Columbia Film MFA, Fall 2020 Application

[amar41]

Hi there! I didn't see a thread for this yet so I thought I'd start one. I applied last year for Screenwriting/Directing, was waitlisted and never got off the waitlist, so I'm on my second round of applications. Was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about the optional video exercise for someone who has far more screenwriting experience than directing. I submitted a video last year and I'm not sure if I want to include it again or re-shoot something.

 

[Holly.A]

As someone currently attending Columbia, they’re a storytelling school through and through. Just because you don’t have as much experience with directing, they definitely want to know what the story is about. You’ll do great!

 

[truffleshuffle]

Hi there! I didn't see a thread for this yet so I thought I'd start one. I applied last year for Screenwriting/Directing, was waitlisted and never got off the waitlist, so I'm on my second round of applications. Was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about the optional video exercise for someone who has far more screenwriting experience than directing. I submitted a video last year and I'm not sure if I want to include it again or re-shoot something.

Hi Abby, best of luck. I'm finishing up my application now.

I'm wondering if we should include "Screenwriting/Directing" in the thread title to specify what track we're applying for? I'm not sure if the Creative Producing track has the same application materials and admissions process? (I could be wrong)

 

[Holly.A]

Hi Abby, best of luck. I'm finishing up my application now.

I'm wondering if we should include "Screenwriting/Directing" in the thread title to specify what track we're applying for? I'm not sure if the Creative Producing track has the same application materials and admissions process? (I could be wrong)

The only difference is you have to submit a resume.

 

[Chris W]

While everyone is waiting for more info PLEASE take a moment to review the program on our site as an APPLICANT: (it can be anonymous)

List your pros and cons and why you applied to this program. If you can, please also review all of the other programs that you applied to on the site. It will help others A TON.

Columbia University's School of the Arts

In 2022, Columbia University SOA was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the no. 6 best global university. Its Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies Program combines film studies with hands-on filmmaking laboratories. Alumni include director...

www.filmschool.org

Columbia University's School of the Arts

In 2022, Columbia University SOA was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the no. 6 best global university. Its Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies Program combines film studies with hands-on filmmaking laboratories. Alumni include director...

www.filmschool.org

You also assign start ratings to:

• Alumni
• Campus
• Career Assistance
• Equipment
• Coursework
• Professors
• Financial Aid & Scholarships

You can review a film school as an:

• Alumni
• Current Student
• Admitted Applicant
• Current Applicant
• Rejected Applicant
• Official Tour
• Unofficial Tour
• Interview

Thank you! It'll be a HUGE help to the site and fellow applicants.

 

[truffleshuffle]

Hi there! I didn't see a thread for this yet so I thought I'd start one. I applied last year for Screenwriting/Directing, was waitlisted and never got off the waitlist, so I'm on my second round of applications. Was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about the optional video exercise for someone who has far more screenwriting experience than directing. I submitted a video last year and I'm not sure if I want to include it again or re-shoot something.

I saw on your profile that you were accepted to USC last Fall. May I ask what caused you to turn it down and reapply to Columbia's MFA? I've also applied to USC as well for Fall 2020 (along with Columbia).

 

[amar41]

I saw on your profile that you were accepted to USC last Fall. May I ask what caused you to turn it down and reapply to Columbia's MFA? I've also applied to USC as well for Fall 2020 (along with Columbia).

Hey! It was a decision I made after interviewing at Columbia and speaking with a student who had transferred from USC to Columbia following his first year. Primarily my decision to wait it out on Columbia's waitlist, and subsequently reapply this year, was that it's one of the only programs I've found that allows you to pursue screenwriting and directing in an equal capacity, no matter which one you end up choosing as your concentration. Columbia's program is super focused on storytelling. They are a narrative school that is dedicated to nurturing great storytellers and as someone who ultimately wants to be a writer/director, the program just felt like a much better fit.

In addition, after I was accepted to USC I was having a lot of trouble getting any information from admissions. As an example I called several times re: the status of my financial aid application and was essentially told that if I got any scholarships I'd receive a letter in the mail. It just gave me a funny feeling - that I already felt like I wasn't being supported by the department despite my acceptance to the program. Like many students entering these programs, I will need to self-fund my graduate pursuits (translate: will be racking up major debt) and I felt pretty quickly that USC wasn't where I wanted to invest my time and money.

