Northwestern Writing for Screen and Stage 2023

[jfjburns95]

Anyone else applied to this program? I grew up five minutes from the school, and I love it. It's one of the only fully scholarshipped screenwriting programs out there though...so I'm not getting my hopes up lol!

 

[notaprincess]

Oh...it me again. I applied to Northwestern, too! I liked that the application deadline was later because it gave me break after the Dec 1 deadlines. But I also feel like that means we will be waiting awhile to hear. The program seems super competitive and difficult to get into based on past applications on this site. The statement prompt kind of had me stumped for awhile (how do you see your writing in relation to other writers...) I'm still not sure I answered it correctly, but oh well. Not getting my hopes up either, but we will see!!

 

[jfjburns95]

I talked about growing up in Chicago and my connections to the Chicago theater community and Northwestern. I know that Northwestern is very plugged into the Chicago theater scene. I also tried to emphasize my interest in both screenwriting and playwriting...so I listed plays and films that had inspired me as a writer.

 

[Chris W]

It's one of the only fully scholarshipped screenwriting programs out there

Oh neat! So it's like UT's Michener. That's awesome. We've had members get a full scholarship to AFI screenwriting too.

 

[notaprincess]

I talked about growing up in Chicago and my connections to the Chicago theater community and Northwestern.

That's super cool that you have a personal connection to the area!! I think that will really help your app. Have you tried writing a play? I personally have not but I did study theatre in college as a minor so I'm actually more familiar with theatre than film in some ways. I'm excited about potentially learning more about playwriting and giving it a shot though!

 

[jfjburns95]

Northwestern actually has a tool where you can see the amount of applicants and admits every year for the program. Wish every school did this! looks like they had less than a five percent acceptance rate last year...there's a better chance of getting into Harvard :/

 

[Chris W]

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Northwestern actually has a tool where you can see the amount of applicants and admits every year for the program. Wish every school did this! looks like they had less than a five percent acceptance rate last year...there's a better chance of getting into Harvard :/

That's pretty neat. Not many programs are open about the amount of people who applied and are accepted based on our interviews with various admissions offices. We always ask but most keep it close to their chest.

 

[notaprincess]

Yes they are all very secretive about it!! Honestly so wild that they only admitted 7 people last year.

 

[jfjburns95]

Yes they are all very secretive about it!! Honestly so wild that they only admitted 7 people last year.

It says on their website that they only started giving everyone a full ride in fall of 2022. My theory is that’s when they started accepting less people and receiving more applications. Also, I assume a lot of people who apply are primarily playwrights which widens the application field.

 

[notaprincess]

It says on their website that they only started giving everyone a full ride in fall of 2022. My theory is that’s when they started accepting less people and receiving more applications. Also, I assume a lot of people who apply are primarily playwrights which widens the application field.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about the scholarship. And playwrights certainly have less options when it comes to these programs. I figured it was worth applying to anyway because you never know!!

 

[shalley]

I've been trying to find more info about the admissions process. I know timelines are different from year to year, but I'm stressed out. Northwestern is the first (and probably last) MFA program I've applied to. I just can't find anyone speaking on their experiences. I'm a details person.

 

[notaprincess]

I’m hoping interviews might come out by the end of this week! Fingers crossed!

 

[scrapingby]

I've been waiting patiently as well. I got into DePaul today as a backup, but I don't want to commit there until I hear from Northwestern, one way or the other. Don't hesitate to post back if you hear something, and good luck to everyone.

 

[nikita2558]

Any updates from anyone?

 

[AndreaBerting]

Any updates from anyone?

Nothing yet on my end. I'm getting so anxious!!

 

[emmas]

haven’t heard anything still, but hoping that we hear from them before the end of the month! does anyone know when they’ve sent out stuff in the past?

 

[notaprincess]

Looks like mid to late Feb usually so could be any day now!

 

[Chris W]

Looks like mid to late Feb usually so could be any day now!

Yup. Earliest notification ever in our database is February 13th. See link below for more info.

Northwestern MFA Writing for the Screen and Stage Acceptance Rate (All Programs/All Years)

14.5%

Admitted

8 out of 55

3.6%

Waitlisted

2 out of 55

81.8%

Not Admitted

45 out of 55

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...

Everyone be sure to log their application if they haven't yet so we can improve the data in the link above.

 

[jfjburns95]

Has anyone gotten an interview?? LMAO

 

[nikita2558]

Has anyone gotten an interview?? LMAO

Nope