2010-2011 Columbia Application Thread

[futuremdnca]

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yay!!!! interview at Columbia!! this is interview 11, i guess this means i'll have choices in april...thank God.

 

[floppydisque]

yay!!!! interview at Columbia!! this is interview 11, i guess this means i'll have choices in april...thank God.

Wow. Do you really have to tally up your interviews on every post you make?

 

[yayschool]

haha

 

[gvku]

yey! I did my secondaries quite late so I am encouraged. The fastest turn around I have had so far. Just marked as completed last week and invite today already 😍

 

[Obliquity]

I was complete over 2 months ago... silent hold?

 

[mmmcdowe]

I was complete over 2 months ago... silent hold?

Well, I can't tell you if that means a hold or not, but Columbia does not reveal any admissions decisions until the end of the cycle. So, basically all holds, rejections, and otherwise are silent 😀

 

[SimplyMars9]

Got an interview invite last Thursday. 31P, 3.8 science and cumulative GPA...and I completed it mid-September.

Good luck to everyone who has applied 🙂

 

[nerdtastic]

complete in august, just got an interview invite today.

(totally freaking out)

but don't lose hope - there are still a few months left for interviews!

 

[mmmcdowe]

complete in august, just got an interview invite today.

(totally freaking out)

but don't lose hope - there are still a few months left for interviews!

Good advice 🙂. To those still waiting for interviews or who are post-interview, Columbia encourages updates throughout the cycle. As we approach December feel free to send mid-term grades, etc.

 

[tkp]

I was complete over 2 months ago... silent hold?

Same here. Based on my experience with other schools though, it seems like most of them don't go strictly in chronological order.

Or at least that's what I would like to think haha.

 

[tkp]

Good advice 🙂. To those still waiting for interviews or who are post-interview, Columbia encourages updates throughout the cycle. As we approach December feel free to send mid-term grades, etc.

Hey mmmcdowe, quick question: I got a major undergraduate research scholarship (worth a good sum of $$$$) and I updated all my schools (including Columbia) about two months ago. I never got a confirmation of receipt email from Columbia. Should I email-nudge them again, or should I just assume they received it but just didn't reply back to it?

Thanks!

 

[mmmcdowe]

Hey mmmcdowe, quick question: I got a major undergraduate research scholarship (worth a good sum of $$$$) and I updated all my schools (including Columbia) about two months ago. I never got a confirmation of receipt email from Columbia. Should I email-nudge them again, or should I just assume they received it but just didn't reply back to it?

Thanks!

I would include it in another letter just in case, but I would send other things as well (post-semester grades, etc). While they try to reply to as many updates as they can they don't always have time. You can always just call and ask if they got the letter, the office will look up your file.

 

[mmmcdowe]

So I have always said that Columbia has 4th year electives in 13 countries preset, but I took a peek and it looks like we now have 20 countries at 27 schools with direct exchange programs for electives. There are also a dozen or so additional countries that have programs via a 2ndary connection (another medical school, millenuim village, etc). You can, of course, set up a rotation anywhere you wish, but it's nice to have these premade and guaranteed good ones to fall back on.

 

[coreankim]

I got an interview invite about 3 weeks ago, asking me for available dates. I sent my preferred dates, but didn't hear anything back. Oddly, they sent me another interview invitation about a week ago, so I assume they didn't get my response.

What has been the average wait time before the adcom responds to your preferred dates? I'd like to know at least a month in advance so I can book a cheap flight.

 

[NickNaylor]

They responded to me within a day or two when I talked to them. You can call the admissions office and schedule it that way if you're really in a hurry.

 

[BrentSp44]

I got an interview invite about 3 weeks ago, asking me for available dates. I sent my preferred dates, but didn't hear anything back. Oddly, they sent me another interview invitation about a week ago, so I assume they didn't get my response.

What has been the average wait time before the adcom responds to your preferred dates? I'd like to know at least a month in advance so I can book a cheap flight.

Honestly, I'd just give them a quick call because who knows if your second email will go through if there actually was something wrong the first time. It's easier for everyone that way.

 

[DrEcho]

I suppose strictly this is a research question and not a premed question, but it's also specific to Columbia, so here goes:
I'm applying MD/PhD to Columbia, and got an interview a bit ago and have to send in faculty research requests. Anyone know of some good cardiovascular research going on up there? Most of what I've seen is neuro stuff, which is definitely one of my interests, but most of my previous research has been vascular, and I was hoping for that to at least be an option to continue. Columbia's website isn't as easy as some for looking up specific types of research.

