How do I check the status of my application?
One of the advantages of our intimate facility is that you can call the Admissions Office and have a one-on-one conversation with your admissions representative regarding the status of your application. Of course, you are always welcome to schedule an appointment to come in and speak with us Monday-Friday.
How can I get in touch with an Admissions counselor?
Admissions representatives are readily available to answer your questions by calling the College mainline toll free at 1-800-785-0585 or 818-345-8414. You are assigned to an admissions representative based on your last name so be sure to check and find out to whom you have been assigned. You are also able to email us at admissions@columbiacollege.edu.
When can I apply to CCH?
Anytime! We have rolling admissions into every term which allows you to choose when you would like to begin your filmmaking education. We highly encourage you to complete your application file six (6) weeks prior to the start of the term of your choice. If you would like to complete the admissions process sooner, we will accept your application as early as a year prior to the start of the term of your choice.
Columbia College also recognizes that you have choices in your higher education. To make this selection process easier for you, we offer Early Action Admissions. Simply complete your application file for the next Fall term by December 15th and we will send you a decision within thirty (30) days.
What are CCH’s school codes?
There are several school codes. Make sure you select the appropriate code for your purpose:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 7213
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams 4321
SAT Exam 1247
ACT Exam 5553
Financial Aid – Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 014697
Private Student Loans 021102-00
When are acceptance notices sent out?
Once you have completed your application file, including submitting all supporting documents, we will send you an acceptance notice by mail within 2-6 weeks.
Can I earn credit at CCH by taking Advanced Placement (AP) Exams?
As a way to recognize the hard work you have put forth in Advanced Placement courses during high school, Columbia College makes it possible for you to earn credit. If you have scored a 3 or better on your AP Exams, please submit the official exam results. You may be eligible for Math and/or English credit.
Do you offer financial aid and if so, when do I apply?
Yes, we participate in all of the federal loan programs including Stafford loans, PLUS loans, Alternative loans, etc. We also offer Pell and SEOG grants for the lowest income students and these grants do not have to be paid back. We also offer Cal Grants for California residents and these grants can be as much as $12,000 per year and they also do not have to be paid back.
Close to 85% of the Columbia College student body receives some sort of financial aid. In order to give yourself the best possible chance of receiving the maximum aid possible, it is important to begin applying for aid as soon as possible. Some grant programs, such as CAL Grant program, have a firm deadline. The CAL Grant deadline is March 2nd of each year to be eligible for the grant for upcoming Fall start date.
For federal aid, you start the financial aid process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Our school code is 014697. For further questions regarding Financial Aid at Columbia College, please contact our Financial Aid department at 818-345-8414.
I’m still in high school, is there something I can do now?
For students who are in their Freshman, Sophomore or Junior years of high school, we offer a Summer High School Filmmaking Program each July. The High School Summer Filmmaking Program is a great way for you to spend your summer, in an intensive program learning about film production. You’re in class Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and you will complete the program with a short film. If you successfully complete this program, you can earn 4 units of college credit! Click here to learn more about our Summer High School Filmmaking Program.
What degrees do you offer?
Columbia College offers the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema (4-year program)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema/Television (4-year program)
- Associate of Fine Arts in Cinema/Television (2-year program)
Students in the B.F.A. programs can choose one of the following majors:
- Directing
- Producing: Production & Development
- Producing: Entertainment Business
- Screenwriting
- Editing/Visual Effects
- Cinematography
How long has Columbia College existed and are you affiliated with Columbia College Chicago?
Columbia College Hollywood has been teaching film and TV production since 1952. We were formerly affiliated with Columbia College Chicago, but nearly 60 years ago, Columbia College Hollywood said good-bye to Columbia College Chicago in order to focus exclusively on film and TV production.
When are your start dates?
We offer 4 start dates each year and we’re on a quarter system rather than a semester system. Our start dates are the Fall quarter that starts in September; Winter quarter starting in January; Spring quarter starting in April; and Summer quarter starting in July. Fall quarter is the traditional quarter when students begin so it has the highest new enrollment compared to the other quarters.
How is Columbia College different from other film schools?
