Chapman MFA Screenwriting Applicants 2022

Chris W

The night was sultry...
Staff member
Applying to Chapman Screenwriting? Here's the official thread for Fall 2022 entry.

Deadline is December 1, 2021​


Chapman University - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts

Chapman University - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts

Rising to number 4 on The Hollywood Reporter's annual rankings of the top 25 American film schools in 2022, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University offers top-notch filmmaking courses in an intimate learning environment. Notable alumni include the Duffer brothers...

Here is FilmSchool.org's Admittance Data for the program from applications in our Film School Application Database:



Here are requirements and creative prompts for this year:

Application Requirements:

  • Statement of Intent: Submit an essay expressing your reasons for wanting to join the MFA Screenwriting Program. What are your personal and career goals, and how will this particular degree from Chapman University help you reach those goals? Your essay should be double spaced, size 12 font, and 1-2 pages in length.
  • Resume
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • Creative Supplement

Other Required Materials:

  • Official copy of your undergraduate transcript from your degree granting institution
  • International Students: Please see "International Applicants" tab below for additional requirements
No additional information should be sent to Dodge College or the Office of Admissions outside of what is required on the application. Any outside work sent to either office will not be reviewed as part of the admission process.

Please note that you may only submit Creative Supplement materials for your 1st choice major selected on the application. No other materials will be reviewed as part of the application process.

The requirements below are for students applying for Fall 2022

1. Creative Portfolio List

Upload a one (1) to two (2) page list of activities that demonstrates your potential in your area of chosen specialization focusing on creative accomplishments. Include in this list specific items that you could submit, if requested, to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Each listing should include a brief description of the work and your role in its creation.

Example of Portfolio listing (use this format):

Title: Roger's Car
Position: Writer/Director
16 minutes, Video 2005. Valley College
Log line: Unusual circumstance allows a sixteen-year-old to get his first car. I wrote this story for a creative writing class and produced the film with the help of my friends.

2. Transformational Moment Essay

Submit a two (2) page essay describing a transformational moment in your life that fundamentally changed you as a person. Explain how you gained wisdom and greater understanding of the human condition as a result of this experience. Essays should be typed, single-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, one-inch margins on all sides.

3. Narrative Scene

In no more than three (3) pages write a compelling dramatic scene based on this scenario: Two people who are close, experience a sudden calamity that changes their relationship. This may be written in short story or screenplay format. We are looking for the strength in your storytelling ability; there is no preference in format. The tone of the scene can be comic or dramatic in any genre.

4. Screenplay

Screenwriting applicants are required to submit 20-30 pages of your best creative or dramatic writing. This could be the first act or other section of a feature screenplay (with context), a screenplay for a short film, all or part of an episodic script, a web series, a one-act play or an excerpt from a full-length play, a short story or an excerpt from a novel. This to be written by you without the collaboration of others and should be submitted as a PDF or Word document. Please make sure that your submission includes your name, title, and year it was completed.

When do the decisions go out according to the school?​

Decisions will be released by the end of April.

Also.... BIG news... We are interviewing Chapman admissions the end of October. Let us know what questions you want us to ask them here:


How's everyone's application going? Gooduck!
 
Last edited:
Hello for those of you applying to Chapman Screenwriting 2022! My name is Lucy and I'm an international student from South Korea. I got accepted to Chapman Screenwriting 2021, currently in my first year. I wrote an article on how I got into the program so feel free to check it out for your reference!
Here's the link: How I Got into Chapman University’s Dodge College as an International Student
Best of luck to all of you guys!
 
Please submit your questions to Chapman Admissions here:


We're interviewing them towards the end of October.
 
Check out our new LONG interview with the Chapman Film School Admissions department:

How to get into Chapman's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts: Tips from the Department of Admissions (Part 1)

How to get into Chapman's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts: Tips from the Department of Admissions (Part 1)

Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts offers top-notch filmmaking courses in a welcoming and close-knit environment. Notable alumni include the Duffer brothers (Writers-Directors-Producers, Stranger Things), Justin Simien (Writer-Director-Producer, Dear White People), and...
 
So now that the deadline has come and gone. How'd the application go for everyone? Hopefully you were able to turn it in on time?

If you haven't yet please remember to add your application to our application database:


Good luck everyone!
 
Hello guys, I've been invited to an interview and I'm very nervous and excited! Do you have any idea of how those interviews from Chapman are? I'm from Brazil and the admissions processes here are very different.
 
Hello guys, I've been invited to an interview and I'm very nervous and excited! Do you have any idea of how those interviews from Chapman are? I'm from Brazil and the admissions processes here are very different.
Olááá! Brasileira aqui também! :D

Have you applied for the Screenwriting or TV Writing and Producing?
 
Hi everyone,

I contacted the Office of Graduate Admission and they told me they started interviewing for MFA in Screenwriting this year! I don't think they interview everyone but I'm not sure. They said the interview is a casual conversation and that they'll ask about us, our work and application, the usual stuff :)
 
Everyone please be sure to add your Applications to our application database so we can improve our acceptance data and help other applicants.


If you have any questions on how to add your application or suggestions on how to make the database better please let me know.
 
Log your film school application with our Application Database so that we can improve our admissions statistics.



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