Columbia Screenwriting/Directing MFA 2023

[degalder]

I was just interviewed by Eric Mendelsohn and another teacher from the program whose name I didn't grasp during the interview.

They were super nice, honestly. Got to love Éric in particular. And they seemed very precise and analytic in their observations and questions. Super comfortable.

Other than some initial questions like where was I and why an MA now (given my previous background as a self-taught filmmaker and theatre professional) all other questions were very specific to my application materials. Mostly regarding themes, strengths and weaknesses in my writing (as I perceived them), what I meant with the film prompt and films which inspire me.

 

[liuyuhan060606]

I was interviewed by Blair and Jeff. I think I answered the questions okay, but they were in a rush. They were late for couple minutes and they kind of rushed me through. We only talked abou 20 mins and they said that they have to move on to the next one. I don’t know if I still have a chance

 

[goob]

@liuyuhan060606 I had a similar experience! Professors showed up late and while one of them was kind and personable, the other seemed a bit disengaged from the get-go. I interviewed last year, so I knew what to expect and knew how I wanted to better articulate myself and my answers but... didn't expect the less enthused professor to cut me off a handful of times. Talked for about 25 minutes, but they definitely rushed the latter part of the conversation to get to their next Zoom session. Whatever happens, happens I guess

 

[emmas]

I just had my interview yesterday with Blair Singer and another alumni who I can only remember the last name of. I honestly thought it went really well. I felt very relaxed and casual, they asked a few questions that thankfully I had kinda prepared for and then anything beyond that I felt like I managed to answer on the fly really well. They said nice things about my writing, which I appreciated as well! I'm really glad I spent a long while preparing because I think I would have been very deer-in-headlights-esque if I didn't.

They asked me (from what I can remember):
What is my writing process? What am I writing now?
What do I struggle with in writing?
What are my ambitions with an MFA?
Why Columbia? (obviously)
and then anything else just came up naturally.
I asked them a few questions as well!

 

[jfjburns95]

I just had my interview yesterday with Blair Singer and another alumni who I can only remember the last name of. I honestly thought it went really well. I felt very relaxed and casual, they asked a few questions that thankfully I had kinda prepared for and then anything beyond that I felt like I managed to answer on the fly really well. They said nice things about my writing, which I appreciated as well! I'm really glad I spent a long while preparing because I think I would have been very deer-in-headlights-esque if I didn't.

They asked me (from what I can remember):
What is my writing process? What am I writing now?
What do I struggle with in writing?
What are my ambitions with an MFA?
Why Columbia? (obviously)
and then anything else just came up naturally.
I asked them a few questions as well!

This was for writing for tv and film?

 

[emmas]

This was for writing for tv and film?

I think so! That was how I went about it in the interview and I mentioned specifics about that program, which we discussed further, so I think we were on the same page lol.

 

[jfjburns95]

I think so! That was how I went about it in the interview and I mentioned specifics about that program, which we discussed further, so I think we were on the same page lol.

That's cool. I applied to their new writing for film and television concentration. I had my interview about two weeks ago. Was really happy with how it went.

 

[liuyuhan060606]

@liuyuhan060606 I had a similar experience! Professors showed up late and while one of them was kind and personable, the other seemed a bit disengaged from the get-go. I interviewed last year, so I knew what to expect and knew how I wanted to better articulate myself and my answers but... didn't expect the less enthused professor to cut me off a handful of times. Talked for about 25 minutes, but they definitely rushed the latter part of the conversation to get to their next Zoom session. Whatever happens, happens I guess

Mine was only abou 18-20 minutes. Yeah one of them was stressing to me that they are running out of time from the beginning. I don’t feel so good about this interview but I guess nothing is certain so wish us the best luck!

 

[shfariynlm]

Does anyone heard anything yet

 

[jkosmacki]

Does anyone heard anything yet

Not yet, but considering last year the decisions came out on March 28th/29th, I am guessing it's still going to be a few weeks until we hear back.

 

[shfariynlm]

Not yet, but considering last year the decisions came out on March 28th/29th, I am guessing it's still going to be a few weeks until we hear back.

Yeah I think so. But upon analyzing the data, it seems that the announce date will set on one week after the last interview date. And I guess the last interview date is 3/2 base on the forum info. It just my speculation .

 

[jkosmacki]

Yeah I think so. But upon analyzing the data, it seems that the announce date will set on one week after the last interview date. And I guess the last interview date is 3/2 base on the forum info. It just my speculation .

That's a good speculation though based on past years' data! Looking back, it is generally a week or two tops after the last interview date, which is usually around Mar. 12th-18th. I wish we had a better sense of interview dates this year, but not as many people have logged their applications or contributed on the forums. I'm sure there are people who interviewed after March 2nd, probably even some folks who have yet to interview. Odds are next week would still be too soon, but I bet in the week of the 20th we'll start seeing the decisions coming in.

 

[liuyuhan060606]

Yeah I think so. But upon analyzing the data, it seems that the announce date will set on one week after the last interview date. And I guess the last interview date is 3/2 base on the forum info. It just my speculation .

My friend at Columbia told me that they will call you a week before sending out the official email if you got accepted. My friend got a call last year around March 17th and got accepted around 23rd

 

[Chris W]

My friend at Columbia told me that they will call you a week before sending out the official email if you got accepted. My friend got a call last year around March 17th and got accepted around 23rd

Ah yes I remember people getting calls.

 

[shfariynlm]

My friend at Columbia told me that they will call you a week before sending out the official email if you got accepted. My friend got a call last year around March 17th and got accepted around 23rd

Oh really? Then may I ask you do you know what's the possible time they will call if they accept you? Because I'm an international student. Their working time is usually at our midnight. I'm not sure if they would call international students due to the time differences..

 

[liuyuhan060606]

Oh really? Then may I ask you do you know what's the possible time they will call if they accept you? Because I'm an international student. Their working time is usually at our midnight. I'm not sure if they would call international students due to the time differences..

They will not call students who are not in US directly, they will email you first.

 

[Chris W]

Oh really? Then may I ask you do you know what's the possible time they will call if they accept you? Because I'm an international student. Their working time is usually at our midnight. I'm not sure if they would call international students due to the time differences..

Read past year's threads to see how it all goes down to pass the time.

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[jfjburns95]

Did anyone write a thank you note to their interviewers? I didn’t and now I’m wondering if I should have…lol

 

[emmas]

Did anyone write a thank you note to their interviewers? I didn’t and now I’m wondering if I should have…lol

I was gonna, but I didn't because I couldn't find their emails

 

[jkosmacki]

Did anyone write a thank you note to their interviewers? I didn’t and now I’m wondering if I should have…lol

I did, but they never responded. So I wouldn't worry too much about it if you didn't send one.