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

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chad5871 said:
I certainly hope this is not true - I agonized over wording those letters perfectly. If it is true, I'm going to kick myself for not writing my letters sooner, although I did mention that "there is no place I'd rather attend than Columbia" in my thank you notes.

If they do review us in two major waves, wouldn't that make it slightly non-rolling? Unless they allocate a certain number of acceptances to each "wave" then those reviewed in the first wave would certainly have an advantage of those reviewed in the second.



I just don't see how this could be true. I have heard from SO many people that Dean Frantz places such a huge emphasis on LOIs...

Maybe they do an "initial post-interview review" of applicants who interviewed in the fall, and then do a quick re-review with the second wave of applicants (where they'd address LOIs and update letters, etc.) and make final decisions then. Honestly I think this would make more sense for a non-rolling school. Also, if they're going to review us in two waves, why not release acceptances in two waves. I'm skeptical... :/
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I know the way that Yale does it is that they discuss/rank every applicant within a week of being interviewed. There might be re-discussion towards the end just before acceptances are released, but the main evaluation process happens very soon after being interviewed, if I understood the Admissions Director properly.
 
i think LOIs are such BS. they are not binding contracts, and i am sure many ppl send "i would rather chop off my left testicle than not attend your amazing school" LOIs to each and every school they apply to. its such BS. i didnt send LOIs to any school and if that is why i dont get in, then they can suck it lol.
 
5 days!🙂

It's getting so close! Let's hope for good news.
 
What up doc said:
i think LOIs are such BS. they are not binding contracts, and i am sure many ppl send "i would rather chop off my left testicle than not attend your amazing school" LOIs to each and every school they apply to. its such BS. i didnt send LOIs to any school and if that is why i dont get in, then they can suck it lol.
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I have to agree. Since almost everyone sends them, they can't really mean anything. My thought is that they might be more meaningful after a waitlist decision because then you can declare your eternal love and your willingness to accept a place whenever they get back to you.
 
Tiare208 said:
I have to agree. Since almost everyone sends them, they can't really mean anything. My thought is that they might be more meaningful after a waitlist decision because then you can declare your eternal love and your willingness to accept a place whenever they get back to you.
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This was my thought as well. I also agree that the whole LOI thing can be a little unfair for those who are willing to bend the definition on what their "intentions" are. For me, I will be sending one at most, depending on if I am waitlisted or not. If I am rejected, a LOI wasn't going to fix that.
 
mmmcdowe said:
This was my thought as well. I also agree that the whole LOI thing can be a little unfair for those who are willing to bend the definition on what their "intentions" are. For me, I will be sending one at most, depending on if I am waitlisted or not. If I am rejected, a LOI wasn't going to fix that.
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I agree that a LOI has limited usefulness, but I do think it could make the difference between waitlist and acceptance. That's what I'm hoping at least because I'm beginning to feel a little discouraged about my chances... the doubt is setting in!
 
Tiare208 said:
I have to agree. Since almost everyone sends them, they can't really mean anything. My thought is that they might be more meaningful after a waitlist decision because then you can declare your eternal love and your willingness to accept a place whenever they get back to you.
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agreed. i wasn't comfortable at all with the idea that admissions reviews the applications of all 1100 interviewees in less than a week.
 
chad5871 said:
I agree that a LOI has limited usefulness, but I do think it could make the difference between waitlist and acceptance. That's what I'm hoping at least because I'm beginning to feel a little discouraged about my chances... the doubt is setting in!
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it probably has more to do with the difference between waitlist and rejection.
 
chad5871 said:
I agree that a LOI has limited usefulness, but I do think it could make the difference between waitlist and acceptance. That's what I'm hoping at least because I'm beginning to feel a little discouraged about my chances... the doubt is setting in!
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We can debate about the usefulness of an LOI until the cows come home. The truth is that none of us know for sure.

Chad, be content knowing that whether or not your LOI made a difference, you are clearly putting your all into getting accepted to Columbia. If, worse case scenario, you don't get in then you won't have to look back and think "hmmm, would it have been different if I sent that letter?" Don't be doubtful - it will just stress you out (like what Penn is doing to me right now...and I still have a month to go!)
 
