Film School 2016

[Paul J.]

@googoomuck Don't worry about the transcripts. If you send em an unofficial copy and they, for some reason, don't find your original but want you otherwise - it won't come crumbling down due to them not having an original in their hands right now.

Letter-writers are a tough deal. I was fortunate to get them early on, almost immediately after asking. But I did stress that it was very urgent - almost life or death Maybe call him up and ask what gives? Maybe if he is super busy tell him you can give him some pointers on what you think would be traits you want him to focus on. So that it is as easy as possible for him. I even know of people who have written their own recom letters after changing jobs and just getting a signature from their boss because they were too busy to write anything themselves.

 

[googoomuck]

He got back to me and said he will send it tonight. I feel good, but I'll feel better once he actually does it The thing is, I know he already wrote it because I used his recommendation for UCLA too. I got scared because he didn't reply to my emails for a few weeks. Phew.

Here's a note for anybody reading this in the future: the USC person I've been emailing told me today that I would not be penalized if I only had 2 letters. She said they understand that sometimes people are unreliable and they won't hold a student responsible if someone leaves you hanging. That makes me feel much more positively about things! (Of course, I don't think you should plan on this, but it's nice to hear!)

 

[IndecisiveElle]

He got back to me and said he will send it tonight. I feel good, but I'll feel better once he actually does it The thing is, I know he already wrote it because I used his recommendation for UCLA too. I got scared because he didn't reply to my emails for a few weeks. Phew.

Here's a note for anybody reading this in the future: the USC person I've been emailing told me today that I would not be penalized if I only had 2 letters. She said they understand that sometimes people are unreliable and they won't hold a student responsible if someone leaves you hanging. That makes me feel much more positively about things! (Of course, I don't think you should plan on this, but it's nice to hear!)

I feel your pain! My professional recommendation that came down to the wire said he would do it Monday, wound up getting in last night at 1:30AM EST. I emailed Columbia in a panic asking if it was ok that he got it in before Midnight In LA (where he's based)... And their response.... I kid you not... Recommendations are accepted up to a week after the application deadline? Mmmmm where is that on their website!? Because I combed the whole thing all last night in a panic and it's not mentioned I could find. At all. I didn't even think to ask because it said everything must be in or post marked by Dec 1st. @Chris Wright We should add that to the Columbia FAQ I think, as everyone on here seemed to be under the same impression I had. Either way, I feel a lot of relief to know my entire application is signed, sealed and delivered and I can move on to the next. one.

 

[Chris W]

. @Chris Wright We should add that to the Columbia FAQ I think, as everyone on here seemed to be under the same impression I had.

Just send me the text of what you want me to add and I can add it. I can also just quote the thread as well.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

This is the exact response I got from Columbia

"Recommenders actually have a week after the application deadline to submit their letters of recommendation"

 

[Chris W]

We should add that to the Columbia FAQ I think, as everyone on here seemed to be under the same impression I had.

I could also possibly convert the main discussion thread for that school into a WikiPost... or just make a "Columbia Film School MFA Application tips" thread where we can all WikiPost a bunch of information quoted from old threads using the "Multi Quote" feature.

 

[googoomuck]

I feel your pain! My professional recommendation that came down to the wire said he would do it Monday, wound up getting in last night at 1:30AM EST. I emailed Columbia in a panic asking if it was ok that he got it in before Midnight In LA (where he's based)... And their response.... I kid you not... Recommendations are accepted up to a week after the application deadline? Mmmmm where is that on their website!? Because I combed the whole thing all last night in a panic and it's not mentioned I could find. At all. I didn't even think to ask because it said everything must be in or post marked by Dec 1st.

Yucky. I knew from the start letters of rec would be the worst part for me. First you have to figure out who to ask...then you have to work up the nerve to ask them...then you have to forfeit some of your application autonomy and let other people be responsible for you...ugh! I always hated group projects! Then there were issues I didn't anticipate (like requests not reaching my recommenders' emails--TWICE). Now it seems like they don't even much care about the letters, LOL. Whatever! Hopefully it's a downhill ride from here for all of us!

