2009-2010 Columbia University Application Thread

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I was asked today if Bassett kids can pull out of the Bassett program and just do the MD program immediately after being accepted to the Bassett program. The answer is no, if you are accepted through the Bassett program you are expected to go through with it. However, if you are rejected from the BP you can still be considered for normal MD admission.
 
Cezanne said:
I have my interview at Columbia this week and just wanted to confirm that everyone just shows up at 11:45 at the admissions office. The invite email seems a bit skimpy on details and the interview day seems surprisingly short. The wording of the email is also a little funny (it almost sounds like it's optional to get there at 11:45). Can someone who has interviewed there confirm? Thanks
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it depends on the time of your interview. i had a morning interview so i had to be there at 10. if it says in the e-mail that your interview time is in the afternoon, then you don't have to be there til 11:45 which is when the lunch guides meet with you. if you don't have anything better to do, though, then i'd suggest getting there a little earlier in the morning and hanging out in the waiting room...students stopped in the entire time i was waiting after my 10am interview and were really enthusiastic and great to talk to. it will give you a chance to ask more questions and just show how great the columbia p&s student body is.
 
I would also suggest coming early (if only to give yourself some slack if there is traffic, etc). Once you sign in, you can chill in the interview lounge, go watch lectures across the hall, or wander around the campus and get a feel for the area.
 
I'd also like to emphasize that the reason the admissions office has such a flexible interview day (which I was personally grateful for, I hated financial aid meetings) is not because we all think that Columbia doesn't need to sell itself. That's not it at all, the reason is because Columbia sells itself in other ways besides having group info sessions and such. Research, academic support, early clinical experiences, diverse learning strategies, etc can all be found at most schools (probably all). That stuff is great and all, but that's not what makes her unique compared to the many other great choices that are out there. A laid back structure allows for lots of student-applicant interaction, and it also gives interviewers the chance to give one on one info sessions of a sort that are focused to the interests of each applicant. The enthusiasm of our student body and physicians here, the relaxed environment, and our diversity of interests are what defines P&S. These are things better experienced than talked about in group info session.
 
flip26 said:
Did you read her MDApps? She is a late applying superstar...when she was complete is kind of irrelevant to mere mortals.
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I got an interview invite last week - was complete end of august - and am no immortal...33R...there is hope for us all! So excited!
 
benny345 said:
I got an interview invite last week - was complete end of august - and am no immortal...33R...there is hope for us all! So excited!
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My point is that it is useless to try and divine something from when someone else was complete, and that it is especially useless to ask a superstar applicant this question.
 
flip26 said:
My point is that it is useless to try and divine something from when someone else was complete, and that it is especially useless to ask a superstar applicant this question.
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I gotcha, was not trying to refute your point! Just sharing my own experience
 
flip26 said:
My point is that it is useless to try and divine something from when someone else was complete, and that it is especially useless to ask a superstar applicant this question.
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Haha superstar applicant? That's rich.
 
flip26 said:
My point is that it is useless to try and divine something from when someone else was complete, and that it is especially useless to ask a superstar applicant this question.
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Not really. Superstar applications are still read in the order that they were received/complete. It can give you a rough estimate of where they are in the pile.

Oh by the way to those you haven't interviewed. Columbia wanted me to encourage you to send in updates during the cycle. Even if you are passed by on the first round of reviews, your application is still set aside for further review. Enthusiasm is appreciated as well as more information about your most recent activities.
 
Anyone recently hear back that applied to the Bassett program??
 
mmmcdowe said:
Not really. Superstar applications are still read in the order that they were received/complete. It can give you a rough estimate of where they are in the pile.

Oh by the way to those you haven't interviewed. Columbia wanted me to encourage you to send in updates during the cycle. Even if you are passed by on the first round of reviews, your application is still set aside for further review. Enthusiasm is appreciated as well as more information about your most recent activities.
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Thanks! You've been such a helpful student voice in this process. 🙂

I did send a lovely update note last Monday. It was the most ironic update note that I had to write, since like 90% of my activities take place at Columbia as I'm an alum + student + employee. It's like a triple crown of fail, I guess? 🙄 LOL, you can't win them all.
 
I just got a 'complete' email from Columbia. I submitted the secondary on 8/25.

Really hoping for an interview here!
 
dukejen04 said:
what does the complete email look like? i have an email that says "you have successfully completed your application"- is that it, or is there another one?
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Here's the one i just got (I got that email you're talking about the day after I submitted my secondary):

Dear Applicant,

This email is to inform you that your application for admission has been completed and will be evaluated by the Committee on Admissions.

You will be notified promptly if the Committee votes to request an interview with you.

Thank you
Admissions Office
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dukejen04 said:
what does the complete email look like? i have an email that says "you have successfully completed your application"- is that it, or is there another one?
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I submitted 9/28 and received this today:

Dear Applicant,

This email is to inform you that your application for admission has been completed and will be evaluated by the Committee on Admissions.

You will be notified promptly if the Committee votes to request an interview with you.

Thank you
Admissions Office


I did get an e-mail the day after I submitted saying:


Dear XXXX:

Thank you for choosing to apply to Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. You have successfully submitted your application for the first year medical school class which will enter in August 2010.

