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Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing

Review by anonymous on the film school 'Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing'

A Unique Community
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • The AULA MFA in Creative writing offers community like no other. I found my voice and confidence. I made connections with peers and mentors that will impact me for lifetimes.
  • Disability Services. This was the first time, in any type of academic setting, where I have been comfortable and knowledgeable enough about my disability to seek support. From the Chair of the department to the faculty to the disability advocate, I was supported and encouraged to help name what I needed in order to be successful. Everyone was extremely patient and understanding.
  • The MFA program is student-centered and mentorship-based. The faculty in each department spend time discussing the students' needs and successes to ensure they're getting the type of support that meets each student's goals. They lean on each other to support each mentee and create a really open and encouraging environment.
  • The financial aid office is so supportive and available. They work really hard to ensure each student is getting taken care of.
  • The writing center is a unique feature that allows each student to get feedback and guidance at almost every stage of a writing assignment.
  • Having a hybrid online and in-person program allows for attendance anywhere in the country or world. Faculty are generally flexible and do their best to work with the availability of each student.
  • Diversity and self-advocacy. There is a decent balance of integrated institutional supports and systems, and space for marginalized students to share their experiences and advocate for what they need
Cons
  • Scholarships are limited.
  • While the residencies are really special and important times to gather and meet with your cohort and learn from each other, with travel, lodging and transportation costs, it's one of the least accessible in-person residencies. We can always attend online, and even though there is a concentrated effort to incorporate distant students, it doesn't always create the same impact.
I had an incredible time in the Creative Writing MFA program at AULA. Each of the mentors are working writers or retired professionals, and are very generous and patient as they navigate their own projects. They are able to bring their expertise and guidance to our writing and career plans. The...
  • Anonymous
  • Review
Boise State University - Film and Television Arts

Review by anonymous on the film school 'Boise State University - Film and Television Arts'

A fast growing hands-on all around program
Overall rating
4.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Teachers care about each of their students
  • Quickly growing program that's adding new gear, materials, and teachers every year
Cons
  • Not the biggest program in the US or Pacific Northwest
  • Have to take all around general film classes, there is no concentrations you have to design your course load to what you're interested in.
Boise State University's film program is a very new program which only began in 2018. Since then they've grown exponentially and gotten much more funding which has allowed them to acquire new gear, studio space, and professors. You study a wide variety of subjects, from film theory, genres, to...
Anonymous recommends this film school
  • Anonymous
  • Review
Loyola Marymount University - School of Film and Television

Review by anonymous on the film school 'Loyola Marymount University - School of Film and Television'

Got my foot in the door
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Friendly and collaborative
  • Well-Rounded Experience
  • On-set experience
  • Nice equipment
  • Comparatively less expensive
  • Good editing professors
Cons
  • Directing professors are hit or miss
  • Focuses on director/writers
  • Classroom learning lacking
  • Don't teach much about crowdfunding or distribution
  • Equipment lottery
Overall, my time at LMU was a genuinely good experience. One of the biggest draws of the program is the atmosphere. Unlike the hyper-competitive environment you might find at a place like USC, LMU fosters a friendly, highly collaborative culture. The small class sizes make it easy to build a...
Anonymous recommends this film school
  • Anonymous
  • Review
Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing

Review by anonymous on the film school 'Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing'

Amazing Program for the Working Writer
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Very Flexible
  • Attentive Staff
  • Amazing community
  • Scholarship Opportunities
Antioch is a program that can work for anyone willing to put in the dedication. Being low-residency, this program allows students to build communities while also networking within their chosen career path. Instructors are available for one-on-one projects, feedback, and career advice as they're...
  • Anonymous
  • Review
UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT)

Review by anonymous on the film school 'UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT)'

The Best Production Design Program
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Tiny cohorts (3 in my year) mean real faculty attention
  • Alumni Network!!
  • Instructors are working, world-renowned designers and illustrators
  • Graduates find work quickly, more so than NYU or AFI peers
Cons
  • Steep learning curve without prior knowledge of Rhino, Twinmotion, and SketchUp
  • Expensive
  • Three years instead of two (personally I appreciated it, but it is a commitment)
  • No hand-holding, you will sink or swim on your own effort
  • Extremely demanding, not for the unprepared or faint of heart
I loved this program with my entire being and would do it again without hesitation. The faculty are award-winning filmmakers who have led the industry for decades, and they all know each other. That network is real and it works. I was pulled onto a show immediately after graduation and have...
Anonymous recommends this film school
  • Anonymous
  • Review
University of Utah - Department of Film & Media Arts

