Hi jay
Im just curious that how do u know when the orientation start? After I got the acceptance letter, i have not heard from then since. R they gonna send us a booklet or sth like that? thx

so far we've concluded that they're 'working on it.' and that they're coming soon. I'm assuming that orientation is in mid august...anywhere from the 15-20 but that's a guess based on last year.

I'm hoping to get out there Aug. 1st as well, although housing is going to be an interesting journey in itself. Most of the places I see are renting June 1st, which is too early for me.. I guess I could pay for two months that I won't be living there, but that's not so ideal either..

I'm thinking of finding a few people on here who need housing and maybe calling some nearby places, maybe getting a whole house going or something. I've already talked to a few people about it, so let me know if anyone else is interested.

I find that landlords won't start listing their units until a month out. Basically, current renters don't commit to leaving until about a month out, a stipulation highlighted in the leasing agreement. For myself I'm not going to start looking until about July and am not too heavily concerned about it, but I guess we will see what happens.

I haven't been doing a lot of looking yet either. Other than to see what's out there and what the price ranges are going to be. I'm assuming I'm going to have roommates, so I would prefer to have a fellow Chapman film school grad student sharing the space. And I'm very much interested in finding a place close to school. I wonder if we should start a forum or something so we might be able to connect... Just an idea.

Also, can anyone give me a little insight as to the "homework" that has been sent out?

Hey Movieteller
I don't think they send the homework yet. I heard they r "working on it". I have not received anything since the acceptance letter.

ok, cool. Thanks for the info. I was wondering. Curious as much about what it will be as anything.

MT,
There is a post by Winter discussing her HW from last Summer. It may be hidden in this discussion or the other Chapman related discussion-from what I remember it is a list of reading materials and films to watch as well as a short film we will need to make and show to the class. I have not heard anything about it yet other than my acceptence letter.
Donald

Hi everyone:

So great to find this forum. My name is J (short for Josephine), I'm from Kenya, currently living in Washinton DC, and will be starting my MFA in Producing at Chapman in the fall. I've been checking out this website throughout my application process and as most of you have found its been very helpful to hear everyones opinions. I had to make a very tough choice between some very good schools, including USC, Loyola Marymount, etc, but in the end I felt that Chapman was the best fit for me. I too will be looking for housing in the area as I will be moving down to CA either the end of July or beginning of Aug. I look forward to meeting all of you and maybe we can even get some housing situations worked out thru this site. Yay for summer homework lol

Hi all.
I am uber glad I found this thread.

I graduated from RIT in Rochester, NY and after a few years of working, decided to try for grad school. I got into Chapman for the MFA in Film Production (with an emphasis on Editing) as well.

I just got my letter of acceptance yesterday and have since been going crazy with all the things I have left to do to get ready...the biggest thing being housing. Craig's List has been extrememly helpful, but if possible I'd prefer to room with people from the program or at least the school. That just seems a bit hard to orchestrate.

Off the wall question. Does anyone know what gas is currently going for in Orange atm?

Congrats Jay and Syn!

Syn, I'm also in the Editing emphasis, so I'm sure we'll be in a lot of classes together.

I think working on housing with people here is kind of hard, but maybe not as difficult as it seems. Including you and Jay (and myself), there are at least 5 people I know of that are all incoming students looking for housing. That sounds like a full house to me. Unfortunately, I live in NJ, so I can't really go looking for such a house. Anyone have any ideas?

I also can't answer the gas question, but when I was checking out the school around April 9th, it was about 3.79, so it must be past 4.50 by now. A shock for me, because I believe NJ has the lowest gas prices in the country, while Cali has the highest.

I've been doing some very quick digging on Craig's List. There is a section for homes that are entirely empty and going up for rent come Mid-June. However, most of them are 2-3 Bed rooms. Only a couple are larger than 3 and those are located a fair distance away from Chapman.

