Chapman News

[Matty]

wannabe,

I don't mean to be pry, but why don't you think you'll get in? Is it because you get a feeling that all the potentials have already been contacted?

 

[redpokiepenguin]

I'm going to gripe a little bit, plus provide some info.

i just talked to the admissions office, which really don't know all that much, but they said because of rolling admissions they keep notifying people in waves. So it's possible if you didn't hear you didn't make this 'wave' or they didn't get to your application yet.

On the other hand b/c i'm a joint degree applicant they don't know what to do with me. They keep saying i'm fine, but then when i talk to the individual schools they never saw my applicaiton. I think it's a subgroup that they don't know how to deal with. I can't get any answers, i don't know when I'll know. etc. It's driving me crazy....arg. I don't like being, what feels like, everyone's guinea pig.

 

[redpokiepenguin]

Bartleby, that's a tough call. I would weigh my how likely i was to get into the other schools and how much i like chapman.

question to all: when you look at webadvisor and it says "date received" is it before the priority deadline? Because I postmarked mine about a week before but i guess they didn't process it until later. my date says 2/11 which is 10 days past so now i'm worried that it's not priority but rather just regular.

 

[placebo]

redpokiepenguin,

you should be fine. my stuff has a date after 2/1 as well but i was in contact with the grad school throughout the process (thanks to a missing transcript) and was informed that so long as the materials arrived before 2/1 applicants are considered for the priority deadline.

 

[wannabe2]

quote from Matty: I don't mean to be pry, but why don't you think you'll get in? Is it because you get a feeling that all the potentials have already been contacted?

From what I gather given what I've observed in here is that most of the really experienced folks are getting in. Which is fine, maybe I'll spend another year really crafting better applications. That's all.

redpokiepenquin- the date on my webadvisor is also post 2/1, and I had my app in the last week of Jan. They also lossed my transcripts, so... I was assured (who knows if it is true or not) that if they received it before 2/1 then you are considered a "priority" candidate.

Good Luck, from what I've been reading you've gotten interviews with most of the big five. I thought you said you just submitted some stuff you threw together with your cam ?
Good for you though, mean it.

 

[Jayimess]

Bartleby,

PM Winter, she talked to my friend who got the same ultimatum but was waiting for AFI.

It is my understanding that they will wait.

I personally don't think that you should commit until you know all your options. I committed to UCLA before getting the bump off of USC's waitlist, and I had to change my tune. It's hard to tell someone you really respect, in my case, Hal Ackerman, that you're going somewhere else.

 

[Matty]

Hello fellow applicants,

I too called a grad assistant today, and I'm afraid there's nothing overly spectacular to report. He basically told me that they have A LOT of applications this year, and that they have not gone through all of them yet. "Be patient" he told me over and over. But I would advise any non-americans to check and see if all systems are go in the process for their applications. After being on the phone with the grad assistant, I called the office of admissions and asked what my status was. The lady told me they were still waiting for the TOEFL score. "I never took the test" I said, "I wasn't aware I was supposed to". It was later revealed that they just assumed that since I am from Canada that I hadn't studied in English; even though on of my majors was English lit!
After being bounced around some more on the phone, I finally got the TOEFL waived, but I fear the confusion set me back on the processing. I wish that on no one else.

Also, I posted a while ago my question on what exactly constitutes 'experience' for Chapman, and no one has weighed in on the question. I admit I am clueless as to what the level of experience is, and if I'm close to it or not. Wannabe has said that he feels he might not be quite there yet, and I guess it'd be nice to know if I'm in that boat as well. Can any current or future Chapman hopefulls weigh in here?
Thanks guys

 

[wannabe2]

Matty:

To put it in perspective where my qualifications are concerned, I have only PA'd for a couple of independent shorts. That's it. My admission, I believe, is reliant upon my grades and my writing samples. If they ask me for my reel, well then we'll see. Given some of the films I've seen by other potentials, I have my work cut out for me. I might need to really hone my craft. My hope is that Chapman does assume that some incoming students are without a background in film production. But my feeling is that "the top 5" limit the number of novices. We'll see, best of luck.

 

[Bartleby Fink]

I'm most definitely a novice, as I've only worked on a couple of no-budget shorts. But I recently started as an editing assistant/intern at a local production firm.

And I got in.

