Hello,
I applied to FSU Film as a transfer student and can’t find others like me anywhere. Even if you’re an incoming freshman, please feel free to use this discussion to put any information you may know. If you’ve been selected for an interview or anything like that also. If I see other people joining in, I’ll share what I’ve learned as well. I just want a place where we can all find a bit of peace in the midst of this selection process. 
(excuse the username. couldn’t configure anything better hehe)
My son applied last year and did not get to the interview stage. He decided to attend FSU anyway and reapply as a transfer this year, which he did. He also applied to FSU’s digital media production major (in the Communications school) as his backup plan. It is also limited access. So, if he doesn’t get into either he has a serious decision to make.
The digital media major is supposed to announce acceptances no later than March 9th. The film major is supposed to announce interviews by late February to mid-March. Both are pretty much any time now.
We have an acquaintance who graduated from the film school last year. She was a big help through his application process and also gave us some insight regarding how the interview sessions work. If you have any questions, I will be glad to share what I know.
Are you currently an FSU student or are you transferring from outside the university?
I’m currently a UCF student and am looking to transfer to FSU. Their film program just sounds fantastic so I felt like I had to apply. I read about your son on a forum on this site from last year. It’s cool to see he’s following through on that!
I’ll share what I’ve come to know: Apparently, the interview is mainly a dissection of your essay. There’s a 30-minute interview, a group interview, a tour, and I hear there are some current film students in the waiting room with us while we wait to be called in.
My only questions are regarding the interview. Outside of the essay questions, what kind of questions can we expect? What happens in the group interview exactly? How many transfer slots do they have this year? Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated.
The process is a bit of an enigma from my perspective. The ambiguity of it is driving me a bit mad. I feel like I’ve scavenged the entire internet in search of any possible answers haha.
If it means anything, I didn’t do a video submission. I just submitted two excerpts from short stories I’ve written.
LOL…yeah, I’ve been a little active on here trying to get some insight and sharing what little I know. I think the anxiety this time is a little higher because both of his intended majors are limited access. He came to FSU with a ton of AP and dual enrollment credits. So, he pretty much has to declare something going into next fall since he will essentially be a junior already (in terms of credit hours).
Each of the film school’s incoming classes have thirty students. Generally, that works out to 20 freshmen and 10 transfers. This year’s transfers will join last year’s freshmen (who are currently just knocking out their gen eds) to make up the class of thirty. The 20/10 split is just an estimate. In reality it can be different. My son met with the film school’s academic adviser at the end of last semester to make sure he had his gen eds covered in case he is selected. She told him this year’s split is actually 18/12. So, there are a couple of extra spots that might not be there in other years.
When you show up for the interview, you will be in a waiting area/room with other candidates as well as a few current students. The current students will talk to the candidates and offer to answer any questions, etc. At this point, the candidates are already being evaluated. Be engaged…talk…ask questions. Eventually, some of the faculty will show up and introduce themselves. They will leave and the solo interviews will begin. I really don’t have much insight regarding the types of questions asked. While each candidate is interviewed, the others remain in the waiting area with the current students.
Once the solo interviews are done, the candidates will be called in for the group exercise. One thing to remember about FSU’s film school is they try to foster a very collaborative atmosphere. They want their students to work well together as a team. They don’t necessarily want 30 directors all trying to take charge. They want people who can collaborate and work together. That’s the point of this group exercise. It’s no mistake that Barry Jenkins had something like six other FSU grads working on Moonlight. It is that kind of atmosphere they are trying to create with each class.
Did you apply to UCF’s film school? We toured there and the facilities seemed pretty top notch. My son just liked FSU’s campus much better. After touring both schools, he decided that if he didn’t get into the film school, which he always knew was a long-shot anyway, he would be fine going to FSU and studying something else.
My daughter has applied to both the film school and digital media production as a transfer student (she’s currently attending TCC). My son is currently in the DMP program. He applied to the film school 3 times, got selected for an interview 2 out of the 3 times but did not get in.
@fsumom236 Any idea how many students are typically selected for the digital media program? I’m certain that it isn’t nearly as competitive as the film program. But, the wait is still nerve wracking. I’m hoping decisions are made earlier than next Friday (that’s when they are due).
How does your son like it?
I think there were 25 students selected when my son applied but I’m not sure if that is still the case. He really likes DMP. He will be graduating in May
Wow…I was really hoping it was more than that. I wonder how many applicants there typically are. Well, congrats to your son! Does he have any employment opportunities lined up?
Just checked with my son and he thinks the number of students selected is now 50 but he’s not totally sure. He doesn’t have any employment opportunities yet but he did have a video interview with Turner Network and another company in NY both for paid internships. He’s waiting to hear back.
It’s good to know that it’s 18/12 this year. Even though the odds are still slim! Anything helps at this point haha. Hope it goes well for your son. It seems like he really wants it. Hopefully, they see that if he gets an interview.
I know you don’t have the answers but I wish I knew how they accounted who’s a good team member and who isn’t. I know I’m good with collaboration and teamwork but I am not sure how I can make that clear other than just being myself. I guess that answers my own question. Thanks for the responses. They’re genuinely helpful
Have seen a few people post FSU film acceptances on Twitter–one animation and one production it appears.
Good luck on your interview. Here’s a link to an article someone sent our way if its helps: https://www.socapa.org/about/alum_resources/alumni_advice_heiman_fsu.php
Just saw those now @FilmDad151
Thanks for that link!
Just found another person that got accepted to Film Production on twitter.
Acceptance Tally:
- 2 in Production
- 1 in Animation
Were the people who got accepted freshman or transfer students?
From the looks of it, all freshman. I’m basing that off seeing they’re in high school on their twitter profiles. I could be wrong but probably not.
Yeah…they had to be for this year’s freshman group. If it is the same as last year, FSU is really good at notifying candidates whether they receive an interview or not. Since neither you nor my son have been notified, they probably haven’t started with the transfers yet.
@jrmutley… Has your son heard anything from DMP? My daughter hasn’t heard anything yet. I guess they are going to wait until tomorrow 3/9 for decisions. The waiting game is killing me 
@fsumom236 Nope, nothing here yet either. It’s driving me crazy too. ~X(
Hey! I’m interviewing today for the FSU Film School. Can anyone tell me what the interview process/questions are like?
@awkwardambition Look at the first page post#3 for interview info. Are you a freshman or transfer student? Good luck on your interview.