Dodge MFA applicants 2025

[pogo25]

I had my interview yesterday. It felt very much like one, but I think I presented myself well.

 

[patty]

Just finished my Directing interview with Mr. Michael Kowalski. Like most, mine was conversational as well. He didn't make me feel estranged at any point.

The questions I was asked: Why Dodge specifically? Does your background in Mathematics inform any of the choices you make in filmmaking? What kind of films do you like and what have you watched recently? Why are they so different from the films you have made?

It was exactly 30 minutes. He went on to explain the specifics of the program and what kind of students might fit well in it.
He was very warm and came across as a kind person. Hope everybody gets him.
Best of luck to everyone!

 

[Minou]

Just finished my Directing interview with Mr. Michael Kowalski. Like most, mine was conversational as well. He didn't make me feel estranged at any point.

The questions I was asked: Why Dodge specifically? Does your background in Mathematics inform any of the choices you make in filmmaking? What kind of films do you like and what have you watched recently? Why are they so different from the films you have made?

It was exactly 30 minutes. He went on to explain the specifics of the program and what kind of students might fit well in it.
He was very warm and came across as a kind person. Hope everybody gets him.
Best of luck to everyone!

Thanks for sharing! I will have my interview on 11th! It was heart warming to read about your experience!

 

[Arbyrnes]

Just finished my Directing interview with Mr. Michael Kowalski. Like most, mine was conversational as well. He didn't make me feel estranged at any point.

The questions I was asked: Why Dodge specifically? Does your background in Mathematics inform any of the choices you make in filmmaking? What kind of films do you like and what have you watched recently? Why are they so different from the films you have made?

It was exactly 30 minutes. He went on to explain the specifics of the program and what kind of students might fit well in it.
He was very warm and came across as a kind person. Hope everybody gets him.
Best of luck to everyone!

How did he describe the type of students that would fit well? What did he say?

 

[patty]

How did he describe the type of students that would fit well? What did he say?

Great question!
He talked at length about why they squeezed the program from the former 3 year MFA to the now 2 year course. He candidly claimed that they borrowed this model from AFI, and believe that this is mostly for those who are not in that 'knowing-by-experimenting' stage of filmmaking. So only they should come who are sure about their specialisation. This is because the whole model works on the collaborative principle, and if one of the collaborators is unsure or not serious, then the system falls apart.

This makes so much sense to me. Those who are still 'seeking' their eventual goal are much better off at USC or NYU (he did not mention them, obviously). This is part of the reason why I didn't apply to either of those universities.

 

[Marimfruy]

Had my interview yesterday and the lady was so sweet! The other person who was supposed to help with the interview couldn’t make it, so it was just one interviewer. It was very chill and really like a conversation about my interests and love for movies. We talked about what I’m currently watching, the Oscar’s and what the lessons I’ve learned about filmmaking based on my experience. I feel it went super well! Good luck to anyone who has gotten an interview and to the ones still waiting for the email!

 

[Minou]

Great question!
He talked at length about why they squeezed the program from the former 3 year MFA to the now 2 year course. He candidly claimed that they borrowed this model from AFI, and believe that this is mostly for those who are not in that 'knowing-by-experimenting' stage of filmmaking. So only they should come who are sure about their specialisation. This is because the whole model works on the collaborative principle, and if one of the collaborators is unsure or not serious, then the system falls apart.

This makes so much sense to me. Those who are still 'seeking' their eventual goal are much better off at USC or NYU (he did not mention them, obviously). This is part of the reason why I didn't apply to either of those universities.

did he mention how many students approximately they are going to accept?

 

[Arbyrnes]

Great question!
He talked at length about why they squeezed the program from the former 3 year MFA to the now 2 year course. He candidly claimed that they borrowed this model from AFI, and believe that this is mostly for those who are not in that 'knowing-by-experimenting' stage of filmmaking. So only they should come who are sure about their specialisation. This is because the whole model works on the collaborative principle, and if one of the collaborators is unsure or not serious, then the system falls apart.

This makes so much sense to me. Those who are still 'seeking' their eventual goal are much better off at USC or NYU (he did not mention them, obviously). This is part of the reason why I didn't apply to either of those universities.

That makes a ton of sense and why I applied to them. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Chris W]

New fun cinematography quiz posted to help with wait.

Lens and Light

Understanding lenses begins with understanding light. Test your knowledge with the quiz designed by Tal Lazar Tal Lazar, (@TalLazar), a filmmaker and educator for some of the top film schools. Read our interview with Tal here:

www.filmschool.org

 

[Ronister]

Received nothing yet! Shall I consider this a rejection?

i wouldn't. based on last years stats, interviews continued into May. Anything could still happen!

 

[CornSoda]

Received nothing yet! Shall I consider this a rejection?

Haven’t received either, let’s be patient

 

[zhangjunhao1210]

Is interview required for directing program? Or there's a chance they might offer without interviews.........

