Critical Studies Film/ Media

[kwagner]

Anybody out there waiting for results for Film Theory programs? I am more interested in television studies than film studies- so my list of schools weighs a little heavy on the cultural studies side, but here is my list...

NYU- Steinhardt- Media, Culture, and Communication

USC- Cinema Critical Studies

UT Austin- RTF Critical Studies

Northwestern- Screen Cultures

UW Madison- Media and Cultural Studies

Georgetown- Culture, Communication, and Technology

UNC- Journalism and Mass Comm

Brown- Modern Culture and Media

I am still waiting to hear back from all- if anybody has heard from these programs I would love to hear about it! Thanks!!

[jh2805]

I have two overlaps with you (NYU and Brown) but have yet to here from either of them. Like most of the other film people on these boards, however, I have heard from my two California schools (UCSB and Berkeley) and was rejected from both. Apparently some people have been called and emailed by Brown to say they were accepted. Was one of those you? At this point, the best I'm expecting out of them is a wait list. We shall see though. I just finished an MA at Columbia in Film Studies...I was hoping that would help me out, but, so far, no luck.

Good luck!

[hornedfrogmeg]

I've applied at:

UCLA

Texas

The New School

Columbia

I haven't heard back from anyone yet....

[dalf]

Glad to find there are more people interested in critical studies...

I applied for the film studies MA programs at:

NYU Tisch -

BU-

UCLA-

USC-

Columbia-

Emory-

UMiami - Accepted on 12/12/08

jh2805, you mentioned you just finished up an MA at Columbia, is there anything about the admissions process you can share with us? Incoming class size, when you were notified, etc? Also, are you getting a second MA in film studies, transferring, or applying for a phd? Columbia seems like a great place, I'm just wondering why you'd need another MA in the concentration after studying there.

Thanks,

-d.a.l.f.

[hornedfrogmeg]

Someone mentioned this on another post but I thought it might be helpful to post here as well.

http://www.studentfilms.com/ has some info on there about what schools are giving out acceptance notices.

Looks like UT has notified some of these students and looks like those that applied there might know within the next week.

ahhhh!!! I'm so nervous.

[jh2805]

Dalf (and others),

I did just finish my MA at Columbia and had a really good experience there. I came in for the program's first year so there were some kinks in the program, and still are a few, but nothing that takes away from the quality of the professors and classes. Class size is about 13-15 students. Variety of ages. Both classes have been about half international students. I heard from them in late March, and think that is about what it should be this year. I actually work for the program now, so I have to remain mum, but I can answer basic questions about the program is anyone has them. I am now applying for a PhD in Film Studies/Cinema Studies/Screen Arts/Modern Culture and whatever the hell else the call the programs. Columbia doesn't offer a PhD (yet) and I wanted to get started sooner than later, but its looking like I might have to wait another year anyways.

[hornedfrogmeg]

Dalf (and others),

I did just finish my MA at Columbia and had a really good experience there. I came in for the program's first year so there were some kinks in the program, and still are a few, but nothing that takes away from the quality of the professors and classes. Class size is about 13-15 students. Variety of ages. Both classes have been about half international students. I heard from them in late March, and think that is about what it should be this year. I actually work for the program now, so I have to remain mum, but I can answer basic questions about the program is anyone has them. I am now applying for a PhD in Film Studies/Cinema Studies/Screen Arts/Modern Culture and whatever the hell else the call the programs. Columbia doesn't offer a PhD (yet) and I wanted to get started sooner than later, but its looking like I might have to wait another year anyways.

Thanks for the info. Any insight into the program is nice. I don't know whether you can answer this but do you know how close the program is to making decisions on students and how many were accepted/waitlisted, etc. Any information like that would be nice :-D

[Still Waiting...]

I'm glad to hear such good things about Columbia, I've applied there too (obviously haven't heard anything yet). I also applied at:

NYU

USC (accepted) - no word on funding, so it's not looking good

UCLA

U of Chicago

Yale

Northwestern (reject) - Not a great fit in any case

UC Berkeley (reject) - Same as Northwestern

Harvard (reject) - I'm kind of surprised by this one, but such is life

Anybody know anything about an ETA on Yale applications?