Sincerely,

Columbia U College of Physicians & Surgeons Admissions Office
 
Interview invite for Bassett today! Looks like they're scheduling interview for early January.

Complete 11/13. Couldn't be happier - the Bassett program looks amazing.
 
marele86 said:
Interview invite for Bassett today! Looks like they're scheduling interview for early January.

Complete 11/13. Couldn't be happier - the Bassett program looks amazing.
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I also just got an invite today for Bassett, too! I'm really stoked, except the interview takes place on one of my finals, so I'll probably have to move it to January, too.
 
Secondary Received:9/8/2009, Interview Invited:11/19/2009, Interview Date: 12/10-11/2009, MD/PhD, P&S, MSTP
 
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huybeme said:
I also just got an invite today for Bassett, too! I'm really stoked, except the interview takes place on one of my finals, so I'll probably have to move it to January, too.
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dude i would totally ask the prof if you could take the final another time. i know columbia is non-rolling, but if bassett doesn't want you don't they put you in the regular MD pool? sooner is better than later i would think. JMO.
 
dw2158 said:
dude i would totally ask the prof if you could take the final another time. i know columbia is non-rolling, but if bassett doesn't want you don't they put you in the regular MD pool? sooner is better than later i would think. JMO.
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Hm that's a good point. I thought that because Columbia is non-rolling, it didn't really matter when I went to interview. but you have a point.
 
AZ2010 said:
Secondary Received:9/8/2009, Interview Invited:11/19/2009, Interview Date: 12/10-11/2009, MD/PhD, P&S, MSTP
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If you don't mind me asking, when did you receive your "complete" email?
 
dw2158 said:
dude i would totally ask the prof if you could take the final another time. i know columbia is non-rolling, but if bassett doesn't want you don't they put you in the regular MD pool? sooner is better than later i would think. JMO.
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Bassett decisions are being made (but not necessarily sent out) before general MD program ones. When you interview for Bassett won't hurt your general MD chances.
 
jip said:
Ok. Well it's official, I've been skipped. I can't believe the AdCom didn't even feel like I was worth speaking with in person.
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just skipped for now. they'll come back to you. we never know how these processes work anyway. maybe you really haven't been skipped.
 
Interview Invite for Bassett Program. Complete e-mail received 10/22
 
jip said:
Ok. Well it's official, I've been skipped. I can't believe the AdCom didn't even feel like I was worth speaking with in person.
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I don't think Columbia does things in chronological order. I was complete in August, and when I recently emailed them regarding being in the NYC area they told me my application was still being reviewed. Don't worry and cheer up! 🙂
 
complete: 10/22/09
invite: 11/20/09

Wow, I don't think it's hit me yet! 🙂
 
So I got a letter today from the dean saying that they enjoyed my interview etc. and that they would be keeping me in mind come decision time in march.

is this standard, or should I be jumping for joy?

thanks, sorry, I just really love this school, and im way nervous.
 
the medicineman said:
So I got a letter today from the dean saying that they enjoyed my interview etc. and that they would be keeping me in mind come decision time in march.

is this standard, or should I be jumping for joy?

thanks, sorry, I just really love this school, and im way nervous.
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Standard, usually they send it when you send a thank you letter through the office.
 
FluffyRabbit said:
I don't think Columbia does things in chronological order. I was complete in August, and when I recently emailed them regarding being in the NYC area they told me my application was still being reviewed. Don't worry and cheer up! 🙂
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No they do, more or less (I'd give it at least another week or two before drawing conclusions though). Your file being reviewed just means that it hasn't been returned to the office, which may or may not mean that it has not been reviewed.
 
mmmcdowe said:
No they do, more or less (I'd give it at least another week or two before drawing conclusions though). Your file being reviewed just means that it hasn't been returned to the office, which may or may not mean that it has not been reviewed.
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If I'm already rejected, will Columbia send post-secondary rejections throughout the cycle, or am I just supposed to slowly lose hope until April next year?
 
FluffyRabbit said:
If I'm already rejected, will Columbia send post-secondary rejections throughout the cycle, or am I just supposed to slowly lose hope until April next year?
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To my knowledge, they do not send pre-April letters on unfavorable decisions. As I mentioned before, it is in your best interest to send in updates and stuff.
 
MD59007 said:
I got a short letter from a interview professor after I sent in thank you note,

"I gave you a rave recommendation. I hope you come to XXX!!!"

Is this also a standard, or having some weight for hope...?
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It is not uncommon to get responses from interviewers here. I would not put too much emotional energy into such things, regardless of the suggestiveness of the letter. I had interviewers tell me I was going to get accepted, only to be rejected or waitlisted (I also had the reverse, to be fair).
 
if i'm sending an update letter, who should i address it to? the dean? the committee? "to whom it may concern?"
 
dw2158 said:
if i'm sending an update letter, who should i address it to? the dean? the committee? "to whom it may concern?"
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Maybe use "Dearest Alma Mater." 🙂 I addressed mine to the dean of admissions since his name is on the web, but maybe one of the med students among us has a better read.
 
You could always splurge and say Dean Frantz and members of the admissions comit.

It won't make a big difference unless you have written something specifically directed at Dean Frantz. If you are going to put his name on the letter you should probably address him.
 
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