Columbia SOA MFA Directing & Screenwriting Fall 2025

[BumbleBeeFarm]

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!

david and christina

 

[darvadan]

I interviewed with David and Eric--it was actually super fun and easygoing. They asked me to let my guard down a bit before we started and it made the whole process much more vulnerable and free. They did refer to my written materials which made me happy--I would recommend going back and reading your submission just to get in the mindset of it! We talked about what in my practice I want to improve on, what group of movies or shows I see my work moving toward, why do I want to get an MFA, etc. I also interviewed with NYU and CalArts and this interview felt the most fun, sincere, and personal.

 

[zhangjunhao1210]

How many interviews were sent out this year or on average for the past a couple of years?

 

[ivkzhao]

Just had my interview. I've been stalking trends from previous years, and it seems like no one thought they messed up their interview... But I really think I did. I felt like one of the interviewers wasn’t interested in me—she asked the final question (questions for us) when we had only been chatting for 15 minutes.
It was truly conversational, and as others have said, they try to make you feel less nervous at the beginning. But still, it can be stressful process for non-native English speakers, or just me. I think my verbal skills were just broken. Good luck to the rest of you though!

 

[BumbleBeeFarm]

I know they have said historically there's around like 800 applicants, but is there any info on how many apply to which modality? I'm curious about the applicants proportional to the concentrations like directing screenwriting, creative producing, and TV writing? I know the program only accepts 36/24/12 respectively, but... are most people applying for directing and screenwriting?

 

[4xolotl]

Just had my interview with Elizabeth Kling and Melina Leon for roughly 30 minutes.
For the creative materials, we only talked about the visual submissions (I submitted 4 or 5). They asked me about what I’ve been doing recently, my ideas behind the four of my works, directors and films that inspired me, what I want to focus on in my upcoming works. Since they were not very talkative, I expanded on each question quite a bit, linked to answers like my method for visual storytelling, why I’m doing MFA, what I’m excited about Columbia etc.
I’m happy with my performance overall, and Elizabeth was very kind and complimentary!

 

[cj180]

I interviewed with Andy and Laura and boy was I nervous! They pretty much asked questions similar to everyone else and genuinely wanted to know who I was and what inspired me. It's going to be a looong month. lol

 

[midnightcowboy]

Month? Oh my God, I thought we would know on mid-March.

 

[cj180]

Month? Oh my God, I thought we would know on mid-March.

I think someone said their interview is in mid march.

 

[midnightcowboy]

I think someone said their interview is in mid march.

Lol. That's me. I'm gonna have in a week.

 

[cj180]

Lol. That's me. I'm gonna have in a week.

Loll good luck!

 

[BumbleBeeFarm]

Month? Oh my God, I thought we would know on mid-March.

Same. I'll try to keep busy with other stuff, but it's hard not to think about it every waking second of the day.

 

[BumbleBeeFarm]

Some Columbia Creative Producing guys in a different thread got their calls yesterday/today. That's really exciting for them. I hope we hear back soon.

 

[franktjmackey]

Some Columbia Creative Producing guys in a different thread got their calls yesterday/today. That's really exciting for them. I hope we hear back soon.

I thought people were still interviewing till late march lol?

 

[midnightcowboy]

I dunno about late March, yet tomorrow I have an interview

 

[BumbleBeeFarm]

I dunno about late March, yet tomorrow I have an interview

Good luck!

 

[danielani]

I dunno about late March, yet tomorrow I have an interview

Was this for directing & screenwriting?

 

[midnightcowboy]

Yes!

 

[danielani]

Yes!

Good luck!

 

[midnightcowboy]

Had my interview! My god! What are lovely people. Whatever happens in the end, I'm even happy to be interviewed.