Hey I was wondering if anybody knew if the undergrauate program in screenwriting was any good. I know they offer only a B.A. while the production major offers a B.F.A. What is the reason for this?

Hey guys,

I was wondering if there was still anyone out there like me... who still hasn't gotten an answer from Chapman. Honestly, I had no idea I would be waiting this long.

Hey fox I'm on the same boat with you. I'm on the waitlist for MFA Producing. What about you?

Geez Fox-- that sucks. I would email the head of your program... also, you may be unofficially wait listed. The person last year who didn't receive an answer was let in literally 2 days before orientation. And is now a director (he came in as an editor) so there's hope but a firm, "You are waitlisted" or "We're still considering you" would be nice. Shoot the head of your dept an email and cc it to Joe Slowensky letting them know you are concerned having not heard one way or the other and many people you know have already received their acceptances or rejections.

Hi Fox,

I'm still waiting as well. Still at decision pending as of this morning on the web advisor and the last time I exchanged emails with one of the grad assistants I was told that my application is still under review. That was a couple weeks ago.

I hope to get a response soon, I love the school its absolutly my first choice and I'm dying to go there. But if the wait goes on too much longer I might have to pull out, I don't know if I could get everything in order to make a move out there on a month or less notice.

Well, all I know is that I am waitlisted for Producing. I sent Alex Rose an email a couple weeks ago and was told that she had "passed my application onto film studies." I asked if that meant I would still be considered for producing in the meantime, but never got a response.

Since then, my webadvisor has not changed (still says "Producing, Decision Complete," and Alex Rose has gone on vacation until Mid July.

I will try calling Rose's assistant and emailing Joe Slowensky this afternoon. I'll let you guys know if I find out anything that may be of value to any of us!

I´m also still waiting, I´ve been calling there, but no one tells me anything new. I talked to Darryl yesterday and he told me that they may have a decision for me on monday, but I´ve heard that before. If I don´t have a decision by mext week, I won´t be able to go!!! there is so little time and too much to do and I´m tooooooooo far away!!!!. Good luck for everyone, Fox how is the life at the OC? anyone here is waiting for directing?

Hey Fox, I hope all your stuff gets settled. It's hard being on the watitlist I can only imagine how it feels to not really know where you stand.

You mentioned that you sent Alex Rose an email and were told that she had passed your application onto film studies. Did you mark film studies as your second choice? If so, that might mean they've sent it to the film studies dept. and someone there is looking at your application.

Keep us posted!

Since you've already had a decision on producing, I'd recommend contacting someone from film studies. Make sure they've received your application and inquire where they are in the process.

If you're apprehensive about contacting them about where they are with your applications, do it in a round about way. "I was just calling to inquire if I could send additional materials, I've been working on such and such projects and thought it might help if I included a reel??" Also if it really is do or die on a decision, let them know that. "I hate to be a bother, but I was wondering when decisions will be made as I have to commit elsewhere, but Chapman is my first choice." Or "I'm an international student, so I need to know soon if I'm going to get my visa in time for classes"

The guy let in 2 days before orientation was an international student. Stayed at a hotel for like 2 weeks while he found a place. I don't know if I could have done it... but hey, it just proves it can be done.

If you are okay with waiting.... wait. No news is good news at least you're decent enough to be a hard decision on their part.

Winter: If I get accepted, I owe you a drink at the District or somewhere.

Sharon: Personally, I love Orange County. It is a very laid back place and there are so many different enclaves to explore. Chapman's campus is in a very historic, beautiful place. I'd be glad to show you around if we both get in (fingers crossed).

Everyone else: brace yourselves for a long post about my Chapman stuff today:

So about 4 weeks ago I was wait listed for Producing. About 2 weeks ago Alex Rose emailed me and told me that my application had been forwarded to Film Studies, but told Eva and her assistant Joe to keep me on the wait list. (Perhaps "unofficially" forwarded?)

So I called Eva today to find out that Alex Rose had left for vacation until mid July, and that I was still wait listed for Producing. I called Rose's assistant, Joe, who confirmed this. He also told me that there were 9 people on the wait list. Alex REALLY likes a couple of them and I am RIGHT under those people... according to Joe.

He finds out for me that all 14 producing candidates have been accepted and have put down a deposit, but tells me that they have until July 31 to pay the first installment of their tuition. Usually, he says, that is when people drop out. He also told me about a friend of his who literally got a call in August and was accepted because of this reason. He recommended that I sit tight.

So..

I can either tell them to deny me and move my application to Film Studies or wait. If I wait, there may not be enough time for Film Studies people to even look at my materials anyway. I could be sitting on the Producing Wait list only to be flat out denied from Film Studies with out them ever touching my application.

I call Darryl at Chapman and he tells me to wait. I call Mildred Lewis, a Film Studies Assistant Professor, and leave a voice mail. I ask if they have had a chance to see my application yet (smart way to find out if it had indeed been "forwarded"). Mildred Lewis, along with almost everyone else in Film Studies, is on vacation from what Darryl tells me.

I also emailed Joe Slowensky. I hope he gets back to me. In the past, I always get a reply from a grad student.

I will also try emailing Mildred Lewis, and hopefully get hold of her before she's done with her vacation.

