Film School 2016 (1 Viewer)

[Boethius]

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 felt exactly the same. I don't know why it was so hard, but that three-step process was intimidating. I found Columbia's application refreshing compared to USC and UCLA--just one application that can take in everything, instead of splitting it between two or three places.

Maybe the UCLA application is a way to keep applicant numbers down.

 

[victorab]

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 got the same e-mail... It's hard not to check their website on a daily basis--even though there's no point in doing so!

 

[CWYH]

I got the same e-mail... It's hard not to check their website on a daily basis--even though there's no point in doing so!

Same! Wonder if the other schools do the same as well.

 

[katavi08]

Has anyone heard anything from Columbia or NYU? I feel like I've gotten some sort of communication from all the other programs I've applied to, but nothing from the NYC schools.

 

[tzompantli]

Has anyone heard anything from Columbia or NYU? I feel like I've gotten some sort of communication from all the other programs I've applied to, but nothing from the NYC schools.

Do you mean just an email of acknowledgement? Or are people getting a more substantial response already?

 

[katavi08]

Do you mean just an email of acknowledgement? Or are people getting a more substantial response already?

More of an acknowledgement email. For example, I got emails from UCLA and University of Miami letting me know that they had received my application, and would let me know in the coming weeks if they were missing anything. Chapman sent me an email with my applicant portal ID number so I can check on the status of my application. The only thing I've gotten from either Columbia or NYU was just the conformation when I first submitted my applications. Just curious if anyone has heard anything more from either of them.
The waiting is making me paranoid.

 

[CWYH]

Has anyone heard anything from Columbia or NYU? I feel like I've gotten some sort of communication from all the other programs I've applied to, but nothing from the NYC schools.

Haven't heard from them at all either.

 

[googoomuck]

I got another email from USC today about my missing transcripts. UGH WTF!!! I can't call until tomorrow, maybe I'll email tonight. If it were just one that was missing I might think, you know, these things happen, there was an error or a mistake somewhere. But to have TWO missing makes me think something more disturbing happened. I'm sure it's mostly my imagination and it's really no big deal, but hopefully all my issues mean that everybody else, statistically, has smooth sailing lol

 

[Chris W]

I got another email from USC today about my missing transcripts. UGH WTF!!! I can't call until tomorrow, maybe I'll email tonight. If it were just one that was missing I might think, you know, these things happen, there was an error or a mistake somewhere. But to have TWO missing makes me think something more disturbing happened. I'm sure it's mostly my imagination and it's really no big deal, but hopefully all my issues mean that everybody else, statistically, has smooth sailing lol

Doh! Hopefully you can get it resolved!

Why universities can't just "wire" them to each other I have no idea...

 

[katavi08]

I got an email from Chapman last night saying they were missing my transcript. Which is weird because I called them a few weeks ago asking if they had received them and they confirmed that they had gotten them...so I don't what happened. :/ It is very frustrating!

 

[Priyankar Patra]

Hey I am an international student applying to MFA Screenwriting programs in these five colleges -
Columbia University, Chapman University, Northwestern University, Boston University, California State University Northbridge

I have read a lot about the four colleges, but what are your views on CSUN? I hear very mixed reviews. Anybody?

 

[ThatDude]

I got another email from USC today about my missing transcripts. UGH WTF!!! I can't call until tomorrow, maybe I'll email tonight. If it were just one that was missing I might think, you know, these things happen, there was an error or a mistake somewhere. But to have TWO missing makes me think something more disturbing happened. I'm sure it's mostly my imagination and it's really no big deal, but hopefully all my issues mean that everybody else, statistically, has smooth sailing lol

Same thing happened to me!!! I got the email yesterday morning stating that my transcript was missing but I had it sent it electronically and even received an email confirmation that they had retrieved my transcript through the Student Clearing House. I sent a follow-up email but their auto-response message stated that it could take 7-10 business days until they reply so I went ahead and sent a physical copy through the mail. It cost me another $10, but better safe than sorry. Hopefully this means that they're looking at our applications closely

 

[Nic L. Kelly]

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)

Yes you pay upfront. I have already paid and submitted all but the treatment as I can't decide what I'm going to go with.

 

[Nic L. Kelly]

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.

Also Chapman applicant, I receive the same email, but I'm staying away. No need to torture myself this early in the game. Last year I didn't get on this site until March. I'm a lot more calm this year because It's all working out I feel the way it's supposed to.