 

[Chris W]

Is interview required for directing program? Or there's a chance they might offer without interviews.........

Here are the stats for directing.

Chapman University - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Acceptance Rate (Chapman - Directing MFA/All Years)

53.6%

Admitted

52 out of 97

10.3%

Waitlisted

10 out of 97

36.1%

Not Admitted

35 out of 97

Awaiting Results Admitted Waitlisted Denied

Click here for our full Admission Statistics for this program including interview and acceptance notification dates, accepted GPAs, waitlist acceptance rate, demographics of accepted applicants, $ amount of scholarship awarded, and more...

In the the extra data for supporting members in the link above it shows you how many were admitted without an interview and it's not many. It could be that data was entered wrong or that they changed their methodology. Or of course it could mean that it happens sometimes.

But check out the other data in link above too. Lots of useful information.

 

[Chris W]

Everyone please remember to log all the important dates etc in our application database so we can improve all of this data. It's very helpful to people.

Application Database

A database of thousands of film school applications to calculate acceptance rates to film programs and the minimum GPAs, minimum SAT and GRE scores, experience of accepted applicants, and much more....

www.filmschool.org

Here's an example of all the helpful data it provides:

Input needed Thread 'Please be sure to log your Applications with our database so we can improve our acceptance statistics!'

Mar 16, 2022

Everyone please be sure to log your Applications to our application database so we can improve our acceptance data and help other applicants.

Application Database

A database of thousands of film school applications to calculate acceptance rates to film programs and the minimum GPAs, minimum SAT and GRE scores, experience of accepted applicants, and much more....

www.filmschool.org

If you have any questions on how to add your application or suggestions on how to make the database better please let me know. If you have suggestions on how to make it easier to add your application or ideas as to which fields you don't think should be required please let me know.

The applications in our database allow really helpful data such as scholarship awarded, accepted GPA, film...

• Chris W
• applications film school database
• Replies: 22
• Forum: FilmSchool.org Announcements

 

[Arbyrnes]

I emailed the admissions office a week or so ago and this is what they said:

"Yes, interviews are generally required for directing. However, interview invites are still released on a rolling basis throughout the admission review process."

The word "generally" is a tricky one, but per Chris's note it may be that they don't require it for all admitted applicants.

 

[antlady]

Some years they do sent out interviews in May(I think that’s cuz they find out they still need more candidates after people accepting their offers/people off waitlist choose to attend) But Directing program only has 16 spots so I doubt if there is a possibility for more interviews…

 

[patty]

Some years they do sent out interviews in May(I think that’s cuz they find out they still need more candidates after people accepting their offers/people off waitlist choose to attend) But Directing program only has 16 spots so I doubt if there is a possibility for more interviews…

That's a pretty sharp number...
You khow how many people apply to it? Wanted to know the Acceptance rate.

 

[Ronister]

Here are the stats for directing.

Chapman University - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Acceptance Rate (Chapman - Directing MFA/All Years)

53.6%

Admitted

52 out of 97

10.3%

Waitlisted

10 out of 97

36.1%

Not Admitted

35 out of 97

Awaiting Results Admitted Waitlisted Denied

Click here for our full Admission Statistics for this program including interview and acceptance notification dates, accepted GPAs, waitlist acceptance rate, demographics of accepted applicants, $ amount of scholarship awarded, and more...

In the the extra data for supporting members in the link above it shows you how many were admitted without an interview and it's not many. It could be that data was entered wrong or that they changed their methodology. Or of course it could mean that it happens sometimes.

But check out the other data in link above too. Lots of useful information.

Do you have stats for the Showrunner program?

 

[Chris W]

Do you have stats for the Showrunner program?

On that page there's a pulldown for program but here it is:

Chapman University - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Acceptance Rate (Chapman - The Showrunner Program (MFA)/All Years)

42.9%

Admitted

3 out of 7

57.1%

Not Admitted

4 out of 7

Awaiting Results Admitted Waitlisted Denied

Click here for our full Admission Statistics for this program including interview and acceptance notification dates, accepted GPAs, waitlist acceptance rate, demographics of accepted applicants, $ amount of scholarship awarded, and more...

So far no one has reported getting in. Please log your application when you can.

 

[Ronister]

On that page there's a pulldown for program but here it is:

Chapman University - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Acceptance Rate (Chapman - The Showrunner Program (MFA)/All Years)

42.9%

Admitted

3 out of 7

57.1%

Not Admitted

4 out of 7

Awaiting Results Admitted Waitlisted Denied

Click here for our full Admission Statistics for this program including interview and acceptance notification dates, accepted GPAs, waitlist acceptance rate, demographics of accepted applicants, $ amount of scholarship awarded, and more...

So far no one has reported getting in. Please log your application when you can.

Will do! I put my application in the database just still waiting for an answer. Thanks!