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

[desice]

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my dad called earlier today saying he got a snail mail interview invite. he said the letter says it's scheduled for feb 17.

super fantastic news!!!! and i thought my interview season was over

 

[thedudette]

I just got a snail mail invite, too. Complete mid November.

 

[mongol1985]

to send a letter of interest, do you just send it to the admissions office general email address or did you guys recommend addressing it to a specific person at this point?

 

[chad5871]

Congrats guys! Do you mind sharing your stats with us (I'm just curious).

 

[desice]

3.95, 38M, OOS

i was complete mid september. only contact i ever had before was an update email i sent near christmas time.

 

[dynezxice]

3.95, 38M, OOS

i was complete mid september. only contact i ever had before was an update email i sent near christmas time.

goddamn... you're a beast. btw, that's a compliment. hahah

 

[desice]

goddamn... you're a beast. btw, that's a compliment. hahah

thanks for the kind words. i think that it was my update letter that mainly helped me get an interview.

 

[hoyaaaa]

congratulations to those receiving interviews!!!
Does anyone know when Columbia's last interview date is/ or if they are offering more interviews at this point?

 

[chad5871]

I think decisions are usually made around mid- to late-February (can anyone confirm?) so the last interviews are probably going to be in mid-February.

 

[bennnythejet]

on a thread from last year, a student posted that feb 29th was the last interview day (last year was a leap year). seems impossible given the march 1st decision day, so maybe they reserve a few spots for those interviewed at the end of feb, or maybe those are just for waitlists.

 

[desice]

anyone have any horrible stories about flying in to ISP (Long Island Mac Arthur Airport)? google maps says it's 52 miles from the medical school, but it's the only one that southwest flies too 🙄 there appears to be public transportation as well.

and in line with the current topic, when i called about my interview (on feb 17), they said i couldn't ask for a different date since this was practically the last day.

 

[oneandonlylo]

anyone have any horrible stories about flying in to ISP (Long Island Mac Arthur Airport)? google maps says it's 52 miles from the medical school, but it's the only one that southwest flies too 🙄 there appears to be public transportation as well.

and in line with the current topic, when i called about my interview (on feb 17), they said i couldn't ask for a different date since this was practically the last day.

MacArthur is an awesome tiny airport, usually very dependable in my experience. I'm not sure quite what the closest LIRR (railroad) station would be, but wherever it is, I'm sure you can get a cab or something to it and then it will take you right into Manhattan. I'd definitely recommend it

 

[Anotherface]

anyone have any horrible stories about flying in to ISP (Long Island Mac Arthur Airport)? google maps says it's 52 miles from the medical school, but it's the only one that southwest flies too 🙄 there appears to be public transportation as well.

and in line with the current topic, when i called about my interview (on feb 17), they said i couldn't ask for a different date since this was practically the last day.

Is southwest really that much cheaper. If it is not, you will probably wind up spending just as much by flying into MacArthur because of other transportation fees. I guess what I am saying is that you should calculate the total cost of the trip via each airport. Provided that its not that big a difference, I would fly into JFK/LGA and avoid the hassle of making my way from LI to the city.

 

[desice]

Is southwest really that much cheaper. If it is not, you will probably wind up spending just as much by flying into MacArthur because of other transportation fees. I guess what I am saying is that you should calculate the total cost of the trip via each airport. Provided that its not that big a difference, I would fly into JFK/LGA and avoid the hassle of making my way from LI to the city.

thanks for the tip. i'll definitely look into it. all i checked were the tickets ($120 roundtrip with southwest, $200 minimum on kayak.com)

 

[ar2388]

i would recommend laguardia. there is a bus that goes from LAG to the columbia undergrad area and that is a short bus or train ride away from columbia med.

 

[mmmcdowe]

alternatively, you can take the airport shuttle to the train, the train to the subway, and the subway straight to Columbia Med. I'm not sure where the undergrad campus is, so I can't advise which would be faster.

 

[chad5871]

alternatively, you can take the airport shuttle to the train, the train to the subway, and the subway straight to Columbia Med. I'm not sure where the undergrad campus is, so I can't advise which would be faster.

The Morningside Heights campus? It's basically 50 blocks due south. The campuses are 5 stops apart (~10 minute ride) on the 1 train.

