Columbia SOA MFA Directing & Screenwriting Fall 2025

[cj180]

Any updates? I'm still waiting fingers crossed.

No updates… but I have my fingers crossed too!

 

[Sfilm]

I interviewed with Eric and David back in February but have not heard anything. At this point, I'm beginning to think about applying again next year.

Congrats to all who got in! I'm curious if any of you had applied previously?

 

[franktjmackey]

Just got off my zoom with Eric and turns out I was accepted into screenwriting/directing instead of writing for film/tv. It's definitely unexpected as I did not attach any visual/directing samples to my portfolio, but still very happy with the opportunity. Now, I'm just waiting on NYU dramatic writing results and will have to weigh my options.

 

[filmfluff]

Finished my Zoom call with Eric and was admitted into the writing/directing program! Very quick call, start to finish 5 minutes. He said they would follow up with information about Financial Aid, visits, program info, etc.

 

[filmfluff]

Just got off my zoom with Eric and turns out I was accepted into screenwriting/directing instead of writing for film/tv. It's definitely unexpected as I did not attach any visual/directing samples to my portfolio, but still very happy with the opportunity. Now, I'm just waiting on NYU dramatic writing results and will have to weigh my options.

Did you apply to both programs (not even sure if this is possible) or just to Writing for Film/TV? Did you ask Eric about the decision to admit you to Screenwriting/Direction rather than Writing for Film/TV? Curious to hear if he had any info to share on that...

 

[franktjmackey]

Did you apply to both programs (not even sure if this is possible) or just to Writing for Film/TV? Did you ask Eric about the decision to admit you to Screenwriting/Direction rather than Writing for Film/TV? Curious to hear if he had any info to share on that...

There was an option to be considered for both programs. I clicked it, but was honestly not expecting much because I did not submit a film or anything (I guess Columbia is truly a story school lol). I do have a BFA in Film and TV production which might've helped my case? Eric said he could reach out to the writing for Film and TV people if I had any questions, which makes me believe that they have separate admission teams for each track. I guess the screenwriting/directing people liked my stuff more? It's tough to say.

 

[salagaga]

Late update here but I received the email invitation to a zoom on Wednesday (3/26). I’m abroad and 13 hours ahead of the NYC time zone, so I went back and forth with someone helping Eric to schedule the call and after a few tries she ended up saying that she couldn’t find any time that I could chat with him given my time zone.

Then on Friday (3/27) I got the official acceptance update in my portal. I also received a $20,000 scholarship per year.

I was rejected to NYU grad film at Tisch so I didn’t know what to expect here. Very grateful for admission and for the scholarship, but I received a bigger scholarship to another program so unless Columbia offers more, I’ll likely turn down the offer. That should mean at least one more opening for the waitlist!

Good luck to you all. It was helpful having this group to wait with during an otherwise quiet month. I don’t doubt that all of you are immensely talented - please keep creating, even if the film school you wanted didn’t say yes. Most of the directors that we all love and revere didn’t go to schools like these - this path is not as prestige-gated as others. Keep creating!

 

[Chris W]

Late update here but I received the email invitation to a zoom on Wednesday (3/26). I’m abroad and 13 hours ahead of the NYC time zone, so I went back and forth with someone helping Eric to schedule the call and after a few tries she ended up saying that she couldn’t find any time that I could chat with him given my time zone.

Then on Friday (3/27) I got the official acceptance update in my portal. I also received a $20,000 scholarship per year.

I was rejected to NYU grad film at Tisch so I didn’t know what to expect here. Very grateful for admission and for the scholarship, but I received a bigger scholarship to another program so unless Columbia offers more, I’ll likely turn down the offer. That should mean at least one more opening for the waitlist!

Good luck to you all. It was helpful having this group to wait with during an otherwise quiet month. I don’t doubt that all of you are immensely talented - please keep creating, even if the film school you wanted didn’t say yes. Most of the directors that we all love and revere didn’t go to schools like these - this path is not as prestige-gated as others. Keep creating!

Which program will you be attending?

 

[midnightcowboy]

Late update here but I received the email invitation to a zoom on Wednesday (3/26). I’m abroad and 13 hours ahead of the NYC time zone, so I went back and forth with someone helping Eric to schedule the call and after a few tries she ended up saying that she couldn’t find any time that I could chat with him given my time zone.

Then on Friday (3/27) I got the official acceptance update in my portal. I also received a $20,000 scholarship per year.

I was rejected to NYU grad film at Tisch so I didn’t know what to expect here. Very grateful for admission and for the scholarship, but I received a bigger scholarship to another program so unless Columbia offers more, I’ll likely turn down the offer. That should mean at least one more opening for the waitlist!

Good luck to you all. It was helpful having this group to wait with during an otherwise quiet month. I don’t doubt that all of you are immensely talented - please keep creating, even if the film school you wanted didn’t say yes. Most of the directors that we all love and revere didn’t go to schools like these - this path is not as prestige-gated as others. Keep creating!

Congrats! Would you mind sharing that other program?

 

[dtuiran]

Hi everyone, happy start of the week! Any updates? Still have my fingers crossed over here.

 

[lllzq]

Hi everyone, happy start of the week! Any updates? Still have my fingers crossed over here.

The admitted students day is this Saturday, so I think they are probably done with sending all the results? But I could be wrong

 

[cj180]

Hi everyone, happy start of the week! Any updates? Still have my fingers crossed over here.

According to last year’s timeline, I think we’ll find out if we get waitlisted or rejected this week.

 

[snaptapfree]

According to last year’s timeline, I think we’ll find out if we get waitlisted or rejected this week.

Have hope for a waitlist! Me and others were notified of rejection last week!

 

[cj180]

Have hope for a waitlist! Me and others were notified of rejection last week!

Thanks for the update!

 

[snaptapfree]

writing for tv is likely on a dif timeline from writing/directing though

Sorry, forgot to clarify I applied for Writing for Film/TV.

 

[4xolotl]

Waitlisted for s&d, if anyone from this concentration gives up on their place could you please let me know...? Truly appreciated

 

[DeeforDi]

Waitlisted for s&d, if anyone from this concentration gives up on their place could you please let me know...? Truly appreciated

same, got into the waitlist (s&d), fingers crossed...

 

[petezhaoca]

Waitlisted for s&d, if anyone from this concentration gives up on their place could you please let me know...? Truly appreciated

same. this is gonna be a long summer damn

 

[cj180]

Waitlisted. Please let us know if you choose another school!

 

[Chris W]

Congrats to all the wait-listed!