|
Frequently Asked Questions - Applicant
Questions:
"Do I need to have any film or video background to apply?"
"What can I do to increase my chances of acceptance?"
"What kind of Grade Point Average do I need?"
"Do I need to take the GRE and if so, what kind of scores do I need?"
"Must I have a degree in science to apply?"
"What if I have a degree in filmmaking already?"
"I have a liberal arts degree. Can I still apply?"
"Do I have to be on campus all three years?"
"What is the average age of students in the program?"
"What kind of person are you looking for?"
"When is the best time to apply?"
"What if I have a question that you haven't answered?"
Answers:
"Do I need to have any film or video background to apply?"
No, but any experience, even in still photography, helps. We assume you have no or little background in film and video productions, and you will spend the first year learning the entire production process. (Applicants who have substantial film and video experience may be exempted from these courses.)
"What can I do to increase my chances of acceptance?"
Here are some tips that might help your chances of success:
- Letters of recommendation.You may submit up to five letters. Choose people that know you well and who can comment on your creative and/or your analytical skills. Too often letters of recommendation are perfunctory. Make sure you ask people who are willing to go to bat for you.
- Resumé. Do not feel confined by the traditional wisdom that says a resume should not exceed two pages. This is our snapshot of who you are as a person: what you’ve done, where you’ve gone, and so forth. Please give us as much information about yourself as you feel is relevant.
- Essay. We admit the question for the essay is pedestrian. But your answer shouldn’t be. After reading hundreds of these, we are always on the lookout for the sincere, the creative, and the reflective. Do not underestimate the importance of the essay. If you find yourself wanting to begin your essay with, “Every since I was a child and saw the films of (fill in the name)…” then you know you’re on the wrong track.
- Optional Portfolio. If you have films, videos or photographs that you believe reflect your talent or interest in filmmaking, include them for the committee to review. We don’t expect professional quality work.
- On-site Visit. We strongly encourage serious candidates to visit the program during the spring or fall academic session. This will give you a chance to tour our facilities, meet other students, talk to the program director, other faculty, and check out Bozeman and the Northern Rockies. If you cannot visit the campus, we recommend at least you talk to either the director of the program or a faculty member who teaches in the program. The program’s administrative coordinator can help you arrange your trip or your phone call.
"What kind of Grade Point Average do I need?"
You will need to have at least a 3.0 GPA to apply to graduate school. The standard application form allows you to average your last two years as opposed to your four-year average. However, the overwhelming majority of our students have GPAs of 3.3 and higher.
"Do I need to take the GRE and if so, what kind of scores do I need?"
You must submit GRE scores as part of your application to the Science and Natural History Filmmaking program. We are not entirely score driven, although we often begin our evaluation of a candidate with these scores.
We are concerned with verbal scores because this program is ultimately about communication, and we need to know you have strong verbal and written skills. A low verbal score or a low analytic score will hurt your candidacy. We prefer scores of 550 and above. Rarely will we accept anyone with a score lower than 500 unless there are extraordinary circumstances. Your writing skills are also reflected in the quality of your essay.
We are less concerned with quantitative scores since the scientists on the review committee prefer to evaluate the quality of your education based upon the institution you attended, the courses you took, and your performance in them. We prefer scores of 600 and above.
We are concerned with analytical scores because if nothing else filmmaking is about problem solving. Murphy’s Law states that “if anything can go wrong, it will.” When it comes to filmmaking, we revised Murphy’s Law to read “it will go wrong.” Consequently we are looking for people who enjoy the challenges of problem solving. We prefer scores of 600 and above (under the old system) and 4.5 and above (under the new system).
If you have a minor score deviation in one area that is not necessarily fatal to your application, but you should address the deficiency in your application.
"Must I have a degree in science to apply?"
No. In most cases, our applicants have degrees in the physical sciences, but we do admit students with degrees in social science, engineering or technology. We also admit students from other disciplines who have a minor (or the equivalent of one) in these areas.
"What if I have a degree in filmmaking already?"
A number of our students already have a degree in film. If you do, then you do not need another degree in science, engineering, or technology. You will, however, need to have at least a declared minor (or the equivalent of a declared minor), which is construed as at least thirty hours of a concentrated area of study.
"I have a liberal arts degree. Can I still apply?"
Yes. But you will still need to have at least a minor in science, engineering, or technology.
"Do I have to be on campus all three years?"
No. You are required to be on campus full time for the first year only. About half our students stay on campus in order to make use of our facilities.
"What is the average age of students in the program?"
There is no average age of students in our program. Students do, however, tend to be older than the average, and range in age from early twenties to mid-forties.
"What kind of person are you looking for?"
We are looking for students who are bright, articulate, energetic, and out-going. Filmmaking is a collaborative medium and requires you to work well with others. You should have the people who write your letters of recommendation address these aspects.
"When is the best time to apply?"
We recommend that you apply as early as you can in order to avoid the rush of applications that comes in mid to late March. The admissions committee meets on a regular basis starting in January.
"What if I have a question that you haven't answered?"
Contact (406) 994-2484 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm, Mountain Time,
or
send an email to naturefilm@montana.edu, or write:
MFA Program in Science and Natural History Filmmaking
Department of Media and Theatre Arts
Visual Communications Building
Box 173350
Bozeman, Montana 59717-3350
Telephone: (406-994-2484
Fax Number: (406) 994-6214
|
