2009-2010 Columbia University Application Thread

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spyderracing32 said:
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)?
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I am wondering the same thing. I didn't read anything about where to put a second major in the instructions book.
 
I just finished the long essay and am not sure if it sounds too much like my personal statement but I can't think of much else to put there especially because I tied in all the reasons I want to go into medicine in my PS and those are the same things that will give me satisfaction in the field. I have a semi-decent intro to this essay and a really short conclusion. Should I just submit this or keep thinking of newer points to bring up?
 
I think you'll be fine as long as you are not literally copying and pasting and it doesn't sounds redundant in any way
 
Its not literally copy paste but the themes are very similar. If someone read this essay and personal statement separately they would be able to make the connection that the 2 essays were written by the same person.
 
This online application is a little confusing. For the MD-PhD section do we actually fill out any of the questions if we are just going for MD? I cannot tell if it is for MD and PhD candidates separately...
 
trueBelief said:
Its not literally copy paste but the themes are very similar. If someone read this essay and personal statement separately they would be able to make the connection that the 2 essays were written by the same person.
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I think you will be fine then. Personally, I think it would only help to reiterate some important points of your app 🙂
 
for example, do MD candidates complete these questions:

What academic honors have you received (e.g., prizes, scholarships, fellowships, honor societies)?

Please describe your goals as a Physician/Scientist. Who are your role models?
 
imdanumb1 said:
for example, do MD candidates complete these questions:

What academic honors have you received (e.g., prizes, scholarships, fellowships, honor societies)?

Please describe your goals as a Physician/Scientist. Who are your role models?
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no, don't fill those out if you're just applying to MD.
 
I applied MD only and did not complete the MD/Phd section
 
On the secondary I came across this question:
What aspect of the Columbia-Bassett Program has the most appeal for you?

I am applying to the MD program not the Columbia-Bassett program. Do I need to still fill this out?
 
PlsticSurgWanab said:
On the secondary I came across this question:
What aspect of the Columbia-Bassett Program has the most appeal for you?

I am applying to the MD program not the Columbia-Bassett program. Do I need to still fill this out?
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nope.
 
I think there was one awards/honors response for MD-only applicants, that we were supposed to fill in, if applicable.
 
so i have a question: i took a course titled "History of Science". i'm not including this in my BCPM calculations. am i right to do so? good luck to everyone.
 
If you are asking this question in regard to the spots to fill in GPA, I would use the same numbers as those listed on your verified AMCAS, as schools don't get to see the actual transcripts. If you are asking this for filling in your AMCAS then I think you are right to not include it in the BCPM GPA.
 
is it just me, or does the sheet for the passport sized photo have a box that is the wrong size for passport photos?

i thought passport size is 2 x 2 inches

and the box is 2.5 x 2 inches. what gives? i guess i'll just put a 2x2 photo in...
 
1. What satisfactions do you expect to receive from your activities as a physician?*

Enter your response in essay format. LIMIT WRITING TO 2475 CHARACTERS.


For this topic, I finished it in about 1850 characters.
Finishing it in a decent amount below the limit isn't a big deal, correct?
 
i've been out of school for a few months now, and have new work experience that i started after college. do you think it's okay to list that under work experience?
 
trueBelief said:
Its not literally copy paste but the themes are very similar. If someone read this essay and personal statement separately they would be able to make the connection that the 2 essays were written by the same person.
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would it be wierd in the essay to say something like "i have talked about the main joys i expect to gain from being a doctor in my personal statement so here I will talk about a couple different aspect of being a doctor that I will also enjoy" then go on to talk about things other than what is in the ps?

basically is it wierd to mention other parts of the app in an essay question?
 
SaintT said:
I am wondering the same thing. I didn't read anything about where to put a second major in the instructions book.
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u put it in the document that u may upload at the bottom of the page. i forget where it says this but it says that somewhere
 
ctusfinest said:
would it be wierd in the essay to say something like "i have talked about the main joys i expect to gain from being a doctor in my personal statement so here I will talk about a couple different aspect of being a doctor that I will also enjoy" then go on to talk about things other than what is in the ps?

basically is it wierd to mention other parts of the app in an essay question?
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aka metadiscourse? i dunno if that would fly...
 
Jebel said:
1. What satisfactions do you expect to receive from your activities as a physician?*

Enter your response in essay format. LIMIT WRITING TO 2475 CHARACTERS.


For this topic, I finished it in about 1850 characters.
Finishing it in a decent amount below the limit isn't a big deal, correct?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry too much about this. It's better to have a concise essay, rather than rambling on for pages and pages. Remember that the adcoms have to read many essays and I'm sure they'd appreciate if your answer was short but meaningful, rather than just filling up space. That's just my two cents.
 
