2016 Interviews- Acceptances- Rejections

[russki_D503]

I finally added my info to the spreadsheet. I wanted to wait till I at least got an interview from one school, I have a very fragile ego lol

 

[juliabulia]

Hey @juliabulia, what's your top choice?

I honestly don't have one -- I think my friends and family all think I'm lying when I say that but it's actually true.

I only applied to schools I would go to (and dropped some off my list during the application process because I realized I didn't like the programs), and I tried not to fall in love too hard with a single program because I didn't want to be completely devastated if I got rejected. I'm hoping to get a sense of each school during the interview process, and see which one seems like the best fit. Really looking forward to having a top choice at some point

 

[russki_D503]

@juliabulia Awesome, I definitely feel you there. Looks like you might get your pick of the litter so congratulations!

 

[juliabulia]

@katavi08 Yeah, in my mind I've given up on hearing from NYU and USC at this point... But who knows! Also, you're producing, right? All these programs are on such different schedules that I feel like it's hard to tell. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

@russki_D503 I know exactly how you feel hahaha - I first discovered the spreadsheet months ago and only added my stuff now, damn fragile egos.

 

[Paul J.]

Why so soon to give up? I mean NYU practically sent out a few interviews as late of yesterday. I would be very surprised if we have heard the last of both NYU and USC. I mean - doesn't it seem quite against the odds? And there was talk earlier considering USC that the process with them is that one faculty member gets a smallish batch of say 25 which he/she pics a max of 6 to go forward. So the notification timeframe can vary drastically, right? That or last year's forum applicant's are kicking our a**!

 

[juliabulia]

@Paul J. Alright, alright, I'll hold out hope then - you make very valid points, especially on the USC front. I think part of my pessimism is actually just setting low expectations so I'm less likely to jump at every email I get!

 

[bvels]

I'm holding out hope for NYU since almost all of the interviews so far are for international students. Maybe that's just like the first batch that got done? That's a thing right!? (sobs quietly)

 

[katavi08]

@Paul J. Alright, alright, I'll hold out hope then - you make very valid points, especially on the USC front. I think part of my pessimism is actually just setting low expectations so I'm less likely to jump at every email I get!

This! I'm the exact same way! It makes everything a bit easier. But, I do agree with you @Paul J. It's not over until it's over. I think a part of me just wants the waiting to be over already, so I'm just telling myself that if I haven't gotten an email yet I should just move on.
In reality, what I need to do is focus on making sure I knock my Columbia interview out of the park! I'll put energy into the other schools when/if I hear from them. But, I can't keep wasting energy on the waiting game. It's proving to be very unproductive.

 

[Paul J.]

@katavi08 I know what you are saying - I'm kind of torn about preparing for interviews. I mean, everyone says that it seems like an informal conversation. How much can one prepare? And what is the point where it becomes a burden because you have pre-reheased so much that if the questions aren't spot on what you predicted you lose your cool. Thoughts?

 

[tutenkhamen]

@katavi08 ...where it becomes a burden because you have pre-reheased so much that if the questions aren't spot on what you predicted...

Wondering about this exact thing as I write down answers to 'potential questions' that are likely to pop up! It's so pressurizing at this point, I've hardly been able to work on my degree films!

 

[katavi08]

@Paul J. @tutenkhamen True. I don't think one can ever fully prepare for an interview, as who knows what the interviewers are going to ask. I do think there is merit to knowing and rehearsing your answers to standard questions like: why do you want an MFA? What are your skills/weaknesses? Favorite film/director? These seem to be pretty standard interview questions. They might ask them, they might not. But, if they do at least you know your answer!
I'm also going back through my application, and looking over my creative samples in case I'm asked about those. I'm trying to find stories about the creative process of each sample that I could share if asked.
And everyone here should be preparing questions for their interviewers!
I'll be spending a lot of time in the next few weeks researching Columbia and the professors. Also, I don't think it's a bad idea to some research on what's going on in the industry at the moment. Are there any trends happening? What seems to be the biggest issues facing filmmakers today? Might give you some talking points that you could bring up during the interview.

 

[Boethius]

Also, if you get the name of the interviewer(s), it's worth looking them up and tracking down work they've done. If you can show that you've done your research, it will help earn yourself more respect as well as make you a better conversationalist.

