Hi all,
Is anyone else still waiting to hear back from SUNY Downstate or Columbia?
I haven't seen any threads about recent acceptances/rejections. It seems as though everyone else has heard back. Should I start reaching out to them or do I continue to wait? :xf:

Hi,

I still haven't heard from either...

I haven't heard back from Columbia either!

Ok thank you. At least it's not my mailing system.. I'll just continue waiting.....

Still waiting on both....

The only thing I received from Columbia was an email with my "Preliminary Prerequisite Checklist", basically letting me know my outstanding prereqs (CPR cert, Anatomy 2, etc.). Did anyone else get one of these emails?

The only thing I received from Columbia was an email with my "Preliminary Prerequisite Checklist", basically letting me know my outstanding prereqs (CPR cert, Anatomy 2, etc.). Did anyone else get one of these emails?


No, got nothing of the sort, although they did tell me in an email that I would be receiving a checklist like the one you mention. Hmm, maybe I should follow up on that?

No, got nothing of the sort, although they did tell me in an email that I would be receiving a checklist like the one you mention. Hmm, maybe I should follow up on that?
I was actually kind of annoyed that my application has supposedly been under review for a month already and they got that to me a week ago...because if it's that important, why wait so long? I definitely appreciate the heads up (one of my classes apparently doesn't fit the criteria so I would need to fill that prereq), but still. Are they just now looking at my app?

Ha, I know what you mean...I realized they did get in touch with me to tell me a reference was outstanding near the beginning of Feb., which just makes me wonder why they are taking so long to mail decisions since clearly they have looked at my app already! Ugh...

I found out today that I was rejected from Columbia.. It stings a little but I'm really crossing my fingers for Downstate. I don't know if I should reach out to them and ask them what's going on and I can't help but to begin to lose hope... :(

When did you interview at Downstate?

Waitlisted at Columbia. I interviewed at Downstate on 1/3.

How did you guys find out about Columbia? Snail mail or email?

I haven't heard from either schools. I interviewed at Downstate on 1/18 and haven't heard a word since. The interviewer said I would hear back in April for Downstate

My friend had an interview in early Feb at Downstate and just got accepted last week. Her interviewer said she would hear mid March. So it's a little odd that your interview was in early Jan and they said April.

I heard back from columbia today in the mail saying I'm on the waitlist but I haven't heard from Downstate and I interviewed with them 1/14. I am thinking of calling them to see if they sent out anything because she said i should find out march.

How did you guys find out about Columbia? Snail mail or email?

I found out from Columbia through snail mail. Good luck!

Just checked my mail again and still nothing. I have no idea what to think!?

I haven't heard from either schools. I interviewed at Downstate on 1/18 and haven't heard a word since. The interviewer said I would hear back in April for Downstate

I interviewed in January as well and the interviewer said I would be notified mid-March. I guess we have to just wait it out.

Finally! Got my letter from Columbia and was rejected. But at least I know...

Finally! Got my letter from Columbia and was rejected. But at least I know...

What were your stats? And what did you think of the Columbia process? (interview, application...). It is my top choice but I know they are extremely selective :-/

What were your stats? And what did you think of the Columbia process? (interview, application...). It is my top choice but I know they are extremely selective :-/
Karine,
I know this is going to sound terrible, but I honestly don't know my stats, so to speak. I took college classes as a dual enrolled student in high school and then more community college classes for prerequisites now. I don't know what GPA they gave me honestly and in terms of my Prereq GPA, I didn't calculate it for each school. I think I got a 1240 on the GRE...I don't know what that translates to now. I had tons of hours and great recs and essays. I also was a PR major and did a PR internship at an OT clinic since I knew I no longer wanted to go into PR. All around, I think I had a strong application. I got into Pitt and NYU, both ranked higher than Columbia so I'm not sure exactly why some schools say yes and others don't.

