Columbia University - MFA - Fall 2018

[Paralylex]

I just applied on Thursday. Spent last several months working on my application. I'm ridiculously nervous. Anyone else do so? How ya feeling? Anyone interested in sharing work?

For people who applied last year, how did you deal with nerves? I'm trying the whole, "KEEP WORKING!" thing to get my mind off it, but I'm crazily anxious. The future feels very indefinite.

Let me know!

 

[Alok N R]

I do think its part of the larger picture of Columbia, but should be part of a larger conversation. You know?

You can read my personal essay here:
Columbia University MFA Fall 2016

Very Kind of you to share thanks

 

[Alok N R]

I just applied on Thursday. Spent last several months working on my application. I'm ridiculously nervous. Anyone else do so? How ya feeling? Anyone interested in sharing work?

For people who applied last year, how did you deal with nerves? I'm trying the whole, "KEEP WORKING!" thing to get my mind off it, but I'm crazily anxious. The future feels very indefinite.

Let me know!

Hey, If it helps, I missed out on the deadline by a few minutes thanks to a bad internet connection. But who am I kidding . Should have started sooner. At least you sent it in on time man . I ve applied to NYU and USC though. And I totally understand the nerves part. Future looks so indefinite here as well. But atleast we are orienting ourselves toward the right direction. Hope you make it man ! All the best !

 

[Paralylex]

Hey, If it helps, I missed out on the deadline by a few minutes thanks to a bad internet connection. But who am I kidding . Should have started sooner. At least you sent it in on time man . I ve applied to NYU and USC though. And I totally understand the nerves part. Future looks so indefinite here as well. But atleast we are orienting ourselves toward the right direction. Hope you make it man ! All the best !

Thanks! Same to you! What was the application process like for NYU and USC? What program did you apply for, writing/directing? Also, want to share films?

I'm sorry you missed the deadline, that sucks. I was terrified I would as one of my letters didn't come in until a few hours before (literally had to track down the teacher in Chicago to remind him constantly).

 

[dramahereandthere]

I just applied on Thursday. Spent last several months working on my application. I'm ridiculously nervous. Anyone else do so? How ya feeling? Anyone interested in sharing work?

For people who applied last year, how did you deal with nerves? I'm trying the whole, "KEEP WORKING!" thing to get my mind off it, but I'm crazily anxious. The future feels very indefinite.

Let me know!

Hey--

This is one of the films I've submitted --

Would love to see yours!

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Hey--

This is one of the films I've submitted --

Would love to see yours!

Reminds me a bit of Secret Window. Cool story.

 

[Paralylex]

Hey--

This is one of the films I've submitted --

Would love to see yours!

"Quid pro quo's my principle," funny as hell line. Solid work! Especially liked 'Frank's initial reveal.

Password: Columbia

This is my visual submission. Would love to hear what ya think. Really nervous.

 

[ash_ketchum]

I just applied on Thursday. Spent last several months working on my application. I'm ridiculously nervous. Anyone else do so? How ya feeling? Anyone interested in sharing work?

For people who applied last year, how did you deal with nerves? I'm trying the whole, "KEEP WORKING!" thing to get my mind off it, but I'm crazily anxious. The future feels very indefinite.

Let me know!

I applied last year and got an interview and didn't get in...I was sad about it but that's life. Hoping I get in this time. Honesty, I have no advice on how to get it off your mind...it's a very important step for your future. Just think positive.

 

[ash_ketchum]

Question, so if you don't get an interview then you're def not getting in?

 

[dramahereandthere]

Reminds me a bit of Secret Window. Cool story.

Thanks^^

 

[dramahereandthere]

"Quid pro quo's my principle," funny as hell line. Solid work! Especially liked 'Frank's initial reveal.

Password: Columbia

This is my visual submission. Would love to hear what ya think. Really nervous.

Hey! This is awesome. Loved it -- the language is so poetic yet the story so relatable. Congratulations on the great job you've done! Fingers crossed for all of us!

 

[Operator]

I sent this in last year and got waitlisted. Had to use the in camera mic...but oh well. shit happens, right?

 

[Andre]

Any international student applied for the MFA?

I sent my application on Thursday and they didn't check my english proeficiency yet. It still "Awaiting" in the status.

Anyone in the same situation?

thnks!

 

[dramahereandthere]

Any international student applied for the MFA?

I sent my application on Thursday and they didn't check my english proeficiency yet. It still "Awaiting" in the status.

Anyone in the same situation?

thnks!

Same here!

 

[Andre]

Same here!

Still waiting... hahah

 

[late88]

Hello Patrick, What is the class/writing/production schedule like for the first year? Is it possible to have typical 9-5 and attend? Part-time work?

 

[redroom29]

Hello,
I've lurked for months without commenting. I'm a creative producing applicant.

Wishing you all a great holiday season and hope for interview notifications when the month starts!

 

[Operator]

Hello,
I've lurked for months without commenting. I'm a creative producing applicant.

Wishing you all a great holiday season and hope for interview notifications when the month starts!

I also applied for producing.

 

[Patrick Clement]

Hello Patrick, What is the class/writing/production schedule like for the first year? Is it possible to have typical 9-5 and attend? Part-time work?

Here is a response I made last year about this same question.

I'm not trying to be a dickhead here because as a low-income student, work and school have typically gone hand-in-hand for me as well, but at the MFA level, you should allow yourself to focus 100% on your work. You are building a career, give it the time it deserves. Most students put in about 40-50 hours a week, especially in the first year.

Let's do some math, because math is fun.

Class time
Six classes per semester/week (this includes your HTC requirement.) Four Hours per class (that includes commute time, early arrival, making it out of Dodge and to the train, stopping to get coffee before class, etc. )
24 hours of class time.
3 hours of additional class time per week. (Discussion sessions, directing advisers, meeting with prof, etc.)
2 hours a week on average working on your own exercises (that's 3-4 hours on each of the 6 directing assignments, divided over the 16 week semester)
5 hours a week helping other classmates with their exercises. (If you are spending 3-4 hours on your exercises, this allows for overages and travel. And this is just for helping ONE student, you will likely help more than one every week, so this is a conservative estimate.)
---------------------------
34 hours a week, just on "base" classwork.

This is a conservative estimate at best and doesn't account for:
1. Script writing time (2+ hours a day)
2. Project Prep (Safety process, paperwork, casting, rehearsals, location scouting, etc for 3-5 films and 8-12 films) This could be 100+ hours over a semester.
3. Class "bunching." Because you do not get to pick your classes in the first year, often there will be "bunching" where you will have a class at 10-1 and then 2-5. So that middle hour is "lost" to lunch.
4. Oh yeah, and you're a human, so you need to sleep, eat, go see a movie or master class, get laid, have a drink, go to a museum, etc.
5. Travel. If you HAVE to live in Brooklyn, you will have a 1.5hr train ride each way. That's 3 hours of ride time and if you have classes only three days a week, that's nearly 10 hours of travel time a week. Yikes. And likely you will be coming to campus 4-5 days a week. That's alot of hours.

So I think my 40-50 hour estimate might even be light.

Could you do this AND keep a job, possibly.
I am sure if CAN be done, but the question is WHY?
Everything on this list is awesome and fun and worth devoting your time time. Why cut yourself short?
.

 

[redroom29]

Has anyone received an interview request yet? Happy New Year!