My app is still being verified but I want to fill out this secondary ASAP 😛 So when it says:
• About how many hours per week, if any, did you spend in work for which you were recompensed during the college year? (200 char)
• What sort of work did you do (include summer employment)? (1100 char)

They seem like the same thing pretty much right? Except for the first one is not over summer? I am really confused why they ask it like this.
 
not respect said:
My app is still being verified but I want to fill out this secondary ASAP 😛 So when it says:
• About how many hours per week, if any, did you spend in work for which you were recompensed during the college year? (200 char)
• What sort of work did you do (include summer employment)? (1100 char)

They seem like the same thing pretty much right? Except for the first one is not over summer? I am really confused why they ask it like this.
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The first one is a brief response with time commitment to paid work during the college year, while the second delves into the details of the work you spent your time on. For example, for the first one you can write "10hrs/week during Spring 2007-Spring 2009 excluding summers, 30hrs/week during summer 07 and 08" and for the second one you have to explain what you did in the form of a short essay.
 
ctusfinest said:
my problem is thats the best way i can think of to write about something different in the essay than what is in my ps.
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I don't know how they look at this but I am sure I ruined mine by writing stuff along the same lines as my statement just in a sorta confusing manner =(

It seemed creative at first and on re-reading after submission, I don't think I'll get an interview here.
 
trueBelief said:
The first one is a brief response with time commitment to paid work during the college year, while the second delves into the details of the work you spent your time on. For example, for the first one you can write "10hrs/week during Spring 2007-Spring 2009 excluding summers, 30hrs/week during summer 07 and 08" and for the second one you have to explain what you did in the form of a short essay.
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for the 2nd out is actually says "Enter your response in list format using commas. LIMIT WRITING TO 1000 CHARACTERS. Do not use return or enter." so not in the form of a short essay
 
My bad =(. I started off with commas but then somehow ended up completing the response in sentence format. I should learn to be more careful -_-;
 
Did anyone figure out what they meant by "Recommendation Letters Sent"? Do they just mean that AMCAS has received our letters?
 
Why would they give us 1000 characters to LIST the type of work we did? If they want to know what I did, I don't know that a list will be particularly helpful... Also, do you think colons and semi-colons will be good to use? One more question, where would I list publications? EC activities?

i.e., Job A:x,y,z;Job B:x,y,z

Tjquinn
 
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Does anyone know if applicants to Columbia-Bassett are also considered for the MD program? And is there somewhere that I can find admission statistics for Columbia-Bassett?

I am interested in the Columbia-Bassett program but don't really want to apply to it if it's more selective or if it excludes me from consideration for the normal MD program.
 
mcnabb5 said:
I was wondering that as well, I'll probably go with listing another undergraduate institution and putting my second major with all the other information the same. My only concern is that this may be construed as having dual degrees instead of double majors, but they have our AMCAS and either way with how they set it up, there will be some discrepancy. I'd rather have all the info included on the secondary.

For the poster directly above, 2010-2011 will be Columbia-Bassett's first year, so there are no admission statistics. You can apply to Columbia-Bassett and if you don't get in, you'll also be considered for MD-only. I'd imagine that Columbia-Bassett will be equally if not more competitive than Columbia's MD-only. Given that it will likely be construed by many as "2 chances" at Columbia, I'm sure they are going to have many applications and pretty high screening standards for this first class.
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you guys need to read directions. it says on the top of the page what to do for listing extra majors (use the uploadable document).
 
mcnabb5 said:
For the poster directly above, 2010-2011 will be Columbia-Bassett's first year, so there are no admission statistics. You can apply to Columbia-Bassett and if you don't get in, you'll also be considered for MD-only. I'd imagine that Columbia-Bassett will be equally if not more competitive than Columbia's MD-only. Given that it will likely be construed by many as "2 chances" at Columbia, I'm sure they are going to have many applications and pretty high screening standards for this first class.
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Uhhg, I guess all the letters and info about Columbia and Bassett teaming up should have clued me in to the fact that its new....I just didn't realize this was its first year. Thanks for the info. Still don't know whether I'll apply to Bassett... its interesting and I think it represents the direction medicine is moving towards, but don't know if I'd choose it over the MD program (just speaking hypothetically, not like I'm expecting to get into either).
 
PlsticSurgWanab said:
On the secondary I came across this question:
What aspect of the Columbia-Bassett Program has the most appeal for you?