What up doc said:
i think LOIs are such BS. they are not binding contracts, and i am sure many ppl send "i would rather chop off my left testicle than not attend your amazing school" LOIs to each and every school they apply to. its such BS. i didnt send LOIs to any school and if that is why i dont get in, then they can suck it lol.
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Best post I've read in a while! I agree with you on LOIs. In fact, I refuse to send any because I am sure that they don't hold nearly the value that many believe them to. How about this: take the $30 AMCAS fee to send you my primary, then add the $70-$110 secondary fee for your 5 minutes of time to review my application, and then consider that $100+ plus investment (not to mention my busting my ***** for 4 years to make myself competitive enough to apply to your school) as my interest in attending your school. I've got better things to do than throw money at schools I have no interest in attending. If I applied, I'm interested.
 
linguini said:
We can debate about the usefulness of an LOI until the cows come home. The truth is that none of us know for sure.

Chad, be content knowing that whether or not your LOI made a difference, you are clearly putting your all into getting accepted to Columbia. If, worse case scenario, you don't get in then you won't have to look back and think "hmmm, would it have been different if I sent that letter?" Don't be doubtful - it will just stress you out (like what Penn is doing to me right now...and I still have a month to go!)
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I am content with the effort I have done thus far so I don't have any regrets.

The reason I am doubtful is because I know how competitive it is to get in and its tough to compete with people with 38+ MCATs when all you've got is a 31. I know there's more to admissions than just numbers but they still come into play. I do feel like the rest of my application is solid though... I guess I'll find out soon enough!
 
chad5871 said:
I am content with the effort I have done thus far so I don't have any regrets.

The reason I am doubtful is because I know how competitive it is to get in and its tough to compete with people with 38+ MCATs when all you've got is a 31. I know there's more to admissions than just numbers but they still come into play. I do feel like the rest of my application is solid though... I guess I'll find out soon enough!
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I'm in a similar position! 32 MCAT. I'm so thankful for my one acceptance so far (SUNY Downstate) because with my numbers, even though I've interviewed at some really competitive schools, I have no idea whether I'm going to be able to turn those interviews into acceptances! I get the feeling I'm going to get waitlisted a lot (1 so far)... but I already have letters drafted for my two favorite schools.

I've successfully managed not to panic so far, but Monday's going to feel like a really, really long day at work! (And every day after that until I hear back).

I really don't want to have to go on more interviews... I have three more scheduled for mid to late March. =/
 
linguini said:
We can debate about the usefulness of an LOI until the cows come home. The truth is that none of us know for sure.
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Obviously I don't know about Columbia, but I know that I sent an LOI(nterest)/update on 02/01 to each of the two other schools at which I interviewed. Now I have two acceptances (whereas before I had none), and one of them told me specifically that the letter made a difference.

I was skeptical,
for reasons aforementioned,
but now I believe.
 
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Druzie said:
Obviously I don't know about Columbia, but I know that I sent an LOI/update on 02/01 to each of the two other schools at which I interviewed. Now I have two acceptances (whereas before I had none), and one of them told me specifically that the letter made a difference.

I too was skeptical before,
for all the reasons mentioned here,
but now I believe.
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Thank you for the glimmer of hope. 🙂
 
Druzie said:
Obviously I don't know about Columbia, but I know that I sent an LOI/update on 02/01 to each of the two other schools at which I interviewed. Now I have two acceptances (whereas before I had none), and one of them told me specifically that the letter made a difference.

I too was skeptical before,
for all the reasons mentioned here,
but now I believe.
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So you sent multiple letters of intent?
 
Druzie said:
No. I sent update letters expressing my interest to the two schools that accepted me this month.
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I feel like I have nothing honest to update. =/ I work full time, and nothing's new. So far I've just sent late thank you notes that doubled as mini letters of interest/vague update.

I should probably try to write something to Emory though, as they don't accept thank you letters.
 
quirks said:
I feel like I have nothing honest to update. =/ I work full time, and nothing's new. So far I've just sent late thank you notes that doubled as mini letters of interest/vague update.

I should probably try to write something to Emory though, as they don't accept thank you letters.
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Have you been doing anything interesting on the side, outside of work? Have you learned anything new at work? Is there something you wish you had addressed or elaborated on in your interview?
 
