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Columbia 2011 Application - Questions (2 Viewers)

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
 
Originally posted by assal:
@ATown I'm sorry to hear that. I ended up also receiving a very generous fellowship but I had to turn down the offer as well. So one more spot opens up!

It was a very difficult decision, because the faculty is just phenomenal. Good luck to you wait listed candidates!

Hey Assal,

From your previous posts, I could have sworn you were aiming towards Columbia. What changed your mind?
 
Hey Guys just found this website.... Very interesting anyway also waitlisted @ Columbia SCREENWRITING/DIRECTING...

The letter stated that they are not ranked...

How many SCREENWRITING/DIRECTING waitlisters on this forum?

Good luck to all of you and I hope to hear from you..

Cheers..
 
Originally posted by aNDy2011:
Can anyone in the Columbia Film MFA post a list of books that CU recommends Directing/Screenwriting students to read? Thanks in advance.

One of the orientation fellows will contact you in the next few weeks and you can ask that person.

The readings first semester mostly happen in Elements of Dramatic Narrative and are made up of articles and short stories compiled by Andy Bienen. Also, it's possibly the best non-textbook textbook in the history of everything.
 
Thanks robot_m :)
I am not in the program yet, only waitlisted. I was curious about the material that CU uses. I am trying to read some books on directing and screenwriting. Do you have any suggestion?
Thanks in advance.
 
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Anyone also on the NYU wait list. I tried asking what the chances are of getting off the wait list over there but no seems to respond. I think I remember someone saying that they got in one week before school started.
 
I got the call from Ira Deutchman yesterday, and I have officially been accepted into the Creative Producing program :) I am so honored and excited. The big battle that I am now facing is how to pay for it since I will have to take out student loans. I would love insight into how everyone else is handling this-- anything & everything is greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I am also still not sure about whether I should go to Chapman University in California instead, since it will be a good amount cheaper. I keep going back on forth about whether the expensive cost of Columbia is worth it. I do think so, but the debt is still frightening.
 
No news at all for Directing/Screenwriting? Kind of strange considering the deadline to accept was April 15th. Past threads indicate wait list applicants being contacted in early May so hopefully we'll hear something this week..
 
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