Chapman University Film School Applications Fall 2018

[xLorenzoM]

Ok guys. So I've broken down a list of pros

I totally get it. When you've been planning and dreaming about this step, it's hard not to want everything to be absolutely perfect and it's scary to think you might make the 'wrong' choice. That's a big part of why I post so much and thoroughly, I'm sorting it all out myself and some of what I write is for my own decision making process too.

same guys, same. This isn’t just some job we’re applying for. This is our future. Most of us are relocating. We just want to make sure we do everything in our power now to set us up for later.

The hours filling out applications. Application fees. Waiting for months to know if it’s even an option. Getting in and now worrying about costs. It’s all stressful. I just want to be comfortable knowing I made the right decision in the next four years.

 

[Russell Campbell]

Yep, from what I can tell, there appears to be a clear top 6 narrative film schools, and then a huge drop off after that top tier. But Dodge should be firmly entrenched in that top tier.

Chapman is slowly rising up the ranks of film schools, but even now it seems to be the "best kept secret" among the top film schools, mainly because it's newer. But by all accounts, it has the best facilities/equipment of any film school, which should be enough on it's own to put it at or near the top of anyone's rankings, since that's a huge aspect of filmmaking that the school has taken care of right off the bat.

They have been right in line with USC, AFI, Columbia, and NYU at the Student Oscars over the last several years. Chapman had two narrative winners in 2016, one alternative win in 2015, and a narrative nomination in 2017. That's actually significantly better than UCLA, who hasn't had a winner at the student Oscars since 2012, nor have they had a winner in narrative/alternative filmmaking since 2009. Student Academy Awards - Wikipedia So Chapman is actually better positioned at the Student Oscars than UCLA, and right in line with all the other schools commonly thought of as "elite".

Meanwhile, Chapman has a film production studio literally located on campus, and their alumni are legitimate industry talents, like the Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things) and Justin Simien (Dear White People). Throw in what Elle said about the benefits of a Conservatory, and I'm fully in agreement with her that it looks like the networking options should be just as good as any other school can offer.

Since Dodge is only 22 years old (younger than many of it's applicants) it might not be able to claim a long track record with names like "Francis Ford Coppola" but they shouldn't have to in the first place. Any school who's relying on the name brand of their graduates who came from a different century is pitching you a false premise. The question is whether or not graduating from this program will help your career goals today. Dodge seems to be putting their grads in situations where they can succeed, as well or better than any of the other top schools. I don't see anything in my research that would suggest Chapman belongs in a separate tier from the other top 6 schools. Some people might prefer the other schools for their own reasons, which is perfectly fine, but if they're looking down on Chapman/considering it second tier, I don't think they're viewing it correctly.

And also as far as living conditions, Orange County is so much nicer of a place to live than New York or LA. Next year if I get accepted at NYU and Chapman, I would strongly consider turning NYU down.

Thanks for taking the time to write this bro. You've put my mind a bit at ease.

Honestly I do get a warm and fuzzy thinking about getting to live somewhere else other than NY or LA. I live in Santa Monica now, which is fucking awesome so long as I want to go somewhere in west LA. I'm finishing up my undergrad at USC right now, and if I want to hang out with my friends who live by campus on a friday night, it turns into a fucking nightmare.

 

[Russell Campbell]

I totally get it. When you've been planning and dreaming about this step, it's hard not to want everything to be absolutely perfect and it's scary to think you might make the 'wrong' choice. That's a big part of why I post so much and thoroughly, I'm sorting it all out myself and some of what I write is for my own decision making process too.

Yeah, you've NAILED it. I got out of the military 7 years ago with nothing but bad grades on my record from before I went in. I started taking classes at community college determined to do better and get into a great school and prove all the people wrong that said I'd never make it in the civilian world. So it was really nice transferring to USC. I guess I had this grand vision of getting into Columbia and being able to rub it in everyones face one last time. I thought the interview there went so well too lol...

But just wanting to go to a school because of it prestige (and a chance for more spite) are probably the wrong reasons anyways hahah. I should be fucking stoked for my future. I'm a biology major who's only taken 1 screenwriting class and will get a chance to pursue my dream at either AFI of Chapman.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Yeah, you've NAILED it. I got out of the military 7 years ago with nothing but bad grades on my record from before I went in. I started taking classes at community college determined to do better and get into a great school and prove all the people wrong that said I'd never make it in the civilian world. So it was really nice transferring to USC. I guess I had this grand vision of getting into Columbia and being able to rub it in everyones face one last time. I thought the interview there went so well too lol...