Columbia College solely teaches film and television production, so we know ourselves to be specialists in this field. Because we only teach film and television production, our enrollment is purposefully kept small at around 350 students. We are also a hands-on program, meaning students start working with equipment and begin shooting projects during their first academic quarter. At Columbia, you can make as many films as you like while you are enrolled and we encourage you to make as many as you’d like. Students are encouraged to do part-time internships throughout their entire college career and especially in their Sophomore, Junior and Senior years.
How much is your tuition?
One full year’s tuition cost is approximately $18,000, which is very affordable compared to other private schools. We are a private school rather than a public school; therefore, tuition is the same regardless of whether you are a California resident or a non-resident. Our total student budget is approximately $30,000 per year which includes tuition, room, board, books, etc. This figure can be decreased substantially if you are able to lower your housing costs by living with parents or relatives.
How successful are your graduates in finding jobs in the industry?
Columbia has one of the best success rates of any school in the United States in placing our students in full time jobs. Additionally, our graduates have won awards at the Sundance Film Festival and many have gone on to direct major feature films. A recent graduate directed the recent Bruce Willis film “Red” and another directed the hit film “Jumping The Broom”. Another student won the top prize from the Director’s Guild of America and yet another student won Best Picture at a recent MTV Movie Awards! Columbia also has a Career Development office that assists students with polishing resumes, sharpening interview skills, finding internships and finding full-time jobs. We actually have more internships available than we have students to fill them, so students who want internships usually have no problems finding them.
Do you offer housing?
Yes. We have various housing options available that include dorm rooms and apartment options. Oakwood is the housing community of choice and is located 4.5 miles from the CCH campus. Daily shuttle service is available from Oakwood to CCH.
Our campus is located in a mostly residential area so students who wish to find their own housing have plenty of choices.
Are meals plans offered with housing?
Unfortunately, our housing options do not offer meal plans. However, all rooms come with either a mini-kitchen or a full kitchen so students have the option of preparing their own meals.
How much is your application fee?
Our standard application fee is $50.00. Students can apply online on the CCH website or they can apply via a standard paper application. Currently, students who apply online can save themselves the standard $50.00 application fee. This offer will only last a few more weeks and applies only to U.S. residents.
Do you offer scholarships?
We have a limited number of scholarships available and we also offer work-study scholarships. Scholarships are awarded based on both merit and need. Students should go to the Scholarship Resource page for more information.
How large are your classes?
We purposefully keep the class size small in order to provide you with more one-on-one assistance from your instructor, and it allows for a better learning environment. Our current student-teacher ratio is 8:1.
What is the quality of your teachers?
Our teachers are working professionals in the industry. They’ve won awards including Emmys, Golden Globes and Academy Awards. They are among the best in the industry. For a list of teachers and their entertainment credits, click here.
What courses are required for the various degrees?
Please browse our degree emphases for detailed information about each degree’s core curriculum and their requirements, and information about degree electives.
Who can I call to schedule a tour of the campus?
Private tours are offered Monday thru Friday from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. You can either call an Admissions representative at 818-345-8414 to schedule a tour or you can book your tour using our Private Tour request form. We also have a CCH Experience Day approximately six weeks. Click here for information on the next CCH Experience Day.
Does CCH have the latest equipment?
Yes, we have all the newest equipment including the new Red One MX Camera package that has shot many of the latest commercial feature films. For a detailed list of our equipment inventory, please click here. Our campus has been remodeled by the Production Designer of the hit ABC-TV show “Lost”, including many facility enhancements continuing even today. Our campus is very “shooting” friendly meaning students can shoot just about anywhere on campus, both indoors and outdoors!
Where is the campus located?
We are located in Tarzana, California, which is a suburb of Los Angeles, about 15 minutes from downtown L.A. and within 20-30 minutes of all the major studios (Fox, Disney, Warner Brothers, Universal, ABC, etc.). Our campus is approximately 65,000 square feet and we recently added an additional 20,000 square feet by purchasing an adjacent building. Additionally, we have built a state-of-the-art second soundstage that just opened and is ready for student use.
Is Columbia College accredited?
Yes, Columbia College Hollywood is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). NASAD is the premier accrediting authority for colleges specializing in the visual arts. Other member schools include Syracuse University, Carnegie Mellon University and The University of Notre Dame, among others.
