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Columbia 2011 Application - Questions (1 Viewer)

MAlbie

Well-Known Member
Hello,
First, thank you for taking the time to read my posting.

I have been looking at film schools (screen writing MFA in particular) for some time now and narrowed down my choices to Columbia and NYU, with Columbia being the favorite. I have already written the first draft of my essay and plan to use some existing materials for the 10-page sample. My next task is to work on the 1 page treatment, which it seems is the hardest part. I have some questions that I am hoping I can get help in answering.

1: I am currently enrolled in an MBA program and heading into my 2nd year with an expected graduation date of May 2011. My hope is that I would enter film school in the Fall of 2011. My concern is my transcripts. While I currently have a 3.4 GPA in my MBA program, but undergraduate GPA is a 2.7 and most certainly I deserved it because I did not apply myself. Reading this forum I noticed a post that said GPA was not as important as other aspects of my application, but do you think the undergraduate transcript will hold me back?

2: I have seen that many schools request a portfolio or resume with samples of work. Columbia does not request this, but will they refuse to consider it?

3: I do not have a visual submission, but I can create something by pulling in past professional work and mixing it with something created just for the application. I feel that, especially with my poor GPA in undergrad, a visual submission would help. But if I create something just for Columbia, will it appear as if I am attempting to curry favor in an inappropriate manner?

4: I am over 30, so I would certainly be an older student. I have heard that this is seen as a large negative. Is this true?

Any help on these questions or advice that you can provide is appreciated.

MAlbie
 
I haven't heard from either Columbia or Tisch. Not even a "Drop Dead" email.

Yesterday I spent four hours putting together a spreadsheet/schedule for all the schools I plan to apply to for 2012. I know the requirements will change, as well as the dates, but I can use this as a base to start work. I also made an appointment to meet with a Kaplan rep on preparation for the GRE.

I start work on my applications next week.
 
Originally posted by Sojouner:
Fears be allayed...at least for some.

I spoke with admissions today. I was concerned about my app since I mailed it manually.

They told me they're just getting around to a fresh batch of applications for consideration.

Bon chance

Don't worry, guys. There will be another round of invitations soon.

And like I said before, according to what applicants from previous years wrote, some people were offered invitations late in the admissions process.

Good luck.
 
There might still be a light of hope, I had a friend in Columbia go and ask if they were done sending out invitations and apparently they still haven't finished viewing all the applications. They said they should be calling more people at the end of this week.

Has anybody received a rejection letter??
 
Originally posted by groovydazzle:
There might still be a light of hope, I had a friend in Columbia go and ask if they were done sending out invitations and apparently they still haven't finished viewing all the applications. They said they should be calling more people at the end of this week.

Has anybody received a rejection letter??

Thanks for the news groovy, hopefully a few more of us will get called off the bench this week.
 
Adding in my angst ridden two cents. Haven't heard a peep from Columbia or NYU...I've been obsessively lurking and today decided to come out of the shadows. I'm with you MAlbie. If I don't get in this year, I'll be reapplying for '12. Stuck in New York because of my husband's job, so it's NYU, Columbia or bust...
 
I got two phone calls today, from unknown New York numbers. Neither were Columbia. It was truly an awful feeling. At least, I'll be able to write about this one day, no matter what happens :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have an interview mid-March. A bit nervous. Many years of waiting and planning for this...don't want to blow it. I have talked to a few current CU students who went through the interview process. I will post responses here if anyone cares to know.
 
Originally posted by aresee:
I have an interview mid-March. A bit nervous. Many years of waiting and planning for this...don't want to blow it. I have talked to a few current CU students who went through the interview process. I will post responses here if anyone cares to know.

Yes, we care to know. Even the playing field and let everyone know what types of questions they ask. It only seems fair.
 
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