Columbia SOA MFA Directing & Screenwriting Fall 2025

[Chris W]

my interview was with Ramin Bahrani. I was so nervous. but they were very nice.

That's awesome! . One hurdle down. Be sure to log your application with all the date info when you can. It's very helpful to people.

 

[cj180]

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

Was your interview on Monday or Sunday?

 

[cj180]

my interview was with Ramin Bahrani. I was so nervous. but they were very nice.

What kind of questions did they ask?

 

[geoffreynt]

It is a possibility to be admitted into the program without an interview, right?

 

[yxrsxoa]

It is a possibility to be admitted into the program without an interview, right?

I’m wondering the same thing…

 

[Chris W]

It is a possibility to be admitted into the program without an interview, right?

Unfortunately not. See our admission statistics:

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

 

[Ronister]

Unfortunately not. See our admission statistics:

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

That’s why I’m already accepting it as a rejection lol

 

[geoffreynt]

Unfortunately not. See our admission statistics:

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

Unfortunately not. See our admission statistics:

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

You're probably right, but that still doesn't make sense to me, nor do I think it's a foregone conclusion.

 

[franktjmackey]

Just finished my interview with George and Christina for writing for film and tv. Thought it went ok. It was much more formal than I was expecting lol. We shall see how it turns out.

 

[patty]

++ Please tell us more about it!

 

[patty]

Just finished my S&D interview with Miss Kling and one more kind lady whose name I completely forgot (she is from Peru, if that helps...)
Both interviewers were very sweet and comforting.

They started by saying that they thought my portfolio was impressive and asking what I am working on now. Then they asked a more tailored question: what am I trying to say through my stories. Since I submitted like 5 of them, they caught the recurring philosophical motifs.
Then it was why do you want to pursue an MFA right now despite your experience, a question on which, and I say this with no pride, I kinda fumbled. Nervousness really wrecks the articulation, so please try not to make the mistake I made.
Next was what kind of challenges have you faced making your films? And what learnings are associated with them?
Any questions for us or anything you want to add?

It lasted a good 30 minutes. I wish all the luck to those who come after me

 

[franktjmackey]

what questions did they ask?

Sorry for the late response. They first started by asking about my personal essay, which I thought I was kind of odd, and caught me off guard. Then, they asked about what specifically I want to work on in a MFA and inspirations/recent films I admire. Then, I was asked about satire as genre (My work focused mostly on satire and dark comedy) and how it relates to the world and writers. I kinda just bullshitted this question tbh lol. Then, they opened it up for questions. It lasted about 30 minutes.

Looking back, the questions weren't too outrageous, but it wasn't what I was expecting. Good luck to everyone else!

 

[filmfluff]

Just finished my interview with Eric Mendelsohn and David Schwab. Super friendly and conversational tone, it was clear that they spent some time reading my autobiographical essay and writing/visual samples.

They began by saying that they reviewed my portfolio of writing and films and were overall quite impressed. They asked me why I am looking to get an MFA right now in my career. When I mentioned that, coming from a film production background after a career pivot from tech (I'm 33), I am uncertain about the risk of taking on such a large debt burden given the odds of ROI- but that I felt compelled to do it for myself since I know I don't want to be a film technician if I stay in this business. They said I would not regret taking the leap, and that ultimately it's a choice I have to make for myself in terms of risk, but that it sounds like this is something that matters a lot to me.

Next, they mentioned that they were able to pick up on several of the recurring themes in my work, and asked what some of my favorite movies are that have influenced me. They asked if I would be interested in the screenwriting concentration given the strength of my 10 page feature sample, but said no pressure to answer one way or the other (I indicated the directing concentration on my application). I told them I would certainly consider it.

Lastly, they asked if I had any questions. I asked about what summer internships placements, they were a bit unclear about this but said there is a dedicated staff member who connects students with industry opportunities. I asked what qualities they have noticed from students who are able to become successful in their concentration following the MFA, they said that the ones that succeed are very tenacious and keep bugging their contacts in the industry, and work on personal weekend projects in addition to their assignments for class.

 

[antlady]

Did anyone ask when are we gonna hear back?

They said in early April but based on previous years, it should be around March 15th.

 

[theblueduck]

I have my interview until March 19. Jeje

 

[patty]

They said in early April but based on previous years, it should be around March 15th.

Past few years have shown good man Eric call everyone personally around 20th March and inform them of their acceptances 4-5 days prior to the official mail.

 

[danielani]

Just had my interview for writing for film and television and I think it went pretty well. Just like everyone else they thought my portfolio was good and also went as far as giving me recommendations on how I could improve it. They also asked what I was currently doing right now in terms of work and if there were any future projects I would be interested in developing. They did ask if I had any experience directing which I found to be odd considering I applied solely to the writing for film and television track. Anyways, I told them I didn’t have too much experience with that but would be open to it as a way of improving as a writer. And then I finished off by asking who they thought would win best original screenplay at the Oscar’s which seemed to really revive the conversation towards the end of the interview. Hopefully this helps

 

[cj180]

Just had my interview for writing for film and television and I think it went pretty well. Just like everyone else they thought my portfolio was good and also went as far as giving me recommendations on how I could improve it. They also asked what I was currently doing right now in terms of work and if there were any future projects I would be interested in developing. They did ask if I had any experience directing which I found to be odd considering I applied solely to the writing for film and television track. Anyways, I told them I didn’t have too much experience with that but would be open to it as a way of improving as a writer. And then I finished off by asking who they thought would win best original screenplay at the Oscar’s which seemed to really revive the conversation towards the end of the interview. Hopefully this helps

Who interviewed you?

 

[danielani]

Who interviewed you?

I honestly don’t recall like I genuinely was too nervous at that point. Nonetheless, they were hella sweet though.

 

[4xolotl]

Just a question to those who interviewed on Feb 25/26, could you please let me know who were the professors you interviewed with?) Huge thanks!