UT Austin - MFA in Screenwriting Program Applicants 2021

[Chris W]

Creating a thread for screenwriting as I didn't see one yet.

Deadline is December 1st!

How many of you have turned it in? When do you plan on turning it in if you haven't?

I highly recommend not waiting to the last moment btw as one year technical difficulties caused someone to miss the deadline.

Good luck everyone!

 

[Abbey Normal]

Almost done with my UT Austin app.

FYI - UT Austin has a 2-step process. You must first fill out the ONLINE APPLICATION and make the payment before you're able to upload the SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS. The online application takes up to 24 hours to process, so I highly recommend not waiting till the last minute, otherwise you won't be able to upload your material in time.

Good luck : )

 

[Chris W]

online application takes up to 24 hours to process, so I highly recommend not waiting till the last minute, otherwise you won't be able to upload your material in time.

This is excellent advice! Thank you!

Yes it was really sad reading the thread one year from the person who missed it because of an internet problem. I can't remember where it was though.

 

[Chris W]

Yes it was really sad reading the thread one year from the person who missed it because of an internet problem. I can't remember where it was though.

Found it...

HELP!! What to do if missed the Deadline of Columbia?

Hi there, As the title says...I missed the deadline of Columbia. (which is yesterday ? I got all the materials ready, just couldn't upload the media sample cause the internet is horrible in where I live (I'm doing a volunteer job at a film festival, and the hotel they provide is sketchy ? and...

www.filmschool.org

I'm positive I remember this happening other years too though.

EDIT... Found more:

Columbia University - MFA - Fall 2018

I just applied on Thursday. Spent last several months working on my application. I'm ridiculously nervous. Anyone else do so? How ya feeling? Anyone interested in sharing work? For people who applied last year, how did you deal with nerves? I'm trying the whole, "KEEP WORKING!" thing to get my...

www.filmschool.org

 

[schnagler]

Applied

 

[Chris W]

Applied

Good luck! Be sure to add your application to our database when you can.

Application Database

A database of thousands of film school applications to calculate acceptance rates to film programs and the minimum GPAs, minimum SAT and GRE scores, experience of accepted applicants, and much more....

www.filmschool.org

 

[schnagler]

I wonder if applications will be up or down this year because of the Covid world we're living in, and the fact that they suspended the GRE requirement?

Also, I heard they let several people in the production program defer this year. Not sure if the same is true for screenwriting?

 

[llueve]

I wonder if applications will be up or down this year because of the Covid world we're living in, and the fact that they suspended the GRE requirement?

Also, I heard they let several people in the production program defer this year. Not sure if the same is true for screenwriting?

All good questions. I was at a Q&A with the Dept head of Screenwriting and when asked about how many people get into the program, she cited the same, regular number of students for this year -- 7. No one explicitly asked if anyone from last year had deferred, but I would hope she would have mentioned that on her own if it were the case.

Also, Michener isn't taking any screenwriters or playwrights this year, so I wonder if that will have an impact on applications/admissions for the RTF program.

 

[Chris W]

and the fact that they suspended the GRE requirement?

That's cool I didn't know that.

 

[Abbey Normal]

I wonder if applications will be up or down this year because of the Covid world we're living in, and the fact that they suspended the GRE requirement?

Also, I heard they let several people in the production program defer this year. Not sure if the same is true for screenwriting?

It makes sense for film production students to defer since a lot of it requires students to be on set. I know during the Q&A, the head of the screenwriting dept. mentioned how production students have moved to a hybrid learning environment, so online/in-person (with precaution of course). As for screenwriting, it's all online, so I doubt they'll let prospective students defer considering they only accept 7 students per year. I do miss Austin. And AFF. And breakfast tacos and brisket haha.

 

[Kiyante]

Hey. I applied early October. I'm hoping my writing submissions were really strong as my GPA isn't exceptional.

 

[llueve]

Hey. I applied early October. I'm hoping my writing submissions were really strong as my GPA isn't exceptional.

*jaw drops* How did you manage to get your materials in so early?! I'm impressed.

 

[Kiyante]

*jaw drops* How did you manage to get your materials in so early?! I'm impressed.

I love to write! I had my pilot and a feature already written. I think they're pretty good and hopefully my initiative to get them in so quick helps me out. Good luck to you as well!

 

[writewrist]

Has anyone heard back? Looking at threads in previous years, some people started to hear back as early as late January.

 

[Kiyante]

Has anyone heard back? Looking at threads in previous years, some people started to hear back as early as late January.

Not yet. The FAQ states they'll be reviewing applications until February 15th.

 

[Ludo]

I noticed on Monday that my application status has changed to:

Your file has been forwarded to the Graduate Committee for review.​

Is anyone familiar with this? From googling, it looks like it's just a standard update as the committee reviews all applications. It just seems odd to me that it changed so close to the announcement and not sooner after submitting.

Also who else keeps obsessively checking My Status even though we shouldn't be hearing back yet?

 

[llueve]

I noticed on Monday that my application status has changed to:

Your file has been forwarded to the Graduate Committee for review.​

Is anyone familiar with this? From googling, it looks like it's just a standard update as the committee reviews all applications. It just seems odd to me that it changed so close to the announcement and not sooner after submitting.

Also who else keeps obsessively checking My Status even though we shouldn't be hearing back yet?

Huh, mine says that too. But I haven't been checking so I don't really know when it changed.
Probably just an automated system thing? Maybe a necessary electronic step so that admissions emails can be sent out later?

I wish they would interview Screenwriting applicants! Only seven people in a cohort, wouldn't they like to meet us before committing to us?

 

[Abbey Normal]

For real. I mean 7 is great, but that's like a quarter of the cohort for AFI Screenwriting fellows haha. And of the 7, one or two is usually from Austin, so that leaves roughly 5 spots for applicants. Oh well...I guess we'll find out on Monday the 15th.

 

[llueve]

For real. I mean 7 is great, but that's like a quarter of the cohort for AFI Screenwriting fellows haha. And of the 7, one or two is usually from Austin, so that leaves roughly 5 spots for applicants. Oh well...I guess we'll find out on Monday the 15th.

Oh god, you make it sound so real. I'm scared? Yeah, I'm suddenly super nervous, like I don't want to know! What's *that* about?

 

[Abbey Normal]

Oh god, you make it sound so real. I'm scared? Yeah, I'm suddenly super nervous, like I don't want to know! What's *that* about?

So...I just checked the first year UT Screenwriting fellows and the most recent class has 3 UT Austin undergrad alum, which means 4 spots for non-Austin applicants. Not a good sign for outsiders : )