 

[FrazzleSnazzle]

I suppose strictly this is a research question and not a premed question, but it's also specific to Columbia, so here goes:
I'm applying MD/PhD to Columbia, and got an interview a bit ago and have to send in faculty research requests. Anyone know of some good cardiovascular research going on up there? Most of what I've seen is neuro stuff, which is definitely one of my interests, but most of my previous research has been vascular, and I was hoping for that to at least be an option to continue. Columbia's website isn't as easy as some for looking up specific types of research.

If you're interested in interventional cardiovascular therapy, there's been a lot of cool research going on in that field recently. I'm in a cardiology interest group at school and Dr. Giora Weisz recently gave us a presentation on some of the new techniques they've been developing. The best part is that the department also just created a program where all residents and med students (even 1st-years) can sign up on a list for the opportunity to shadow doctors in the OR when they are performing these new procedures. Just one of the many awesome opportunities available to you if you come to P&S!

You can read up on more of it here:

http://civtmd.columbia.edu/research.html

http://civtmd.columbia.edu/physicians/weisz.html

 

[mmmcdowe]

I suppose strictly this is a research question and not a premed question, but it's also specific to Columbia, so here goes:
I'm applying MD/PhD to Columbia, and got an interview a bit ago and have to send in faculty research requests. Anyone know of some good cardiovascular research going on up there? Most of what I've seen is neuro stuff, which is definitely one of my interests, but most of my previous research has been vascular, and I was hoping for that to at least be an option to continue. Columbia's website isn't as easy as some for looking up specific types of research.

I seem to remember that Columbia does a lot of cholesterol pathway related stuff, and I looked up this one doc that gave a lecture to us (see below). You may best be off asking for help from the MD/PhD program itself. There are several neurovascular related labs in the neurosurgery department (E. Sander Connolly comes to mind).

http://asp.cpmc.columbia.edu/facdb/profile_list.asp?uni=art1&DepAffil=Medicine

I also found this, which may not apply to you but does give you a list of professors doing research:

http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/cardiology/fellowship/bs.html

 

[cfx]

Is there any advantage to interviewing earlier, or is it strictly non-rolling?

 

[FrazzleSnazzle]

Is there any advantage to interviewing earlier, or is it strictly non-rolling?

Strictly non-rolling.

FYI, I had one of the last interview days of the season and look where I am now.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Strictly non-rolling.

FYI, I had one of the last interview days of the season and look where I am now.

Agreed. HOWEVER, applying early DOES increase your chances to interview. Once you have the interview when you do it is of no consequence.

 

[cfx]

Agreed. HOWEVER, applying early DOES increase your chances to interview. Once you have the interview when you do it is of no consequence.

Thanks. What I'm a bit confused about is this quote from the admissions website:

"After December, the later your application, the fewer places remain in the class."

Can someone clarify?

I haven't even received an invite, but I'm curious...

 

[mmmcdowe]

Thanks. What I'm a bit confused about is this quote from the admissions website:

"After December, the later your application, the fewer places remain in the class."

Can someone clarify?

I haven't even received an invite, but I'm curious...

Probably just never updated since they went non-rolling. I've never heard of them making admissions decisions that early recently except for perhaps Bassett students.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

I sent my thank you letter on October 15th if that means anything.

Dear Mr. _____:

I am writing to thank you for your letter of _____ to Dr. ______. I appreciate your interest and
enthusiasm for P&S. Dr. _____ also enjoyed seeing you. I can assure you that your application will
receive very strong consideration.

With all best wishes,

Sincerely,

Stephen W. Nicholas, M.D.
Associate Dean for Admissions

I don't know if this is common or not, but it seems so nice. Makes me love Columbia even more.

sent a thank you note but yet to receive a reply.. makes me paranoid that it got lost in the mail..

 

[smartalleck2]

sent a thank you note but yet to receive a reply.. makes me paranoid that it got lost in the mail..

why would it make u paranoid? almost everyone who sent in a letter will get this generic reply. it will not affect your chances if the thing gets lost in the mail.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

why would it make u paranoid? almost everyone who sent in a letter will get this generic reply. it will not affect your chances if the thing gets lost in the mail.

i just want it to get there, that's all. nothing to do with chances..

 

[RB93]

Does Columbia have a hosting program? I don't think the invite contained that information. Do any current students know?

