APPLICATION:

To apply to the Graduate Film School program in Writing for the Stage and Screen, you must submit the Film School MFA in Writing application to the Film School's Main Office:

College of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts
Attn: MFA Admissions
Florida State University
3100A University Center
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-2350

You will need to include the following support materials with your application:
* A 500 to 1000 word essay describing your background, artistic experiences, creative influences, personal objectives and future career goals.
* Résumé
* Two official transcripts sent directly to the FSU Office of Admissions
* Photo copy of test scores - GRE (and TOEFL if international applicant).
* Official test scores should sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions at FSU
* Three letters of recommendation (college instructors or employers) preferably on official letterhead
* Three writing samples as follows:
1. Writing Sample 1 - A two-page maximum non-dialogue scene about a person trying to kill a spider in their house. (The scene should be considered the opening scene for a screenplay or theatrical work.)
2. Writing Sample 2 - A three-page maximum dialogue scene about a person trying to return an item to a store. (The scene should be considered the opening scene of a screenplay or theatrical work.)
3. Writing Sample 3 - A sample of creative work, such as a short story, play, poetry, etc. (The first 5 pages only.)

Note: All writing samples should be typed on 8" by 11" paper and in 12-point Courier. The lengths indicated are the maximum allowed. Make sure each sample is stapled with a cover page that includes your name and the writing sample number (e.g. Writing Sample 1). Applicants must follow these submission guidelines in the manner described above or the application will not be reviewed.

**Failure to provide any of these items may result in disqualification for admissions consideration.**

Admission to the Film School graduate programs also requires official admission to Florida State University. APPLICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY AND TO THE FILM SCHOOL MUST BE MADE SEPARATELY. To obtain a university application and information, please contact the following office or apply online:

Florida State University
Office of Admissions
2249A University Center
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1009

Students are admitted to the Film School only in the Fall Semester. We accept applications for Fall Semester between September 1 and December 15 of the same year.

Your application materials must be received by December 15. No late applications will be considered.

After the December 15 deadline, all applications are processed and reviewed. All applicants selected for on-campus interviews will be notified by telephone as far in advance as possible, but not less than 10 days prior to the interview period (late February to early March).

We accept approximately 6 graduate writing students once each year for fall semester. Admission is highly competitive, requiring a record of high academic achievement. An undergraduate degree in film, or a film-related field is not required.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants must submit two transcripts, one original official copy and one translated. If the applicant’s native language is not English, the applicant must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based test, or 80 on the Internet based test is required. TOEFL scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the Educational testing Service

International students should finalize the international admissions process with FSU, which requires documentation that the student has sufficient funding to cover all costs during the two years (six consecutive semesters) of the Conservatory program, as well as permit sufficient time for obtaining visas. The FSU International Student Center has determined that approximately $52,500 is necessary for tuition, fees, and estimated living expenses for each year of the program. International applications must include a completed Certificate of Financial Responsibility (information and form available here) providing documentation that the applicant or a sponsor can show proof of at least $52,500 to cover the costs of attendance for the first year. Without this documentation, your application will not be processed and you will not be considered for admission.

TUITION AND GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS

Admission is not limited to Florida residents. Approximately two-thirds of Conservatory students are from outside the state of Florida. Residents of states in the Academic Common Market, of which Florida is a member, may qualify for in-state tuition. This market currently is comprised of: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West
Virginia.

Tuition and fees for the MFA program in writing are currently $27,645 per year for out-of-state and international students (each year for two consecutive semesters, including summers), and $14,384 for in-state students in the first year, and $7,645 for the second year. The first year cost is higher due to the increased fees for the London Playwriting Intensive in the Spring semester. These costs are approximate for the 2007-2008 academic year.

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for the second year of the program only, and are awarded on the basis of need and/or achievement. Assistantship stipends average $1,470 per semester and are accompanied by fee waivers ranging from $1,800 to $2,500 per semester dependant upon availability of funds. Current students completing their first year of the program will be advised when and how to apply for assistantship consideration.

Information concerning other types of financial aid, including loans and college work-study, may be obtained by contacting the following office or visiting their web site:

The Office of Student Financial Aid
Florida State University
University Center 4400A
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2430
(850) 644-0539

HEALTH INSURANCE

All students entering Florida State University must purchase the University-sponsored health insurance, or provide proof of comparable health insurance coverage. Students holding a graduate assistantship may qualify for a subsidy of $500 toward the purchase of the university-sponsored insurance plan. Further information can be found at the Thagard Student Health Center insurance information page. Students cannot register for classes until they have met the university insurance requirement.

ADMISSION INTO THE GRADUATE CONSERVATORY

Admission to the school's program is determined by the Admissions Committee, which is comprised of a minimum of three faculty members.

The documents and data submitted by the applicants are examined by the committee members and a preliminary judgment is reached in regard to the applicant's apparent capability for the successful undertaking and completion of work required in the school's course of studies.

The criteria and factors taken into consideration by the committee include undergraduate grade point average (minimum of 3.0 grade point average in undergraduate course work completed beyond the sophomore year), test scores (minimum 1000 combined verbal and quantitative on the GRE), the personal statement by the applicants of their individual goals, interests and talent, experience in working as a team member, the three letters of recommendations, writing samples, and resume.

Based upon this information, ratings are assigned by individual members of the committee to each of the applicants, reflecting their apparent aptitude and ability for successful creative work at the Film Conservatory. These ratings are then totaled and the 24 applicants with the highest ratings are invited to the Conservatory for interviews.

Interviews are held with each invited applicants to provide the members of the Admissions Committee with the opportunity to obtain additional information. The interview is approximately 30-minute long and may also include a group interview session with other candidates for admission.

Following the interviews with all 24 students, the Admissions Committee determines the top 6 writing applicants and those individuals are invited into the Graduate Film Conservatory. A list of alternates is also completed and held in reserve pending the acceptance of the invited applicants.