Northwestern 2010 (1 Viewer)

[Silverlenz]

Hang in there IP. I think they are going to be sending more interview invites. The deadline to confirm you will be attending is April 15th. Once they find out who's coming and who isn't I'm sure they will extend more interview invites and except some of those who have already been interviewed. Where else did you apply and for what discipline?

SilverLenz

 

[Neville26]

IP, I'm in the same boat as you. My status online has not changed, no view decision link, nothing. So I'm guessing we're waitlisted and they're waiting to see if others confirmed their acceptance or not. My guess is we'll hear back in a few weeks.

 

[Silverlenz]

Yeah, I belive you are right Neville. Good thing the 15th of April isn't that far away.

SilverLenz

 

[youthquake]

I'm still tempted to call Yolanda.

 

[Silverlenz]

Youthquake...is that your left or right shoulder tempting you.. lol

SilverLenz

 

[Neville26]

lol, that was funny silverlenz. great mental image. "shoulder bend, leaning forward, saying 'help me yolanda, help help me, 'landa'." At least, that's the way i pictured it.

 

[Silverlenz]

Yea, I imagined a devil on one side and an angel on the other side whispering in Youthquake's ears. LOL

SilverLenz

 

[Impossible Protagonist]

Reading last year's forum, Northwestern really likes to stretch this out. I'm guessing we're on a waitlist, but still, some notification would be nice.
I also like how the admission link states that rejections will not be notified.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to Columbia, but I would maybe switch for Northwestern.

 

[Silverlenz]

Would you mind sharing your Pro's vs. Cons for Columbia University & Northwestern?

 

[etone112]

I'm deciding btwn Columbia and Northwestern and I would love to here Impossible Protags pros and cons to compare them to mine.

Columbia
Pros -
It's Columbia. Ivy league, the hot "in" film school coming off the Hurt Locker Win K. Biegelow etc...

From what I've heard the industry considers Columbia's screenwriting program to be the #1 Screenwriting MFA program in the country

A total film school, working with producers, directors, you actually make films.

Cons -
very expernsive, I didn't get any merit aid relief from what they told me on the phone, but no letter yet.

3 years not 2

big class - 60 people

No teaching opportunites

Northwestern
Pros -
Scholarships. If you add it all up it's close to 40k and possible more if you teach for longer than a quarter

More of a writing school then a film school. better I think for working on the specific craft of writing

Writing for both screen and stage unlike columbia

Rebecca Gilman is on the northwestern faculty and she is a bad ass playwright who I would LOVE to work with.

cons -
It's not Columbia

More exposure to film community and better reputation in the business world

I think I would gravitate to the playwrighting part of the program because I think it has the stronger faculty members as opposed to Columbia where I would just do screenwriting.

I'm pretty sure that I am going to choose Northwestern because I just have a gut feeling that it is a better fit for me, and I don't want to be in NYC. I want a new experience, and I really dig the small class size. And finally I just think I will be happier at Northwestern but the prestige and reputation of Columbia is very hard to turn down.

 

[Neville26]

That's a good perspective, etone112! I would agree with everything except maybe the point that it's considered to be the #1 Screenwriting program in the country. I think that is up for serious debate. If you look at UCLA and the alumni they've churned out in the Screenwriting world (e.g., they seem to always have a screenwriter up for or winning an Oscar--Dustin Lance Black for "Milk," Alexander Payne for "Sideways" are two recent winning examples--but that's not all--they had 1-2 this year nominated as well, so yeah, they're out there too in terms of the writing film world). I think Columbia, though, has a fantastic program that teaches both directing/screenwriting (so if you're seriously wanting to do both, then it's a great program). I do like that the UCLA Screenwriting program is less than half of what the size of Columbia is, and that you're hooked up to a mentor when you start off, etc. It bodes well for people wanting to really work on their craft or screenwriting, it seems.

Just a second opinion.

 

[etone112]

The other program that I always hear about is UCLA in regards to screenwriting so u may be right. I'm not so concerned with ratings. I think most of it is bs anyway. There are top schools and ones not in the top. The top ones are all unbelievable so if u go to one of them it comes down to what u make of your experience when u are there. As for me, I'm going with my gut and my gut says Northwestern.... at least I think it does.

 

[Silverlenz]

I'm only going to talk about the pros vs. cons for Northwestern since I didn't get an interview invite for Columbia.

Pros-
Northwestern University Entertainment Alliance -nicknamed the Northwestern Mafia. Yeah, if you haven't heard about them check them out. http://www.nueawest.org/
Financial Incentives -
Ӣ$5,400 scholarship for the first year

Ӣ1 quarter of TA ship (During which you pay no tuition or fees, that's a 14k value) plus they give you a 5,000 stipend while you're a TA. Now for some this isn't important but this is for me because I plan on teaching at some point in my career and having teaching is important to me.