I am applying to the MD program not the Columbia-Bassett program. Do I need to still fill this out?
Click to expand...

i have the same question...can anybody give a sure answer for this?
 
gloomythursday said:
i have the same question...can anybody give a sure answer for this?
Click to expand...
wow. are we seriously asking about this? why would they make you answer a question about a program you are not applying to? If you are not applying to the Bassett program, you should not answer the question pertaining specifically to that program. If the wording of the question isn't clear enough and you are really that neurotic, why not call the admissions office and ask?
 
mcnabb5 said:
For the poster directly above, 2010-2011 will be Columbia-Bassett's first year, so there are no admission statistics. You can apply to Columbia-Bassett and if you don't get in, you'll also be considered for MD-only. I'd imagine that Columbia-Bassett will be equally if not more competitive than Columbia's MD-only. Given that it will likely be construed by many as "2 chances" at Columbia, I'm sure they are going to have many applications and pretty high screening standards for this first class.
Click to expand...

Thoughts on whether applying to Bassett will place you at a disadvantage for the regular program? I'm concerned that the time it will take for Bassett to review my application and then forward it to the NYC committee will take away my edge as an early applicant.
 
does columbia send an e-mail when your application is complete? i had to send in my fee waiver and photo....don't know if they received them. Should i just call?
 
wt45 said:
does columbia send an e-mail when your application is complete? i had to send in my fee waiver and photo....don't know if they received them. Should i just call?
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I had the same question.... anyone?
 
"We will notify you when your secondary application has been received and completed (when your AMCAS application, including letters of recommendation, and your passport size photo have been received), and when our committee is ready to evaluate it. If you are not informed that your application is complete within two months after we receive it (and no later than December 15), you should contact us. It is in your best interest to do all you can to facilitate the prompt completion of your application."

http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/ps/admissions/apply.html#proc
 
ourse said:
"We will notify you when your secondary application has been received and completed (when your AMCAS application, including letters of recommendation, and your passport size photo have been received), and when our committee is ready to evaluate it. If you are not informed that your application is complete within two months after we receive it (and no later than December 15), you should contact us. It is in your best interest to do all you can to facilitate the prompt completion of your application."

http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/ps/admissions/apply.html#proc
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I've been verified (with LORs in) since 6/2 and I submitted their secondary on 6/16

how could they possibly not have my stuff?? lol

I think I'm just going to call tomorrow 🙄
 
zerial said:
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"?
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At my university, our packet was handled by a LOR service called HSAC, who was managed by an advisor. I'm sure that you can indicate either the name of the service or the advisor, if your service names one.

GL!
 
tashidele said:
Thoughts on whether applying to Bassett will place you at a disadvantage for the regular program? I'm concerned that the time it will take for Bassett to review my application and then forward it to the NYC committee will take away my edge as an early applicant.
Click to expand...

I tried calling admissions today but no luck. I sent an e-mail today and will call again tomorrow. I'll post an answer ASAP.
 
I called the admissions office today and asked three questions:

1. Question: My school collects letters for me but doesn't write an overall opinion. Do I select the committee letter bubble?
Answer: Yes, that is a letter packet.

2. Question: Do MD/PhD applicants have to take the GRE?
Answer: No.

3. Question: Should we send our letters directly to the school or through AMCAS?
Answer: Through AMCAS.
 
Will they accept more than 3 letters? I am using Interfolio to handle my letters since not every school accepts AMCAS this year. On my primary application, just like every other school I applied to, I assigned them all 5 of my letters.

However I could not help but notice that if required to fill out recommenders (which MD/PhD applicants need to, but I am an MD-only applicant), there are only 3 spaces. Is there a limit on the number they accept?
 
dylan said:
Does anyone know if applicants to Columbia-Bassett are also considered for the MD program? And is there somewhere that I can find admission statistics for Columbia-Bassett?

I am interested in the Columbia-Bassett program but don't really want to apply to it if it's more selective or if it excludes me from consideration for the normal MD program.
Click to expand...

My guess is that Columbia-Bassett is as competitive if not more than the regular MD program. Admissions says that applying to Bassett will in no way deter your application into the MD, though they currently have no idea how long it might take for Bassett to hand applications to the NY site, if one is rejected from Bassett.

My advice is that if you don't really care for the program, bubble in MD only.
 
Also, the MD/PhD part asks:
What academic honors have you received (e.g., prizes, scholarships, fellowships, honor societies)?

That's basically the same as:
3. Please list collegiate honors,awards, and memberships in honorary societies*

So is the difference whether the college awarded you or something else? Or should we include everything in both?
 
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