2008-2009 Columbia College of P&S Secondary Application Thread

[dienekes88]

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For all the Columbia fans... I just have this to say.

Yesterday morning, I flew out to Tennessee for a liver/kidney harvest with two transplant fellows. I got to do lymph node dissection and help close up the donor body. Upon returning, I assisted the attending in the prepping of the donor liver at the backtable for the implantation part and retracted and suctioned until midnight (the fellow took pity on me and kicked me out). I even got a couple pimp questions right. w00t.

I don't know how it is at other schools, but the residents, fellows, and attendings at Columbia love to teach.

 

[Druzie]

At what point should I sent a Letter of Interest and additional rec from my boss? They start reviewing apps in February, right?

 

[linguini]

For all the Columbia fans... I just have this to say.

Yesterday morning, I flew out to Tennessee for a liver/kidney harvest with two transplant fellows. I got to do lymph node dissection and help close up the donor body. Upon returning, I assisted the attending in the prepping of the donor liver at the backtable for the implantation part and retracted and suctioned until midnight (the fellow took pity on me and kicked me out). I even got a couple pimp questions right. w00t.

I don't know how it is at other schools, but the residents, fellows, and attendings at Columbia love to teach.

That is awesome! I heard about this program from many of the M1s when I visited. They were all very enthusiastic about their turn with the transplant team.

 

[Anotherface]

anotherface.. why nto call and ask? but would it be impossible for you to make the date that they gave you already?

It would be impossible per se...but I would find it particularly difficult and draining.
Ill call today and see what they have to say about it.

 

[linguini]

It would be impossible per se...but I would find it particularly difficult and draining.
Ill call today and see what they have to say about it.

They were really easy going about changing my interview date. I'm sure they will do the same for you.

 

[rowerlauren]

They were really easy going about changing my interview date. I'm sure they will do the same for you.

I'll second that, and third and fourth from friends... Just call them and it's as easy as asking them "Can I switch my interview date?"

 

[Anotherface]

I'll second that, and third and fourth from friends... Just call them and it's as easy as asking them "Can I switch my interview date?"

LOL, I probably would have changed it had I read your message before I called. I already confirmed.

 

[MightyChip26]

For more info on the new curriculum:
http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/ps/p_students/psCurriculum_intro.html

WOW! This new curriculum sounds so amazing! Does anybody know how the grading system will work? Pass/Fail the first year? Any news?

 

[mmmcdowe]

At what point should I sent a Letter of Interest and additional rec from my boss? They start reviewing apps in February, right?

I seem to recall a M1 recommending you send them in Spring. I want to say she said February, but she might have said after the initial decisions. She was talking about letters of intent, rather than interest, so I don't know if that applies to you...

 

[Bradstein]

WOW! This new curriculum sounds so amazing! Does anybody know how the grading system will work? Pass/Fail the first year? Any news?

I think it's P/F throughout the "pre-clinical" curriculum, just like it is now.

 

[Druzie]

I seem to recall a M1 recommending you send them in Spring. I want to say she said February, but she might have said after the initial decisions. She was talking about letters of intent, rather than interest, so I don't know if that applies to you...

Thanks. February does sound familiar, now that you mention it. I am very much interested in Columbia--my first choice so far--but I'm trying to keep my options open. I have to wonder, after a letter of intent, would deferring a year be out of the question?

 

[dma111]

Thanks. February does sound familiar, now that you mention it. I am very much interested in Columbia--my first choice so far--but I'm trying to keep my options open. I have to wonder, after a letter of intent, would deferring a year be out of the question?

Druzie,
You say "I'm trying to keep my options open." So you should not write a letter of intent. Letter of intent = IF i am accepted THEN i will enroll.

If that isn't the case then don't say it.

You can write a letter telling them of your high interest, but not of your intent to enroll.

 

[Druzie]

Druzie,
You say "I'm trying to keep my options open." So you should not write a letter of intent. Letter of intent = IF i am accepted THEN i will enroll.

If that isn't the case then don't say it.

You can write a letter telling them of your high interest, but not of your intent to enroll.

D'oh. Naturally. Thanks!

 

[Morozovo]

Just got an interview invite in the mail after being complete since 9/30. It was dated 12/29.

I'm happy obviously, but a little irked because I sent them an in-the-area email before my Cornell interview a few weeks back and never got a response. It would have been way more convenient to schedule Columbia before Christmas... instead I have to schedule it during a period in early February when I have a bunch of other interviews the same week... Ugh.