Google Maps has awesome public transit directions. When I was in NYC, I downloaded the Google Maps application to my phone and I was able to use it with the GPS in my phone to get around the city easily.

 

[chad5871]

On another note, I just realized that there are only 31 days until March. Is anyone else getting nervous about final decisions being released?

 

[pianola]

On another note, I just realized that there are only 31 days until March. Is anyone else getting nervous about final decisions being released?

NOW I am. Geez.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I'm going to be in the middle of the forest with no internet or phone connection on that day. I will spend the entire day trying to use tree bark as a satellite dish.

 

[chad5871]

I'm going to be in the middle of the forest with no internet or phone connection on that day. I will spend the entire day trying to use tree bark as a satellite dish.

Decisions come by snail mail. They're usually sent out (according to previous years' posts) the last few days of February. I'm hoping that we'll begin hearing news by March 2nd (it's a Monday).

 

[ngkats]

Doesn't the adcom make all of the decision in Feb? I have yet to send my LOI and I hope I am not too late (i.e., they've already looked at my app and made a decision but no mailing).

Any ideas?

 

[Bradstein]

Doesn't the adcom make all of the decision in Feb? I have yet to send my LOI and I hope I am not too late (i.e., they've already looked at my app and made a decision but no mailing).

Any ideas?

Get it in. Last year they met mid-Feb?

 

[mzchristee]

so columbia is almost done interviewing?

 

[chad5871]

so columbia is almost done interviewing?

It would appear that way.

 

[DerrickRose]

I called Columbia today and they told me that Columbia interviews through the first week of March.

 

[KaiHa]

good luck to those still waiting for interviews.

 

[Anotherface]

On another note, I just realized that there are only 31 days until March. Is anyone else getting nervous about final decisions being released?

--->>>>:cry:. Hopefully, the end of the story will be

 

[dmblue]

--->>>>:cry:. Hopefully, the end of the story will be

At least they gave you a date. For MSTP's they said sometime in February, hopefully early.

 

[mzchristee]

I called Columbia today and they told me that Columbia interviews through the first week of March.

thanks! good to know.

 

[Druzie]

According to the website (http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/ps/admissions/index.html), March 1st is just the "initial round of acceptances," so it would seem there is still time for interviews etc.

I'm still working on my LOI too! I had wanted to have it done this past Monday...

 

[chad5871]

According to the website (http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/ps/admissions/index.html), March 1st is just the "initial round of acceptances," so it would seem there is still time for interviews etc.

I'm still working on my LOI too! I had wanted to have it done this past Monday...

Applicants accepted after the "initial round of acceptances" on March 1st come from the waitlist.

I wonder how many applicants are sending LOIs. I hope not too many... I had originally planned on sending mine in November (I finally sent it on 1/20 ).

 

[Druzie]

Applicants accepted after the "initial round of acceptances" on March 1st come from the waitlist.

I wonder how many applicants are sending LOIs. I hope not too many... I had originally planned on sending mine in November (I finally sent it on 1/20 ).

D'oh. Well that burst my bubble. The pressure is on...............................

 

[mmmcdowe]

Decisions come by snail mail. They're usually sent out (according to previous years' posts) the last few days of February. I'm hoping that we'll begin hearing news by March 2nd (it's a Monday).

A wood mailbox then, probably a little more manageable!

 

[drjm1]

Should LOIs be sent as an email or a hard copy letter? Also, to the admissions office or directly to Dean Frantz?

 

[chad5871]

Has anybody who sent a LOI or update letter post-interview gotten a response? I got a response to my thank you card but nothing yet acknowledging receipt of my LOI. I'm going to be sending an update letter next week and I want to make sure my LOI was received first.

If I don't hear anything tomorrow I'll probably call the admissions office on Thursday to make sure it's in my file.

 

[Decicco]

Has anybody who sent a LOI or update letter post-interview gotten a response? I got a response to my thank you card but nothing yet acknowledging receipt of my LOI. I'm going to be sending an update letter next week and I want to make sure my LOI was received first.

If I don't hear anything tomorrow I'll probably call the admissions office on Thursday to make sure it's in my file.

I got a response from my update letter, but it took a long time. I also got one from my thank you note.

 

[MightyChip26]

Has anybody who sent a LOI or update letter post-interview gotten a response? I got a response to my thank you card but nothing yet acknowledging receipt of my LOI. I'm going to be sending an update letter next week and I want to make sure my LOI was received first.

