Columbia University MFA Fall 2016

[bvels]

@WriterGirl Yeah, it took me to where you can login to see your application. There was a button on the page that said I had an update and that's where the letters were. Hope you hear back soon!

 

[Robbbb]

tsting

 

[Robbbb]

Hey peeps,

First time posting. I got a call on Thursday from Eric informing me that I was accepted. Eric also told me that I should expect an email from him with contact info etc. and that this would potentially initiate a conversation between me and him as to the implications of me accepting the invitation to Columbia -- part of me thinks this was with the expectance that I had been accepted at other programs and they were vouching for theirs; part of me thinks this is just Eric being a wonderfully caring person. I haven't heard anything from Eric and I wanted to know if anyone else has received any email of this sort yet? Trying to figure out if Columbia's program is financially feasible.

 

[WriterGirl]

@bvels At this point I'm honestly not holding my breath, but thanks for the good wishes, and CONGRATS!

All my eggs seem to be on AFI's basket now. We'll see how that goes...

 

[KiddJewel]

I second all of these questions for @Patrick Clement. Thanks!

Did you interview with Eric & Dan?

 

[kr579]

As a student didn't get accepted at the first patch, I experienced long and agony waiting until JULY last year when I was finally off the waitlist. I am not the one that waited longest actually. Someone in my class waited even longer. I have just one advice : Do something else in your life that is worth doing, definitely not fresh your mail box every single minute and hold your phone to bed every night. That's just waste of time and creating anxious. I know it's hard. BUT just get your attention away from it as soon as possible. It do you no good to worried the results any more, because it's out of your control already. Go out , hang with friend, write and keep writing( because YOU will wish you have written enough story before you actually go to school if you eventually get into any film school) ,or even make a new film.
After all , film school is only one small step in your journey of becoming a filmmaker.


Cheers

I was wait listed 2 years ago and didn't get in. I interviewed again this year and I can tell you not knowing yet is pure torture. If I decided to write during this time period, the topic would be about torture lol

 

[CWYH]

I still didn't hear back and I didn't even get called for an interview. I'm clearly getting rejected right?

I'm in the same boat! Nooo idea what's happening but I guess we'll just have to wait and see! I suppose no outright rejection is good.

 

[Patrick Clement]

Thanks Patrick! Any insider information on if offers are still being made/calls being sent out?

I really don't know. I would say middle of this next week would be the end of the line.

 

[MilaSkywalker]

I'm in the same boat! Nooo idea what's happening but I guess we'll just have to wait and see! I suppose no outright rejection is good.

The wait is killing meeeee.. I hope we both get good news after the weekend.

 

[Patrick Clement]

Hey Patrick
1) Does Columbia really worth the high tuition fee? the university calculator shows me around 90k with the living expenses! its a budget of a few short films..
2) from what I have heard its more focused on screenwriting .. right? what about directing or other disciplines like editing?
how are the equipments and facilities? is it available to all the students to experiment? how much you are free to work on your own ideas?
in terms of career opportunities? either in columbia as academic job or working in the industry how you evaluate it? ( though I know most of it depends on the person )

Btw its so great to have you in this page and I appreciate you share your experiences

Thanks for the questions, I'll go through them one at a time.

And just as a primer, I am one student in a program with up to 250-300 current students at any given time (producers and dir/scr) so this is just my own opinion. Certainly each student has their own experiences, and I can only speak to my own.

1) Film school is expensive. Grad school is expensive. Applying to a film MFA program requires serious financial commitment. I understood what would be required from me from each school I applied to. Some people have financial benefactors; I am not one of them. Relative to other schools in the Top Ten, Columbia is well within the same range. I knew I could apply to CSUN, or some other state school, but if you want to play in the big leagues, you will have to pony up the dough.

And yes, 90k is a couple of short films. If this is a viable option, I say go for it. Film school is only one way to start building your career. I want to make 5-10 million dollar features, how can I expect someone to trust me with a 5-10 million dollar property, if I am not willing to invest even 5% of that is building my professional skills? Again, just my own approach.