Review by anonymous on the film school 'University of Utah - Department of Film & Media Arts'

Not For Designers
Overall rating
3.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Students are excited to make things
  • Affordable for locals
Cons
  • Most students want to be directors and DPs
  • No design focus in the program
  • Teachers have mostly only worked local and don't have strong ties to LA or NY
The film program at the University of Utah left a lot to be desired. For a program that could leverage Utah's growing film industry and stunning locations, it felt surprisingly stagnant. The faculty skews young, which isn't inherently a problem, but when that youth comes paired with limited...
Anonymous is undecided about recommending this film school
  • Anonymous
  • Review
San Diego State University - School of Theatre, Television, and Film

Review by anonymous on the film school 'San Diego State University - School of Theatre, Television, and Film'

It's as good as you make it
Overall rating
4.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Amazing access to equipment, Great collaboration with your peers, actually get to make films
Cons
  • Most professors have outdated info with little to no real film or television experience
The access to free professional equipment with little resistance is awesome. A lot of film schools do not allow easy access in this way, and the SDSU inventory is on par with the other film schools in socal, for an extremely reasonable price. Additionally, you actually get to make a short film...
  • Anonymous
  • Review
Columbia University's School of the Arts

Review by anonymous on the film school 'Columbia University's School of the Arts'

Undergrad program is for film criticism not production!
Overall rating
2.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Film History
Cons
  • Access barred to production/vocational training
Columbia is a great place to develop taste. It is not a good place to learn how to make. They explicitly state that their goal is to teach you what great filmmaking is, not teach you how to create it (as an undergrad). The MFA program is fine but the network is very, very poor. Barnard, however...
Anonymous does not recommend this film school!
  • Anonymous
  • Review
USC School of Cinematic Arts

Review by anonymous on the film school 'USC School of Cinematic Arts'

No better place to become a pro
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Network
  • Branding
  • Name recognition -- opens doors
  • Pedigree
  • Top of the line resources
  • Capstone events
Cons
  • EXPENSIVE!!
  • Competitive
If you want to be a pro, there is no better entryway into the industry. If you want to be an artist, maybe not the best school for that. USC is not so flexible with pushing creative boundaries. It polishes students into "pro-ready" talents with a network to immediately dive into. It is...
Anonymous recommends this film school
  • Anonymous
  • Review
USC School of Cinematic Arts

Review by anonymous on the film school 'USC School of Cinematic Arts'

Best Film School in the world
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Teaches you ins and outs of how the industry actually works
  • Great connections
  • Cutting Edge technology
Cons
  • Can be too Hollywood studio system focused
I am eternally grateful to everything USC has done for me, especially as an international student; it has closed learning gaps that would have taken forever to fill. The faculty is extraordinary, and the support from people in the school is unlike anything I have seen in other schools—an...
Anonymous recommends this film school
  • Anonymous
  • Review
Sacred Heart University - School of Communication, Media & the Arts

Review by anonymous on the film school 'Sacred Heart University - School of Communication, Media & the Arts'

FTMA: Professional AND Personal Growth
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Faculty
  • Equipment
  • Access to Locations
  • Internship Placement
  • Industry Connections
  • Industry-Related Travel
Cons
  • Small Class Sizes
FTMA was an integral part of my development process as a filmmaker and a human being. Through this program, I learned discipline, follow-through, TRUE teamwork and collaboration, and respect for ALL walks of life. I created life-long relationships with my professors, including Zeke Hawkins...
  • Anonymous
  • Review
Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing

Review by anonymous on the film school 'Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing'

Great Program
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Diverse electives, flexible program, supportive environment.
Cons
  • It's hard to imagine a creative life as caring outside of the program.
Obtaining my MFA is something that I have considered for many years. However, it never seemed like the right time. Antioch made it the right time because the environment is supportive and brings the best work out of its students. The only competition is the competition between the levels of work...
  • Anonymous
  • Review
Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing

Review by anonymous on the film school 'Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing'

A Deeper layer to writing, art and connection
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Community
  • Social justice lens
  • Low residency model
  • Great hands on teachers
  • Make your own goals
  • Guest speakers
  • Workshops
Cons
  • It’s what’s you make of it. It’s all about your mindset
Antioch's MFA in Dramatic Writing is unlike any program I've encountered. What sets it apart immediately is the mentorship model — your mentors are working writers, actively engaged in the industry right now. I had Joy Kecken, Angela Harvey, Ross Brown, and John Cariani( who is an a...
  • Anonymous
  • Review
NYFA - New York Film Academy (Los Angeles Campus)