[speedypete]

received a letter from Brown MCM on March 3rd indicating waitlist status (tho letter was dated 2/19). anyone know if they typically let people in off the waitlist / how many are listed?

[nyfilmfest]

Seeing that list of schools, and browsing the results page, now has made me officially anxious. Somehow I told myself that March would be the magic month when all of my anxieties would be assauged, and now that it's here, they've only intensified. Those decisions can't come fast enough. :roll:

I've only applied to Columbia / NYU's MA programs, as I live in NYC, and plan to stay here for the next two years, or so, since my partner's finishing an MBA at Stern. Now I'm wondering if I should have applied to some safety schools.

I am still hopeful about my prospects, and think I've put together a solid application package, but paging through this forum it seems that all too many worthy people get inexplicably rejected. I do feel that I'm fortunate to be applying to MA programs this year... PhD program admissions are especially competitive right now, and funding is scarce. If MA candidates are viewed as a revenue stream, that can't hurt our chances.

At the end of the day, my life won't end if I don't get into either program, but I don't really have any short-term backup plan in place. I'll have some tough decisions to make if I'm not going to be in school this fall. Then again, if I am not a strong enough candidate to get into MA programs, knowing that now might save me the pain of fruitlessly pursuing an academic career and getting rejected from PhD programs / teaching jobs down the line.

[Still Waiting...]

nyfilmfest - I sympathize greatly with the tension you're feeling, but it's important to remember how arbitrary a process this is. As one who has been rejected from a wide variety of schools thus far (many of whom I thought would accept me), a few realities have hit. For one, a school may be rejecting an individuals admission, but not the individual themselves. We are all excellent candidates for our field, in large part because of the passion we have for our given subjects, but that won't change if a school we covet rejects us. Also it is important to remember that chance plays a rather large part in all collegiate admissions, but particularly when so many great candidates apply to the same program. Sometimes a student has just the right combination of GPA and test scores, or a single line in their SoP captured the imagination of someone along the line. I would also suggest that the shrinking of budgets at many of these schools inflate the rejection numbers because there are fewer spots for a larger number of applications.

I guess what I'm really saying is that you need not feel consternation in the face of acceptance or rejection. I'm sure you'll do just fine, and remember that either way it certainly says nothing about your viability as an academic. Good luck! (I can't wait much longer either)

[portraitinflesh]

I am also applying to film studies programs, and have been rejected by 3 schools so far.

The schools I am waiting to here from are all top tier schools, which leaves me feeling awful about my prospects as the days stretch on and on.

I too applied to Columbia, as well as NYU.

I don't know what I will do if I don't get in, the thought is so crippling. I don't have a bachelors degree that qualifies me to do anything else really, and I so desperately want to go to grad school.

[jh2805]

Anyone have updated information or news on NYU Cinema Studies PhD process?

[prufrock123]

hi,

got accepted into 2 PhD programs - Cinema Studies at NYU and Critical Studies at USC. Have to decide in a week. NY has just been a city i've longed to be in for years, while USC is offering a fantastic funding deal. Any insider info on the pros and cons of the 2 departments? Any opinions about the courses, cities, faculty would be a huge help.

Thanks!

[teaganc]

hi,

got accepted into 2 PhD programs - Cinema Studies at NYU and Critical Studies at USC. Have to decide in a week. NY has just been a city i've longed to be in for years, while USC is offering a fantastic funding deal. Any insider info on the pros and cons of the 2 departments? Any opinions about the courses, cities, faculty would be a huge help.

Thanks!

I don't have insider information per say, but I did meet someone who was graduating from the Cinema Studies program at NYU who was unhappy there, citing a very "traditional" department. I don't know entirely what that means, but they were leaving the department and the city after an MA to find somewhere with more academic freedom.

[prufrock123]

thanks for that reply, teaganc!

hmm. traditional, eh? that's interesting. i know they insist on rigorous and traditional coursework, but that is something I look forward to. does anybody have anything to say about the Critical Studies department at USC? Their faculty, research reputation..?

