2015 Interviews - Acceptances - Rejections

[psheets]

I found this forum not too long ago, and thought it was too late to start writing. Since i have been reading it everyday and see how supportive and helpful. I introduce quickly my self. I have applied in cinematography in UCLA, USC, AFI and NYU. I got in UCLA and USC, AFI got rejected, and I am kinda anxiously waiting for a decision by NYU. I already understood that I am not in, since I haven't received any call, And was wondering how you got in the waitlist? did you get a call? I was wondering how much hope should i have before a full rejection.

I did the same, if you replace NYU with Chapman. Same results too. Waiting on Chapman. I think it will be down to USC and UCLA for me.

 

[kd6]

Mine is "decision reached" as well but haven't heard anything yet.

Yeah, mine says exactly the same. Hopefully it's good news!

 

[Ursula M.]

Hello everyone
I had just joined this website but I have been reading the threads since a while and found them very interesting and beneficial.
I had applied to UCLA (MFA Production/Directing) - International Applicant.
I had my Skype interview one week ago, I felt it was good, but yesterday I received an email saying:
"The faculty enjoyed meeting with you during your SKYPE interview and would like to schedule a second interview."
I just got worried a bit because I didn't read in any thread about such a case (second interview). Did anyone receive such email this week ? I'm just curious to know/guess what will they ask as in the first interview I talked about my self, my favourite 5 films, and I did the pitch and they liked the pitch and said it's a powerful one. So now what's with this second interview !! What's that for ?? Any thoughts ??

 

[Nalcsart]

Hi! I wonder if anyone knows people attending NYU, AFI and Columbia in the directing program? What are the main differences and what would you choose? I'm an international applicant an don't know a lot more than what the schools have in their webpages. It would be nice to know what someone thinks from the inside. I've been accepted at Tisch and waiting for an answer from the other two. Thanks and good luck!

 

[Vittoria]

Vittoria - congrats on UCLA & USC! I'm also a cinematography applicant - accepted into UCLA & NYU. I got the call from NYU 2 days ago, and my official acceptance email just earlier today. From what I understand, there are far fewer cinematography applicants than the other disciplines, so I would stay hopeful about being wait-listed at the very least. What are your thoughts about UCLA vs USC?

Hello Pratik, I have the feeling that we met for the interview on the 15 at UCLA, I went inside just before you. Was that you right? So.. I was the full weekend in Los Angeles, besides the interview i was trying to get as much as I could of a peak of the schools, even if it was really difficult because everyone was on spring break. I have to say UCLA gave me a better impression. Besides the interviewers i didnt meet any professor, but I was able to meet some students, that shared a little bit of experience.The program seems to be much more intimate then USC. It seems UCLA has a greater ratio of type of student into all kinds of filmmaking. USC seems to have a very industry demographic. For, USC seems to be the golden school for the industry, also, the program offers a focus on cinematography, which begins on the 3rd year, whereas, UCLA begins right on the 2nd. I am trying to get more contacts with students there, and trying to find someone in USC. I yet don't know, but maybe more into UCLA. What about you? what are you thoughts between NYU and UCLA?

 

[Caroline_Eleni]

Hello everyone! New member here, I'm Caroline and I'm International. I've been lurking this site for a very long time, but finally decided to sign up and start participating in the nerve-racking waiting game

So I have applied to:
NYU - Cinematography focus - Not heard anything yet ...
USC - Film Production - Rejected 3/12, email notification
LMU - Film and TV Production - Not heard anything
SCAD - Sound Design - Interviewed on 2/22, should have heard this week ... I guess I'll hear next week maybe?
FSU - Production - Interviewed 3/4 - Accepted 3/18, email notification. Deadline to accept 4/1

I'm so happy about FSU! USC was my favourite to begin with, but after researching all the schools further the playing field levelled out. I hope we all hear from our remaining schools soon!
Also, CONGRATULATIONS to EVERYONE who has been accepted

 

[LunaticLuna]

Hello everyone
I had just joined this website but I have been reading the threads since a while and found them very interesting and beneficial.
I had applied to UCLA (MFA Production/Directing) - International Applicant.
I had my Skype interview one week ago, I felt it was good, but yesterday I received an email saying:
"The faculty enjoyed meeting with you during your SKYPE interview and would like to schedule a second interview."
I just got worried a bit because I didn't read in any thread about such a case (second interview). Did anyone receive such email this week ? I'm just curious to know/guess what will they ask as in the first interview I talked about my self, my favourite 5 films, and I did the pitch and they liked the pitch and said it's a powerful one. So now what's with this second interview !! What's that for ?? Any thoughts ??

WOOOW...That's interesting.I think it is a positive news,kind of implying that they have great interest in you. Good luck on the second interview!
I have not heard anything back from them after my Skype interview on March 5th. Anyway,there's still hope! Finger crossed. By the way, I am also an international applicant to MFA directing program.
Best luck to you!