Review by anonymous on the film school 'NYFA - New York Film Academy (Los Angeles Campus)'

Military Avoid as if your life depends on it
Overall rating
1.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Hands on experience with equipment
  • On Universal studio lot
Cons
  • too many foreigners who they cater to over American student
  • Discrimination against Veterans
  • Unprofessional staff
  • expensive, you have to pay for all your shooting and they expect you to pay for the actors who are students to eat
  • Disorganized
  • Fraud
  • No job placement or assistance of any kind
  • bad reputation
This school is a freaking NIGHTMARE. I was sexually harassed and bullied by foreigners in my class and the school took their side because they cater to rich foreigners over everyone else. I had exlax put in my coffee during shoot, I had to change classes lost 6 months of my GI Bill and they...
  • Anonymous
  • Review
Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing

Review by anonymous on the film school 'Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing'

Amazing Supportive Community and Mentors
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Supportive Mentors
  • Flexible Schedule
  • Strong Community
Cons
  • Campus isn't very walkable during residency
I love being a part of the Antioch Creative Writing community. The mentors are really supportive, they push you to do your best, but are great at tailoring that to whatever YOUR best is, not expecting a one-size-fits-all definition of what that means.
  • Anonymous
  • Review
Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing

Review by Darapa on the film school 'Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing'

I Found My Community At Antioch
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • The mentorship model was a perfect fit for my lifestyle and schedule.
  • The faculty and staff were genuinely engaged with students.
  • Antioch provided an extremely supportive environment for exploring my creativity and building my confidence as a writer.
Cons
  • The only Con was that I had to spend two semesters online during COVID. That said, the school and faculty made it work!
I truly found my community at Antioch. As a returning older student, I was uncertain if I would feel comfortable in a low-residency program at first. What a delight to discover that not only did Antioch offer me a supportive environment to explore my abilities as a writer, but also that the...
DePaul University - School of Cinematic Arts

Review by anonymous on the film school 'DePaul University - School of Cinematic Arts'

Overall good
Overall rating
4.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Many engaged professors
  • Access to sound stages and good equipment
  • Small, dedicated, supportive cohort
  • Working with undergrads who are talented crew members
  • Hands-on practice
  • You own your work
  • Graduate assistantships
Cons
  • Production office rules can be limiting for filmmakers
  • Some courses in the curriculum less relevant / rigorous
  • Raising money for your productions on top of tuition
  • Not always a clear, cohesive path for how curriculum builds on itself
  • Feature films actively discouraged
While I was there, parts of the directing track felt like they were still evolving, so the quality of classes was a bit uneven. Some were genuinely helpful, others less so. That said, I think that’s true of most programs, especially since everyone comes in with different backgrounds and goals...
Anonymous recommends this film school
  • Anonymous
  • Review
Stony Brook University (SUNY)

Review by glafmay1 on the film school 'Stony Brook University (SUNY)'

Stony Brook TV Writing MFA
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Small cohort
  • Incredible professors
  • Convenient location
  • Personable office hours
I love this program so much. If you are interested in TV Writing this is the best program for it. We have incredibly talented writers and the classes are small and personable. It is very hard to beat this value.
glafmay1 recommends this film school
San Diego State University - School of Theatre, Television, and Film

Review by anonymous on the film school 'San Diego State University - School of Theatre, Television, and Film'

Nothing special
Overall rating
3.00 star(s)
Pros
  • Peers
  • Connections
  • Work opportunities
Cons
  • Most professors aren’t very insightful
  • Repetitive coursework, may end up learning “beginning” subjects in “advanced” classes
  • Course subjects can sometimes not be very relevant
You really kind of get what you pay for with this program. It might be one of the cheapest programs out there but it’s also one of the most disorganized and least useful. Most of what will learn will be from your peers, which could be really great or really bad, or from the couple of actually...
  • Anonymous
  • Review
USC School of Cinematic Arts

Review by anonymous on the film school 'USC School of Cinematic Arts'

USC is a Lighthouse
Overall rating
5.00 star(s)
Pros
  • students
  • faculty
  • resources
  • network
  • experience on set
  • emphasis on story
Cons
  • cost
  • bureaucracy
  • corporate vs artistic
The School of Cinematic Arts has essentially been created in the image of a corporate film studio. Artistically successful films you make at this school will be made despite layers of bureaucracy and a pervasive “Hollywood” sensibility toward filmmaking. That being said, my experience as a...
Anonymous recommends this film school
  • Anonymous
  • Review

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