 

[katavi08]

My guess is they don't put that information on the website because they would rather have people get in all of their application materials in by the deadline. I currently work in a graduate admissions office, and from my experience it is much easier to start processing applications when everyone has their materials in. My office also accepts letters of rec. and transcripts past the deadline; most admissions offices will. They just don't like to advertise it.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

My guess is they don't put that information on the website because they would rather have people get in all of their application materials in by the deadline. I currently work in a graduate admissions office, and from my experience it is much easier to start processing applications when everyone has their materials in. My office also accepts letters of rec. and transcripts past the deadline; most admissions offices will. They just don't like to advertise it.

I experienced that with a university locally to me. I was accepted as a creative writing MA to Wayne State University as I began this process (after consulting with my mentor he made me realize I wanted and deserved a better, larger, program and I'm glad he did). I wound up submitting quite a bit of my materials after their deadline, which was advertised as 'priority' admissions. I worked in an admissions office during community college and undergrad, very enlightening experience. I think more students should consider it doing it.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

I could also possibly convert the main discussion thread for that school into a WikiPost... or just make a "Columbia Film School MFA Application tips" thread where we can all WikiPost a bunch of information quoted from old threads using the "Multi Quote" feature.

Whatever you think would work best and be the most useful. Whatever benefits the community and the analytics, I'm happy to contribute! I'm sure as my attention is now able to shift to my LMU and Northwestern apps I'll be delving into the same areas with them as well.

 

[katavi08]

So...how's everyone doing? I know it's super early, but has anyone heard anything from any of their schools? I've gotten the generic "Thank you for applying" emails, but that's it. I hate this waiting! I've managed to convince myself that I am not going to get accepted into any of schools I've applied for. I've actually been thinking about applying to LMU or some other school so I would have another application to distract myself.

 

[panda]

So...how's everyone doing? I know it's super early, but has anyone heard anything from any of their schools? I've gotten the generic "Thank you for applying" emails, but that's it. I hate this waiting! I've managed to convince myself that I am not going to get accepted into any of schools I've applied for. I've actually been thinking about applying to LMU or some other school so I would have another application to distract myself.

I've been applying to non-grad opportunities (related to working abroad, mostly). I only decided to apply to one school, so I've realized there's a high chance I won't be getting in- but now I'm becoming more and more excited about these other opportunities so I'll be happy either way. Part of me thinks I'm not ready for film school, that I have to go out into the world and experience more... which is something I'll likely always think. So I'll just let USC SCA admissions decide for me.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

@katavi08
I'm definitely anxious but commercial work has been picking up for me because it's the end of the year so I've been busier than usual which is great for my wallet. Mostly I've just been trying to keep my mind off of it and staying away from my laptop for a little bit. I still have work to do on my LMU and Northwestern applications that I'm going to dive into next week and get wrapped up before the Christmas holiday.

@panda
There are so many other great programs and opportunities outside of grad school with film! No matter what happens you will have an exciting year! If I don't get into any of the programs I applied to I want to do the summer screenwriting intensive at Columbia before I get too sucked into commercials or worse yet have to get a non-industry job (although ideally I need to move away from Michigan without the incentive of a MFA program). I hope no matter what happens with our admissions that we all have a great and creative and motivated year ahead of us.

 

[Chris W]

Part of me thinks I'm not ready for film school, that I have to go out into the world and experience more... which is something I'll likely always think. So I'll just let USC SCA admissions decide for me.

No reason you can't do both. USC will just decide in which order.

 

[tzompantli]

So...how's everyone doing? I know it's super early, but has anyone heard anything from any of their schools? I've gotten the generic "Thank you for applying" emails, but that's it. I hate this waiting! I've managed to convince myself that I am not going to get accepted into any of schools I've applied for. I've actually been thinking about applying to LMU or some other school so I would have another application to distract myself.

