Columbia 2011 Application - Questions

[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

 

[blueskeyes]

Sweating this wait. Remembering strange details from the interview. Trying to make it through the day not thinking about the heavy weight on my chest. Got a call from an unknown number, it was a friend calling skype from Europe... I don't remember much from the call...

But on a lighter note, have you guys watched the DVD they gave out at the interview? Wow. Babyland and the Hirosaki Players are superb films. They were mature, and in some moments profound. You could just feel the collective effort of the whole school behind them. Really makes you want to be a part of this gang.

Heartfelt congrats to those who've heard, and good luck to those who wait.

 

[UCFfilmgirl]

Blueskeyes,

Hang in there! I am waiting right there along with you & others still waiting, keeping my fingers crossed for us all! I am Creative Producing, so I really pray that I will be called tomorrow. Best of luck!

 

[CS]

Koquard: Yes I'm French.

 

[jackgradus]

Just got a call from Eric. I thought I was completely out since people had been getting calls since last Wednesday.

Congrats to all, and hold on everyone, calls are still coming.

 

[HI FILM]

jackgradus, were you a directing applicant?

 

[UCFfilmgirl]

Creative Producer here, still waiting patiently

 

[jackgradus]

screenwriting

 

[HI FILM]

Guys, do you think there is still hope for directing applicant?

 

[intimatesecretary]

Just got an email from Eric, that he's been trying to reach me but my number doesn't work (it doesn't as I'm still in NY and apparently admissions did not forward my changed contact info)... Nothing sure yet, but very likely there seems to be only one reason for this. Aaaaaa will post when I know more

(I'm Directing)

 

[Felipetto]

@intimatesecratery
Same happened to me few hours ago! I called him and I'm in!
Directing.


Congratulations everyone!

 

[HI FILM]

So there is still hope for directing applicants. Hope I can write here that I'm IN. Without hope, life is now worth living

 

[Procallout]

Congrats to everyone accepted! I'm in your camp HI FILM. I could use a slice if your hope cause I'm not feeling so good. Have a feeling Eric's nearing the end of the list considering those emails PROVE ME WRONG ERIC!

 

[HI FILM]

You're right jacfilms. I think if we're not called today it means that we're not IN. CONGRATS to those who got IN. Reality forces me to be pessimist but I can't stop the optimist inside me I want to smile in the end.

 

[jacfilms]

...well i'm not all pessimist. we're not done yet! the waitlist...um...awaits. maybe

 

[joybird]

Hi Everyone!

First time poster. I have been lurking on and off this board for the last month or so. I was accepted for Screenwriting and Directing yesterday. While I am over the moon, I don't want the rest of you who haven't heard to lose hope or become discouraged. Hopefully they aren't finished making calls yet. And maybe some of the people they call won't take the slot. I also noticed that some people who were accepted at Columbia were also accepted at other places such as NYU, USC, UCLA, AFI, etc. So that could also free up some slots. If you get wait listed still don't lose hope. You never know how this thing is gonna play out. Some of us were set on the 6-8 people only making it on this message board and look at how many people have made it so far. Worse case scenario: if it doesn't play out how you want- you have all of us who have made to help you with your application on the next go round. Don't give up. You never know!!!

 

[UCFfilmgirl]

Any word from the Creative Producing program, anyone? It may just be that there are hardly any producers on this blog who got calls, or there haven't been as many calls that have gone out just yet for Creative Producing, not sure which it is. Trying to stay optimistic.

 

[2get2school]

UCFilmgirl, I'm there with you.
Creative Producing.
It seams to me that Ira still in Mexico and did not call applicants today but I have some strong believes that he will be reaching out to potential students soon.
Good Luck to you and to everyone else, who is waiting.

 

[lanzhu]

UCFilmgirl, I'm there with you.

UCFilmgirl, I'm there with you too.
I was keep checking this place every 1 hour.
and I just wrote the email to Jake crane.
he said still calls coming out this week.
so let's wait with hope!
my interview continues 25 minutes via the phone. I didn't think it is bad or good. But I was quiet nervous during the interview.
does anyone knows that is Columbia are very classic movie style? Do they welcome more radical movie art? I just have the impression they are very strict hollywood classic movie style such as Martin Scorsese's movie?

 

[cineaste504]

Hopefully calls aren't done yet...

It's going to be a very long day.

 

[aresee]

Hang in cineaste....

You'll be there in fall...one way or the other. I know it...