 

[Vittoria]

I did the same, if you replace NYU with Chapman. Same results too. Waiting on Chapman. I think it will be down to USC and UCLA for me.

What are your thoughts about USC and UCLA?

 

[Pratik Shah]

Hello Pratik, I have the feeling that we met for the interview on the 15 at UCLA, I went inside just before you. Was that you right? So.. I was the full weekend in Los Angeles, besides the interview i was trying to get as much as I could of a peak of the schools, even if it was really difficult because everyone was on spring break. I have to say UCLA gave me a better impression. Besides the interviewers i didnt meet any professor, but I was able to meet some students, that shared a little bit of experience.The program seems to be much more intimate then USC. It seems UCLA has a greater ratio of type of student into all kinds of filmmaking. USC seems to have a very industry demographic. For, USC seems to be the golden school for the industry, also, the program offers a focus on cinematography, which begins on the 3rd year, whereas, UCLA begins right on the 2nd. I am trying to get more contacts with students there, and trying to find someone in USC. I yet don't know, but maybe more into UCLA. What about you? what are you thoughts between NYU and UCLA?

@Vittoria Yeahh that was me…we met just after your interview! Crazy how three of the six accepted into the program are on this blog (including @psheets ). I'm definitely leaning towards UCLA over NYU. From my understanding, all of the top 5 programs are fairly similar. The biggest factor is the network, and the more professionals that I speak to for advice on choosing between the 2 schools, the more I keep hearing to stay in LA because of the network and the opportunities. I've been living here in LA since September and have already started building a network, so I think I'm going to stay here to continue building off of that! I also like how small the UCLA class is compared to the other schools. And the kodak in-residence program at UCLA with Oscar-winning DPs is badass!

 

[bblens88]

So, just got my rejection from USC by mail. I'm not sure as to why they sent me one written letter vs. online. It's also a bit odd that I went on the usconnect.usc.edu website, and it still says "under review"...which is a bit funny.

Is it also okay to be a bit annoyed that they state we cannot tell you why...as in "please do not contact with any question relevant to your rejection."

It would be a great motivation and more forgiving system if the reviewers could type out short notes on what needs improvement, or maybe a system of a ranking scale, simple 1-5? (Portfolio, Personal Statement, Recommendations, Test Scores, etc. )

Only mentioning this as we all invested quite a lot of money AND time in these application. BUT, that may be a bit too much to ask for....

Still waiting for the other schools...

No one else is looking at the Cal Arts program? None?! (Again, this is the only place I've received acceptance)

PS- Sorry if I sound a bit bitter, its my first rejection letter from the programs.

 

[Rika Bhakta]

So you're choosing FSU over Columbia? I grew up near Tallahassee.

I haven't made a decision yet. I am waiting to figure out my financial plan yet. Both great, great programs!

 

[Carole]

Hi, I'm an international applicant (Producing focus). I wonder has anyone here hear from Chapman? I'm very anxious waiting for the result.

 

[Clique]

Ok... Can we please have a show of hands of all the MFA UCLA Domestic only Directing applicants that have been contacted for an interview so far? I'm thinking this might be the last week of them contacting people...

 

[De4our]

Ok... Can we please have a show of hands of all the MFA UCLA Domestic only Directing applicants that have been contacted for an interview so far? I'm thinking this might be the last week of them contacting people...

I second this! Also haven't heard from LMU either....

I heard from NYU today, was rejected...really okay with that to be honest, at this late stage I assumed as much.

NYU- Rejected
UT Austin- Accepted
FSU- Accepted
LMU- ???
UCLA- ???

 

[jake2]

Ok... Can we please have a show of hands of all the MFA UCLA Domestic only Directing applicants that have been contacted for an interview so far? I'm thinking this might be the last week of them contacting people...

I was contacted, but it was a few weeks ago.

 

[LLF]

I really want to get into LMU, but they seem to be giving us all a serious scare. I contacted them a few weeks ago via email and this what they told me: "We have not yet heard of an admission decision. If you wish, you are more than welcome to inquire directly with the SFTV Department.Typically however, the department makes admission decisions in batches throughout the spring months of March/April/May. The Graduate Admissions Office has not yet received any admission decisions for this fall 2015 cohort." Unfortunately, we will probably be waiting all spring for our admission decisions.

 

[gloucesterb]

Just got my rejection from NYU Directing program. Good luck to everyone who are still in the waiting process, and congrats to all of you who got in !

 

[JakeHannaford]

Ok... Can we please have a show of hands of all the MFA UCLA Domestic only Directing applicants that have been contacted for an interview so far? I'm thinking this might be the last week of them contacting people...

I mentioned this to you in another thread, but just so everyone can see, I was contacted 2/24 to interview, and my interview was 3/14. They told me they interview until the end of March.

 

[JakeHannaford]

I was rejected by NYU today. I figured it was coming, since I hadn't received an interview.

 

[Layne Inselman]

For everyone who applied to Chapman, where are you going to check our status? Something that looks like this? --> https://crmint.chapman.edu/StudentPortal/Account/Login