from previous years? In the 2025 thread, accepted posters didn’t mention scholarships at all

 

[Chris W]

Hey everyone — quick temperature check. All 5 reported S&D acceptances so far have been scholarship recipients (congratulations by the way!! That’s huge!). Has anyone been accepted without a scholarship? Curious what the odds are that acceptances went out to the full class and the only people who happened to post here were all scholarship students. @Chris W — does this match the pattern from previous years? In the 2025 thread, accepted posters didn’t mention scholarships at all

Not sure. You can check past year's applications logged to see if they mention scholarships.

 

[dyma]

I get what you mean about NY vs LA, Im kind of in the same boat gravitating more towards New york especially since I'm not built for the heat lol. And Columbia is very much an auteur driven school, it’s one of the reasons why I like them so much too. But that being said, from everything I've seen, I still think LMU is the closest version you'll get of that environment within LA. It doesnt feel as Hollywood pipeline heavy as some other schools in the same area.

Also for the money side, it's rly nice your parents are able to afford it!! I actually got into Columbia with a scholarship but even then there's still a pretty huge financial gap. And no matter how much I love them and their program, personally, I don't think i can justify going into debt just because it's Columbia. I don't know if this will help but the way I've been thinking about it is that at the end of the day, we're filmmakers and what we make matters way more than the name on the degree.

I would say I was in a similar state to you a year ago and the only advice I can give is that you have to keep in mind that the push or hardwork you’re looking for doesn't only come from the school, it can also come from the people you surround yourself with and how you choose to engage with the program. Film school is rly just what you make of it yourself, and no matter if it's Columbia or LMU or elsewhere, they can give you what you need as long as you don't hold yourself back by the idea that one is inherently less than the other. No matter where you go, if you commit fully for those years then it wont be a waste.

Aye congrats on getting in! That’s already an achievement) and thanks it is really reassuring to hear, maybe I’m just in the stressed zone and making a good thing sounds like a bad thing lmao, and I mean your right it is after all about the actual films and work you produce not the name at all. Idk honestly I’m already impressed I got in anywhere or got interviewed because I have no professional background in film only photography, so far it’s been as indie auteur as it gets lmao, however it turns out I’m sure I’ll figure something out) high chance I don’t get into Columbia tho so feel free to dm me if u end up going to LMU I’d be down to start connecting with ppl and anybody else who runs into this post

 

[cheeseplank]

Aye congrats on getting in! That’s already an achievement) and thanks it is really reassuring to hear, maybe I’m just in the stressed zone and making a good thing sounds like a bad thing lmao, and I mean your right it is after all about the actual films and work you produce not the name at all. Idk honestly I’m already impressed I got in anywhere or got interviewed because I have no professional background in film only photography, so far it’s been as indie auteur as it gets lmao, however it turns out I’m sure I’ll figure something out) high chance I don’t get into Columbia tho so feel free to dm me if u end up going to LMU I’d be down to start connecting with ppl and anybody else who runs into this post

Lemme send u a dm!

 

[gibs9000]

When is accepted students day?

 

[cheeseplank]

When is accepted students day?

april 4th

 

[Aryansh.y]

april 4th

What is accepted students day? And where did you get to know about this?

 

[madman]

Got into Columbia with a scholarship. Got a call on Wednesday. Is the accepted students day important? I am in Toronto and will have to spend on tickets if I decide to attend.

 

[cheeseplank]

What is accepted students day? And where did you get to know about this?

It’s an event for all the students admitted to Columbia where they can meet potential classmates, see the school and faculty in person etc. I got an invitation through email from them not too long after the acceptance letter

 

[cheeseplank]

Got into Columbia with a scholarship. Got a call on Wednesday. Is the accepted students day important? I am in Toronto and will have to spend on tickets if I decide to attend.

Congrats!! I’m unable to attend this event in person so I emailed them to express my interest and asked if there will be a virtual one too but haven’t heard back yet.

 

[sgreina]

Anyone still waiting on a decision?