Hope that makes sense!

 

[Sam Mulcahy]

Hello,
I'm Sam, I also applied this year.
Nice meeting you all.

First year applying for me. I don't have a lot of film experience necessarily but I majored in Theatre with a focus on acting. I actually used my application primarily to advocate for myself not as, like, a performance arts person, but just as an artist. I don't have much experience writing so I'm sure my screenplays are meh, but I tried to be honest with them and make them unique to me.

I actually only applied to Columbia this year since they're the program that most aligns with my interests and I just wanted to focus on the one application. Anyways I'm curious about you guys. What did you focus on with your application? What were your writing samples about?

 

[Vindhya]

Around when are we expected to hear from them, if at all?

 

[Chris W]

You can see last year's applications in the database.

https://www.filmschool.org/applicat...rection=desc&scf[School][1]=ColumbiaDirecting

And this article too:

Film School MFA Acceptance Rates, Minimum GPAs, Decision Dates, and more... (2020 stats)

Film School MFA Acceptance Rates, Minimum GPAs, Decision Dates, and more...

www.filmschool.org

 

[wgs2020]

Wondering if anyone's heard anything yet? I applied to the Creative Producing track - I noticed the stats from last year said the earliest interview was Feb 1st. Nothing yet on my end though

 

[Holly.A]

Wondering if anyone's heard anything yet? I applied to the Creative Producing track - I noticed the stats from last year said the earliest interview was Feb 1st. Nothing yet on my end though

I received notification of my interview request around this time last year and had my interview on Feb 14. It will be soon.

 

[Abhijna]

Hi everyone! I'm probably one of the last ones to turn in my financial aid form, but I've been stressing about this one question that asks for Additional Information: it basically asks us to explain, in detail, how we will be sourcing the funds for the entire course. But the whole reason most of us are applying for financial aid is that we cannot fund the entire course ourselves. So, what are we supposed to write under that?
Also, how long ago did you guys turn in your financial aid applications?
TIA!

 

[qsjourney]

Received an interview invite from Columbia! Just wondering if anyone has heard any info regarding who's conducting the interview, etc.? I'm not sure if my interview contacts are conducting it.

 

[Chris W]

Received an interview invite from Columbia! Just wondering if anyone has heard any info regarding who's conducting the interview, etc.? I'm not sure if my interview contacts are conducting it.

Congrats! Be sure to add your info to the tracker when you can.

 

[qsjourney]

Congrats! Be sure to add your info to the tracker when you can.

Thanks!! Will do haha.

 

[ams2020]

Received an interview invite from Columbia! Just wondering if anyone has heard any info regarding who's conducting the interview, etc.? I'm not sure if my interview contacts are conducting it.

What track did you apply to? Congrats ! When did you receive the invite?

 

[qsjourney]

What track did you apply to? Congrats ! When did you receive the invite?

Thanks!! I received it earlier today- so if anyone hasn't received an invite, don't worry! They probably haven't notified everyone yet.

Also I applied to Creative Producing and I heard the invite is usually a week earlier than that of directing/ screenwriting candidates

 

[truffleshuffle]

Thanks!! I received it earlier today- so if anyone hasn't received an invite, don't worry! They probably haven't notified everyone yet.

Also I applied to Creative Producing and I heard the invite is usually a week earlier than that of directing/ screenwriting candidates

Congratulations! And wow, my heart had dropped for a bit until you mentioned that your track gets notifications a week earlier than Directing/Screenwriting. Bwahaha

 

[wgs2020]

Thanks!! I received it earlier today- so if anyone hasn't received an invite, don't worry! They probably haven't notified everyone yet.

Also I applied to Creative Producing and I heard the invite is usually a week earlier than that of directing/ screenwriting candidates

Yeah, I applied to Creative Producing and got my email/interview invite yesterday, too. Interview isn't til March. But it didn't say anything anywhere about who would be interviewing me, so I'm curious about that too.