But just wanting to go to a school because of it prestige (and a chance for more spite) are probably the wrong reasons anyways hahah. I should be fucking stoked for my future. I'm a biology major who's only taken 1 screenwriting class and will get a chance to pursue my dream at either AFI of Chapman.

I didn't get in at Columbia when I applied my first round and I realize now my motivations for going are what lead me to where I am now.. "we'll maybe I could try directing..." What I thought was a little minor consideration turned out to be a giant seed I'd buried long ago. Hindsight is 20/20 but I'm happy with how things have turned out for me.

I hope we wind up at the same school, I have a feeling we'd work well together. April 2nd is getting closer and closer by the minute. But it's good to know that I'll have a fantastic experience at Chapman if I'm not given the possibility of choosing between AFI and Chapman.

 

[xLorenzoM]

I didn't get in at Columbia when I applied my first round and I realize now my motivations for going are what lead me to where I am now.. "we'll maybe I could try directing..." What I thought was a little minor consideration turned out to be a giant seed I'd buried long ago. Hindsight is 20/20 but I'm happy with how things have turned out for me.

I hope we wind up at the same school, I have a feeling we'd work well together. April 2nd is getting closer and closer by the minute. But it's good to know that I'll have a fantastic experience at Chapman if I'm not given the possibility of choosing between AFI and Chapman.

You guys are on the right track. Just got my letter from Chapman today and it would be amazing to go there. 60k just to cover tuition and living expenses per year just doesn't seem realistic. I hope you guys do well there. & we'll all be in LA so I'm sure we'll find a way to collaborate on something.

 

[CMV]

Hey, guys! I was just accepted into Chapman this year (the MFA in Television Writing and Producing Program). I've been following your string of messages here and there and just wanted to offer a bit of feedback I received from a good friend of mine from high school, who went through USC's Peter Stark Program, which was a dream of mine since undergrad. (I applied four times, but it just never happened for me.)

What we need to remember, me especially, is that in the end, talent is what will take you places. Going to film school (and just pursing this industry in general) is a huge risk (physically, emotionally, definitely financially), but my friend Mike constantly reminds me that having USC, UCLA, NYU, or Columbia on your resume isn't what's going to turn you into an a-list writer, producer, director, whatever your passion. (And he went through the program, so he should know.) He's constantly reminding me that half of his graduating class from over five years ago are still looking for jobs. And that isn't meant to be taken as discouragement, it just means that there is no guarantee.

For me, I know the biggest struggle is stability. I like to feel stable with my life and choices, so the natural answer when faced with an unstable desire to join the entertainment industry is to find the school with the best alumni, highest ranking, and most successful films. But I would be lying if I didn't say that in pursing USC, I lost track of my real goal. Not to go to USC, but to make films. To create great cinematic moments. And that can happen with or without school.

The important thing is to not become too attached with the perfect success story ("I went to the number one school in America!") and instead focus on what you really want to do and become. For me, I have a long term interest in screenwriting and production. And it took me failing at getting into USC (FOUR TIMES) to realize it's not to only way to obtain that goal.

 

[Russell Campbell]

Just got done visiting the campus. Their facilities are fucking prime time. I have no idea about any of the programs (like di vinci) and equipment. All I've ever used is Final Draft lol, but a possible production student was touring with me and she was geeking tf out over everything. And it would certainly be way less stressful living in OC for a couple years than either LA or NYC.

I certainly feel way more comfortable with Chapman at this point. I ended up getting waitlisted at Columbia. So who knows what state my mind will be in after I hear back from AFI on monday. But I could certainly go to Chapman and be stoked doing so.

I'm so mentally worn out from this whole process. Time for some scotch.

 

[xLorenzoM]

Just got done visiting the campus. Their facilities are fucking prime time. I have no idea about any of the programs (like di vinci) and equipment. All I've ever used is Final Draft lol, but a possible production student was touring with me and she was geeking tf out over everything. And it would certainly be way less stressful living in OC for a couple years than either LA or NYC.

I certainly feel way more comfortable with Chapman at this point. I ended up getting waitlisted at Columbia. So who knows what state my mind will be in after I hear back from AFI on monday. But I could certainly go to Chapman and be stoked doing so.

I'm so mentally worn out from this whole process. Time for some scotch.

Dude, effing same. I got my rejection letter from Columbia today which leaves LMU & Chapman. I hit up both financial aid offices and basically got over the phone shrugs. Chapman said they should have an award package available this week but not to expect more than the 20.5k in loans offered. She said the rest would have to be met through "outside sources" (rich parents I'm assuming).

I'm actually still in school about to graduate in a month and this whole process has me mentally and physically exhausted. Getting into grad school and not affording has to be the human equivalent of putting a treat next your dog's mouth and pulling it away at the last second.

