2009-2010 Columbia University Application Thread

[NeuroChaos]

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does anyone know the LOR requirements? is it o.k. to send more than 3 letters? thanks!

Yes, they require 3 LORS from any one familiar w/ ur work (no crazy non science vs. Science required; at least non that I can see); not sure if they are willing to accept more than 3; online form only asks for three LORs or one committee letter/packet

 

[Ok2Panic]

That's so weird.. I tried making new account and it keeps saying I already have an account and won't let me make a new one lol

Me too! Good, I thought I was going crazy. Any luck remedying this?

 

[hoyamd]

this may be a stupid question, but should we include research in the "extracurricular activities" section?

Also, I have some more minor (i.e. year long, about 1 or 2 hr/week club activities) that I did not list on my primary app, should I include these in this section?

 

[NeuroChaos]

this may be a stupid question, but should we include research in the "extracurricular activities" section?

Also, I have some more minor (i.e. year long, about 1 or 2 hr/week club activities) that I did not list on my primary app, should I include these in this section?

When they ask for collegiate, i think they are looking more for club type things. Yup, LIst the clubs even if they were short term.

You can include the research in teh jobs sections;

 

[FML]

When they ask for collegiate, i think they are looking more for club type things. Yup, LIst the clubs even if they were short term.

You can include the research in teh jobs sections;

So I put research in the collegiate thing, but also put it (different research) in work because I got paid for that time. So the one I didn't get paid for I put in collegiate and the one I did get paid for I put in work.

hope that helps

 

[NeuroChaos]

Called up Columbia; Dude was a bit annoyed that I filled out the 2ndry w/o an invitation. He said not to worry about the August 2009 thing. They are still in the process of updating their system for the next cycle.

 

[pharaoh88]

Called up Columbia; Dude was a bit annoyed that I filled out the 2ndry w/o an invitation. He said not to worry about the August 2009 thing. They are still in the process of updating their system for the next cycle.

LOL. Thanks for calling in! Let's just hope they don't throw away our apps in a fit a rage.

 

[FML]

LOL. Thanks for calling in! Let's just hope they don't throw away our apps in a fit a rage.

ditto on both accounts 🙂

 

[musings]

I've done a lot of unpaid work over the summer. (internship-unpaid, volunteer)

Does anyone feel like I should put this under "summer employment" or "extracurricular" None of the summer work is done on my campus. However, the internship required an interview as did the volunteer work. In terms of the volunteer work, I'm also in the process of getting grant money for reimbursement. While not necessarily "employment" I also don't feel like it applies under extracurricular activities...

what do other people feel?

 

[shemarty]

Its ok to send more than 3 LORs if they all arrive in a packet. However, make sure each one adds something unique to your application otherwise you're just wasting their time by asking them to read it.

 

[onb2014]

When Columbia asks " .If your education has been interrupted for any reason, please indicate briefly the reasons, the duration of the interruption and how your time was spent. (1300)"., does this apply to any non-trads who take time off between college and medical school, or for those who take time off during college?..

 

[twoinone]

When Columbia asks " .If your education has been interrupted for any reason, please indicate briefly the reasons, the duration of the interruption and how your time was spent. (1300)"., does this apply to any non-trads who take time off between college and medical school, or for those who take time off during college?

I think it applies to both.

 

[shemarty]

I don't think this question is refering to an interruption between your college education and your medical education. I think this question is refering to an interruption within your college education.

For example, people who took a leave of absence during college, so a semester is unaccounted for on their transcript.

Someone can call Columbia to ask... I'm not 100% sure but that's how I interpreted it. I took a year off, but there were no interruptions during my 4 years of college, so I left it blank.

 

[Jolt21]

I don't think this question is refering to an interruption between your college education and your medical education. I think this question is refering to an interruption within your college education.

For example, people who took a leave of absence during college, so a semester is unaccounted for on their transcript.

Someone can call Columbia to ask... I'm not 100% sure but that's how I interpreted it. I took a year off, but there were no interruptions during my 4 years of college, so I left it blank.

i'm in the same boat for clarification.

 

[paper]

Is anyone else really interested in the Columbia-Bassett program or public health in general? From what I've read on their site, it looks like an excellent program to see two very different patient populations during your medical school education. Also, does anyone know how selective the program is compared to Columbia's normal program?

 

[DocDrakeRamoray]

Anyone knows if the character limits include spaces ?

 

[D and D]

90% sure it includes spaces (just like AMCAS character limits)

 

[dw2158]

I don't think this question is refering to an interruption between your college education and your medical education. I think this question is refering to an interruption within your college education.

For example, people who took a leave of absence during college, so a semester is unaccounted for on their transcript.