 

[googoomuck]

I had it sent it electronically and even received an email confirmation that they had retrieved my transcript

Same here, I ordered my UCSD transcript electronically. I showed these emails to the USC admissions representative with whom I corresponded earlier, but she couldn't really tell me anything. I really don't want to order more because a) if they didn't get them the first time how do I know they'll get them this time, b) money (I'm missing 2 schools...the UCSD ones cost $17.25 a pop!! I wonder what that weirdly specific quarter pays for), and c) the principle of the thing!!! haha.

I'm not wishing ill on you--but I am relieved it's not just me. I also emailed but we'll see what they say...and when. Who did you email btw, out of curiosity? Last time I responded to the email I received, but this time I emailed cinema admissions. Not sure how much difference it makes.

 

[ThatDude]

Same here, I ordered my UCSD transcript electronically. I showed these emails to the USC admissions representative with whom I corresponded earlier, but she couldn't really tell me anything. I really don't want to order more because a) if they didn't get them the first time how do I know they'll get them this time, b) money (I'm missing 2 schools...the UCSD ones cost $17.25 a pop!! I wonder what that weirdly specific quarter pays for), and c) the principle of the thing!!! haha.

I'm not wishing ill on you--but I am relieved it's not just me. I also emailed but we'll see what they say...and when. Who did you email btw, out of curiosity? Last time I responded to the email I received, but this time I emailed cinema admissions. Not sure how much difference it makes.

I emailed both the graduate admissions office and the Stark program. Stark said they received the transcript, but have not heard back from the graduate admissions office. I wonder why both divisions need the transcripts.

 

[Boethius]

I sent my first transcript to USC in October, which was returned two weeks later to my undergrad institution saying it had insufficient address info and so was undelivered. Weird, because I copied the address straight from the grad admissions page.

Anyway, I sent a second transcript before Thanksgiving after getting a new address from the grad admissions department. I got another email last week too telling me they still hadn't received my transcripts.

I talked with the grad admissions department, and they told me that they had a few thousand transcripts come in just over Thanksgiving, which clogged the system. She told me to check back this week to see if my transcript was in the thousands still being processed.

I got confirmation from USC Cinema department today that they now have my transcripts on file, so I'm guessing my transcripts were part of that deluge from earlier this month.

You should try calling the USC grad admissions department just to see if they were processed last week. 213.740.1111.

 

[ThatDude]

I sent my first transcript to USC in October, which was returned two weeks later to my undergrad institution saying it had insufficient address info and so was undelivered. Weird, because I copied the address straight from the grad admissions page.

Anyway, I sent a second transcript before Thanksgiving after getting a new address from the grad admissions department. I got another email last week too telling me they still hadn't received my transcripts.

I talked with the grad admissions department, and they told me that they had a few thousand transcripts come in just over Thanksgiving, which clogged the system. She told me to check back this week to see if my transcript was in the thousands still being processed.

I got confirmation from USC Cinema department today that they now have my transcripts on file, so I'm guessing my transcripts were part of that deluge from earlier this month.

You should try calling the USC grad admissions department just to see if they were processed last week. 213.740.1111.

Thanks for the info Boethius! I'll have to give that number a call and check. What I'm worried about now is that I received an email from the National Student Clearinghouse stating that my transcript was never retrieved by the Peter Stark program even after they assured me that they did receive the transcript. I know it's too early in the game to be paranoid but I can't help but think that I've already been eliminated from consideration.

 

[googoomuck]

@ThatDude If someone has told you specifically that they got your transcript, it's not your responsibility to make sure they did it right. I'm getting the impression that there are some communication issues at USC.

IT WOULD BE NICE if they would get their ducks in a row BEFORE sending out these warning emails.

I heard back today, 6 days after my email. They said they've plugged in my unofficial transcripts but are still missing my real ones, and get this: "I'm assuming they've been received if you sent them November 10th and they are pending scanning." Hmmm well, it's nice that you take my word for it, but your "assuming" makes me uncomfortable. Then it said, "At this point all of your contact should be with USC", so who have I BEEN contacting?? I guess that's code for "SCA is sick of hearing from you" LOL. They also gave me a phone number to ease my mind, even though an earlier email said transcript issues would NOT be dealt with by phone. I guess I will call anyway.

 

[katavi08]

Yikes! I'm thanking my lucky stars I haven't heard anything from USC (at least not yet ). I agree that if someone specifically told you they had your transcripts then the responsibility for it being processed correctly is on USC.