• Supporting Membership Pricing Increasing on May 1 for New Subscriptions

    To continue expanding the exclusive tools, producing more in-depth interviews with admissions teams, and keeping FilmSchool.org completely ad-free and unbiased, Supporting Membership prices for new subscriptions will increase starting May 1st.

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
 
Aw thank you! I also have been accepted for Producing at AFI and today I was accepted at Chapman University in the O.C., California! I am ecstatic about those schools, two other of the top five film programs in the world, but I just want to know now about Columbia after waiting for so long, haha. Does Columbia even accept students by e-mail? I wonder! :) Definitely staying positive.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I didn't apply for Chapman. Tomorrow is the deadline for regular apps. I didn't know Chapman is that good. I'm also waiting for notifications from AFI and Columbia. I had my interviews for Directing. Tomorrow is also the day we hear from Columbia and I have to wait until Apr 15 for AFI. Sad...
 
Yeah, Chapman is a phenomenal school! You should definitely apply if possible. Chapman is just as good as Columbia, AFI, UCLA, USC! I wonder if there is any hope for us to be accepted to Columbia via e-mail, because I really thought we are supposed to get phone calls if accepted, not e-mails?
 
that's really good to see everybody hanging there with full of hope.
I m the international applicant for directing. I got the email form columbia today, it is a rejection latter, I thought it have to be the film department, but it is not, it is from MFA in New Genres, and i didn't do any interview with this program, so I m still hopeful! I had this feeling, there will be chance for people who get the interview with columbia.
I really admire the spirit as UCFgirl and HI FILM, and 2get2school shows.
hanging there everyone.good luck.
As I always said, if this school didn't get you, there are plenty out there, you will always have the best place god prepare for you.
 
I am an CP applicant from South Korea, and haven't heard a thing from school either.
I emailed a 2nd year student who arranged my interview to ask what's going on.
I hope we all still have fighting chances.

I will post if I hear anything. Filmgirl! :)
This is, for sure, painful moment that I never want to experience again.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I got an email from a 2nd year student and he told me he has been told all the decision letter has already been sent out.

I guess it's gonna be a big day for all of us after this weekend.

Good luck! CP applicants!
 
Log your film school application with our Application Database so that we can improve our admissions statistics.



Users who are viewing this thread


Latest Accepted Applications

This Application in the Scattergram

Unlock Film School Admissions Insights

Stop guessing about your chances. See exactly where you stand with real data from 5,000+ applications by becoming a Supporting Member.

This Application in the Scattergram

  • See applications plotted by GPA + Film Experience
  • View real outcomes: Admitted, Waitlisted, Denied, Awaiting Results
  • Hover for full application details

+ 45 Exclusive Admissions Charts

Acceptance rates, reapplication success, interview impact, portfolio breakdowns, and more.

Instant access • Cancel anytime

Latest Film School Reviews

  • DePaul University - School of Cinematic Arts
    4.00 star(s)
    Overall good
    While I was there, parts of the directing track felt like they were still evolving, so the quality of classes was a bit uneven. Some were...
    • Anonymous
  • Stony Brook University (SUNY)
    5.00 star(s)
    Stony Brook TV Writing MFA
    I love this program so much. If you are interested in TV Writing this is the best program for it. We have incredibly talented writers and the...
    • glafmay1
  • San Diego State University - School of Theatre, Television, and Film
    3.00 star(s)
    Nothing special
    You really kind of get what you pay for with this program. It might be one of the cheapest programs out there but it’s also one of the most...
    • Anonymous
  • USC School of Cinematic Arts
    5.00 star(s)
    USC is a Lighthouse
    The School of Cinematic Arts has essentially been created in the image of a corporate film studio. Artistically successful films you make at this...
    • Anonymous
  • Full Sail University
    4.00 star(s)
    Self Motivated? You'll Do Fine
    I did the 27 month, online, Digital Cinematography Bachelor’s degree at Full Sail. It is basically a film degree with the added focus of trying to...
    • Pryde Pierce

Latest Applications

Latest questions

Latest Articles

Latest Accepted Applications

Applications
Articles
Forums
Film Schools
Scholarships
Back
Top