If I don't hear anything tomorrow I'll probably call the admissions office on Thursday to make sure it's in my file.

I sent two letters: an LOI after my interview in October and an update letter in mid-January reaffirming my interest. I surprisingly received prompt replies from Dean Frantz via snail mail both times. I think I received the replies within 10 business days of sending the letter.

HTH.

 

[chad5871]

I sent two letters: an LOI after my interview in October and an update letter in mid-January reaffirming my interest. I surprisingly received prompt replies from Dean Frantz via snail mail both times. I think I received the replies within 10 business days of sending the letter.

HTH.

Thanks... I'm starting to get nervous that every interviewee sent a post-interview LOI.

I'll definitely call later in the week and report back here.

 

[Brewsky]

Has anybody who sent a LOI or update letter post-interview gotten a response? I got a response to my thank you card but nothing yet acknowledging receipt of my LOI. I'm going to be sending an update letter next week and I want to make sure my LOI was received first.

If I don't hear anything tomorrow I'll probably call the admissions office on Thursday to make sure it's in my file.

I called yesterday to see if they'd received an additional letter of rec I had sent and the women in the office told me that Dean Frantz would acknowledge all update letters, LOI, etc -- so if you haven't heard back and it's been awhile it's likely that they haven't received your letter. Apparently for letters of rec he will send an acknowledgement note to the recommender instead. The woman on the phone was nice enough to check my file to see if it had been received, and it hadn't so I had it resent. So, things do get lost...

 

[linguini]

Thanks... I'm starting to get nervous that every interviewee sent a post-interview LOI.

I'll definitely call later in the week and report back here.

Here's one interviewee that didn't send a post-interview LOI. This thread makes me feel like I should though. Tooooo lazy 😳.

 

[scarletgirl777]

Here's one interviewee that didn't send a post-interview LOI. This thread makes me feel like I should though. Tooooo lazy 😳.

Similarly lazy all here. I have faith that whatever is meant to be will be.🙂

 

[ngkats]

Oh man. I sent a LOI to Columbia just before the beginning of December and never received a response.

It was an email. Do they accept Update/LOI via email? Or just snail mail?

 

[chad5871]

Oh man. I sent a LOI to Columbia just before the beginning of December and never received a response.

It was an email. Do they accept Update/LOI via email? Or just snail mail?

I don't know, but I sent mine through both email and snail mail so I'd be really surprised if they didn't get it.

In fact, I sent the snail mail copy via certified mail, so I know it was at least received in the office.

 

[pianola]

Here's one interviewee that didn't send a post-interview LOI. This thread makes me feel like I should though. Tooooo lazy 😳.

Similarly lazy all here. I have faith that whatever is meant to be will be.🙂

Sigh. Yeah no LOI here. I'm feeling all this pressure to write something, now, though. 🙁

I wonder if it makes a difference.

 

[CourageKid]

Sigh. Yeah no LOI here. I'm feeling all this pressure to write something, now, though. 🙁

I wonder if it makes a difference.

I was told by current students on my interview (and confirmed by my premed advisor who is actually a trusted source) that Columbia definitely values letters of interest/intent. Basically, my tour guide said that if you like the school, you should make it known to Dean Frantz.

 

[Decicco]

Sigh. Yeah no LOI here. I'm feeling all this pressure to write something, now, though. 🙁

I wonder if it makes a difference.

It was my understanding that top schools expect that everyone is interested, negating the purpose of LOIs.

 

[chad5871]

So I called the admissions office, and the lady on the phone wasn't willing to check to see if my LOI had arrived. 🙁 She said that there was just too much correspondence for her to check. She did say that all correspondence will receive a response, it just might take a while.

I guess I'll just have to hope they got it.

I'm re-stating my intent in my update letter anyway.

 

[Anotherface]

So I called the admissions office, and the lady on the phone wasn't willing to check to see if my LOI had arrived. 🙁 She said that there was just too much correspondence for her to check. She did say that all correspondence will receive a response, it just might take a while.

I guess I'll just have to hope they got it.

I'm re-stating my intent in my update letter anyway.

I got an email thanking me for sending a thank you letter just a few days ago.

 

[chad5871]

I got an email thanking me for sending a thank you letter just a few days ago.

Was the email from Dean Frantz, your interviewer, or the general admissions email?