They are still considering whether or not they are going to have interviews as well. They got my DVD over a week ago now and the Grad asst. told me that I should count on an interview before the end of April.

Yeah, Winter, what did UCLA promise you?

Just that I could take advanced screen writing classes as a director... some other stuff less important. But they (The dept as a whole-- not necessarily my interviewers) are big fans of my mentor so I had some (admittedly ) Special attention from Marina Goldovskaya (Who by the way is darling).

Really? Cause I let him know right off that I had applied to UCLA and was a finalist and needed to be sure that Chapman could offer me at least as much as UCLA promised (at least what Rory and Marina had said). That must be why he wanted to meet with me. Hmmm.



Oh...sounded like you were talking about money...

Ugh, wait listed at USC Screenwriting.

Officially sad.

Well I am talking about money for chapman... UCLA says flat out that tft won't give department money to first year students. Only UCLA diversity scholarships are available-- but then your competing with the entire graduate population.

I'm actually hoping that if Chapman believes they might lose me to UCLA they might offer me one of the first year fellowships. That and I'm having a friend speak with the chancellor on my behalf. Its kind of nice working in a dean's office. Everyone knows somebody. Its like Hollywood for academics.

Sorry about USC... I'm guessing that was your second choice after AFI? And wait list isn't so bad.

I hope it works out for you.

Does anyone know anything about waiting lists? How many people get put on it?

I'm not happy about this at all. USC is my second choice, Winter, you're right. Even still, even if they do bump me, I won't go there. Waiting list people don't get offered scholarships or fellowships, the first admits do.

I can't do it without a little help. And I don't want to go somewhere that only wants me if they can't have what they REALLY want.

I was hoping I'd get in, then I wouldn't have to worry about AFI or UCLA so much.

But now I'm scared I'll get wait listed everywhere, or rejected.

I know how you feel. I can't do anything without financial aid myself. But you've been such a strong contender at most of your schools. I'm sure you'll get in somewhere. Did you check with the university financial aid office at USC? There might be University scholarships or grants available outside of the department fellowships.

That being said-- I wonder if you were beat out for first spots at USC by people who could pay tuition without assistance. I had that distinct feeling at Yale last year. Some schools care about your financial backing more than the rest of your application. Thats just ridiculous.

I personally think it's because of my crummy GRE scores (still can't believe I only got a five on writing, when I'm applying to writing programs, and I did better on math than verbal by ten points), but we'll see how I do at the other schools I applied to (UCLA and AFI), since they don't take those scores.

I haven't talked to anyone there.

I was hoping for merit money, diversity money, orphan money, first-generation college money, anything.

But I didn't even get in.

Hi Jayimess,

I still think your GRE score is still quite high. Even though ur writing is not a 6, it's not easy to attain a 5.

I don't know which program you are applying to, but even if you're applying to writing, I do not consider 5 to be low. I believe the writing tests your analytical and writing essay abilities, but I also believe that a person that writes a poor essay could still write an excellent story.

OMG Chapman is amazing. The facilities are great, the students are down to earth and the faculty is really awesome (at least the ones I met today). I wouldn't go there much for undergrad the Campus is too small and the film school is out in the boonies(and the professor I talked to implied a great divide in dedication and priority for equipment. However, for a graduate program. I was floored. UCLA may have the name, but Chapman's facilities had them beat hands down.

Yay for bright and shiny schools.

Oh wow Winterreverie! Im happy you loved it. I actually haven't been to the campus yet. So have you made your final decision?

Winterreverie - how come u didn't apply to directing at Chapmans?

Winter--Wonderful!! I'm so glad you liked it. Tell me more, tell me more!! I'm so excited to visit campus. Did you see the back lot?? What professors did you meet? I got my letter from USC...I'm in but I want to go to Chapman. I really hope I hear from them soon.

I'm actually about 90% certain I will be going to Chapman. Money will still be an issue, but we'll see when I have my meeting with Professor Slowensky.

It was a very loosely planned trip. My boyfriend and I just decided to drive down and take a peak at the school and the area. I actually didn't expect to meet any professors. The Film school is hard to find compared to the rest of the Campus, but once you get there, I don't imagine you'd want to leave. Its huge and beautiful and so very new. The building was locked so I tried to sneak in behind some guy with key card access who turned out to be the professor of sound Design Dan Pavelin. Not only did he let me in, but he gave me an hour long tour and introduced me to the grad students working there. They all acted like they loved him and he was super nice. You could tell he loved his job and the students loved the program Which was a very good sign. The theatre where they screen projects is amazing plus they have an awesome Foley studio, two sound stages, and many many sound and film editing rooms. (And really comfy chairs, which I'm told should have been the selling point if nothing else)

I didn't see the back lots but I'll tell you, my boyfriend is an electrical engineer and poked his head around UCLA and Chapman when I went, and the "tools" at Chapman amazed him. He was really impressed by the school and the surrounding town is really mellow and low key-- Which is nice. I was really impressed (and a little intimidated) with some student projects I got to poke my head in on-- there was amazing work going on there.

As for why I didn't apply to directing, well I thought it best to extend my chances and apply to one directing and one screen writing program, and I asked UCLA and Chapman if i would be allowed to take classes in both disciplines regardless of what I came in with. Both seemed really open to the idea. I'm a stronger writer than director and I want to follow the independent route and do both in the long run. However, none of the schools offer a combined discipline major so I had to make a choice.

Plus production takes 3-5 years to finish. I'm not sure I want to spend that much time not working professionally.

Thanks for the update Winter. I wish I lived in the are...I'd love to check it out. Hopefully I'll have an opportunity to spend a lot of time there in the years to come. I'm actually kind of hoping they make me come in for an interview because it will be an excuse to travel to CA and check everything out.

My son has been accepted at College of Santa Fe and CalArts undergrad for fall 2007. He wants to find his filmaking voice, having had only 1 yr. at his high school before the course was dropped. He's a laid back guy who says he does not like to be competitive (except for chess). We live near Chicago. He studied film last summer during a summer institute at The School of the Art Institute & commented that their equipment was less than that of the high school. He was not impressed with his teacher. His brother went to CalArts for 2 years before dropping out, saying that the academics were minimal. We could really use some pros & cons for both schools. We heard there are a lot more films being shot in New Mexico & good connections to the industry; also that some film guru teaches at Santa Fe in Moving Image Arts. My son has really high SAT & ACT (35)scores, but underachieved in h.s. I'm concerned that he will not find CAlArts intellectually stimulating.

Hello Jess Hunt,

I believe you should post this under the "undergraduate forum" and not under this, "graduate" forum. They can answer your question much better than we can!

So posted.

Happiness is getting into Chapman with a pretty decent fellowship. Sadness is realizing you still have to come up with the other $18, 890 a year plus cost of living...

*ouch*

Even more happiness is that the chair said if I want to change into the directing emphasis to let him know and He'll let me in there because "we were really excited about you"...

So that's the latest update in the world of me.


BTW. Tuition plus fees are $23,890 for those of you thinking of attending.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Winterreverie,