I'm on scholarship sites and it's the most annoying process ever. Not to mention some of the scholarships look sketchy.

Make that two glasses of scotch, plz.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Dude, effing same. I got my rejection letter from Columbia today which leaves LMU & Chapman. I hit up both financial aid offices and basically got over the phone shrugs. Chapman said they should have an award package available this week but not to expect more than the 20.5k in loans offered. She said the rest would have to be met through "outside sources" (rich parents I'm assuming).

I'm actually still in school about to graduate in a month and this whole process has me mentally and physically exhausted. Getting into grad school and not affording has to be the human equivalent of putting a treat next your dog's mouth and pulling it away at the last second.

I'm on scholarship sites and it's the most annoying process ever. Not to mention some of the scholarships look sketchy.

Make that two glasses of scotch, plz.

It's a huge credit to your writing talent that you were interviewed and accepted at such prestigious screenwriting programs coming straight out of undergrad. If it's not in the financial cards for you to attend now, don't sweat it. The average age of a film MFA student is their late 20s and most students range up into their 30s and beyond. You're ahead of the game and it's not a race anyway. Breathe, pat yourself on your back, and get through your final semester. You have lots of time. I know it sounds cliche and maybe patronizing but I swear it's true. Whatever you decide, keep writing and keep exploring life outside of film so you can fill the page with all your rich experiences.

 

[Russell Campbell]

Dude, effing same. I got my rejection letter from Columbia today which leaves LMU & Chapman. I hit up both financial aid offices and basically got over the phone shrugs. Chapman said they should have an award package available this week but not to expect more than the 20.5k in loans offered. She said the rest would have to be met through "outside sources" (rich parents I'm assuming).

I'm actually still in school about to graduate in a month and this whole process has me mentally and physically exhausted. Getting into grad school and not affording has to be the human equivalent of putting a treat next your dog's mouth and pulling it away at the last second.

I'm on scholarship sites and it's the most annoying process ever. Not to mention some of the scholarships look sketchy.

Make that two glasses of scotch, plz.

Yeah you'd have to take out federal loans then? Which is basically a gamble on when you'd be able to pay those back in the industry were all trying to break into. Would waiting to go the MFA route ever make it easier to pay for?

 

[civetta]

Just got done visiting the campus. Their facilities are fucking prime time. I have no idea about any of the programs (like di vinci) and equipment. All I've ever used is Final Draft lol, but a possible production student was touring with me and she was geeking tf out over everything. And it would certainly be way less stressful living in OC for a couple years than either LA or NYC.

I certainly feel way more comfortable with Chapman at this point. I ended up getting waitlisted at Columbia. So who knows what state my mind will be in after I hear back from AFI on monday. But I could certainly go to Chapman and be stoked doing so.

I'm so mentally worn out from this whole process. Time for some scotch.

did you have a chance to talk with the professors or currents students?

 

[xLorenzoM]

Nobody got denied from Chapman based off the google doc so I'm starting to think they'll take anyone willing to pay their tuition. Lol

 

[sharkb8]

Nobody got denied from Chapman based off the google doc so I'm starting to think they'll take anyone willing to pay their tuition. Lol

Not quite. This is explainable through selection bias. There are thousands of film school applicants who are not on that spreadsheet, so we have to remember what that spreadsheet actually shows us.

Yes, 100% of those on the spreadsheet got in at Chapman, but the only people who are on filmschool.org, who are filling out a spreadsheet of information and tracking their applications against other applications, are the applicants who take this process incredibly seriously. It stands to reason that these are many of the applicants who put more time and effort into their applications and film school decision than other applicants may have done.

Look at the numbers for any school on that spreadsheet, and the amount of successful results is always way higher than the actual percentage of accepted students the school admits. For instance, 16/39 applicants were approved at Columbia, and 7 were waitlisted. That's a 41% acceptance rate, and including those who were waitlisted, that's a 58% positive result. Are we to infer from this that Columbia accepts or waitlists nearly 60% of their MFA applicants? Of course not. Columbia is the third hardest school in the nation to be admitted to. It's just that many of those who are inputting their information on that spreadsheet are the most qualified applicants, so the numbers look better than they actually are.

What's really happening is selection bias. That spreadsheet represents a high percentage of applicants who took this process very seriously, so the spreadsheet will show a far higher acceptance rate than the total amount of applicants. For a better number to use, Chapman's website says they typically admit about 20% of applicants, and for directing, it's around 10%. The spreadsheet doesn't contradict that. The spreadsheet just says that for those who put a lot of effort into their application, they have a high percentage shot of being approved.