 

[mets1986]

how long do you think are interviewing for class spots versus waitlist spots?? I JUST got my complete e-mail after sending in my stuff at the end of Oct...even if they decide to interview me (unlikely) could I still even interview for a class spot at this point??? Or is it a bit different because of the way they do their admissions process?

 

[chad5871]

how long do you think are interviewing for class spots versus waitlist spots?? I JUST got my complete e-mail after sending in my stuff at the end of Oct...even if they decide to interview me (unlikely) could I still even interview for a class spot at this point??? Or is it a bit different because of the way they do their admissions process?

Well I hear that their big adcom meeting is in mid-February/end of February, so I'd guess if you interviewed after that it would be for a waitlist spot. Although I would think that since it's non-rolling they wouldn't have any more interviews after their big adcom meeting.

 

[onewish]

Just got an interview invite in the mail after being complete since 9/30. It was dated 12/29.

I'm happy obviously, but a little irked because I sent them an in-the-area email before my Cornell interview a few weeks back and never got a response. It would have been way more convenient to schedule Columbia before Christmas... instead I have to schedule it during a period in early February when I have a bunch of other interviews the same week... Ugh.

Congrats! do they send interview via mail? I got an interview invite via Email today.

 

[Anotherface]

Congrats! do they send interview via mail? I got an interview invite via Email today.

They usually send there invites via snail-mail, but someone suggested that they email when the invite is given on short notice.

 

[LovelyMD]

Columbia is non-rolling, so even if you interview on the very last day of the interview cycle (which is sometime in February), you are still considered for a spot in the class, not just a wait-list spot.

 

[mouse9483]

wrong forum

 

[Morozovo]

They usually send there invites via snail-mail, but someone suggested that they email when the invite is given on short notice.

Yeah, I dunno, mine was still really short notice. I got the letter on a Wednesday for an interview the following Tuesday! Needless to say, I called and rescheduled.

It's pretty sweet that the day doesn't start until 11:45.

 

[chad5871]

Yeah, I dunno, mine was still really short notice. I got the letter on a Wednesday for an interview the following Tuesday! Needless to say, I called and rescheduled.

It's pretty sweet that the day doesn't start until 11:45.

It's a short interview day as there's really no informational session. There are morning interview slots, though, so some applicants' days will start earlier than 11:45.

 

[Anotherface]

It's a short interview day as there's really no informational session. There are morning interview slots, though, so some applicants' days will start earlier than 11:45.

Very true...I showed up at around 8 then interviewed. After my interview I had to wait nearly 2hrs for the tour. On the bright side, I was able to sit in on a lecture between my interview and the tour.

 

[MightyChip26]

Very true...I showed up at around 8 then interviewed. After my interview I had to wait nearly 2hrs for the tour. On the bright side, I was able to sit in on a lecture between my interview and the tour.

I got to sit in on a lecture, too! Their auditorium is huge! They were discussing clotting factors and I was able to follow most of what they were covering. I want to hear good news from Columbia!

 

[ngkats]

It's a short interview day as there's really no informational session. There are morning interview slots, though, so some applicants' days will start earlier than 11:45.

Yep. My interview was at 9 but I showed up at 8:10 and was interviewed 5 mins later. I finished 10 minutes before my original interview was supposed to start and had 2 hours and 45 mins to keep myself busy until lunch.'

Sat in on a path class. Lecture was about diagnosing different types of epilepsy. Neat stuff.

 

[linguini]

On my interview day, we tried to walk through the back of the lecture hall during the tour and got yelled at/kicked out by the professor...

In P&S' defense, though, it was a lecture for the school of public health.

 

[MightyChip26]

On my interview day, we tried to walk through the back of the lecture hall during the tour and got yelled at/kicked out by the professor...

In P&S' defense, though, it was a lecture for the school of public health.

wait, are you serious? that's so messed up. what was the dude's problem? inferiority complex with the medical school?

 

[Morozovo]

wait, are you serious? that's so messed up. what was the dude's problem? inferiority complex with the medical school?

Oh come on that statement was unnecessary and offensive.

 

[MightyChip26]

wait, i don't understand how my comment is either unnecessary or offensive. we are discussing a situation that occurred to another interviewer (i.e. it's necessary and/or relevant) and i'm asking a legitimate question to ascertain whether there is tension between the public health and medical schools (i.e. it's not offensive).

stop trying to pick a fight where there isn't one.

 

[linguini]

I don't think it was an inferiority complex. I think the professor didn't think interview day for prospective med students warranted an interruption of her lecture. Fair enough. But I still think she caused more of an interruption with her yelling than us walking through the back of the lecture hall, whatever.....