2) Columbia is a "story" school. Period. That is a little reductionist, but I think accurate.

There are 3-4 filmed exercises per semester and 2 larger projects each year. You will be making shorts to hone your directing/production skills, but as I have said in previous posts, Columbia is not a strong production school. I went to Columbia because I felt I was already strong in production, but if I wanted to be a successful director, I needed to learn to tell a story, explore performance and deeply understand scripts and story; not just push a button or turn on a light. I feel thus far Columbia has delivered in that regard.

If you want complete freedom, school is probably not for you. Part of academia is not IF they provide boundaries or guidance (because they all do), but HOW they provide it. Columbia has rules, you cannot just shoot anything you want; anytime you want. Personal projects outside of school, sure you can do whatever you want. But your work in class will be guided by the principals I think Columbia is known for, story. It sort of permeates the program in the first year.

I made a post some pages back about how I feel in regards to alumni, industry outreach, ect. So I wont repeat that stuff here.

I hope I can be of some help and I am really looking forward to meeting some/all/many of you next Fall. One of the first events of the semester is the 8-12 screenings. This is a public screening of end-of-first-year projects, followed by a faculty critique. Its part X-Factor, part Project Greenlight and ALWAYS interesting. I hope some of you will come see my film.

 

[Patrick Clement]

If anyone wants to see filmed exercises just PM me. I'd be happy to share. Normally we never show these outside of class, so maybe it would be of interest.

 

[bvels]

Thanks for the questions, I'll go through them one at a time.

And just as a primer, I am one student in a program with up to 250-300 current students at any given time (producers and dir/scr) so this is just my own opinion. Certainly each student has their own experiences, and I can only speak to my own.

1) Film school is expensive. Grad school is expensive. Applying to a film MFA program requires serious financial commitment. I understood what would be required from me from each school I applied to. Some people have financial benefactors; I am not one of them. Relative to other schools in the Top Ten, Columbia is well within the same range. I knew I could apply to CSUN, or some other state school, but if you want to play in the big leagues, you will have to pony up the dough.

And yes, 90k is a couple of short films. If this is a viable option, I say go for it. Film school is only one way to start building your career. I want to make 5-10 million dollar features, how can I expect someone to trust me with a 5-10 million dollar property, if I am not willing to invest even 5% of that is building my professional skills? Again, just my own approach.

2) Columbia is a "story" school. Period. That is a little reductionist, but I think accurate.

There are 3-4 filmed exercises per semester and 2 larger projects each year. You will be making shorts to hone your directing/production skills, but as I have said in previous posts, Columbia is not a strong production school. I went to Columbia because I felt I was already strong in production, but if I wanted to be a successful director, I needed to learn to tell a story, explore performance and deeply understand scripts and story; not just push a button or turn on a light. I feel thus far Columbia has delivered in that regard.

If you want complete freedom, school is probably not for you. Part of academia is not IF they provide boundaries or guidance (because they all do), but HOW they provide it. Columbia has rules, you cannot just shoot anything you want; anytime you want. Personal projects outside of school, sure you can do whatever you want. But your work in class will be guided by the principals I think Columbia is known for, story. It sort of permeates the program in the first year.

I made a post some pages back about how I feel in regards to alumni, industry outreach, ect. So I wont repeat that stuff here.

I hope I can be of some help and I am really looking forward to meeting some/all/many of you next Fall. One of the first events of the semester is the 8-12 screenings. This is a public screening of end-of-first-year projects, followed by a faculty critique. Its part X-Factor, part Project Greenlight and ALWAYS interesting. I hope some of you will come see my film.

Hi Patrick, thanks so much for answering all these questions. Your insight has been really helpful. So I have another! I was wondering how you and other students typically fund your films. I know there are grants available, but is that a common way to get funds? Or do most people just pay out of pocket? (which would be tough for me personally as I have very little savings). Or are there other ways?

Thanks so much, hopefully see you in the fall!