[BrainySmurfette]

I don't have insider information per say, but I did meet someone who was graduating from the Cinema Studies program at NYU who was unhappy there, citing a very "traditional" department. I don't know entirely what that means, but they were leaving the department and the city after an MA to find somewhere with more academic freedom.

I can't speak to USC, but I did get my MA in NYU's Cinema Studies dept. (albeit a few years ago, so things may have changed). Not sure what's meant by traditional or why that'd be bad, but they do provide a comprehensive background in cinema fundamentals. I liked that in comparison to other departments I've heard about they are as concerned that students understand about the art and commerce of film as they are about theory. (Personal caveat- I've always found it odd that so many film studies people/depts. are proud to know little about making, distributing, exhibiting film. You don't see dramaturgs or Art History people who are ignorant of how a play is written/produced or who disdain galleries. But I digress...). As an MA student they were as supportive of the pure theorists as they were of those who wanted to take a screenwriting course, make an ethnographic doc or intern with Martin Scorsese's production office. Obviously Ph.D. workloads will make some of these parallel pursuits impossible, but I loved that they were really open to someone studying montage by supplementing their scholarship with actual editing bay experience, or a scholar of musicals taking classes with the Musical Theater Writing department under the team that wrote Spring Awakening.

In my time there they were particularly strong in Hollywood cinema, avant garde, docs, Asian cinema, national cinemas overall, cultural theory (feminist, race & LGBT) and they were fairly good in theory, genre, spectatorship, auteurship and aspects of physical production (role of sound, editing, music, subtitles, etc.). They didn't really have strength in television studies, film as it relates to American studies, youth culture, non-Eisenstein Eastern European (Western Europe, Asia & Latin America dominate), but again that was a few years ago so please take this with a grain of salt. I don't know what your areas of interest are, but if you like a department where half of the professors do exactly what you're interested in it may not be for you. However, if you like knowing that no matter what obscure interest you have at least one person there probably co-authored the proverbial book on it (or dated the co-author), then NYU is an option.

In terms of faculty & administration they are not a department of enablers, but on the flip side it's not political at all. By that I mean Cinema Studies, NYU as a whole and all of NYC respect a hustler, a child who's got his own if you will. I came from a small liberal arts college where everyone loved you like you were a grandkid so I had to adjust to a more impersonal place, though those from large universities were not phased. They won't roll out the red carpet and tell you every single step you need to be the most successful you you can be. But if you show your hustle and determination, they will definitely answer all questions and help wherever they can. You need to be proactive to make sure they know who you are, but once you make one step toward them they will certainly make 2 or 3 to you. And there were no landmines of "this prof hates that one so I can't be seen with him" or "they'll hate me if I change my research focus." No sabotaging, no BS, no envy, no drama, no pissing contests or dick measuring, just scholarship.

NYU is a stingy wench, so good luck on that (I think I got the largest scholarship in my cohort though, so dreams do come true). On a quirky note, most of the department's grad classes are in the evening from 6-10 so it allows a lot of freedom for those who work full time, crew on films, or have family obligations. Personally I loved the free in the day, class at night set up. I've got to be honest though, when you've had a long day, the film you're watching is, shall we say, subdued ("Jeanne Dielmann," I'm talking to you!) and the lecture is droning on, more than a few students take an unplanned siesta. Thankfully you can Netflix or rent most screening films from one of the obscure art house video stores in the area, just DON'T fall asleep on the foreign, out-of-print, 4 in existence films or you will be screwed.

I hope this helps.

[Still Waiting...]

Thank you so much for the NYU info, it's really helpful to get first hand insight.

Does anyone have the lowdown on USC, UCLA, or Columbia MA in Film/Cinema Studies?

[prufrock123]

Hey BrainySmurfette,

Thank you so much for taking the time! It's great to have someone who's been through the process to make a candid assessment. A lot of what you say speaks directly to some of my concerns. I am currently completing an M.Phil thesis on a very specialised historiographic project. I'd ideally like to do some thorough coursework in the basics and at the same time move out of my niche research area. You've just described a near-perfect scenario. Thanks for the tip-off about the 'impersonal' atmosphere because yes, I am not used to that. Also, I have a film production background and your examples of PhD students combining theory with practice sounds brilliant.