In terms of the process, the applications was somewhat more complicated and some of the windows were hard to see. I mean OTCAS is always easier because you do it once and it goes to multiple schools. There was no interview, though I did get to sit down with the program director for 30 minutes when I visited to answer any questions, since I would only be in the city for the day and wouldn't be able to attend an info session. Columbia is Columbia. They're a great school. These are all great schools. You have to visit and see what's right. And like I said, sometimes there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason to why one school accepts you and another doesn't...

I agree with the above post. I was also accepted to NYU and rejected from Columbia.
I'm a bit discouraged about Downstate but I believe they will send out all official letters witin the two weeks! :xf::xf::xf:

Karine,
I know this is going to sound terrible, but I honestly don't know my stats, so to speak. I took college classes as a dual enrolled student in high school and then more community college classes for prerequisites now. I don't know what GPA they gave me honestly and in terms of my Prereq GPA, I didn't calculate it for each school. I think I got a 1240 on the GRE...I don't know what that translates to now. I had tons of hours and great recs and essays. I also was a PR major and did a PR internship at an OT clinic since I knew I no longer wanted to go into PR. All around, I think I had a strong application. I got into Pitt and NYU, both ranked higher than Columbia so I'm not sure exactly why some schools say yes and others don't.

In terms of the process, the applications was somewhat more complicated and some of the windows were hard to see. I mean OTCAS is always easier because you do it once and it goes to multiple schools. There was no interview, though I did get to sit down with the program director for 30 minutes when I visited to answer any questions, since I would only be in the city for the day and wouldn't be able to attend an info session. Columbia is Columbia. They're a great school. These are all great schools. You have to visit and see what's right. And like I said, sometimes there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason to why one school accepts you and another doesn't...

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize Columbia didn't necessarily interview.

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize Columbia didn't necessarily interview.
I applied to six schools and only one of them had interviews for applicants. I could be wrong (perhaps Boston University does interviews and I was just not chosen), but I'm pretty sure I'm correct.

I applied to six schools and only one of them had interviews for applicants. I could be wrong (perhaps Boston University does interviews and I was just not chosen), but I'm pretty sure I'm correct.

I might be going overboard but I'm pretty sure I'm applying to about 20 schools this fall. Most of them do interviews so I'm a bit nervous but I can take Columbia off the interview list :)

I might be going overboard but I'm pretty sure I'm applying to about 20 schools this fall. Most of them do interviews so I'm a bit nervous but I can take Columbia off the interview list :)
Yeah I think that's a little overboard. I spent about $550 on applications between fees, transcripts and postal service stuff. Also, you may not have time. Even with OTCAS, many schools have supplemental apps and even additional fees. If you're worried about getting in, choose ten. If you can't decide, you will have an even tougher time deciding if you get into 15 schools. Trust me, you don't want to do that to yourself. Go visit schools and see if a place feels right. If I had visited some of my schools and had some of the info I do now before I applied, perhaps I wouldn't have applied to some of the places I did. I don't know what this next year holds for you but you don't want to spend the last year before OT school pulling your hair out from stress. I'm already regretting that I had no choice but to do that (thanks, Anatomy). Just some advice...

I'm with FlipFlop. 20 is way too many schools to apply to. It makes me think that you know very little about the schools and what they are offering, and is setting you up for feeling overwhelmed.

I don't know your stats, but I assume that you don't need to apply to 20 schools in hopes of getting one. It is much smarter to apply to schools in various tiers, because schools in tiers lower than what you qualify for should be easy to get into (I cannot recommend schools in low tiers without first knowing which tier you belong in)

If you are worried, pick 2 or 3 safety schools and vary them in their safety-ness. I would recommend 2 safety schools that you think you have a really good chance of getting into (so at least a 75% chance of getting in) but you still would be perfectly happy going to (aka this school would never be your first choice, but it is still one that you feel is a worthy choice). And 1 that you are pretty sure that you can get into that you wouldn't be embarrassed about going to (a good place to look for these are schools that have really late deadlines, a school with a deadline in may is probably a less competitive school and if you choose one of these as a super safety school, then you wont even have to think about it until your other applications are out). Anything worse than that is not worth it, and you should take a year off to make yourself a stronger candidate (get better experience, retake a class or two, etc) and apply again.

