Columbia University - Screenwriting/Directing Fall 2022 entry

[Veer]

I interviewed with Trey also. Eric is one person. Let’s say he takes 10 min per acceptance. That’s 480 min. No shot he did that one sitting. He’s human just like all of us.

I’m having a difficult time remaining chill, but it’s out of our hands. I was WL’d last year. Trust me, my stomach is in knots. Whatever is meant to happen always does.

#chill

I am going through the same thing.. I was waitlisted as well! Honestly I can’t keep calm until I hear back from them. I need to #chill

 

[Adam Y]

Hey guys, I just got the email from Eric! I think it is coming out, check your email. Best luck to you all!

 

[Bel225]

Congrats!! Did you get an email to call or just the email?

 

[Adam Y]

Congrats!! Did you get an email to call or just the email?

an email to call

 

[FuschiaFlows]

an email to call

Congrats! Did you interview with Eric?

 

[ysaaso]

I've been following the thread and the forum for the last couple of months and the journey has finally come to an end. Just had the zoom call with Eric!! Good luck everyone! Look forward to seeing you in the fall!

 

[Adam Y]

Congrats! Did you interview with Eric?

Thank you. Yeah, I interviewed with Eric and David

 

[happyone]

So they didn't accept international applicants?

 

[Wonderwoman]

I think most of the applicants selected up till now are those interviewed by Eric. I was interviewed by Hilary. No email yet.

 

[Bel225]

Was anyone interviewed by Sean and Andy? I was interviewed super late on the 15th.. wondering if that holds any importance.

 

[mcama]

Anyone interviewed by Trey get accepted? Just curious.

 

[happyone]

I'm feeling so anxious. Uneasiness is flowing through my veins. My dreams are going to get destroyed now.

 

[franka]

I've been lurking for a while and I just wanted to write that I was anxious and sad all day, only to realize that I had an email in the "Updates" section of gmail and therefore didn't get a notification. So it might be hiding like it was for me.
I got the email around 1pm PT today. Still worried about the cost of everything, but really happy to be accepted.

 

[howdoigetin]

I'm feeling so anxious. Uneasiness is flowing through my veins. My dreams are going to get destroyed now.

Just a little anecdote for everyone feeling uneasy. I had my old boss write one of my recommendations, a very well-respected producer(this is not a brag it didn't help all that much). When I asked him to write it for me he was he asked me to heavily weigh the reasons I wanted to go to film school. As a film school grad himself, he saw the merit in the guidance, structure, and resources grad schools provide but knew that it was expensive and that more so that any degree it was the work that you created. Grad schools can provide a great place to create that, but that doesn't mean you can't do it on your own. He told me it's not the right path for everybody. If I had said one thing about being in it for prestige or as an attempt to legitimize myself as a filmmaker I don't think he would have written it. There are countless filmmakers who never went to film school, Kubrick, PTA, etc. We are not trying to be Doctors or Lawyers. There is no degree or test requirement. I know it's extremely hard. I told myself I wasn't going to angst anymore and I'm still here. This is not crushing your dreams. It is just more motivation to continue to work on your craft. Sorry if this sounded preachy just trying to help.

 

[Varenka]

I was with Blair and I haven’t got any emails yet… anyone get accepted after their interview with Blair ?

 

[dchuang0710]

I had mine with Trey.. I don’t think anyone he interviewed has heard back as well. So let’s not lose hope just yet!

I interviewed with Trey and George, and I was accepted yesterday.

 

[123321]

We still have one more day !!!!!!!

 

[FuschiaFlows]

Last year acceptances for screenwriting/directing went out from March 24 to March 30 and waitlists / rejections on April 1. So, six days of acceptances it seems. That said, given the waitlist situation last year, it's possible it took the admissions committee longer to render decisions.

I'm not sure what to think. I felt really confident about my application and now I'm just lost.

Anyone know how large of an influence the interview has on the actual admissions decision?

 

[Drummajor1911]

I was with Blair and I haven’t got any emails yet… anyone get accepted after their interview with Blair ?

I interviewed with Blair & Jeannie. Interview went way better (was still a good interview) than my USC interview. They said they loved my opening scene talked about my film. Thanked me for actually addressing them by their names. But It seems like I needed to interview with Eric lol

 

[Drummajor1911]

Just a little anecdote for everyone feeling uneasy. I had my old boss write one of my recommendations, a very well-respected producer(this is not a brag it didn't help all that much). When I asked him to write it for me he was he asked me to heavily weigh the reasons I wanted to go to film school. As a film school grad himself, he saw the merit in the guidance, structure, and resources grad schools provide but knew that it was expensive and that more so that any degree it was the work that you created. Grad schools can provide a great place to create that, but that doesn't mean you can't do it on your own. He told me it's not the right path for everybody. If I had said one thing about being in it for prestige or as an attempt to legitimize myself as a filmmaker I don't think he would have written it. There are countless filmmakers who never went to film school, Kubrick, PTA, etc. We are not trying to be Doctors or Lawyers. There is no degree or test requirement. I know it's extremely hard. I told myself I wasn't going to angst anymore and I'm still here. This is not crushing your dreams. It is just more motivation to continue to work on your craft. Sorry if this sounded preachy just trying to help.

Very well said. I needed to read this. I didn't even look at top-ranked programs at the start of this process due to my sub 2.5 Undergraduate GPA. I knew I was in a film program with a scholarship on Feb 1st. Then in mid-Feb, I received a near full ride to another film program in the top 10 of MFA programs. But all I could think about was USC's decline after my interview and now the verge of Columbia declining me too. I'm older and don't have time to re-apply. I would have been happy to get any admissions at one point because I was convinced I could do it the indie way. However, for my plans, I need time, resources, and the structure of an MFA. Regardless of what happens with Columbia, I realize it's a blessing to get acceptance to any program, especially one that was in my top 3 choices. I applied to Columbia on a whim. I knew it forced me to write a script. I never thought I had a shot in the dark...now look at me refreshing my email lol