ӢEach student receives the optional $5,000 film/video production grant towards the end of their second year. This grant is used to produce one of your works. I come from a production background so I plan on using this and other monies to produce more than just one piece. I know how to be resourceful.

ӢThey require each student to do a mandatory internship between their 1st and 2nd year. If the student chooses to do their internship in NY or LA they receive a $2,500 grant to offset their expenses. Or $1,000 if you do your internship in neighboring Chicago, IL. The neat thing about this is that you get to keep this grant even if your internship is a paid one. Not bad right?

Ӣ Unique internship opportunities-Northwestern is one of 6 (Northwestern, Howard, Columbia, Brooklyn College, Emerson College, and NYU) that part pates in the Comedy Central School Me Internship program. BTW, this internship pays $500 per week ($4,000 for the length of the internship) for 8 weeks. This internship was started by Chris Rock to increase the number of ethnic minorities in the comedic writing sector of the industry.

http://www.howard.edu/currents...hoolBrochure2010.pdf

Ӣ It's not located in LA or NY- What initially drew me to Northwestern was its interdisciplinary approach to writing, small (only 12) cohort size, and the fact that it wasn't located in NY or LA. I'm perfectly aware that I will have to move to LA at some point and I look forward to that move, but I wanted to spend time working on my craft in a place that allowed artistic freedom and a nurturing environment. I personally feel that I would thrive in such an environment. I also like the fact that you are given the freedom to chose the medium (playwright, screenplay, web, TV pilot/ spec, etc.) that best suits your story.

”¢ It's amazing alumni- No some may argue that Northwestern isn't on the level or caliber of Columbia but they do boast some pretty amazing alums. Northwestern alum's Zach Braff, Stephen Colbert, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Greg Berlanti “Everwood /Broken Hearts Club”, have been very generous with their time and pocket books. It's not uncommon for them to visit and give workshops, teach as adjuncts, and/or have contests in which the winners get their works produced.


Cons-

Ӣ No Film program. Now I kind of went back in fourth with this one in my head. At first I was on the fence with this but I've since changed my mind. I have a good amount of production experience but I could see how this could easily be a deal breaker for some. Don't get me wrong I plan on getting my work produced and will probably network with the undergrad Studio 22 crew and local filmmakers or other contacts in film school ( let me know if you guys at UCLA, AFI,USC, etc) are interested. Sorry for the shameless plug.

With all that being said I've yet to visit the campus, but I do have one scheduled for early April. I will make sure to update you on my pros vs. cons, when I return.

SilverLenz

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

Originally posted by Neville26:
That's a good perspective, etone112! I would agree with everything except maybe the point that it's considered to be the #1 Screenwriting program in the country. I think that is up for serious debate. If you look at UCLA and the alumni they've churned out in the Screenwriting world (e.g., they seem to always have a screenwriter up for or winning an Oscar--Dustin Lance Black for "Milk," Alexander Payne for "Sideways" are two recent winning examples--but that's not all--they had 1-2 this year nominated as well, so yeah, they're out there too in terms of the writing film world). I think Columbia, though, has a fantastic program that teaches both directing/screenwriting (so if you're seriously wanting to do both, then it's a great program). I do like that the UCLA Screenwriting program is less than half of what the size of Columbia is, and that you're hooked up to a mentor when you start off, etc. It bodes well for people wanting to really work on their craft or screenwriting, it seems.

Just a second opinion.

Hey Neville, I'm clearly a UCLA groupie myself, but what is this mentor talk? I don't know anything about that?

Did you hear about this on your interview?

Thx!

 

[Silverlenz]

Originally posted by Silverlenz:
I'm only going to talk about the pros vs. cons for Northwestern since I didn't get an interview invite for Columbia.

Pros-
Northwestern University Entertainment Alliance -nicknamed the Northwestern Mafia. Yeah, if you haven't heard about them check them out. http://www.nueawest.org/
Financial Incentives -
Ӣ$5,400 scholarship for the first year

Ӣ1 quarter of TA ship (During which you pay no tuition or fees, that's a 14k value) plus they give you a 5,000 stipend while you're a TA. Now for some this isn't important but this is for me because I plan on teaching at some point in my career and having teaching is important to me.

ӢEach student receives the optional $5,000 film/video production grant towards the end of their second year. This grant is used to produce one of your works. I come from a production background so I plan on using this and other monies to produce more than just one piece. I know how to be resourceful.

ӢThey require each student to do a mandatory internship between their 1st and 2nd year. If the student chooses to do their internship in NY or LA they receive a $2,500 grant to offset their expenses. Or $1,000 if you do your internship in neighboring Chicago, IL. The neat thing about this is that you get to keep this grant even if your internship is a paid one. Not bad right?

