Columbia University MFA Fall 2016 (1 Viewer)

[katavi08]

@Adam Lee I'm not sure how Columbia sends out invites. Although, I was told by a member on here who was invited to an interview last year that it was not done alphabetically. She didn't get a notice until late March, so don't lose hope yet!

@Cortezbros. Here you go: http://www.filmschool.org/threads/2016-interviews-acceptances-rejections.24965/

 

[granados_1111]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to share that today I received an email for an interview for the Screenwriting/Directing MFA too! (Around 4pm EST)

I'm an international student and I submitted my application on the last day possible (December 1st). I submitted 3 recommendation letters by working professionals and the visual exercise provided by Columbia's application.

I don't know if there is anything else that can be useful to share, but you can ask me whatever you want

Hope you all get yours very soon too!

 

[granados_1111]

 

[Paul J.]

A kind reminder to all to fill out the spread sheet so we can all keep track on what's happening and when! Thanks!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-QPRZ-gc15WuHBmlxorJiTS1z-8vE-7uUttLDdxHtE0/edit#gid=0

 

[granados_1111]

Does anybody know what percentage of applicants get interviewed and what percentage of the interviewed get accepted?

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Does anybody know what percentage of applicants get interviewed and what percentage of the interviewed get accepted?

https://www.petersons.com/graduate-...l-of-the-arts-film-division-000_10014419.aspx

These are the only published statistics I've found - but what year they are from is not listed.

• Applied 577
• Accepted 125
• Acceptance Rate 21%
• Enrolled 78

 

[Adam Lee]

Does anybody know what percentage of applicants get interviewed and what percentage of the interviewed get accepted?

There's also spreadsheet on this thread that may help

 

[Paul J.]

@IndecisiveElle Here is a quote from Columbia School of the Arts FAQ:

"In 2012, we received approximately 602 applications for the Film MFA Program, and an average incoming class is around 48 students in the Screenwriting/Directing program and 24 students in the Creative Producing program."

 

[IndecisiveElle]

With nearly 20 members getting invites fro the screenwriting/directing track on the first day they were sent out, I'm feeling less confident about my admission chances at Columbia. Looking at past years, the if there's a second round of invites that goes out, it looks to be very small? Which suggests to me that they might be replacements or 2nd choice candidates. Although I take our tracking in the spreadsheet with some major grains of salt. We aren't exactly a random sample! I mean, I'd be more than happy to get an invite for an interview or admissions at any stage, doesn't matter at all to me where I rank as long as I get that email.

@Paul J. - hows that for a tin foil hat thinking? haha

 

[Paul J.]

Never give up, never surrender.

 

[Adam Lee]

I have officially self diagnosed myself with OCD as of last Friday. I am constantly checking my email waiting to hear back from Columbia. However, I have not given up hope.

 

[Adam Lee]

I just wish I could figure out the process in which the invitations are being sent.

 

[VictimX]

Hi guys,

It's my first post here...I just want to share some info with you guys.
I emailed the admission office today asking if no interview invitation by now means rejection. Here is the reply:
"More interview invitations may be sent out, though we cannot say for sure. If you are invited to interview, you will hear from us by early March. "

I think this means most of the invitations have already been sent out....which is bad news for those of us who didn't get anything...

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Hi guys,

It's my first post here...I just want to share some info with you guys.
I emailed the admission office today asking if no interview invitation by now means rejection. Here is the reply:
"More interview invitations may be sent out, though we cannot say for sure. If you are invited to interview, you will hear from us by early March. "

I think this means most of the invitations have already been sent out....which is bad news for those of us who didn't get anything...

To begin with, I love your screen name. Feels so appropriate for an MFA candidate. And thanks for sending that email. The response is what I've gotten a sense of looking at past year. I've always felt the theory of them sending in batches on different dates was wishful thinking.

I'm not going to give up hope because Columbia is my #1 for a lot of reasons, some very personal and family history oriented. But I'm definitely second guessing my application. I included a letter of recommendation from an alum who's been in the news a lot and wrote about the film we worked on in my autobiography - I did all that, not even remembering he is an alumnus! But I have a bad feeling it came off as trying too hard and disingenuous. Sadly, that couldn't be further from the truth and everything I wrote was true to who I am.

 

[Solomon_E]

To begin with, I love your screen name. Feels so appropriate for an MFA candidate. And thanks for sending that email. The response is what I've gotten a sense of looking at past year. I've always felt the theory of them sending in batches on different dates was wishful thinking.

I'm not going to give up hope because Columbia is my #1 for a lot of reasons, some very personal and family history oriented. But I'm definitely second guessing my application. I included a letter of recommendation from an alum who's been in the news a lot and wrote about the film we worked on in my autobiography - I did all that, not even remembering he is an alumnus! But I have a bad feeling it came off as trying too hard and disingenuous. Sadly, that couldn't be further from the truth and everything I wrote was true to who I am.

Yes, don't give up hope! What I wrote in my autobiographical statement was true to who I am too and completely honest - I know no other way to be but open - and even if the majority of invites have gone out I do think it is possible some of those left waiting could receive one. Previous years have seen some forum posters getting invites later than most others.

Columbia is my #1 too...