Then, once you have your 3 safety schools, pick 3 or 4 match/reach schools (schools that you should be able to get into, and that you want to go to) and than 1 or 2 actual reach schools (the best schools that you can apply to without feeling like you are throwing away money on the application check).

Match schools are the ones that you will spend most of your time deciding on/between. These are the schools that you actually want to go to. These are the schools that are important to visit and get a feel for the program. Look to see what differences there are between programs, and figure out what you prefer. Personally, class size is becoming a huge deciding factor for me, as well as the ability to do a 3rd fieldwork II. Your own preferences are obviously different from mine. Spend some time figuring out what yours are. Your time is better spent doing this than filling out a hundred supplemental apps.

Flipflops and Digga, I understand your point on 20 maybe being too much. As much as I'd like to take a year off to take pre-reqs it is financially impossible for me. I'm taking my A&P 1 in may, development and abnormal in end of the summer, A&P II and stats in the fall. All my other pre-reqs I took as undergrad with 4.0 Gpa for those- so thank god I don't have to retake them.

The way I see it, I'm applying early to 8 schools then if I don't get in, apply to the rest. I rather spend a bit more $ for apps and increase my chances. So far all of my schools ask for the same pre-reqs so i wont have to go too out of my way.

Of course I'll reevaluate my decision in the fall depending on my remaining pre-req Gpa. And ill also see how I'm feeling about the schools. I will definitely visit most of them so I have a better idea.


FlipFlops- what didn't you like about the schools you visited and thought you liked when you applied?


UPDATE: I calculated transcripts and applications and 20 is indeed ridiculous. Thanks for pointing it out Digga an FlipFlops :)

I agree with Flipflops and Digga! and I will add: apply early!! like September!!

Flipflops and Digga, I understand your point on 20 maybe being too much. As much as I'd like to take a year off to take pre-reqs it is financially impossible for me. I'm taking my A&P 1 in may, development and abnormal in end of the summer, A&P II and stats in the fall. All my other pre-reqs I took as undergrad with 4.0 Gpa for those- so thank god I don't have to retake them.

The way I see it, I'm applying early to 8 schools then if I don't get in, apply to the rest. I rather spend a bit more $ for apps and increase my chances. So far all of my schools ask for the same pre-reqs so i wont have to go too out of my way.

Of course I'll reevaluate my decision in the fall depending on my remaining pre-req Gpa. And ill also see how I'm feeling about the schools. I will definitely visit most of them so I have a better idea.


FlipFlops- what didn't you like about the schools you visited and thought you liked when you applied?


UPDATE: I calculated transcripts and applications and 20 is indeed ridiculous. Thanks for pointing it out Digga an FlipFlops :)
Karine,

Before I answer, to add to what skchb said above: only apply in September if most of your coursework is complete. I had everything ready (essay, letters, etc) but didn't send anything until after fall semester in December and I've gotten into top schools. It was important to me to show them I got my A in Anatomy and 4.0 for the semester, etc. than to ship out an incomplete app. Weigh your options.

As for what I know now versus then...I think this process makes you grow as a person and I started later than most people. I felt that I was an undesirable applicant, not having a strong science background and I had read on these boards that people were in their second and third year applying WITH a science background. Basically, I didn't like the areas of some schools or maybe the curriculum. Little things (like DiggaDigga was talking about having preferences for what your ideal program has), that I just didn't realize and hadn't known about... I'm not saying I wouldn't have applied necessarily, just that 6 was a good number. 20 is overkill. WAYYYY overkill. Save your time and money for the program.