Film School 2016

[Solomon_E]

So, I was discussing applying to one final school, DePaul. I noticed no one else seems to be applying on the spread sheet and they have fallen out of the top 25. Anyone have any incite on what's up with the program? Any friends who love it, hate it, other? I do plan to go and visit but not before I apply.

Thanks

I considered applying to DePaul, particularly since it was in Chicago and I like the city, and I started an application a few months ago to check out what DePaul was asking for. I don't think there's anything wrong with the program, although their program seems lesser known than the programs at some other schools. Ultimately, the program just didn't feel right for me after I reviewed the department website and other sources I could find, and I chose to apply to Northwestern instead.

 

[Nic L. Kelly]

I considered applying to DePaul, particularly since it was in Chicago and I like the city, and I started an application a few months ago to check out what DePaul was asking for. I don't think there's anything wrong with the program, although their program seems lesser known than the programs at some other schools. Ultimately, the program just didn't feel right for me after I reviewed the department website and other sources I could find, and I chose to apply to Northwestern instead.

Thanks.

 

[Boethius]

I am an AFI applicant - I'm just curious why there is such a dramatic decrease in interest in AFI this years "forumates" compared to last year? if anyone has any insight I'd be really interested.

I really respect the graduates of AFI's course. It's obviously a high-caliber school, with one of the best track records for visionary filmmakers.

I had planned to apply, but it seemed to me that most of the work screenwriting MFA candidates do are focused at providing short material for the directing candidates to produce, and I'm more interested in focusing on feature-length material (or at least having the option to direct my own short stuff as well, which is why Columbia is really appealing).

I also heard from a professor at one of the institutions I applied to that AFI is currently going through some internal issues between administration and faculty. I was an undergrad at an institution that had a pretty intense conflict between administration and faculty when I was a freshman, and I didn't want to repeat that. I honestly never talked to anyone AFI about this rumor, so I don't really know how big of a deal this is, or if it even was or still is something to be concerned about. But the two above things combined with unique application requirements that I couldn't fit in my schedule ultimately stopped me from applying.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

I really respect the graduates of AFI's course. It's obviously a high-caliber school, with one of the best track records for visionary filmmakers.

I had planned to apply, but it seemed to me that most of the work screenwriting MFA candidates do are focused at providing short material for the directing candidates to produce, and I'm more interested in focusing on feature-length material (or at least having the option to direct my own short stuff as well, which is why Columbia is really appealing).

My biggest reason for not applying to AFI or USC or some of the other big name schools I left off my list boil down to a difference in personality. In my personal experience when I lived in LA a few years ago, the people I knew who got into AFI for directing or producing, while talented and people I very much like on a personal level, weren't people I enjoyed working with or would have wanted to collaborate in the future with. They have a great track record (although I feel like they aren't as well known for screenwriting as the other cores), I completely agree, but I suppose I don't see myself having a home at AFI, Chapman, or USC. On the other hand the schools I applied to, when I read about them and spoke with graduates, sort of 'clicked' for me.

I'm more interested in feature length material with an option to direct (a path I've literally never considered previously) or writing for television/showrunning. AFI's programs don't fit will with those goals. Screenwriting programs don't need to be second fiddle to directing and producing programs. I agree.

 

[C. Anna Belly]

Hey guys!

I received an email from Columbia today offering me an interview! I am screenwriting/directing applicant, so it's starting for us as well anyone else?

 

[granados_1111]

Hello everyone!

I just got an email inviting for an interview for the Directing/Screenwriting MFA program! (I got it around 4pm EST today)

I'm an international student and I submitted my application on the last day posible (December 1st). All my letters came from working professionals and as a visual submission I turned in the silent exercise proposed by Columbia.

I don't know if there is any more helpful information I can share, but if you have any questions don't hesitate on asking.

I hope all of you get your invitations too very soon!

Cheers

 

[granados_1111]

Hey guys!

I received an email from Columbia today offering me an interview! I am screenwriting/directing applicant, so it's starting for us as well anyone else?

Congrats! Me too

 

[C. Anna Belly]

Congrats! Me too

Congrats to you as well!!

I have scheduled my interview for march 13th. Unfortunately since I'm international and working I won't be able to make it in person so I chose a skype interview, I hope it won't look bad... anyway I'm very excited!!!

 

[Paul J.]

I am certain it has zero impact on their attitude towards you.

I am sure 99% of international applicants go the skype route and many domestics as well for that matter since distances can get rather big even within the U.S borders.

 

[peace.]

Hi everyone, thought I'd join and share updates. Nice to 'meet' you all and i wish you the best for 2016!

International. MFA Directing applicant- 1st time applicant, USC + Tisch. Submitted both applications on the last day (nov 15 and dec 1st respectively).

