The fees are so expensive I don't think I'd have a hope in hell of going even if I somehow got in



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Yeah, all these top film programs are crazy expensive!!! The idea of being saddled with crippling debt is scary. Honestly, I don't even want to think about it haha. The cost of living plus tuition is enough to put a down payment on a house or buy 5 Teslas lol.It said March 15th on the email so I reckon we've got time. The fees are so expensive I don't think I'd have a hope in hell of going even if I somehow got in![]()
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Right!! It's really hard as an international too because I'm so limited on the loans I can get that I'd basically be screwed the second I graduate. Thankfully this is currently not something I have to worry aboutYeah, all these top film programs are crazy expensive!!! The idea of being saddled with crippling debt is scary. Honestly, I don't even want to think about it haha. The cost of living plus tuition is enough to put a down payment on a house or buy 5 Teslas lol.
Right? I'm really curious as to how people pay for their living expenses, especially because the school doesn't allow you to hold employment while you're in the program (which is kinda unethical, in my opinion). Like how do people not starve?Yeah, all these top film programs are crazy expensive!!! The idea of being saddled with crippling debt is scary. Honestly, I don't even want to think about it haha. The cost of living plus tuition is enough to put a down payment on a house or buy 5 Teslas lol.
I really don't see how I could do it without a job, I've been a freelancer for years and (if I got in) I would want to continue working...Right? I'm really curious as to how people pay for their living expenses, especially because the school doesn't allow you to have a job while you're in the program (which is kinda unethical, in my opinion). Like how do people not starve?
Same, I've had a full time job for years. I have a lot of editing experience so my plan is to maybe pick up commercial gigs on the low that but options are limited.I really don't see how I could do it without a job, I've been a freelancer for years and (if I got in) I would want to continue working...![]()
Same here!I really don't see how I could do it without a job, I've been a freelancer for years and (if I got in) I would want to continue working...![]()
That topline figure is crazy.Columbia is one of the most expensive MFAs in the US. It costs a lot of $$$$. Including housing, meals, travel, etc you are looking at $200K-$450k depending on the length of your degree (2.5 to 5yrs).
for real!! i used to live in new york on a decent salary and i can't imagine doing that all on borrowed money, plus having to do grad school full timeThat topline figure is crazy.
I know the friends that graduated from AFI came from wealthy backgrounds so money was never an issue. But everyone else I know took out massive loans and are still paying for it. This includes friends that received partial scholarships. And because AFI is so intense I think it's impossible to have a side job the first year, especially during cycle films. I hear you're either on campus, in the library, or writing/collaborating 24/7. So having a part-time job will be difficult to squeeze into your busy schedule.Right? I'm really curious as to how people pay for their living expenses, especially because the school doesn't allow you to hold employment while you're in the program (which is kinda unethical, in my opinion). Like how do people not starve?
What's the estimated total for AFI? $100k? I have it up to $50k a year on our listings but that could be old info. (and would love to update it if it was)I know the friends that graduated from AFI came from wealthy backgrounds so money was never an issue. But everyone else I know took out massive loans and are still paying for it. This includes friends that received partial scholarships. And because AFI is so intense I think it's impossible to have a side job the first year, especially during cycle films. I hear you're either on campus, in the library, or writing/collaborating 24/7. So having a part-time job will be difficult to squeeze into your busy schedule.
Per AFI's site:What's the estimated total for AFI? $100k? I have it up to $50k a year on our listings but that could be old info. (and would love to update it if it was)
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Welp, sounds nice. Haha. Yeah, I can imagine it's really difficult to manage with the workload. Almost impossibleI know the friends that graduated from AFI came from wealthy backgrounds so money was never an issue. But everyone else I know took out massive loans and are still paying for it. This includes friends that received partial scholarships. And because AFI is so intense I think it's impossible to have a side job the first year, especially during cycle films. I hear you're either on campus, in the library, or writing/collaborating 24/7. So having a part-time job will be difficult to squeeze into your busy schedule.
Well... that's a depressing readthere's this really great comment from a previous columbia thread about paying for tuition and expenses that i think is very helpful:
Columbia University - MFA - Fall 2018
Received an application decision email at 10:22am PST this morning. I'm on the (apparently unranked?) waitlist.www.filmschool.org
unfortunately a big part (grad PLUS loans) is geared toward US citizens, so i'm sorry about that, international friends!
if i understand correctly, US grad students are basically guaranteed federal loans in the form of grad PLUS loans, up to the max cost of attendance for our program. also federal loans are really good in terms of interest rate and forgiveness vs. private loans, which i would not recommend at all.