Columbia SOA MFA Directing & Screenwriting Fall 2025

[cj180]

My schedule only had Mondays avail. I took the last Feb slot at least what was provided to me. I guess it depends on the schedule of who read/watched your work?

Yeah, I also think it's based on their schedules cause I was only given two days as options.

 

[geoffreynt]

Still waiting for one on my end. Some of these are making me lose hope for me honestly lol

Same here. I submitted my application on 11/27, but I don't know if that has any bearing to any possibility.

 

[Ronister]

Same here. I submitted my application on 11/27, but I don't know if that has any bearing to any possibility.

I submitted due date. (I always like to sit on it to make sure it’s perfect). No idea if they’re doing these in any particular order

 

[patty]

Okay so is everyone’s interview in march? Cause it seems kind of far out considering decisions come out a week or two later. Like it starting to feel more like a formality than anything. I might be wrong though lol

I chose 25th February

 

[codesters_capitalP]

Okay so is everyone’s interview in march? Cause it seems kind of far out considering decisions come out a week or two later. Like it starting to feel more like a formality than anything. I might be wrong though lol

same in March here

 

[yxrsxoa]

Does anyone know if they will still be sending out more interviews?

 

[danielani]

My schedule only had Mondays avail. I took the last Feb slot at least what was provided to me. I guess it depends on the schedule of who read/watched your work?

That seems to make more sense. Mine is scheduled for Sunday so I thought that was interesting.

 

[NH_0714]

That seems to make more sense. Mine is scheduled for Sunday so I thought that was interesting.

Does anyone know if they're still sending interview invites out? Kinda don't want to lose hope :/

 

[yxrsxoa]

Does anyone know if they're still sending interview invites out? Kinda don't want to lose hope :/.

 

[danielani]

Does anyone know if they're still sending interview invites out? Kinda don't want to lose hope :/

I wouldn’t lose hope just yet and just be on the lookout for any communication from them. Sending you good vibes

 

[yxrsxoa]

Are there more interview offers coming out?

 

[Chris W]

Are there more interview offers coming out?

There's still hope if you look at the stats on page below:

Admission statistics for Columbia University's School of the Arts ()

Acceptance rate, minimum GPA, SAT, GRE, and demographics of admitted applicants for Columbia University's School of the Arts calculated from our database of thousands of film school applications.

www.filmschool.org

It has the latest reported interview notifications.

 

[cj180]

That seems to make more sense. Mine is scheduled for Sunday so I thought that was interesting.

I’m scheduled for Sun too!

 

[Chris W]

New fun cinematography quiz posted to help with wait.

Lens and Light

Understanding lenses begins with understanding light. Test your knowledge with the quiz designed by Tal Lazar Tal Lazar, (@TalLazar), a filmmaker and educator for some of the top film schools. Read our interview with Tal here:

www.filmschool.org

 

[yxrsxoa]

Are they still sending out interview offers? Anyone hearing from the program this week?

 

[darvadan]

im scheduled wednesday 26. did anyone interview last year? do you remember your questions?

 

[bg29736]

im scheduled wednesday 26. did anyone interview last year? do you remember your questions?

I interviewed last week and it was a very conversational interview with good energy—they started by letting me know they were on my side and weren’t trying to interrogate or trick me, haha. I’d be ready to discuss the creative samples you submitted as well as your own strengths/weaknesses/inspirations as a writer/director. They also asked why an MFA now, what do you know about the program and what attracted you to it, etc. Nothing that surprising! Be yourself and know yourself and your application well enough to speak to these things and you should be good

 

[franktjmackey]

I interviewed last week and it was a very conversational interview with good energy—they started by letting me know they were on my side and weren’t trying to interrogate or trick me, haha. I’d be ready to discuss the creative samples you submitted as well as your own strengths/weaknesses/inspirations as a writer/director. They also asked why an MFA now, what do you know about the program and what attracted you to it, etc. Nothing that surprising! Be yourself and know yourself and your application well enough to speak to these things and you should be good

That sounds nice. Still nervous though lol. By creative samples, did you mostly discuss the 10 pager? Or was the synopsis and film prompt covered as well?

 

[Chris W]

they started by letting me know they were on my side and weren’t trying to interrogate or trick me, haha

That's exactly what someone trying to trick or interrogate you would say. jk

 

[bg29736]

That sounds nice. Still nervous though lol. By creative samples, did you mostly discuss the 10 pager? Or was the synopsis and film prompt covered as well?

Oh I was so nervous lol! They were easygoing though and brought up almost everything I submitted for the app: the 10 pager, the 3 page prompt, the 1 page feature treatment, and visual samples. They mostly zeroed in on specific details, usually to say what they liked about each part of the app (they were very complimentary which caught me off guard haha). If your 10 pager was pulled from a feature screenplay I’d be prepared to tell them a little bit more about the rest of the movie. Seemed like they’re interested in the kinds of stories you like to tell and where your strengths currently lie. I interviewed with Eric and David btw