Right now it is a game of logistics. I feel like I am gambling and I really don't want to make the wrong move.

Hey Sharon,

I'm still waiting on directing.

Fox-

I talked to Darryl. You might try contacting Eileen Jones from film studies or cc her when you write mildred louis.

KW

Hello all,

I've been kind of away from this site for a while now, generally depressed at not getting in to Chapman (even though I've recieved no official word yet). I see that there are others still in waiting for an official word as well.

I have a question for anyone out there who can help me. I was wondering about writing a heartfelt e-mail to either Joe Slewensky or Dezso Magyar, an e-mail letting them know that I was quite sure I wasn't going to be accepted this year but that I still hadn't heard anything official. I would also say how passionate I was about Chapman, and how much I'd like to attend next year if this yeat wasn't the case, and is there anything I could do to improve my chances.

The pros and cons of writing Slewensky I think are known on this forum, on the plus side he seems to be very infuential in the program and some say he's a nice guy, and on the negative side he usually has his assistants write back for him.

For Dezso Magyar I'm not sure. All I know is that he is part of the facutly for directors, and that he wrote us applicants letters a few months ago encouraging us to see ourselves at Chapman.

My questions are, would such an e-mail be seen as a nuasance to them and hurt my chances for next time around? Or would it perhaps be seen as a passionate indication of my desire to go there and help me out?
And finally, which of the two men would be better to send to? Who would most likely be receptive and e-mail me back?

If someone could please take the time to help me out here that would be very much appreciated.
Thank you all for your togetherness on this site , and for keeping people like me in the loop, even as we seem far away from the possibilities of attending our dream school.

Matty,

I sympathize with what you must be going through. I am on the waiting list for the producing program myself, so the possibility of not getting in is real for me as well. For now I can only remain positive and hope to be admitted but for those of us whose trip has come to an end it must be tough. Especially since this all began months ago. It's like a project! Don't feel bad because I'm sure you gave a hell of an effort.

All I can say after reading your post is: Life goes on. Write them and express that you're thankful they reviewed your application and gave you a shot. Keep it short and to the point. I think that's one thing many people should do whether they get in or not. Just don't be angry, sad or bitter... just be "Professional", which is what most schools want. Hey I heard Spielberg was rejected by USC back in the day... TWICE! go figure!

I don't think you need to write anything too heartfelt. You should probably steer clear from doing that. Show them this won't stop you from accomplishing your goals and that you will try again next year. Keep in touch, show them you have some tenacity. For now go out and get some more experience or write. Ask Questions! Keep in touch or try going down to Chapman to talk to some of the students/faculty or attending some screenings. Stay busy! LOL Fine tune your application in the process.

I might be talking out of my ass here but I think most of the "crew" hanging out on this forum supports you and would agree. Keep your head up and keep trying!


Best,

Alex

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

I think you have some sound advice there Alex. Like Matty I've considered writing my own heartfelt email to Mr. Slowensky and some others, but have decided to keep up some short hopefully professional "just touching base" emails with Darryl (good guy btw).

I figure all the work we sent them and and the writing assignments will speak for us better than any follow up emails. I mean, I already wrote a very heartfelt lettter to them on why I want to go to Chapman. I know you all did the same. The only thing I've tried to do is subltly remind them that Chapman is my first choice dream school and if I get accepted I'd definitly be coming (assuming they don't accept be the day before orientation.)

I think Alex probably has the right mentality here. I don't really think an email at this point would hurt you (if it was well written and professional), but I don't really see it helping either IMO.

I know the wait is harsh, and I know people are (rightly) starting to sweat the logistics the longer the wait continues. Try to stay positive and patient folks. Best to all of you!

Hey everyone, thanks for the advices!!! It will be so amazing if we get in. I´m planning to call Darryl on monday, I´ll keep you posted. Good luck everyone

Hey guys,
just wanted to introduce myself: I'm Kyle Wade and i found out a few weeks ago that i had been accepted as a MFA Directing Fellow at Chapman. I look forward to meeting you all, am in the process right now of securing a place to stay. Coming down from the ARt Center College of Design, where i started an MFA directing program. Drop me a line sometime, hopefully getting to know each other will make the adjustment period and the awkward getting to know you part of orientation a lot less awkward.
thanks guys
Kyle Wade
kylerwade@gmail.com
Anybody looking at living in the Strada Apartments? Thats where i'm very close to signing a lease.

I heard those apartments kinda suck. Don't know anyone living there. =(

Matty,
My suggestion would be to wait until you receive an actual rejection before you tell them that you have given up hope. You must fight to the end and never give up. TPB is right as to whether a heartfelt would help or not. It is hard to say how it would be perceived and in my experience you may say somnething that is taken in a way that you did not intend. They are still reviewing your application and this is a good thing. It is okay to check in with them and call to see if there has been any progress but do not give in until the end. At that point I would politely thank them for looking at your application, possibly ask them what they would like to see from you in the upcoming year that might sway them to choose you next year and continue your pursuit of filmmaking. I wish you luck.
Best Regards,
Donald Mckinnon

Just in case anyone is still keeping track of these things, I got that list of books/films to read/watch before classes begin. However, there was no mention at all of any sort of introductory video or anything like that. Anyone else?