Ӣ Unique internship opportunities-Northwestern is one of 6 (Northwestern, Howard, Columbia, Brooklyn College, Emerson College, and NYU) that part pates in the Comedy Central School Me Internship program. BTW, this internship pays $500 per week ($4,000 for the length of the internship) for 8 weeks. This internship was started by Chris Rock to increase the number of ethnic minorities in the comedic writing sector of the industry.

http://www.howard.edu/currents...hoolBrochure2010.pdf

Ӣ It's not located in LA or NY- What initially drew me to Northwestern was its interdisciplinary approach to writing, small (only 12) cohort size, and the fact that it wasn't located in NY or LA. I'm perfectly aware that I will have to move to LA at some point and I look forward to that move, but I wanted to spend time working on my craft in a place that allowed artistic freedom and a nurturing environment. I personally feel that I would thrive in such an environment. I also like the fact that you are given the freedom to chose the medium (playwright, screenplay, web, TV pilot/ spec, etc.) that best suits your story.

”¢ It's amazing alumni- No some may argue that Northwestern isn't on the level or caliber of Columbia but they do boast some pretty amazing alums. Northwestern alum's Zach Braff, Stephen Colbert, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Greg Berlanti “Everwood /Broken Hearts Club”, have been very generous with their time and pocket books. It's not uncommon for them to visit and give workshops, teach as adjuncts, and/or have contests in which the winners get their works produced.


Cons-

Ӣ No Film program. Now I kind of went back in fourth with this one in my head. At first I was on the fence with this but I've since changed my mind. I have a good amount of production experience but I could see how this could easily be a deal breaker for some. Don't get me wrong I plan on getting my work produced and will probably network with the undergrad Studio 22 crew and local filmmakers or other contacts in film school ( let me know if you guys at UCLA, AFI,USC, etc) are interested. Sorry for the shameless plug.

With all that being said I've yet to visit the campus, but I do have one scheduled for early April. I will make sure to update you on my pros vs. cons, when I return.

SilverLenz

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention another pro and that's their professional reads program.

"This unique program, the first of its kind nationally, is designed to offer MFA graduates a writer-friendly structured framework to establish professional contact with members of our influential alumni network. In particular, MFAs who submit a polished play, screenplay, or teleplay for consideration within one-two years after graduation will potentially receive up to five "professional reads" with feedback and guidance from established Northwestern alumni in the entertainment industry. We are grateful to our incredibly supportive alumni relations network for making this program possible and anticipate it will open doors for our graduates that lead to great success."

I kind of have this gut feeling that Northwestern is willing to do whatever it takes to bring more exposure and success to their program and for their students. But I guess only time will tell.

SilverLenz

 

[Neville26]

Generallyspeaking! Hey...heard about the mentor thing from a current student who's entering into her third year of UCLA MFA in Screenwriting. I'm not very familiar with what it all entails but I'll be meeting with her soon to talk more about it. To my little knowledge, you're assigned someone (faculty member, I believe) your first year. But I could be wrong. I'll let you know after I talk to her.

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

Originally posted by Neville26:
Generallyspeaking! Hey...heard about the mentor thing from a current student who's entering into her third year of UCLA MFA in Screenwriting. I'm not very familiar with what it all entails but I'll be meeting with her soon to talk more about it. To my little knowledge, you're assigned someone (faculty member, I believe) your first year. But I could be wrong. I'll let you know after I talk to her.

look forward to the post!

 

[Impossible Protagonist]

Hey guys,

My pro and con list is very similar to whats been said, so I don't think I'll rehash it all, I jsut want to add a few things.

Northwestern:
Pro:
Chicago: A very happening indie film scene right now. The home of the mumblecore movement. A great place to develop as a filmmaker with a small, tightly knit and supportive scene. Also, a cheap city to live in.

Comedy scene: Chicago is home to Second City, which is probably the biggest farm for SNL players and writers, not to mention a great place to meet tomorrows sitcom casts. If you want to do comedy, you can't find a stronger, yet accessible group anywhere.

Con:
You're not going to build that critical writer/director bond here. Pairing up with people in other disciplines can take you far. I'm really looking to work closely with classmates who direction style mirrors my writing style.

Columbia:
Pro:
Rep: It's top tier, very well known, and producing awesome alumni, like Gerg Mottola.

NYC: New York is, well, New York. There's so much going on here, and there's always work.

Focus: Columbia's unswerving dedication to the art of storytelling is the foremost reason I'm attending in the fall. They'll help your refine raw talent into real success, and clearly, they know how to do it.

Con:
The first year isn't discipline focused. I'm hesitant to call this a con, but to some people it might be, especially if you did an undergrad film degree. It could be somewhat repetitive.

Overall, either program is amazing. I'm honored to be accepted to Columbia, and I'm still waiting to see if Northwestern gets interested. I'm not holding out hope for that.

 

[Silverlenz]

Thanks for sharing your perspective IP

 

[silverlain]

i am also one of those people who have yet to be accepted or rejected. no change in my online application status.

if one is rejected, is it supposed to show on the decision link?

gulp.