They've offered me a Corrigan fellowship which seems like a good deal. I have little idea about housing and living expenses in New York but perhaps I could badger you some more when it comes to that?

cheers.

[jh2805]

I know people at NYU and USC, all happy with the programs, but it really depends what your focus is. Both of the faculties are quite wide ranging. USC has David James, so if your into avant-garde, they have an advantage. NYU has Allen, Stam, Straayer, who give a great mix of Hollywood and international along with solid critical theory from psychoanalysis to gender studies to whatever else. I think they are both pretty great programs. I live in NYC now and love it, so I'd say NYU, but my USC friends always try and get me out there. You're in a pretty good position I'd say. Congrats!

[jh2805]

Still Waiting- PM me with Columbia questions and I can do my best to answer. I'm an alum of that program and work with it now, so I've got the down low if thats what you're looking for.

[BrainySmurfette]

They've offered me a Corrigan fellowship which seems like a good deal. I have little idea about housing and living expenses in New York but perhaps I could badger you some more when it comes to that?

Congrats on the fellowship! Living in NY is crazy expensive, but the best advice I can give is to research it the way you probably did grad programs before applying. The great thing about NY is that everyone knows someone who is from or has moved here so hit them up for as much intel as possible. It's very socially acceptable in NY to point-blank ask anyone about how much they pay in rent, if they like their place, etc. New Yorkers are obsessed with housing the way Angelenos are with their cars or Texans with high school football. Take advantage of the delight/misery and milk it. The NYTimes has interesting articles about larger housing trends but they assume that everyone has at least a lesser trust fund, more useful will probably be Craig's List, The Village Voice, various neighborhood blogs, personal connects, etc. Also everyone (not just poor grad students) embraces the freebie in NY which helps a little to defray 'fun' expenses. In addition to free cultural events, through my crew of journalists, film folk, publishers & business types I've gotten into big film premieres, Broadway opening nights, Daytime Emmys, swanky restaurants, fabulous people parties & Yankees games and gotten free books, DVDs/CDs, beauty products, accessories, etc. And I'm not particularly special or lucky in this regard.

On the slightly upside, the housing bubble has burst big time. The outer borough (most student types only live in Brooklyn or Queens) prices are still pretty stable but Manhattan is dipping. It's now possible to negotiate with landlords on prices and have them pay brokers fees for you. BUT AVOID BROKERS FEES if at all possible!! They're typically 15% of a year's rent (in addition to 1st, last & security), and frankly savvy people who start early can totally find a place/roommate through word of mouth channels.

NYU housing may be a possibility too. The Pros are that it helps to foster a sense of community, it's very convenient to the school and most exciting areas of the city usually beyond a grad's reach, and some (not all) of the buildings are hooked up with amenities. The Cons depend on the building, but if you're past the stage of sharing a studio with a random, RAs checking in on you and the partying rituals of 18 year old freshmen drunk for the 1st time (some buildings have grad & undergrad or are next door to undergrads and their hangouts) then they probably aren't for you. Also, they are waaaaay too expensive and usually much smaller than what a lesser amount could get you in say Williamsburg, Astoria, Ft. Greene, Jersey City, etc.

[BrainySmurfette]

On another note- does anyone have information on starting salaries (adjunct and TT) in our field? Most surveys on this topic give Humanities and Social Science info, but I've never actually seen film/critical studies listed, presumably because it's a newer, more niche area than English. One survey a saw a while back said Cultural Studies ranks highest among Humanities/Arts/Social Sciences salaries and my focus has a cultural bent, but I don't think Cultural Studies necessarily includes film. Any insight on this would be appreciated.

[pearla]

prufroack, can you give us more details about your background?

ex. undegrad, MA, scores, GPA, work experience before applying to the PhD program?

[pearla]

Brainy

If you are going for a PhD in cultural studies, You can earn as well as certificate in film or media studies

cultural and film studies are related when you look at movies from a cultural standpoint

ex. images of women in movies are closely related to the culture in which they were produced

You should look at a good film school, if they have one ,apply to a program in cultural studies and earn a certificate in film studies