Chapman Fall 2012 Applicants

[Derek Shoults]

Any news for anyone this week? I'm still waiting on word. Yes, patience is a virtue, but who ever said I needed to be virtuous?

 

[anaos]

Nothing here. Still "decision pending"
MFA Screenwriting. Regular Deadline.

I'm not so much impatient about getting results than I am disappointed with that the fact I haven't written much after I submitted my application on March 30th.

 

[SouthboundPachyderm]

I turned in my application in December and have heard nothing. I don't feel like much of a "priority." I don't see how there is a priority deadline if they wait to review all the regular deadline applicants before they make a decision with us?

 

[anaos]

Yeah I don't know.

I think the best thing to do is to just Keep calm and Keep working (on film projects). Sort of like that British WWII poster.
I wish I did the priority so I could be considered for a fellowship. I over utilize my deadlines a lot, a habit I picked up as an art student I guess. At least you are in the running for some money.

 

[weezinsuffy]

Don't take time off - KEEP PRODUCING! Since I finished my app, I've produced two commercials, and will start shooting another this week, and finished a draft of short I am directing this summer.

You might think this is bragging, but it's not. It's a challenge to you.

Hey Derek, I'm from Columbia, MO originally! That would be interesting if we both ended up at Chapman.

 

[Derek Shoults]

@weezinsuffy: really? Very cool.

I was the same way for a while, waiting for word seemed to put a damper on my creativity. But lately, I've been writing quite a bit. An idea for a novel popped in my head and I've just been writing for fun on it ever since. It has really helped with the waiting process, having something to work on.

Challenged accepted, @weezinsuffy, challenge accepted.

 

[Regs]

Hi Guys,

When I accessed my web adviser it mentions that I need to submit copy of my diploma.I am an engineering graduate so does that mean I have to submit a photocopy of the degree certificate?
I have already submitted the official transcripts and all other documents.

 

[anaos]

Diploma? What the...
Without a doubt you have to call them.

You don't mean transcript?

 

[let's do this]

Originally posted by Derek Shoults:
Any news for anyone this week? I'm still waiting on word. Yes, patience is a virtue, but who ever said I needed to be virtuous?

No word either. Getting antsy over here too.

@SouthboundPachyderm:
Haha so true. What does "priority" even mean anymore?

@Regs
You're an international student, right?
This link should help you, it lists the general requirements for international graduate applicants:
http://neo.chapman.edu/admission/intl/checklist.asp . A little snippet:

For applicants who have completed their bachelor's degree, submit a copy of your official university diploma in the native language, along with an English translation.

Hope that helps. Probably still best to give admission a call as well.

 

[trucherrygirl]

Applied by the priority deadline and still haven't heard anything! Received my first acceptance letter from another university today (my 2nd choice) and they are only giving me 10 days to make a decision. However, Chapman is my first choice school, so I'll probably call the admissions office this coming week and see what they can tell me re: my status.

Anyone else in the same or similar predicament?

 

[SouthboundPachyderm]

I'm in a somewhat similar predicament but I'll spare you the boring details. I hope when you call, they give you important information that you can share with us all but I am guessing they'll tell you the same thing they always say: that the notifications will continue to go out through the next month, following weeks, few days, etc. etc. without guaranteeing anything

 

[lite1]

@trucherrygirl FWIW from a film school Dad

Congrats on your acceptance at your 2nd choice school. I'd advise calling Chapman on Monday, so you provide them information and the longest time frame to choose/or not to provide you with additional information (or perhaps a decision).

I'd followup the call with an email summarizing what you had conveyed and what you had heard in the call with _______. Do not rely on that person, even with their best intentions, of conveying things accurately. If you had not already indicated it in your application, definitely indicate that Chapman is your first choice (and perhaps in one sentence why). You might want to reference an informal study that shows that grad students who attend their first choice school are more highly motivated, satisfied with the program, do better,and ultimately become ambassadors for the school. (Most of this I am making up from my very informal reading of forum posts and talking to professors etc.) Perhaps it doesn't hurt to champion your cause. While you will be "polite", being persuasive and perhaps even slightly pushy - well this side of being obnoxious - might demonstrate a motivated, can-do attitude that is usually a prereq for success in the field.

If you are accepted to Chapman, you are about to make a huge time and money investment, and while the school holds a lot of the power at this point in time there is probably little downside in championing your cause. While the official Dodge position is that they do not divulge decisions over the phone but rely on snail mail, there are obvious exceptions to this based on forum posts. In this digital age, reliance on snail mail is a bit retro.

If there is a particular screen writing prof that was important in making Chapman your first choice you might consider contacting them, but if you do speak with them on the phone then you better be familiar with their work and as appropriate drop a comment. Profs don't like brown nosers but a little genuine flattery might convince them to try to push the decision making along. At the very least perhaps you can wrangle from them some information: a) how many slots in screen writing are not yet firmly filled? b) What are your chances low, medium, high for those slots? c) Have they established a waiting list yet, and if so how many people are on it?

While acknowledging that they have their process and priorities, you might also indicate that you participate on a forum(s) and know that part of the way prospective students evaluate a program is how they are treated during the application (and acceptance/rejection/wait list) process.

========
I do not know what the "rules" are at your 2nd choice school. I know you said you had to decide in 10 days, but don't know whether you also commit a non-refundable tuition deposit immediately. While "not fair" to the other school and to the other screenwriting applicants there, if your financial commitment to accepting at your 2nd choice is not too steep and you still have not heard from Chapman then you might accept there to give the Chapman process more time; and then if accepted at Chapman release your spot. You might also find out whether your 2nd choice school would offer you perhaps an additional 5 days to decide.

It is a challenging set of choice points and I will picture you having clarity as you weigh your options and actions. Hopefully some of this has been of some assistance. What you communicate with them (as well as any subtext) might be important. Sometimes the best action to take is inward (confidence in yourself, patience, calm) and doing the rest of your life; sometimes some other outside action is preferable.

 

[Mike_V]

If you're in the LA area, you can also go down to the admissions office to ask them. To be honest, I'd rather call them and ask. I remembered some applicants who just call them to get a quick answer.
Try your luck, I doubt it will hurt your application status.

 

[weezinsuffy]

UPDATE: I've been asked to interview in person for the directing program and am trying to arrange a flight in the next two weeks. Anyone in the Orange County area willing to put up a starry-eyed hopeful for a weekend? I'll buy lunch, or beer, or whatever. Floor or couch?!

 

[anaos]

did you apply by the priority or regular deadline

 

[let's do this]

Originally posted by weezinsuffy:
UPDATE: I've been asked to interview in person for the directing program and am trying to arrange a flight in the next two weeks. Anyone in the Orange County area willing to put up a starry-eyed hopeful for a weekend? I'll buy lunch, or beer, or whatever. Floor or couch?!

@weezinsuffy
Congrats on the interview! That's definitely a good sign. Let us know how it goes

 

[weezinsuffy]

I applied priority...technically, but one of my letters of rec came in very late.

@let's do this

Thanks! I'm super excited and thrilled about the opportunity. I will keep the board updated.

 

[anaos]

Any updates from anyone?

My status still says decision pending.

 

[let's do this]

@anaos

Rumor has it that more decisions will be going out during the first 2 weeks of May.

 

[anaos]

Nice. I hope your source is right.