Someone can call Columbia to ask... I'm not 100% sure but that's how I interpreted it. I took a year off, but there were no interruptions during my 4 years of college, so I left it blank.

possibly being really anal here, but what do people think: does this apply to deferred exams? i had a crazy medical situation during finals one semester and deferred two exams. the grades on my transcript are now "XA" instead of just "A." is this the appropriate place to discuss that? probably not. hm.

 

[NeuroChaos]

possibly being really anal here, but what do people think: does this apply to deferred exams? i had a crazy medical situation during finals one semester and deferred two exams. the grades on my transcript are now "XA" instead of just "A." is this the appropriate place to discuss that? probably not. hm.

I think they are looking for an explanation of what you did with your time if you were not in college/studying. I would assume a break away from traditional educational route for periods of time >3 months requires an explanation.

 

[flip26]

I don't think this question is refering to an interruption between your college education and your medical education. I think this question is refering to an interruption within your college education.

For example, people who took a leave of absence during college, so a semester is unaccounted for on their transcript.

Someone can call Columbia to ask... I'm not 100% sure but that's how I interpreted it. I took a year off, but there were no interruptions during my 4 years of college, so I left it blank.

I agree with Shemarty here.

 

[Jolt21]

for this question..

What sort of work did you do (include summer employment)? (list format, limit 1000 characters)

are people listing every job and then like a bullet point about the work? even repeating ones in the amcas?

 

[shemarty]

for this question..

What sort of work did you do (include summer employment)? (list format, limit 1000 characters)

are people listing every job and then like a bullet point about the work? even repeating ones in the amcas?

No bullet point about the work. Just list format, for example "Starbucks barista (summer 06), movie extra (summer 07), finding cure for cancer (Sept 07-Dec 07)"

Yes, repeat the stuff that's on AMCAS. They want a consolidated list in this format.

 

[musings]

Oh!~

I had assumed there was extra space because they really DID want us to say what work we did.

Ie:

Research Assistant
-in-situ hybridization
-western blots

etc.

 

[jenandhansun]

This might be a really stupid question but...

are you guys filling this out before you get an invitation to submit your secondaries? I applied June 2nd, verified June 2nd too, and I didn't receive an e-mail from Columbia regarding secondaries.

 

[shemarty]

It's not screened, so you can fill it out now and submit it after they invite you to.

 

[bambi girl]

Can anybody confirm for me that I don't need to answer the last question (i.e. What aspect of the Columbia-Bassett Program has the most appeal for you?) if I am not applying for the program. If I'm just applying for the MD only, should I just leave it blank?

Thanks a bunch in advance!😳

 

[redwinger47]

Just completed and submitted my Columbia secondary, also mailed my photo today. Now the waiting game begins, good luck to everyone!

 

[swimchick]

Is anyone else really interested in the Columbia-Bassett program or public health in general? From what I've read on their site, it looks like an excellent program to see two very different patient populations during your medical school education. Also, does anyone know how selective the program is compared to Columbia's normal program?

I am very interested in the program. I was raised in Cooperstown and made a big name for myself at Bassett with my research, but I moved last year. I want to pursue rural healthcare and would love to do this program. However, I don't stand a shot in hell of getting into Columbia. I'd love to try my luck, but I'm not in a position to be throwing out money 🙄

Gahhhh...why did Bassett have to associate with such a fantastic medical school???

 

[paper]

I am very interested in the program. I was raised in Cooperstown and made a big name for myself at Bassett with my research, but I moved last year. I want to pursue rural healthcare and would love to do this program. However, I don't stand a shot in hell of getting into Columbia. I'd love to try my luck, but I'm not in a position to be throwing out money 🙄

Gahhhh...why did Bassett have to associate with such a fantastic medical school???

I'm sure you could mention this on the secondary, as to why you want to do the Columbia-Bassett program. Similarly, I have absolutely no chance at Columbia but couldn't miss out on the opportunity to apply for this program. 🙂

Just out of curiosity, are there any other programs you're applying to that highlight health care in rural/underserved areas? For the most part, I based my school selections on their geographic location and whether or not the training takes place in an area that demands public health work.

 

[swimchick]

I'm sure you could mention this on the secondary, as to why you want to do the Columbia-Bassett program. Similarly, I have absolutely no chance at Columbia but couldn't miss out on the opportunity to apply for this program. 🙂

Just out of curiosity, are there any other programs you're applying to that highlight health care in rural/underserved areas? For the most part, I based my school selections on their geographic location and whether or not the training takes place in an area that demands public health work.

I decided to suck it up and apply...I just hope they at least take note of interest in the program before they throw my app in the trash

Did you apply to SUNY Upstate? They gave the option of a rural health scholars track last year and the have a rural medicine program you can apply to once you're a student. I only applying to a few programs this cycle because I'm in a post-baccalaureate program that essentially guarantees me admission to their school if I make the med student averages...but I need a plan B in case things go wrong 😉

 

[zadie]

Do you think we should list our positions within the collegiate activities that we took part in and are listing now?

