Chapman News

[Winterreverie]

I emailed joe Slowensky regarding Grants and fellowships earlier this week, I haven't heard back yet. The actual letter from Chapman is at my parent's place so when I visit this weekend I'll get the details for you all as to when they want confirmation.

 

[Winterreverie]

It says, "please return your intent to register ASAP" ASAP? What the hell does that mean? Can I sit on it till I hear if back from UCLA or will I lose my spot in the meantime. And while we're on the subject is $28,000 really worth it? Chapman Grad opinions highly appreciated.

 

[ndakoulas]

I'd think you should be able to wait until you hear back from UCLA. I mean the letter says "ASAP" and it's not "possible" for you to commit to Chapman until you hear from UCLA right? I'm surprised they don't give you a specific time limit to respond... I bet if you called admissions they might be able to give you a general time frame.

And as far as $28,000 goes (is that per year?), I already thought long and hard before I applied and decided that I would bite the bullet and spend the money if I really thought it was going to help me fulfill my dream (which I do). So I guess what you need to do is really think hard about what you expect to get out of film school and how much that is worth to you.

Is the debt and uncertainty worth the possible rewards? Think about what the differences in your life would be in spending versus not spending that money on film school. You're going to have doubts either way, but this is a decision that should make you more excited than worried. Hopefully this helps you out at least a little.

 

[Philly]

ASAP?? What a cop out! I think you can absolutely wait until you hear from UCLA. They can't just up and say "You don't have a spot any more unless they give you a drop dead commit date, right?

As far as they money goes...The way I see it...I would rather spend my life in debt and having pursued my dreams than in a hopeless 9-5 where I feel unchallenged but secure. It's what matters most to you. Ideally you get the dream job and the financial security, but you won't get it if you don't try for it.

eeeekkk--I sound like an after school special!

 

[Winterreverie]

I think I will end up biting the bullet and accepting the offer. (Provided I don't hear back from UCLA with a fellowship).

I guess my big fear is that I've been my family's financial support since my dad had a heart attack almost 2 years ago.

I've dealt with the misery of a 9 to 5 that was making my brain cells slowly melt away. And I know this will be a fantastic opportunity, but responsibility weighs heavy on my shoulders.

I guess I will find a way to make due. I'd like to know that there are really TA positions and stipends to cover that second year. If I knew that I would already be packing my bags. On a side note, does anyone know the cost of graduate housing out there? Or are there reasonable priced local apartments or houses within walking distance?

Thanks!

 

[Philly]

You have a lot of the same questions as I do. I did email the grad asst. about a month ago and he answered a bunch of my questions. I've listed some of the questions and answers I thought might be relevant to your concerns.


-Are there opportunities to teach/TA? How abundant are teaching positions?
--"There are many opportunities to TA, but graduate students do not teach any actual courses."

-Is there work study available and do you have time at all to work?
--"Yes, there are work study positions available, and many students have time to work (I am a directing student, for instance, and I can handle about 10 - 12 hours a week of work)."

-What's the cost of living like in Orange Co? About how much do I need a month to live?
--"The cost of living varies, depending on your living situation and whether you have a roommate. I would say you need about $1,500 a month for rent, food, and activities."

-Does anyone live in graduate housing or mainly off campus?
--"Some married students live in Chapman-owned houses, but the vast majority of students rent apartments or houses from landlords. Only married students are eligible for a Chapman house."

-What advice would you give in making a choice on which school to attend?
--"I'd say go with your instinct - if you have a good feeling about a school, that's probably the right school for you. Similarly, if you have any reservations, it might not be the right choice. I never had any reservations about attending Chapman."

Hopefully these q and a's help. Also I've been checking craigslist and it seems that there are places for rent within walking distance. Most seem to be in the range of $550-800 if you plan on having a roommate.

 

[Philly]

Anyone hear anything from Chapman recently?

Is there anyone on this forum that is currently a grad student at Chapman ad remembers when they were notified?...or even the process they had to go through. I know they admit some without interviews but I'm still wondering if that applies to Directing students.

 

[Winterreverie]

Interesting...

I wrote an email to the head of the department asking about taking classes across emphasis' (I applied to directing at UCLA and Screen writing at Chapman, but my ideal grad school would allow me to take advanced classes in both regardless of my emphasis) and about the fellowships or TA positions available to supplement the tuition. Instead of sending me a quick reply he scheduled a 30-45 minute phone meeting with me. I'm not sure how to read that. I'll take it as good for now. Can they take away an offer for admission once they've offered it?

Side note, UCLA was really positive-- if not excited-- about cross discipline training so its not unheard of to walk in a screenwriter and to come out a well rounded film-maker.

 

[Philly]

I would definately take the phone meeting as something positive. In reading over the graduate website it states that people are permitted to change their minds their first year and switch emphasis. Maybe they also allow a screenwriting emphasis with several directing courses as supplement...I don't think they want to keep you from attaining your goals as a well rounded filmmaker. I'd be interested in knowing what he says about it.

 

[Winterreverie]

Will definatley let you know, and at least this meeting gives me more time to wait on UCLA's response rather than submitting my intent to register right away.

 

[Winterreverie]

Answers to earlier questions from their Grad assistant:

First off, yes, as a screenwriting student you will be allowed to take directing and cinematography courses. However, just a small caveat - those classes are usually small and the directing/cine students get first shot at being admitted to them. That said, you should have no problem getting into them, although just note that the other students will have priority. A good friend of mine who's in the producing program took two directing classes and is now using the school equipment to shoot a short film that he wrote.