 

[katavi08]

Did Columbia give you screenwriting/ directing applicants contact info for current students in their interview invitation email? They did for producing applicants. If they did, I would try to get in contact with the students. They could also give some helpful insight about the program.

 

[Boethius]

No, just an email to send questions.

 

[Paul J.]

Yeah, I was kind of bummed about that. I tried to schedule a campus tour for that date and was told that there will be a current student to show the premises. I got the feeling that it was standard and set up for everyone beforehand, which is nice!

@Boethius did you find info on who might be interviewing you in Columbia?

@katavi08 valid point you make there. I just always hated the "what's your favorite movie" or "who is your favorite director" -game during undergrad parties (I was in film) because it always seemed like an avantgarde one-up fest. And honestly I really can't say. No single movie or director has jumped out for me. It's like colors or flavors of ice cream. Totally depends on the mindset. What if during the day of Columbia's interview it happens to be Michael Bay?

 

[Boethius]

@Paul J. No, they told me the're not at liberty to release the information (understandable). I'm trying to swing by NYU while I'm out at Columbia, and when I drive to UCLA next week, representatives of LMU's and USC's writing programs are being really spectacular and taking time to meet with me one-on-one.

 

[peace.]

hi everyone,
so, can you believe the USC Grad school is still asking me for transcripts! UGH!!! so annoying! anyone, can tell me how much the SCA weighs on the Grad school? I think I read in former blog posts that they are pretty much independent but both decisions count....?

Been interviewed by SCA at USC but the Grad school keeps asking me for docs, and this time they're asking me for something the school doesn't even have because they dont keep records on file for more than 5 years- and of course I don't have any copies! ugh. That being said, i attended other schools after that one (first) school and they have all of that...so what the *&^%? lol.

ok, just re-read what I wrote and it may read as gibberish, so let me break it down:
1. i've started my univ studies at one school and had the school sent the diplomas/degrees i obtained there because they do not keep transcripts on file if over 5 years.
2. then i studied at other schools to which USC Grad received all they need (transcripts/diplomas)
[these schools are international]
3. then i attended a school in the US - to which they also have the transcripts sent by the school.


so that's the situation... my question: is it possible to be rejected based on something like this? i must be the only lost soul in this situation in entire USC Film history. gee.

*venting* sorry

and to all those worried because they haven't heard back for intw: do not, it's feb 12th! check the forum last year, ppl were hearing back throughout feb

 

[katavi08]

@paul J I hear you. I also hate that question, and I hope Columbia doesn't ask it! My favorite director is Stanley Kubrick-which seems like the cliched film student answer!

 

[katavi08]

@peace. Can your school recreate your transcript? I know there’s been situations at the school I work for where the registrar has had to recreate a student’s transcript because it went missing or some other reason. I’m not sure how this works for international schools. Have you explained to USC the situation? It sounds like whoever is looking at your application thinks you’re missing a transcript.
I’ve never heard of someone not being admitted because of a transcript. Although, I don’t know USC’s system, so I’m not sure how it works.
I’m sure it’ll be fine! If all else fails, maybe you could try contacting the faculty member who looked over your application. From your description of the interview, it sounds like they really liked you. Perhaps they could pull some strings.

 

[peace.]

@peace. Can your school recreate your transcript? I know there’s been situations at the school I work for where the registrar has had to recreate a student’s transcript because it went missing or some other reason. I’m not sure how this works for international schools. Have you explained to USC the situation? It sounds like whoever is looking at your application thinks you’re missing a transcript.
I’ve never heard of someone not being admitted because of a transcript. Although, I don’t know USC’s system, so I’m not sure how it works.
I’m sure it’ll be fine! If all else fails, maybe you could try contacting the faculty member who looked over your application. From your description of the interview, it sounds like they really liked you. Perhaps they could pull some strings.

@katavi08 you are so kind, so helpful, i truly hope we get to study in same school the faculty member indeed had emailed me out of the blue telling me to let her know if i needed help with anything and that i should hear back mid-march so i did just that and shared with her the situation.

not sure the school can recreate the transcript ....oh well, ill just go with my usual motto: whatever happens, happens.

good luck all!