For instance, The Architecture Club - President (Sep 2006 to present).

The only problem with this format that I can foresee is that while you list your highest exec position in it, you probably served a shorter term for that particular position than the total duration that you specify within the brackets.

Does anyone have any solutions?

Also, is it wise to reveal that your parents are physicians in the biographical portion of the secondary? I don't know how that generally goes over with the ADCOMs.

 

[onb2014]

is anyone writing a "why columbia?" essay for the "Additional Information" or is this a true optional essay?

 

[NeuroChaos]

is anyone writing a "why columbia?" essay for the "Additional Information" or is this a true optional essay?

I didnot; not sure what the consensus is.

 

[exeunt]

"If your letters are being sent by any of these services DO NOT LIST THE NAMES BELOW. Only if you are having individual letters sent, or are an MD/PhD applicant, should you list the names below.

Name of your advisor (ONLY IF THEY ARE SENDING A LETTER ON YOUR BEHALF)"

My letters are being sent through a committee, which I indicated, but when I saved the application it said that I was missing a required field by not filling in the name of my advisor? Should I list it anyway?

Also, is there a word limit to the optional document?

 

[twoinone]

do you folks know if there is anyway to check the receipt of our photo online?

 

[flip26]

Can someone give me the short answer to the question of "what is the Bassett program?"

 

[NeuroChaos]

"If your letters are being sent by any of these services DO NOT LIST THE NAMES BELOW. Only if you are having individual letters sent, or are an MD/PhD applicant, should you list the names below.

Name of your advisor (ONLY IF THEY ARE SENDING A LETTER ON YOUR BEHALF)"

My letters are being sent through a committee, which I indicated, but when I saved the application it said that I was missing a required field by not filling in the name of my advisor? Should I list it anyway?

Also, is there a word limit to the optional document?

It is a PDF, so you can write as much as you want; there is no limit imposed by the computer, but adcoms may not want to read 2 pages of y you love columbia

 

[mdeast]

"If your letters are being sent by any of these services DO NOT LIST THE NAMES BELOW. Only if you are having individual letters sent, or are an MD/PhD applicant, should you list the names below.

Name of your advisor (ONLY IF THEY ARE SENDING A LETTER ON YOUR BEHALF)"

My letters are being sent through a committee, which I indicated, but when I saved the application it said that I was missing a required field by not filling in the name of my advisor? Should I list it anyway?

Also, is there a word limit to the optional document?

The advisor is your pre-medical adviser. If you have a committee letter, it means she/he is writing on your behalf. You include his/her name in that field. The DO NOT LIST names below is meant so that you don't list your individual recommendation letter writers that are included with your committee packet.

 

[LOSAR]

does anyone know if volunteering should be listed in collegiate extracurricualrs section? What about volunteer positions that were not affiliated to the college you went to?

 

[FML]

I only included things that i did at or through the school like clubs and research and any volunteering done through school

 

[NeuroChaos]

In the confrimation email, are people still getting class of august 2009??

 

[Postal Blowfish]

2. In what collegiate extracurricular activities did you engage?*

do we include summer activities? and, for students that took time off between college and med school, what about activities after college?

 

[zerial]

For those of you guys without pre-med committees and are sending a packet of letters through your letter service, what did you do for the "Name of your advisor" section? Did you just write "Letter Service"?

 

[Equality]

On the Checklist page of the secondary, why does it ask you if you already sent the LORs if you send the LORs through AMCAS? Do I have to sent LORs again directly from Interfolio to P & S?

 

[jenandhansun]

On the Checklist page of the secondary, why does it ask you if you already sent the LORs if you send the LORs through AMCAS? Do I have to sent LORs again directly from Interfolio to P & S?

That's the SAME question I wanted to ask.

I thought that once we assigned the LORs to Columbia on AMCAS, then that was all. end of story.

BUT.... maybe we're supposed to re-send them directly to Columbia. Anyone know??

 

[spyderracing32]

For those of us who are double majors, do we just list the second major as another undergraduate institution (if this is covered in the instructions book, I'm sorry, but for some stupid reason that won't open for me)?

 

[zerial]

does anyone else think it's funny how Columbia sets character limits of 2475, 760, 345? I wonder how they'd respond if I sent an email asking what they have against rounding.

 

[LAman10]

does anyone else think it's funny how Columbia sets character limits of 2475, 760, 345? I wonder how they'd respond if I sent an email asking what they have against rounding.

LOL seriously I was thinking the exact same thing. maybe it's to emphasize that we shouldn't go over the limit, that the limit is not an "estimate"?

 

[nike dragon]

How do we view your MDapps?! BTW, CONGRATS ON UCSF!!!

 

[jackson1]

Anyone know how much the secondary fee is? Im trying to decide whether to bother applying-I have a 3.9 but only a 31 mcat which I know is a lot below their average.