2016 Interviews- Acceptances- Rejections

[Shikha Mahajan]

Hi Guys,

I am new on this forum. I just had an interview with UCLA for the directing program. I think I did well with the interview and the pitch for the short film.
But despite my sincerity they seemed a bit sceptical about my age (I am 32 years old).

Keeping my fingers crossed. Wish you all well.

R.S.

Hi @chicago123! Best wishes for your interview result!

I also have an interview with UCLA for directing program, and i am also 32! All this time i never thought of my age as a hindrance! Well!!

Do you know if tuition fee of this program or other expenses are mentioned anywhere on their website? And how was your interview?

 

[Tiffany Kontoyiannis]

Congrats! My interviewer said it would be "a while before you hear anything". I wanted to ask what exactly that meant, but I didn't want to push too much so I didn't ask. Do you know anything else about how the process works? Do they do formal interviews next? Or just make decisions?

From what I remember, it seemed like they were making decisions this week! But I'm not sure now!

 

[chicago123]

The tuition really depends on whether or not you are a california resident.
I found this link from their website which talks about tution

https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/tuition/

Good luck with your interview.

 

[HaleyW]

Do all NYU dramatic writing MFA applications who are considered get interviewed? Based on the spread sheet and other threads on this site, I'm not entirely sure. Can anyone give me a clear answer? Thanks

 

[HaleyW]

And what is the acceptance rate for dramatic writing? if anyone knows

 

[chicago123]

And what is the acceptance rate for dramatic writing? if anyone knows

Found this on their site. Again I know that it doesn't break it down but my assumption would be that a vast majority of applicants apply for directing and screenwriting

Q:How many new students does the Film, Television and Digital Media department accept each year?

This varies each year and within each program: 1,400 Approximate number of yearly applicants Approximate number of new students accepted in each program: 30 BA 18 MFA Production/Directing 30 MFA Screenwriting 15 MFA Producers Program 15 MFA Animation 15 MA 10 PhD 3 MFA Production/Cinematography

 

[WriterGirl]

Hi! I just registered and came out of my long time lurking to ask this (I had already filled out the spread sheet anonymously, don't worry):

I'm still confused due to conflicting reports, so... Does USC conduct interviews for SCREENWRITERS or not? Do we know for sure?
(I see some Stark peeps have already been admitted! Congrats!)

Other than that, does anyone have any advice RE: Style and Questions for Columbia's interview? (Screenwriter here, in case that wasn't already clear )

 

[nervouslurker]

Hi! I just registered and came out of my long time lurking to ask this (I had already filled out the spread sheet anonymously, don't worry):

I'm still confused due to conflicting reports, so... Does USC conduct interviews for SCREENWRITERS or not? Do we know for sure?
(I see some Stark peeps have already been admitted! Congrats!)

Other than that, does anyone have any advice RE: Style and Questions for Columbia's interview? (Screenwriter here, in case that wasn't already clear )

There are a few interviews but those are the exception. Most of their MFA Screenwriting students are admitted without an interview.

 

[Dosh]

Hey Guys, is it a must to have an interview with USC for Film and TV production program in order to get in?
I'm kinda worried I was very confident that I was going to get in but I haven't heard anything yet

 

[Shikha Mahajan]

I was just going through the spreadsheet and noticed that lesser international students applied to UCLA than NYU or Columbia! (actually much lesser in comparison!) I know the spreadsheet is not the complete database, still it looks weird. Any ideas?

 

[Joshua Aka]

I was just going through the spreadsheet and noticed that lesser international students applied to UCLA than NYU or Columbia! (actually much lesser in comparison!) I know the spreadsheet is not the complete database, still it looks weird. Any ideas?

NYU and Columbia are private schools. Generally speaking, private schools tend to be a lot more generous with financial aid to international students. Possibly because they don't make a distinction between tax-payers and not? Just one of possible factors.

 

[Lambert]

Hey guys,

I am new on the forum and I really wanted your opinion on a few things.
I applied to USC Film Production MFA and UCLA Cinematography MFA just to give it a go even though I wasn't sure I could get a shot at any of them. However, I received an email a few days ago from a teacher member of the admission committee at USC who wants to have a "talk" with me through skype "to answer any questions I might have regarding SCA". I don't know what to think as it doesn't seem very formal for an interview. I am as much stressed as I am happy to be honest !

Also, regarding UCLA, they contacted me last week to ask me for different links to my creative work to "further review my work". Therefore, I sent them my showreel and two short films I worked on as a DP. I was a bit surprised as they made it clear it wasn't a requirement on their website. I guess it is good news but I haven't been ask for an interview though. Is there anyone here who applied for the MFA of Cinematography in UCLA ? Also, I heard the acceptance rate to the cinematography course is lower than the Directing one. Do you guys agree with that?

Thanks for your time and good luck to everyone !

 

[tutenkhamen]

...lesser international students applied to UCLA than NYU or Columbia!...

Talking about international students, I'm assuming you're from India? Haha, hello!

 

[Shikha Mahajan]

Talking about international students, I'm assuming you're from India? Haha, hello!

Yeah Pune boy! how is it going?!?!

 

[tutenkhamen]

Yeah Pune boy! how is it going?!?!

Hahaha, I'm originally from Chandigarh! Finishing undergrad in Audio Visual Communication, and waiting to hear back from all the schools! (Currently referring to @katavi08's list of questions and trying to prepare for both my scheduled interviews)

 

[Shikha Mahajan]

Hahaha, I'm originally from Chandigarh! Finishing undergrad in Audio Visual Communication, and waiting to hear back from all the schools! (Currently referring to @katavi08's list of questions and trying to prepare for both my scheduled interviews)

Good wishes for your preparations! My interview is tomorrow at UCLA!

 

[tutenkhamen]

Good wishes for your preparations! My interview is tomorrow at UCLA!

Thank you! All the best for your interview! Tell us how it goes!

 

[WriterGirl]

(Currently referring to @katavi08's list of questions and trying to prepare for both my scheduled interviews)

Where can I find this list? (Not sure I have checked that one? )

 

[WriterGirl]

There are a few interviews but those are the exception. Most of their MFA Screenwriting students are admitted without an interview.

Thank you! So no news at this point really means nothing...

 

[WriterGirl]

NYU and Columbia are private schools. Generally speaking, private schools tend to be a lot more generous with financial aid to international students. Possibly because they don't make a distinction between tax-payers and not? Just one of possible factors.

Even NYU, tho? I remember reading somewhere on their website that you should not expect any kind of financial help from them, specially as an international candidate... It was part of what put me off them when I was shortlisting schools to apply (I don't expect free rides anywhere, but that school is DAMN expensive, so that little note felt like a slap on the face. Other schools at most mention the help is limited, which is obvious, but at least don't outright squash all hope)