 

[Morozovo]

wait, i don't understand how my comment is either unnecessary or offensive. we are discussing a situation that occurred to another interviewer (i.e. it's necessary and/or relevant) and i'm asking a legitimate question to ascertain whether there is tension between the public health and medical schools (i.e. it's not offensive).

stop trying to pick a fight where there isn't one.

You said something derogatory about public health, and I called you out on it. Not trying to pick a fight.

 

[Anotherface]

I don't think it was an inferiority complex. I think the professor didn't think interview day for prospective med students warranted an interruption of her lecture. Fair enough. But I still think she caused more of an interruption with her yelling than us walking through the back of the lecture hall, whatever.....

That's weird because we walked through the back during my tour and we did not seem to bother anyone. In fact, it seemed like no one was distracted enough to turned around and check the group out.

Was your group particularly loud?

 

[MightyChip26]

You said something derogatory about public health, and I called you out on it. Not trying to pick a fight.

No, I did not. Public Health is a noble, outstanding field of work and research. Your interpretation is incorrect. This will be my last comment regarding this.

 

[onewish]

Just got an interview from Columbia. really excited!

anyone knows if they have student hosting for accommodation?

 

[Bradstein]

Just got an interview from Columbia. really excited!

anyone knows if they have student hosting for accommodation?

Yes, they do. It's an awesome opportunity to get the inside scoop.

 

[ami1983]

Just got an interview from Columbia. really excited!

anyone knows if they have student hosting for accommodation?

congrats! when were you complete, and do you mind posting stats? thanks! 🙂

 

[onewish]

congrats! when were you complete, and do you mind posting stats? thanks! 🙂

I submitted my application in October, but one of my letters got lost on the way and I didn't know that until they emailed me, so I wasn't complete until Dec.3rd. My stats is 38/3.78.

Good luck!

 

[bennnythejet]

interview invite today via snail mail! i'll be there on 2/12.

 

[chad5871]

interview invite today via snail mail! i'll be there on 2/12.

Congrats!!!!!

 

[hoyaaaa]

interview invite today via snail mail! i'll be there on 2/12.

Yay! Congratulations!!!! you never received an email invitation?
Also, when were you complete?

 

[chad5871]

Yay! Congratulations!!!! you never received an email invitation?
Also, when were you complete?

Columbia typically invites via snail mail. I think email invites are reserved for situations when the applicant will be in NYC for another interview or when there is a limited amount of time between invite and interview date.

 

[bennnythejet]

i was complete on october 14. im not sure why it took so long or what that means. either way, i'm extremely grateful for the opportunity.

 

[ar2388]

i was complete on october 14. im not sure why it took so long or what that means. either way, i'm extremely grateful for the opportunity.

congrats!

 

[ami1983]

interview invite today via snail mail! i'll be there on 2/12.

congrats!!! i'm jealous 🙂

 

[JuliaGulia2789]

congrats!!! i'm jealous 🙂

Ami, I bet your invitation is in the mail at this very moment... It just takes a little longer for the mail to make its way to Texas 🙂

 

[ami1983]

Ami, I bet your invitation is in the mail at this very moment... It just takes a little longer for the mail to make its way to Texas 🙂

haha, i wish. too bad i'm in your hometown so i'm not even home to get this imaginary invitation! 🙂

 

[Tiare208]

haha, i wish. too bad i'm in your hometown so i'm not even home to get this imaginary invitation! 🙂

Besides, you're rocking this admissions cycle. I would totally trade my interview at Columbia for an acceptance at Pritzker! Congrats, by the way! And I'm sure you'll get an interview invite here anyway.

 

[ami1983]

Besides, you're rocking this admissions cycle. I would totally trade my interview at Columbia for an acceptance at Pritzker! Congrats, by the way! And I'm sure you'll get an interview invite here anyway.

haha, thanks. I wish. and hope, and pray 🙂

 

[stixx]

Columbia typically invites via snail mail. I think email invites are reserved for situations when the applicant will be in NYC for another interview or when there is a limited amount of time between invite and interview date.

I don't know what the usual timeframe is, but my invite was by e-mail...less than a week after I was complete, for an interview 3 weeks later.

 

[chad5871]

I don't know what the usual timeframe is, but my invite was by e-mail...less than a week after I was complete, for an interview 3 weeks later.

That's odd... did you send an "in the area" email? Maybe it's more random than I thought. In any case, some applicants receive a snail mail invite and some receive an email invite.