That should also answer your second question - yes, you are allowed to check out equipment for a personal project. In order to do so, you must register for an independent study course with a faculty member who's willing to advise the project, and then you must go through all the rigors expected of any graduate film - script development, script lock, greenlight, etc. You must have key members in place before you start shooting (editor, cinematographer, sound designer, etc.). It's not uncommon for students from other disciplines to direct their own short films.

Hmmm, I think my preference of the school's I chose may be shifting. That Being said, the biggest hurdle is still money, but with any luck--

 

[Philly]

i just posted this on another thread but since it's Chapman News...

I spoke with the Grad Asst today and he said that decisions should be made by the end of April and that they were not sure if they are holding interviews this year or not.

 

[BillyD]

Yeah, the weird thing I noticed about Chapman is that they have two application deadlines, one in February, and one in May. It seems like that would make them prone to cherry-picking their favorites right away, then holding out with the others until May "just in case" (and don't take this the wrong way!) they got someone else they liked more.

From what you guys say in this thread, with trouble hearing back, no certainty about interviews, and deadlines like 'ASAP', I wonder if that might be what's at work here.

 

[Winterreverie]

I definitely agree with you (and the website even implies) that the feb 1st deadline is the priority deadline. Applicants there get reviewed first and get first dibs at fellowships. However, like any film school, there are limited spots in each discipline, so it only makes sense that they would hold applicants they weren't certain about for more info or until they saw the whole pool. Especially if they are looking to be one of the big 5 film schools. Their reputation lies in the students the allow in.

As for the ASAP deadline-- yeah thats a cop out, but I'm sure they don't want to act like they're pressuring the future student-- especially if (and chances are) those same student applied to and were maybe even accepted to a rival school.

 

[Jayimess]

Wait...you can apply to Chapman in MAY?!?!?

 

[Winterreverie]

Yeah. Are you thinking of adding it to your list of conquered grad schools? I'm sure if there's space you'll have a good chance. Plus its on the up and up.

 

[Winterreverie]

I'm resurrecting an old thread for all those new people applying to chapman. This might answer your questions and give you a timeline as to when people were contacted and how.

Hope it helps!

 

[cabezon]

Hey winter I applied to Chapman (Producer program). How long did it take for you to hear anything from them regarding your app? How was your interview? Now that you are there, how is the overall vibe of the school/people?

 

[Winterreverie]

I heard within a month and a half that I was accepted without an interview. But I wasn't the norm. Most people heard much later and i would say about half of them interviewed. The school weighs heavy on application materials and each emphasis has a different committee review your apps.

The school is GREAT, there are so many down to earth students and professionals, just about everybody is in the collaborative mind set. Chapman isn't the school to feel like a "Star" in, but if you are all about the community aspect of filmmaking chapman is fantastic. Most of the faculty go above and beyond, we are constantly meeting professionals (They host fancy dinners with them for about 10 students at a time while they screen films at least twice a week and then they have panel discussions following the films.)

Everyone is really mellow and open minded and so supportive of each other.

 

[dardo1]

I graduated from Chapman several years ago and here is just some friendly advise regarding most of the subject matter in these forums. What most applicants have to remember is that you are applying to a small liberal art "like" university and then to the Dodge Film School. So you have to meet the requirements of both; Chapman has become very competitive in terms of their University entry but even more so with the Film School (CU has about a 10% acceptance rate for Film School applicants with a 3.8 GPA and SAT's in the 1800-1900 range). So, remember to stay up on the academics as well as the creative work. As far as Chapman's reputation, the University is highly positioned in the annual national rankings in both the US NEWS & World Report and The Princeton Review. And the Film School is ranked among the top 10 in several specialty publications and lists. If you are discussing quality films schools these days, Chapman is always included among the greats, including USC, UCLA, AFI, CAL, Florida, and NYU. And, the mass, commercially oriented yet highly coveted Coca-Cola scholarship competition only takes the top 12 film schools in the nation for its yearly competition where the winner gets a bunch of cash and their film is shown in 9,000 nationwide theaters. Chapman is always one of these top 12 schools and the 2006 winner was a Chapman student. But while Chapman Film is only now becoming nationally recognized by most, the program has been noticed by die-hard film experts, students and professionals at least since the mid 90's, when CU became the 1st film program to widely use non-linear editing technology in the early 90's. But, rankings aside, the college/student fit is what is most important. Some people can't stand Orange County where Chapman is located, while others love its sunny weather, close proximity to Hollywood and all of the other Southern California benefits. (I think its a clear advantage to attend a school that is so close to Los Angeles). However, others love the big city feel of NYU and its stellar faculty. Still others want the big campus experience of a UCLA or Florida. So as a student, remember to go for what you want in a school in terms of its surroundings, student life, in addition to the quality of the education and faculty. If you are considering a film school, I would highly recommend Chapman's film school as it has everything a student would want; location, accessible facilities and equipment, which exceed most film schools' and might be the finest in the nation, Oscar winning faculty, plenty of great Hollywood guests, and a good reputation. Yes, its hard to get into CU, but all top film schools are. A few other ideas for less expensive schools that still offer extremely good programs include Long Beach State, UCSD, and San Fran State University.