Heard back from USC: email from faculty member Friday 5th saying 'your application is amazing, can we chat?" 15 mins later, we had a phone convo of about 20-25 mins. Super casual, informal conversation. She complimented my writing, said she loved the treatment, and the personal statement (asked questions about personal statement but not in interview mode, more like to have more details on some points), she said my stills were great (i submitted the photo option) etc. I couldn't believe it guys. She told me to contact her anytime if I had any questions, that she taught x and y, z days and not to hesitate.

background info: I'm a human rights lawyer, photography experience, done a few shorts as well but no film experience per se. self-taught. letters of rec not from industry professionals but people i've worked with over the years and know me well as a result.

I just wanted to share the updates with all of you, esp the ones like Katie and all, who are so involved in gracefully sharing info.

I wish the best of luck to all of you and I remain available if you have any-any questions.
Ps: will try to fill in spreadsheet but who do i send it to afterwards?

 

[Paul J.]

@peace. first of all, CONGRATULATIONS! That sounds awesome! And extremely cool that you got that reaction with a photo portfolio. The first I've heard of. Also it would seem USC is not batching at the moment but rather trickling in calls and emails. Makes the waiting game even harder. But at least it's happening!

Anyeways the sheet is online. Just type your info on the lowest cells and I'll clean it up later. No need to save etc - it saves automatically. On my ipad right now and copy paste seems to not work at the moment vut you can find the link for instance in the first post of the "acceptance/rejection/interview" -thread.

 

[Paul J.]

@peace. Jumped onto my laptop just to provide a straight link - here is the link to the spreadsheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-QPRZ-gc15WuHBmlxorJiTS1z-8vE-7uUttLDdxHtE0/edit#gid=0

 

[peace.]

@PaulJ, thank you. If it helps, I did ask her how's the process going, she said, basically she received a batch of 35 applications few days ago and that she's allowed to take no more than 6 picks and that with this batch, she will pick only 5 to then organize it in terms of #1 pick, #2 pick, etc. She said she dealt with Intl applications mainly.

Also, fyi- i had been contacted several times by the grad school to send some missing transcripts so for those who had the same pb, note that it doesn't have an impact on SCA reviewing your application/contacting you.

@PaulJ, thanks for the spreadsheet, I just entered my information, great tool btw! On the phone, the faculty member told me that I'd get an official response by March but that 'there was no way, I won't get in'. Crazy, right?! I didn't inform the column "Notification of decision" because I didn't get any clearer date than "march".

All in all: this is happening. and you all should hear back very soon. Only positive energy your way all. Hang in there.

BTW, anyone knows when we hear back from scholarships? Wonder if this is dependent on issuance of admission decisions...

peace.
ps: yes on photo option, I was starting to get worried about my choice of submitting a photo option rather than video esp with USC and what ppl say on blogs about the photo option.

 

[googoomuck]

Welcome to the forum and congrats Peace! Sounds like you did some great work that really resonated with the admissions rep. That's super cool!

I think scholarships are part of your financial aid package which will get set up for you only after being officially admitted. I would imagine the people who admit students are "blind" to the financial side--but I can't say that for sure.

 

[Paul J.]

@peace. @googoomuck During the financial aid webinar it was stated that the desicion making process is blind in terms of need of financial aid. So all applications are treated equally in that regard!

 

[Paul J.]

@peace.

Oh and the way they sort applications is kind of what I was afraid of. It throws a sort of element of luck into the mix. What if my application is amongst a very high quality batch and if evaluated within another batch it would have hold its ground better? Oh, man. I guess we will all find out very shortly since it's already in motion!

 

[katavi08]

@peace. Congrats about USC! That's so awesome! Given your description of the process, it seems that admissions is still sorting through applications, and giving them to faculty for review.
Also, just to jump in on the financial aid discussion- in my experience, I've never known of a situation where a decision was made based on an applicant's financial situation. I mentioned this in another post, but admissions does not look at your financial aid documents. Trust me, there's already too much paperwork to go through without adding that to the mix!
Once you have been officially accepted, then financial aid department will look over your documents and set up a package for you. This package will include your tuition cost, as well as any scholarships, fellowships, etc. you received.

 

[peace.]

Thanks @katavi08, good luck to you in all your endeavors! hope it all goes well and thanks for always sharing useful tips and info.

 

[marzillanyu]

Hey Boethius and everyone! I am new and I wanted to ask you about the DW program interviews, because I email the school and they said the DW program does not hold interviews and that decisions are solely based on portfolio materials.

 

[marzillanyu]

Hey Boethius and everyone! I am new and I wanted to ask you about the DW program interviews, because I email the school and they said the DW program does not hold interviews and that decisions are solely based on portfolio materials.