Aka, don't knock yourself. You got in, when most people didn't/don't. Congratulations on your accomplishment

 

[KKW]

No I haven’t.

sorry to ask you again... but have you hear back from them now? I check my email every day... nothing

 

[Russell Campbell]

did you have a chance to talk with the professors or currents students?

It was a current student who was giving the tour--a second year directing student to be exact.
Some of the information she mentioned that stuck with me:
-Every discipline has "14-17" students per year (some producing discipline was less and "documentaries" has like 3 students)
-All screenwriters/directors get to make a thesis film
-All students actually own the right to the films they are a part of
-They have no problem renting out equipment for personal projects during the summer and winter breaks, and that they have no problem with people going "cross-discipline" with personal projects

Obviously there was lots of questions about connections and all that, to which the girl giving the tour assured us Chapman has an adequate alumni network up in LA.

That's most of what's coming to my head right now.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

It was a current student who was giving the tour--a second year directing student to be exact.
Some of the information she mentioned that stuck with me:
-Every discipline has "14-17" students per year (some producing discipline was less and "documentaries" has like 3 students)
-All screenwriters/directors get to make a thesis film
-All students actually own the right to the films they are a part of
-They have no problem renting out equipment for personal projects during the summer and winter breaks, and that they have no problem with people going "cross-discipline" with personal projects

Obviously there was lots of questions about connections and all that, to which the girl giving the tour assured us Chapman has an adequate alumni network up in LA.

That's most of what's coming to my head right now.

You must be psychic! I was planning to email them asking about rights tomorrow because I couldn't remember. I know AFI owns your produced short films, but they also help distribute them and you get the money. But I also have an idea for my thesis project that would necessitate my owning the rights.

Also the tip about renting out gear for personal projects is really helpful too. Thanks!

 

[xLorenzoM]

It was a current student who was giving the tour--a second year directing student to be exact.
Some of the information she mentioned that stuck with me:
-Every discipline has "14-17" students per year (some producing discipline was less and "documentaries" has like 3 students)
-All screenwriters/directors get to make a thesis film
-All students actually own the right to the films they are a part of
-They have no problem renting out equipment for personal projects during the summer and winter breaks, and that they have no problem with people going "cross-discipline" with personal projects

Obviously there was lots of questions about connections and all that, to which the girl giving the tour assured us Chapman has an adequate alumni network up in LA.

That's most of what's coming to my head right now.

Very interesting. As far as facilities though, they're the best you've seen? What was the atmosphere like? *whispers* were the girls hot? *coughs* Sorry, allergies. But, yeah. I'm stuck over here in Miami so I have to live vicariously through you, mate.

 

[Russell Campbell]

Very interesting. As far as facilities though, they're the best you've seen? What was the atmosphere like? *whispers* were the girls hot? *coughs* Sorry, allergies. But, yeah. I'm stuck over here in Miami so I have to live vicariously through you, mate.

Honestly man, I'm the wrong guy to ask about technical aspect of facilities. The building itself is really nice, and from my well trained eye it seems really well equipped. I've looked around AFI and Columbia when doing my interviews and the buildings on those campuses are ancient compared to Dodge College. Columbia's restrooms looked like they belonged in the Elementary School I attended.

The atmosphere seemed super chill. The tour guide seemed to know just about everyone she ran in to.

And it's Orange Country bro...you can't take 10 steps without tripping and falling into a pilates studio ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[xLorenzoM]

Honestly man, I'm the wrong guy to ask about technical aspect of facilities. The building itself is really nice, and from my well trained eye it seems really well equipped. I've looked around AFI and Columbia when doing my interviews and the buildings on those campuses are ancient compared to Dodge College. Columbia's restrooms looked like they belonged in the Elementary School I attended.

The atmosphere seemed super chill. The tour guide seemed to know just about everyone she ran in to.

And it's Orange Country bro...you can't take 10 steps without tripping and falling into a pilates studio ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I've heard. It sucks that the more selective and notorious schools don't update their buildings/facilities at least every decade or so. I went to USC and was blown away by what they had to offer. Then I passed through UCLA and was like "uhhhhh... is this it?"

I got until April 6th to decide if I wanna do Chapman or LMU and it's a tough one, man. LA vs. Orange. Outdated equipment vs. New. 24k per year for 3 years vs. 42k per year for 2 years. I dunnoooooo.

 

[xLorenzoM]

Honestly, I've thrown cost out the window.

LMU is about 40k per year for tuition and living expenses. x3 years = $120k.
Chapman is about 60k per year for the same. x2 years = $120k.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