I'm applying for some PhD programs and a film residency. Somehow I've convinced myself that the only way to avoid thinking too much about something I've applied for is to just never stop applying for things...

 

[Chris W]

Remember if you're looking for something to take your mind off of the applications you can always take a stab at the screenwriting game I started:

http://www.filmschool.org/threads/screenwriting-game-01-nick-sally.24946/#post-154636

Or feel free to start your own.

 

[katavi08]

Somehow I've convinced myself that the only way to avoid thinking too much about something I've applied for is to just never stop applying for things...

Haha! I hear you on that one!

@panda That's a great idea to apply for other opportunities outside of grad school! Best of luck with everything! I'm sure you'll land something great whether it be grad school related or something else.

@IndecisiveElle I'm with you about Columbia's Summer program. I read your review for UCLA's Professional Producer's Program, and that seems like a great opportunity as well. Having possible back-up plans is making me feel a lot better! I really want to move to a bigger city than where I am now. There are no film opportunities where I live, and while I like my current job and it pays well, it's certainly not my passion. I keep using grad school as my main incentive to finally move, and I'm terrified I'll be stuck where I am if nothing pans out with these schools. I need to just make the leap whether I get in or not.

 

[googoomuck]

Took a closer look at the LMU app tonight (I started it but hadn't gotten too deep). Am I right that you submit and pay for the application first, and THEN you upload your samples? I can't find any instructions on the site so I may have to bite the bullet and email them. These applications just get more and more bizarre and convoluted. LOL. For anyone reading this who's still in the planning stage...UCLA has the earliest deadlines, but the BEST application procedures! I didn't know how easy and intuitive they made it until I did others!! YIKES

On a different note. Once I awaken from this nightmare, I'd like to send my recommenders thank you cards. I wonder, can I address an envelope with a professor's name and their school's address? Is that how you do it? (I'd rather not ask them, for the sake of surprise, but I'm an incompetent millennial and I don't understand mail)

 

[Solomon_E]

Took a closer look at the LMU app tonight (I started it but hadn't gotten too deep). Am I right that you submit and pay for the application first, and THEN you upload your samples? I can't find any instructions on the site so I may have to bite the bullet and email them. These applications just get more and more bizarre and convoluted. LOL. For anyone reading this who's still in the planning stage...UCLA has the earliest deadlines, but the BEST application procedures! I didn't know how easy and intuitive they made it until I did others!! YIKES

On a different note. Once I awaken from this nightmare, I'd like to send my recommenders thank you cards. I wonder, can I address an envelope with a professor's name and their school's address? Is that how you do it? (I'd rather not ask them, for the sake of surprise, but I'm an incompetent millennial and I don't understand mail)

I also noticed that about the LMU app - it does look like you can only submit the application first and then upload the writing samples (I could see no other means of uploading samples before submitting the app). I haven't emailed LMU yet about this or anything else but was thinking of it too.

 

[katavi08]

On a different note. Once I awaken from this nightmare, I'd like to send my recommenders thank you cards. I wonder, can I address an envelope with a professor's name and their school's address? Is that how you do it? (I'd rather not ask them, for the sake of surprise, but I'm an incompetent millennial and I don't understand mail)

As a fellow incompetent millennial I feel your pain. I thought my head was going to explode when I had to mail UCLA my application materials. It should not have been that difficult to figure out how to send a package. I would say address the letter with the professor name's and school's address. As long as the professors name is on the envelope it should get to them.

LMU's application process sounds a bit weird. Do they use Slideroom or anything where you upload your creative samples? As someone who works in an admissions office it baffles me why applications, MFA applications especially, have to be so convoluted.

On a different note, has anyone who applied to Chapman received their login ID for the applicant portal? They sent me an email yesterday with my ID number and address to the portal where I can check the status of my application. I went in to my application status and all it says is Pending Decision. While I know decisions won't go out for a few months, I look forward to obsessively checking this everyday in the coming week.