Also, I spoke with Joe (the chair of the film program) and he said he'd be happy to extend my deposit deadline for me to get out there and meet with him. So, go Chapman! They are tops so far.

 

[Winterreverie]

Yay-- I'm so excited. I know you'll love the school!

 

[wannabe2]

Hey Bartley Fink, awesome! I haven't heard a word, so kind of bracing for whatever comes. I really liked Chapman...

We'll see. The grad assistant did say they haven't gotten to all the apps, but I kind of thought he was giving the standard company answer. But kudos, Chapman is really awesome.

 

[Winterreverie]

I'm on set tonight with the grad assistant-- I'll ask him where they really are in the process. He's a good friend of mine.

 

[wannabe2]

Hey Winter- if you could find out where they are with the Directing candidates that'd be awesome. Also, if you could find out if they ever take total novices I would be interested to know that as well. Given what I've learned in here I believe they only accept reletively experienced folk. I've already begun working on next year's apps. I decided last minute (November) to just go for it. 'not enough time to prepare. But, we'll see.

 

[redpokiepenguin]

hey foxwithcpu,

i applied to producing at afi and chapman too. havne't heard a thing but they're rolling admissions. they tell me that they let people know in 'waves.' so i'm guessing they haven't reached us yet. In terms of interviews I think it depends on who you are. I don't think they all interview though.

 

[Winterreverie]

As far as I recall-- people were just barely getting admitted in march-- and I know people who were let in, literally days before orientation (You can PM Manofaction-- who amazingly moved down here from Canada literally on a moments notice)

As far as interviews go, They don't interview everyone-- which is good and bad. If they're certain about you by your application alone you tend to hear right away (I was admitted really early last year without an interview) But for production specifically directing, they tend to wait a little longer and interview a bit later. The unfortunate side of this, is you'll never know what to think of your application or chances until you get admitted or rejected. Try hard not to stress-- I know, easy for me to say, but remember all of us from last year survived the wait.

Not everyone let in to Chapman has film experience, although I would say that more than half of those admitted to Chapman do-- in fact many have worked professionally in other countries or have won awards at various festivals or have studied personally under respected filmmakers. But I also know people who had never picked up a camera before our first assignment.-- Yes, you get your first assignment almost as soon as you get admitted, but don't sweat it.

I'll let you know, I never contacted chapman until after I was admitted. However, if you haven't heard yea or nay by may, I would email the chair or whoever you interviewed with and let them know you're still alive and (Especially) if you have any additional materials you can send-- I think that's the key. Or you can wait-- which won't exactly hurt your chances. Like I said tonight I'm on set (At Chapman-- you have opportunities to constantly be on set regardless of your discipline) and I will ask the Grad assistant if he knows anything about where they are in admissions this year.

But also, bear in mind that since Chapman is new, the expectations for admissions are changing. There are twice the number of people in the year before me-- most of them a lot younger and less experienced than the students that came in with me (I think around 70 of us total).

 

[wannabe2]

Winter, as noted by another contributor, thanks for your willingness to share your experience, strength, and hope.

Just to clarify what you said-"But I also know people who had never picked up a camera". Were these people accepted into the Directing emphasis?

Enjoy the set, I know I will soon hopefully. I've reread the abstract from "Confidential" at least 77 times. It sounds so awesome.

 

[cabezon]

I'm with foxwithcpu, I'm ready to hear about my apps.

Nice to see another producing applicant on here. Hey fox, what other schools did you apply to?

 

[cabezon]

Hey guys,

Good news! I just got a call from Alex Rose's office @ Chapman and she wants me to come in to interview for the Film/TV Producing program! I was busy at the time I was called so told them I would call back early tomorrow to schedule a date. Can you believe that? I've been waiting so long and when I get 'the' call I'm busy with something important. Ahaha! I'm so excited nonetheless. Good times

Just thought I let you guys know. Wish me luck with all this.

 

[Vancer]

Does this mean anything to anyone?


The most recent status for your Chapman Application(s) is listed below:

Application Term: Fall 2008
Program: Film Production
Location: Orange Campus
Application Status: Please contact the Chapman University campus to which
you applied for information about your status.

Any thoughts? Give me some good news guys lol.

 

[Vancer]

By the way, I contacted Dodge College @ Chapman and they told me that all Film Production decision letters have been mailed. We all should be hearing soon...