 

[Patrick Clement]

Hi Patrick, thanks so much for answering all these questions. Your insight has been really helpful. So I have another! I was wondering how you and other students typically fund your films. I know there are grants available, but is that a common way to get funds? Or do most people just pay out of pocket? (which would be tough for me personally as I have very little savings). Or are there other ways?

Thanks so much, hopefully see you in the fall!

Good question.

The exercises are simple enough, it won't cost you really anything.

The first year has two bigger projects, the 3-5min film (shooting over winter break) and the 8-12min film (shooting over summer break). Students have to fund their own films. Many students go back home and film where they have better resources. Ultimately, it is up to the filmmaker to not only find a way to pay for their own film, but to make a film within their budgetary limitations.

Of course, if someone were to stay in NYC, shoot in NYC and use only the gear from the Equipment Room you are basically looking at meals and some transportation. We can get student film agreements with SAG-AFTRA. so in theory you could make a nice short in NYC with union actors for $100-$300.

If you are borrowing money (like many of us) Gov loans allow you to borrow up to you entire cost of attendance. If you save smart and live sparce, you can squirrel away a few hundred dollars and use that. That is what I did.

 

[tutenkhamen]

Mr. @Patrick Clement delivers yet again! Thanks so much for all the info, man.

From the sound of it and everything else that I've researched on, seems like Columbia is THE place I want to go. But it's so expensive! Plus being an international student, the exchange rate takes the whole game a notch higher. I'm frantically taking my finals/wrapping exams/packing up to go back home/applying for more scholarships since the day I received the call.

It's real, all of sudden. And scary. But something tells me that all of it is going to be worth it. So I won't back down.

Patrick, what about employment opportunities in the second year? Do you guys get internships? I read that Columbia offers work relevant to the 'profile', is that true? Also, are you aware of any international students (seniors) being successful in finding jobs once they left college?

 

[subwaywoolala]

I was wait listed 2 years ago and didn't get in. I interviewed again this year and I can tell you not knowing yet is pure torture. If I decided to write during this time period, the topic would be about torture lol

From my opinion, that's actually a quite good topic. Anyway, there are not many chances for you to experience this kind of feeling in your life.

 

[Mister K]

I am still hoping that they haven't made all the calls yet. Next few days are critical. This weekend was probably closed because of Easter right? Still trying to remain positive but.....

 

[sdotkdotn]

I am still hoping that they haven't made all the calls yet. Next few days are critical. This weekend was probably closed because of Easter right? Still trying to remain positive but.....

I know! I think my fingers and toes are going to be stuck permanently crossed. I've never waited so anxiously for the phone to ring. Hopefully there's another large of batch of acceptance calls to be placed and that we're among the recipients

I've seconded guessed every word I uttered during the interview, almost to the point of madness :/

 

[Mister K]

@sdotkdotn The first day had so many calls... I guess that's what has gotten us worried. the next few days haven't had anything noteworthy (a couple of calls and an e-mail). Its a little surprising to me tbh, the suspense is killing me. If this was a film, I'd fast forward it to the climax.... lol
You think they had some "priority" or "first preference" when they made those calls? I don't think that it was random. Still fingers crossed!

 

[sdotkdotn]

Yup, Hitchcock's got nothing of this suspense!

I'm not sure :/ It's so tempting to read into every little detail, make connections, and extrapolate from past years, but ultimately, and frustratingly, I have no idea.

I wouldn't think they'd have a priority list in terms of the calls they've been making because they're not asking people to commit to coming on the spot (unless they are?). Or I guess unless they wanted to give those people a few extra days to make a decision? Ughhh lol, I'm just not sure.

 

[abe slaney]

Hi everyone,

First time poster. I was accepted into the program for Dir/Scr. on Friday. I received an email like some other people did informing me that my application status had changed. To everyone that has not heard back yet, best of luck!

To those that have been accepted and plan to attend, I'm wondering what your plan is for housing. Is anyone applying for on-campus housing?