Chapman Film School MFA Applicants 2026

[ethan2_7]

View attachment 4655This was the email I received yesterday.

Interesting! I’m still not holding out, but maybe others still have some hope.

 

[zoe]

I feel like Chapman waitlisted a ton of people. For the directing program, being waitlisted pretty much means it's hopeless, doesn't it?

 

[Chris W]

I feel like Chapman waitlisted a ton of people. For the directing program, being waitlisted pretty much means it's hopeless, doesn't it?

Admitted off wait-list rates are on link below. Not hopeless but low. (At least what was reported in the past)

Chapman University - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Acceptance Rate (Chapman - Directing MFA/All Years)

54.2%

Admitted

52 out of 96

9.4%

Waitlisted

9 out of 96

36.5%

Not Admitted

35 out of 96

Awaiting Results Admitted Waitlisted Denied

Click here for our full Admission Statistics for this program including interview and acceptance notification dates, accepted GPAs, waitlist acceptance rate, demographics of accepted applicants, $ amount of scholarship awarded, and more...

 

[ChapmanReviewer]

But yeah, I will say

hey guys! Got accepted by Calarts film directing. But now still wondering which one is better -- I mean in terms of facilities, staffs, networking etc, things that could really benefit students -- Chapman cinematography or Calarts directing, for I didn't actually find any comparison or some comments on study experience on these two programs online.

I want you to answer the below question completely honestly.

Imagine you went to a fortune teller who could tell the future with 100% accuracy, and you know that she's 100% accurate. First she tells you that you will never make it as a director, and then she tells you that you will never make it as a cinematographer either. Which one would you be more devastated by?

The one you're more devastated by is the path you should choose, because that is your heart's deeper desire.

If never being a cinematographer is disappointing, but never being a director is devastating, then your heart is more set on directing, which means that is what you should purse.

 

[Fang Lingzhen1]

But yeah, I will say


I want you to answer the below question completely honestly.

Imagine you went to a fortune teller who could tell the future with 100% accuracy, and you know that she's 100% accurate. First she tells you that you will never make it as a director, and then she tells you that you will never make it as a cinematographer either. Which one would you be more devastated by?

The one you're more devastated by is the path you should choose, because that is your heart's deeper desire.

If never being a cinematographer is disappointing, but never being a director is devastating, then your heart is more set on directing, which means that is what you should purse.

thanks very much for your kind reply! under that circumstance I'll definitely be devastated by can't become a film director.

 

[Kappadinster]

View attachment 4655This was the email I received yesterday.

I got an email. It seems like this was just regarding the standard opportunities available for students anyways. Merit awards have been given out..

 

[Ronister]

One way I can describe the school environment is if film school were politics, then Midwest colleges would be democrat and Chapman would be republican.

Kansas, where i'm from, has tons of school resources (aka pro big government like the democrats). Every class has PLAs, the use of Canvas, official hours where students can get help from the teachers, multiple ways to learn in the class, and if you accidentally miss the class then no problem, because the teacher will likely either post a summary or YouTube tutorial online.

In contrast, Chapman is the Republican of schools. There's less involvement and less policies from the school which means the teachers get more freedom in how they wish to teach. BUT the tradeoff is that there's less structure, less resources, and less inclusion for students who either learn differently or need extra support.

For example, a typical film class at Kansas has a teacher along with a PLA or two who's job is to help the students with their homework if they request help. Every class has Canvas where teachers post homework assignments, and you can see your grades in the class. Some teachers also post guides, tutorials, and videos on how to complete various assignments.

Chapman on the other hand is very different. Canvas is completely optional and many teachers don't use Canvas, and they teach their class the "old fashioned way". It's hard to explain but it's a lot more barebones, fewer guardrails for students, etc...


I'm going to be completely honest. There's nothing about Chapman, in terms of classes that makes it superior to The Midwest. The only advantage of going to Chapman is its location and its network, that's it. You don't go to Chapman for the classes, you go because of the connections. You're basically spending 200k to make future film friends.

I don’t know if this is just the editing film school experience, but I’m in the Showrunning program and it’s been nothing but delightful. The amount of growth and diversity of materials have been top notch. The majority of my professors have been top notch, use canvas, and are incredibly structured. I’ve have so many opportunities already even just though one semester. Again, not sure if this is just a major program difference, but I wouldn’t call my experience the same equivalence of a Midwest school by a long shot

 

[BarkingPikachu]

I don’t know if this is just the editing film school experience, but I’m in the Showrunning program and it’s been nothing but delightful. The amount of growth and diversity of materials have been top notch. The majority of my professors have been top notch, use canvas, and are incredibly structured. I’ve have so many opportunities already even just though one semester. Again, not sure if this is just a major program difference, but I wouldn’t call my experience the same equivalence of a Midwest school by a long shot

Three points.

1. Maybe the editing program is different compared to the showrunner program. Teachers and instructors of the program can absolutely affect the culture of the program.

2. Fit is important as well. Sometimes, a program isn't objectively bad, it's simply a bad fit for a particular person. And because two people can be completely different from one another, what is a good and bad fit is different for each person. Person A might be a good fit for the military and enjoy their time there while Person B would be a bad fit and find their time there draining. So when both of these people give conflicting opinions about the military, both of them are right.

3. People have completely different perspectives on a single event. For example, let's just say Mr. Smith in the camera class all of a sudden gets on one knee and starts praying to Jesus. Person A might not see that as a big deal, while Person B sees that as bad.


For these reasons, Chapman will be good for some people and bad for other people.

 

[21powells]

Has anyone heard from financial aid? They said they would be sending out emails but I haven’t received anything and my financial aid (FAFSA) still isn’t on my account.

 

[clarag]

Hello! I am joining this conversation rather late, but I was accepted into the Screenwriting program! I am excited to meet you all.

 

[Chris W]

Hello! I am joining this conversation rather late, but I was accepted into the Screenwriting program! I am excited to meet you all.

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