Columbia 2011 Application - Questions (1 Viewer)

[MAlbie]

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

 

[Iboogs]

Titus1,

I'm glad that you and several others on this board received interviews, but I'm not ready to resign myself to rejection. Particularly since a Columbia student posted last week that professors were still going through applications. Can a committee of maybe 10 or 12 thoroughly review 745 submissions in just 6 weeks? I don't think so. I spoke to someone high in the department on 2/12, and he acknowledged they weren't yet finished with the review. So, please give the rest of us a break.

 

[Suskind]

Every time I'm about to give up, there is someone who tells me that there still might be hope. I actually don't know which is worse, having this quasi-hope or utterly despairing.

Though there seems to have been at least one person who did get an interview very late in the process, according to this thread? I read something about that a while back. Is that something we can confirm?

On the other hand, it's still the 7th. I want to give it this week.

 

[aresee]

Titus1,
Thanks for raining on my parade. I'm curious though: you mentioned that the selection process is blind. What do you mean by that? It seems to me that if the selection process were blind, there would be no point to the interviews at all. I understand and am aware of the aggregation process, but I thought the interview had some meaning. Naturally, this is pure speculation on my part, so I am interested in your statements.
Thanks!

 

[aresee]

Thanks intimatesecretary. I applied for Screenwriting/Directing.

 

[aresee]

Hey cineaste504,
Take this all in stride, because I have not been accepted yet!
I was also a little stressed about what to wear. I saw some other interviewees in suits and ties, and I know some film students at Columbia that wore them to interviews, but I chose not to. I was a "suit" in my previous career, and it's just not me anymore, but it's important, in my opinion, to dress in a somewhat formal matter. So, I wore very nice, dark jeans with a white collared button down dress shirt, covered by a navy suit jacket. No tie. Black shoes.
It felt right, but then again, who knows.

 

[aresee]

Hey groovydazzle. I have no idea what their plans are. I was told by a CU film school liason that approximately 150 were invited to interview.
If I had to speculate (again), I would say that they will draw the incoming class from those interviews. Perhaps they do not notify others yet in case they have a lot of bad interviews? Maybe they will then go for more?
But again--pure speculation--I would say that the interview calls are over, for the most part anyway.

 

[aresee]

Jackgradus: everything mentioned here previously was exactly as it went. There were no surprises. Fav movies, directors, influences. Couple of questions about past endeavors which will be specific to your story.
Good luck!

 

[Koquard]

It kind of baffles me how everyone is worrying about clothes and not about the "tough questions" titus indicated he was asked.

Originally posted by aresee:
Jackgradus: everything mentioned here previously was exactly as it went. There were no surprises. Fav movies, directors, influences. Couple of questions about past endeavors which will be specific to your story.
Good luck!

Were there any of those more difficult-to-answer interview questions like: "Where do you see yourself in ten years?" or "Tell me about a time where you failed at a project or task. What did you learn from the experience?"

 

[jackgradus]

Originally posted by aresee:
Jackgradus: everything mentioned here previously was exactly as it went. There were no surprises. Fav movies, directors, influences. Couple of questions about past endeavors which will be specific to your story.
Good luck!

thanks a bunch and good luck

 

[aresee]

Good observation on the "tough questions" post Koquard.
But, what you wear is also important. We only have one chance to make that impression about who we are, and the clothes are definitely part of that assessment, like it or not. In my experience, anyway.

 

[Iboogs]

Titus,

Yes, you did preface your comment with that statement, but can you understand how demoralizing even saying "I I'm fairly certain that interview requests for screenwriting/ directing are made over a couple of days in late February." would demoralize the rest of us. Sometimes hard truths are unbearable---until you have no choice but to deal (as in early April) Until then, I chose to cling to the hope, however improbable, that Columbia could still recognize the genius and potential in me and all the other applicants who haven't yet received interviews. Thanks for your support. Best of luck to all.

 

[Koquard]

Or an exceptionally glib applicant - who aces the interview despite possessing a marginal app that just barely made the cut - may find himself rejected.

That part sounds horrific.

 

[Iboogs]

Titus,

I really appreciate your apology. And honestly, I'm sorry for snapping at you. I'm definitely a little on edge about this whole process, but I'm determined not to let it break me. I'm way too grown (35) to be conflating my self worth with an acceptance of any sort. You're right. I can always apply again. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sure you aced it this year.

 

[aresee]

Thanks Titus. I agree. I've done my part and now it's out of my hands. So we'll see. I was told that the recommendation letters are very important as well, and I think I'm good there too. But who knows. Hope to meet you in fall.
Best

 

[Procallout]

titus1 thanks for the info. Says a lot that you held off from AFI. Best of luck with Columbia this go round!

 

[wannabe2]

Hey groovydazzle. I have no idea what their plans are. I was told by a CU film school liason that approximately 150 were invited to interview.

I desperately hope that this is not the last word, but if historical information trends accurately, then when you account for robot's 74 spot estimate is true and they interview twice as many as they accept, then I think the verdict may be in on the added phone call front. But I remain hopeful for a waitlist spot.

 

[robot_m]

Originally posted by wannabe2:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Posted March 07, 2011 12:07 PM Hide Post
Hey guys, some stats for you that one of my professors shared with the class today:

This year there were 745 applicants for 74 positions, and over 50% of the applicants were from outside of the US.

Robot- my guess is that is the total of all programs, but thought I'd double check. Is 745 all or just Directing/Screenwriting. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

745 is for all three: Directing, Screenwriting and Creative Producing.

 

[AdriMtz]

Hi,

I'm new in this forum.

I got an email from columbia for an interview also.

I'm super excited. I recently received my acceptance letter to USC... So i'm scared i might face a very difficult choice

 

[AspiringFIlmStudent]

Congratulations, AdriMtz. When did you get the email from Columbia?

 

[Munky the robot]

umm... so that means that those of us who haven't heard are rejected ???

Any one receiving rejections plz post!!!

btw I m a MFA film (screenwriting) applicant and havent heard a word.