Has anybody been in touch with someone at Columbia (admissions, current students, interviewers, etc.) to see if decision are actually going to mailed out tomorrow?

I want to call but I don't want to annoy them...
 
Hey all! I've actually been reading SDN since the day of the Invisible Sphere (those of you that took the Aug 16, 2007 MCAT know what I'm talking about), but for some reason haven't felt the need to post until now. I'm extremely anxious waiting for this Columbia decision, though, so I just need to vent!

btw I work at Columbia now and (although I'm pretty busy with patients tomorrow) will definitely be on the look-out for the infamous truck!
 
NoLongerALurker said:
Hey all! I've actually been reading SDN since the day of the Invisible Sphere (those of you that took the Aug 16, 2007 MCAT know what I'm talking about), but for some reason haven't felt the need to post until now. I'm extremely anxious waiting for this Columbia decision, though, so I just need to vent!

btw I work at Columbia now and (although I'm pretty busy with patients tomorrow) will definitely be on the look-out for the infamous truck!
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Welcome!!!!! I took the August 14, 2007 MCAT, but I remember hearing about the crazy invisible sphere (I was a MCAT forums moderator back then).

Let us know if you see the truck tomorrow! I can't believe decisions have probably already been made! :scared: I just want to know!!!!!

In all honesty, I'm expecting a WL/rejection. 🙁 That way on the off chance I do receive an acceptance, I'll be thrilled, and if I'm WLed/rejected, I won't be too disappointed.
 
Supposedly MSTP letters were all sent out by the 24th...wish us luck
 
Hey Guys,

So I just called the admissions office to ask when decisions will be sent out. All they said was that decisions will be sent out next week and that we can expect to hear anytime after that. I don't know if that means they're not sending them until next week (i.e. not tomorrow) or if that means we can expect to hear next week. I asked them to clarify this and all she said was, "next week!" I guess we're going to have to wait.

For those of you who work there or have special connections, do some detective work! Be on the look-out for the truck or ask someone who would know! PLEASE!
 
Man, why can't we just get our decisions over email or via online status check. I understand they want to maintain formality but honestly, after having gone through all the formalities of this process, I (and everyone else I'm sure) would rather have expediency over formality any day...
 
hahaha. i'm just obsessive.

and i'm also just tired of waiting already. honestly, we've been waiting for so long. the medical school admissions process is one of the most stressful things i've been through and i honestly don't think it needs to be so stressful. if there was more transparency, applicants wouldn't always have to be on edge waiting for decisions. schools just need to change their strategies and be more straight up with us! i'm tired of waiting.
 
MightyChip26 said:
Hey Guys,

So I just called the admissions office to ask when decisions will be sent out. All they said was that decisions will be sent out next week and that we can expect to hear anytime after that. I don't know if that means they're not sending them until next week (i.e. not tomorrow) or if that means we can expect to hear next week. I asked them to clarify this and all she said was, "next week!" I guess we're going to have to wait.

For those of you who work there or have special connections, do some detective work! Be on the look-out for the truck or ask someone who would know! PLEASE!
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Whoa, patience is a virtue....

I'm perfectly content knowing that someday soon, when I come home after classes, there may (or may not) be an envelope waiting for me. If there is, I do a little dance...and if there's not, the world was just clearly not ready for my victory dance...diappointing, but nothing to dwell on. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.
 
The match process for residency seems 2x as demanding as med school applications though.
 
Druzie said:
Have you been doing anything interesting on the side, outside of work? Have you learned anything new at work? Is there something you wish you had addressed or elaborated on in your interview?
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Nothing I'm particularly excited to say, no. I can dig and BS, yes, but that feels weird. At this point I might as well just wait and see, because I don't want to say all I've got now, then get waitlisted and have little else to say then.
 
Quick question...I know a many people received signed letters from Dean Frantz in response to thank you notes. I still don't put any weight on it at all, as I'm pretty sure they're just sent as a courtesy when he has time to send them.

However, it's worded kind of strongly...and closes with "I can assure that we will keep you very stongly in mind."

Did everyone's letters have a similar tone? I still think it's just a form letter, but I'm just curious...
 
Well I didn't get a letter at all...so I think you can assume it's good.
 