 

[Adam Lee]

We all feel like that, questioning why me? Why them? We may never know why some are accepted and others are not. I know that my talents will prevail no matter where I receive my MFA. Do I want Columbia? Yes. However, my dreams will not end with a rejection from said school. In this industry we are slapped in the face with rejection everyday. This will simply be catagorized with the other rejections feuling the fire of my ambition and determination.

 

[bvels]

Hey everyone, I am a current First Year Dir/Scr Fellow at Columbia. Last year there were quite a few people who helped me along the way, so I want to return the favor. If anyone has questions, reply in this thread and maybe I can help.

Hi Patrick, thanks so much for offering help/advice on this thread! I was just wondering if you could tell us a little about what your interview was like last year and any tips for how to prepare. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's super nervous about torpedoing my chances by bumbling through an awkward interview. Thanks in advance!

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Well I need some advice. I mentioned in one of the other threads I'm keeping myself busy this week working with a documentary series. Chatting with the associate producer, I mentioned grad school and it turns out he's a Columbia MFA alum (I think directing track but maybe production, didn't get to ask). I lamented how I haven't gotten an invitation for an interview and also name dropped the other alumnus who wrote my recommendation. He was utterly floored, jaw literally open that this director wrote me a 1) recommendation and 2) that despite that I didn't receive an invite. This AP obviously doesn't know my writing talent or other school factors, so I immediately leapt to self doubt that maybe I"m just awful. But I know after the accolades I've received that, while I'm maybe it's not Oscar material currently, I have volumes of potential that's displayed in my work I submitted.

So, here's where the need for advice comes in - Should I contact the school and ask about my admissions status and if I do, what sort of tone should I take? What sort of content should I include? Should I remind them that so-and-so is a colleague and I would love to follow in his footsteps? Should I just ask for a status? I feel like I want some sort of direct line of communication but I'm not sure what the approach should be. Any thoughts guys?


ETA: I also noticed that my section for other information, where we could type things in seems to be missing from my application proof? Did anyone else have this cut out?

 

[Patrick Clement]

Congratulations on all of the interview invitees. And if you haven't gotten an invite, just hang tight. The MFA process is about finding a good fit on both sides. If Columbia doesn't think you are a good fit, why would you want to go? Know what I mean?

Hi I just got asked to go in for an interview for the Directing MFA. Does anyone know how many students get asked to interview vs. how many applied?

Also if anyone has any tips as to what the interviewers are looking for it would help. Thanks.

I also just received an email for an interview for the Screenwriting/Directing MFA. If anyone has any tips or advice in terms of what to expect, let me know! Hope everybody does well!

I received an email for an interview for the Screenwriting/Directing MFA too! !

Hi Patrick, thanks so much for offering help/advice on this thread! I was just wondering if you could tell us a little about what your interview was like last year and any tips for how to prepare. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's super nervous about torpedoing my chances by bumbling through an awkward interview. Thanks in advance!

So I hope I can be helpful.

Most of the Dir/Scr candidates last year were interviewed by Eric Mendelsohn and Dan Kleinman. I interviewed with them over Skpe and not in person.

It lasted about 45 mins and what really struck me, and what was different from my other interviews, was the familiarity both of them had with my creative materials (ie my script samples, portfolio film). Eric asked very pointed questions about certain aspects of my film. This makes sense of course, but I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to actually answer specific questions about my work and not general questions about film.

Eric did alot of the talking and Dan asked a few questions. Having known them in a school setting this is actually their personalities and not some "put on" for interview purposes. Eric's analysis of my film actually makes alot of sense; he runs a "Film Club" where he spends an entire day with students breaking down every shot of a film.

By biggest advice is to just be yourself. Don't try to be someone you are not. Be comfortable. Be relaxed. They are looking for a certain type of filmmaker and you are looking for a certain type of school. The only way it will be a good fit, is if both you and the school are open and honest with each other about needs/wants.

Best of luck!

 

[granados_1111]

Congratulations on all of the interview invitees. And if you haven't gotten an invite, just hang tight. The MFA process is about finding a good fit on both sides. If Columbia doesn't think you are a good fit, why would you want to go? Know what I mean?









So I hope I can be helpful.

Most of the Dir/Scr candidates last year were interviewed by Eric Mendelsohn and Dan Kleinman. I interviewed with them over Skpe and not in person.

It lasted about 45 mins and what really struck me, and what was different from my other interviews, was the familiarity both of them had with my creative materials (ie my script samples, portfolio film). Eric asked very pointed questions about certain aspects of my film. This makes sense of course, but I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to actually answer specific questions about my work and not general questions about film.

Eric did alot of the talking and Dan asked a few questions. Having known them in a school setting this is actually their personalities and not some "put on" for interview purposes. Eric's analysis of my film actually makes alot of sense; he runs a "Film Club" where he spends an entire day with students breaking down every shot of a film.

By biggest advice is to just be yourself. Don't try to be someone you are not. Be comfortable. Be relaxed. They are looking for a certain type of filmmaker and you are looking for a certain type of school. The only way it will be a good fit, is if both you and the school are open and honest with each other about needs/wants.

Best of luck!

Hey Patrick!

Thanks for the help! Hope we can meet next year at Columbia!