QuirkyDirector

Hi @Loose.tap.screws. Obviously, what you are looking for as an MFA directing candidate is different than anyone else, but here's two other thoughts about some schools. I think I'm the only user here who applied to Pace this year, and here's what I'd say about them as objectively as possible. What appealed to me initially about them was their masterclass that I observed, in which Andreas M. (the head of the directing program) talked about the way script analysis was done. I applied with them and got an interview, and while Andreas was very nice, Bill Coco seemed a bit tense, and it in general didn't really click throughout the interview. There were specific questions about how I was as an actor and how familiar I was with Stanislavski and his system. They seemed to have a certain agenda and goal, compared to my Yale interview (Yura Korondoski might be the best theatre interview I've ever had) which felt more about learning about you. The training also seems to be at least one third acting training for directors. That could very well fit some people, it just didn't fit me. So overall, I'd say Pace has some positives, but it can be a bit niche, and I personally didn't find the interview that great. I also applied to New School. I loved the description of the program from the tour I went on a couple of years ago, and a good amount of people from my alma mater have studied there. However, they have not been at all responsive with me in my contact with them. @Directorial applied there as well I believe, and I think for awhile got a similar lack of response, I'm not sure if he or she has since gotten contact. So, I would say a good program, not great communication.

I got the Carnegie Mellon rejection as well. So, unless New School takes a sudden interest in me, I will unfortunately not be attending an MFA directing program in 2016. ..at least I got an interview with Yale on my first try? Hopefully I'll do better next year, if the time is right for me to do so. Good luck with anybody else who's still in contention for their programs.

Yale has now officially confirmed I did not make the final callbacks. I imagine that if you definitely did not make it, you'll hear soon via the Yale website.

@UnrulyMopThey told me awhile from the date of my interview. Mid February, if I remember correctly from what Caden told me. Is it really possible that NONE of us 7 or 8 got a Yale callback? I'm pretty surprised, I figured that one of us would get one, just based on the math of it all. Not even necessarily me (I sort of figure I'm a longshot because of my age), but one of us at least. If so, I'm sorry for us all.

Very much possible, although I'd be somewhat surprised if that were true, just because I figured by law of averages at least one of us was likely to be a finalist out of 12 people, especially since about 7 or 8 of us got an interview. Will still keep an eye on it still, as I have been contacted on a Friday before by another institution.

Welcome @directMontana, I'm fairly new to these parts as well and the people here provide great information. Where have you applied to and what have you heard?

I figure not because it's still fairly early in the week, but anyone hear from Yale yet?

Got my first official rejection from Pace. Not too disappointed though, felt like a rough interview, and it was never my first choice program. At this point, waiting to hear from Yale or Carnegie Mellon for further interviews, and New School for first contact.

Just wrapped up my Pace interview. It wasn't bad so to speak, but it wasn't the same as Yale. It was shorter, like my CMU interview, and the questions felt a bit weirder. They also apparently don't do final callbacks, which is interesting (unless they do and I already have been cut in their mind, but I doubt it). @Directorial, of the 5 schools I've applied to, two wanted digital portfolios, one wanted a hard copy, and two didn't want it at first. Not sure if that helps.

@nomoredeskjobplease, when were you there? My interview was at 2 PM yesterday, and I wonder if I saw you around at all or if you had left by then. Interviewing with Pace today. Still waiting to hear from New School. I'm assuming if Columbia hasn't contacted me at all by now, that I'm out? I haven't heard a single word from them since the December 1st deadline.

@bluebane, I saw this just as I hopped on my Metro-North home, unfortunately. Really good time. Yura and his interview were great. Asked me some very tough questions, while making me feel very relaxed while doing it. Also makes it a lot about you, and not just your statement. Don't know if I'll make the next round, but to me, good interview.

I'm heading off to New Haven for my Yale interview tomorrow, hopefully without bumps in the road since I just dealt with an over two foot snowstorm. Anyone know any good restaurants, diners, or anything like that around campus? I'm probably going to be arriving pretty early to be safe, and I'm curious if people who've been to New Haven before have recommendations. Will let you all know how it goes afterwards.

I'm interviewing at New Haven. But it sounds like it's not a big deal if other people are being interviewed by him. I don't know either person (first time applying to Yale or any programs), so I just didn't know if a different person then the one mentioned mattered (sounds like it doesn't).

I received more info about my Yale interview today, and I was told that I am not interviewing with Liz Diamond, but with a professor named Yura. Is this common among Yale applicants? I only ask because a lot of you talked about a Liz interview, and I have someone else.

Hey folks. First time MFA directing applicant here, I'm 25 years old from New York, and I've been working as a freelance director in New York for a few years. First year applying to Grad School. Just interviewed with Carnegie Mellon today (didn't love it, but it was my first interview so I expected things to be a bit rusty. Have you all found that interviews got better for you the more you did them?). Interviewing with Pace (aka Actor's Studio Drama School) and Yale in about two weeks. Also applied to Columbia and New School, haven't heard anything yet (Though New School's deadline hasn't happened yet). Looking forward to seeing this pan out over the next couple of months and seeing everyone's journey throughout this.