Another thing to consider is that almost all these places are unfurnished. Furnishing a place can be pretty pricey unto itself. If there is some serious interest in a Film Student house...I don't mind putting forth some effort in trying to see whats available. Just often enough, people tend to change their minds when they hear the downside of things.

edit: Also, price range is a bit factor for people and can greatly differ from person to person.

omg i dunno bout gas in orange. I know it's a lot cheaper than LA. When I was there a month ago it was really close to $4, about $3.60. It's probably higher now. I know hawaii, where i am now, has some of the highest gas prices. I'm seriously thinking about getting a bike.

I live about ten minutes north of Chapman, and yesterday gas prices ranged from $3.93 to $4.09 for regular, and $4.13 to $4.29 for premium.

In general, gas in Orange County is about 10 cents cheaper per gallon than gas in Los Angeles and Riverside counties. AND the areas surrounding Chapman are perfect for a bike commute!

Also. Does anyone know if having our own camera would be of any use to us...or is there never a problem getting them from the department?

I have a lead on a pretty cheap Canon GL2, that I've used in the past, and am unsure if I should get it or if it would almost go to waste.

Thanks for all housing info Synbios. I dont have any leads on housing right now so I am down for whatever. I just want something close to school, prefferably with other grad students. Quick question; when is everyone who is looking for a house thinking of moving down there?

i wanna get my 'homework'/packet of information already. i know we discussed that they're 'working on it.' but are they done yet?

I think it'd be awesome to have a "film student" house. I did see some of the 2-3 bedroom places on craigslist, and I think that within walking/biking distance from campus is ideal.. considering no one wants to drive if it can be avoided haha.

When I was over there, I grabbed some info on a real estate agent in the Old Town area, so that'll help if craigslist doesn't work out.

You've got a good point about the additional costs, I've lived in an apartment for 2 years so furnishing a place is expected. I figure I'd have to furnish even if I find a room in an already occupied place, so either way it's an expense. Rent prices can also be a shock to some if the housing market is different than in Orange, but it's not all that different from what it is here in Jersey.

I'd say I'm pretty serious about putting a house together, with 1 or 2 more people I think we can do this.

To answer your camera question: I've had a Panasonic DVC30 for a few years and plan on bringing it with me.. but I'm under the impression that Chapman is exceptionally well-off with equipment, so I'm not sure if you'd really need to buy your own. In fact, I'm probably rarely going to use mine (why would I when they've got those nice HVX200's?). Then again, I don't go to school there yet, so I don't know for certain, haha.

And Jay, I'm hoping to find housing starting Aug 1st, so that I get to spend the summer at home, but still have a few weeks to get used to the Orange area before classes start. Unfortunately, it seems to be too early for renters to list houses that will be free Aug 1st, and waiting until July for that to happen feels like I'm cutting it too close.

Red, I'm also looking forward to this "homework" thing, or any info actually.. I don't even know the exact date of orientation/classes... Anyone know it?

Also, for those who are going to Chapman right from undergrad.. are you having any trouble with the "my documents" section on WebAdvisor? I've sent them my final transcript (with degree posted) twice already (and over a month ago), but it still says that they are waiting for it and need it "ASAP."

I love the idea of rooming with fellow film graduate students. I know that's exactly what I want to do anyway. I would love to be able to establish a specific place where we could not only group up and look for places. In addition it would be a great way to get an idea who would be good fits to live together. I realize we all love movies, but there are nuances to it. Personalities and ages and experience and on and on.

I'm gearing toward a move in early August also. I want to get down there early enough to get settled, hang out with some friends and get adjusted to the new environment.

Maybe we should look for a huge place where we could room one of each emphasis. LOL

I was also thinking of moving down late July in hopes of starting a lease Aug 1 which is going to be interesting. I would also love to do the house thing so please keep me posted on any news about this.
Oh and about the homework...last I heard they were still 'working on it'. I guess I should use this time to apply for loans then huh? lol