StPlayrXtreme said:
Quick question...I know a many people received signed letters from Dean Frantz in response to thank you notes. I still don't put any weight on it at all, as I'm pretty sure they're just sent as a courtesy when he has time to send them.

However, it's worded kind of strongly...and closes with "I can assure that we will keep you very stongly in mind."

Did everyone's letters have a similar tone? I still think it's just a form letter, but I'm just curious...
Click to expand...

I received the same response from Dean Frantz. From looking at previous years threads this is a form response that everyone gets.
 
StPlayrXtreme said:
Quick question...I know a many people received signed letters from Dean Frantz in response to thank you notes. I still don't put any weight on it at all, as I'm pretty sure they're just sent as a courtesy when he has time to send them.

However, it's worded kind of strongly...and closes with "I can assure that we will keep you very stongly in mind."

Did everyone's letters have a similar tone? I still think it's just a form letter, but I'm just curious...
Click to expand...

also received the exact same response. i think it's his standard reply.
 
cool, just making sure...it's a nice personal touch, and I took it with a grain of salt, but I definitely could see how that sort of letter could get people's hopes up. Good to know, thanks.
 
MightyChip26 said:
also received the exact same response. i think it's his standard reply.
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of course, could also mean we're all getting in ( 🙂 )...haha....see you in the fall!

(I certainly wish that was the way it worked, lol)
 
StPlayrXtreme said:
Whoa, patience is a virtue....

I'm perfectly content knowing that someday soon, when I come home after classes, there may (or may not) be an envelope waiting for me. If there is, I do a little dance...and if there's not, the world was just clearly not ready for my victory dance...diappointing, but nothing to dwell on. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.
Click to expand...

At the beginning of the week I was more anxious, but now I'm surprisingly calm and content... maybe because I subconsciously realize it will all be over really soon. That and I need to focus on other things! 😉

quirks said:
Nothing I'm particularly excited to say, no. I can dig and BS, yes, but that feels weird. At this point I might as well just wait and see, because I don't want to say all I've got now, then get waitlisted and have little else to say then.
Click to expand...

That's a good point, but maybe it would still be worth it to write a letter of interest... perhaps just focusing on how you feel the school is a good "fit" for you. Whatever you choose, good luck!
 
StPlayrXtreme said:
Quick question...I know a many people received signed letters from Dean Frantz in response to thank you notes. I still don't put any weight on it at all, as I'm pretty sure they're just sent as a courtesy when he has time to send them.

However, it's worded kind of strongly...and closes with "I can assure that we will keep you very stongly in mind."

Did everyone's letters have a similar tone? I still think it's just a form letter, but I'm just curious...
Click to expand...

The ending (keeping you in mind) is ultra standard. That's how our interview ended, how his response to my thank you ended, and how his response to my update ended. It seems that he has several response letters however. One thread tried to compile the format versus the admissions decision (if you got one versus whether or not you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected). The only thing that they could prove was that no letter format guarunteed your acceptance, rejection, or waitlist. They just didn't have enough data points to justify any other assumptions.
 
Druzie said:
At the beginning of the week I was more anxious, but now I'm surprisingly calm and content... maybe because I subconsciously realize it will all be over really soon. That and I need to focus on other things! 😉
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My thoughts exactly..I have an a cappella performance to get through on Friday and an exam on Tuesday, making it pretty necessary to keep focused and my head out of the clouds.
 
I can't keep silent anymore, this wait is killing me. Has anyone called to find out exactly when letters will be sent out?
 
Druzie said:
At the beginning of the week I was more anxious, but now I'm surprisingly calm and content... maybe because I subconsciously realize it will all be over really soon. That and I need to focus on other things! 😉
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I've been calm mostly because I've been distracted. But my distraction is ending too soon! I need to find something new to occupy myself with. Ooh, shipment of stuff for my parrot's cage came in today. That'll keep me busy for all of an hour.

That's a good point, but maybe it would still be worth it to write a letter of interest... perhaps just focusing on how you feel the school is a good "fit" for you. Whatever you choose, good luck!
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My brother told me not to (I had letters written and ready and I sent them to him to proofread), and so far his advice has served me well. He's currently a resident, but as a medical student he was active in the admissions process at his school. It's too late for Columbia now anyway! :laugh: But I'll start working on something for Emory. Good luck to you too!
 
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