Thanks!

 

[NickNaylor]

Does Columbia have a hosting program? I don't think the invite contained that information. Do any current students know?

Thanks!

Pretty sure they don't.

 

[David_Rune]

Does Columbia have a hosting program? I don't think the invite contained that information. Do any current students know?

Thanks!

they do... if you email the person who contacted you, she'll reply with a list of prospective hosts and their email addresses.

 

[RB93]

they do... if you email the person who contacted you, she'll reply with a list of prospective hosts and their email addresses.

Thanks guys for your help!! I'll try that.

BTW, I got the invite 2+ months after I was complete, and it looks like they still have a decent amount of spots left. I think they interview a ton of people as well, but I could be wrong.

 

[med8866]

Cole on the Role: No offense, but I am mildly annoyed that you are hijacking the thread of my favourite school 🙂

Agreeing with the person above, Columbia certainly offers student hosts.

 

[iwarere]

Cole on the Role: No offense, but I am mildly annoyed that you are hijacking the thread of my favourite school 🙂

Agreeing with the person above, Columbia certainly offers student hosts.

I stayed with a host as well.

 

[NickNaylor]

they do... if you email the person who contacted you, she'll reply with a list of prospective hosts and their email addresses.

Really? Do they say that in the invite email? I don't remember seeing anything about that.

 

[takk]

Really? Do they say that in the invite email? I don't remember seeing anything about that.

Nah, I emailed the admissions office about hosts too after I realized a hotel room would be ridiculously expensive during Thanksgiving week! I wish they would publicize it more....

 

[cyanide]

Hey guys, does Columbia's interview day end promptly at 2PM? I'm trying to book my flight out and want to make sure I have enough time to get out of Manhattan.

Thanks!

 

[Premedapplicant]

Is it time to send a letter of interest? I haven't gotten an interview yet sooo anything I could do to give me a shot would be great...

 

[mmmcdowe]

Hey guys, does Columbia's interview day end promptly at 2PM? I'm trying to book my flight out and want to make sure I have enough time to get out of Manhattan.

Thanks!

Yeah, tour ends ~2:00. 2:15 to be on the safe side. This assumes that you had a morning interview.

Is it time to send a letter of interest? I haven't gotten an interview yet sooo anything I could do to give me a shot would be great...

The adcom always encourages update letters. If you have something to update them on, then it is the right time 😉.

 

[BrentSp44]

i just want it to get there, that's all. nothing to do with chances..

Just call the admissions office and ask if they got it. They will tell you. Mine got lost in the mail last year, so I just sent another one after calling them and finding out they hadn't received it. About a week later I called again to make sure that they had received the new one...they had. This is pretty normal for them and is totally acceptable.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Just call the admissions office and ask if they got it. They will tell you. Mine got lost in the mail last year, so I just sent another one after calling them and finding out they hadn't received it. About a week later I called again to make sure that they had received the new one...they had. This is pretty normal for them and is totally acceptable.

thanks dude, i might do that

 

[FrazzleSnazzle]

Hey guys, does Columbia's interview day end promptly at 2PM? I'm trying to book my flight out and want to make sure I have enough time to get out of Manhattan.

Thanks!

Not if you have an afternoon interview. This gets more and more likely the later your interview date is because the interview days get larger and they can't fit everyone into the morning schedule. I would schedule a flight after 5pm just to be safe.

 

[rhesuspieces]

Got an interview invite today 😀 Complete mid-September. I guess I'll go ahead and try to schedule for sometime in January!

 

[BrentSp44]

Just one of the MANY reasons I and many others decided to come to Columbia...

http://ps.columbia.edu/news/breaking-leg-big-cast?ref=nf

 

[Supernerd]

Interview Invitation yesterday!!!!!!!! UGH I can't believe it... I'm such a shmuck. I was convinced it was an error.

Anyways, I sent back the email with preferred dates... didn't get anything back yet. Should I call? wait? think it got there but they just have a lot of stuff...? just wanted some opinions 🙂

hope everyones excited for turkey day!

 

[Obliquity]

Interview Invitation yesterday!!!!!!!! UGH I can't believe it... I'm such a shmuck. I was convinced it was an error.

Anyways, I sent back the email with preferred dates... didn't get anything back yet. Should I call? wait? think it got there but they just have a lot of stuff...? just wanted some opinions 🙂

hope everyones excited for turkey day!

Supernerd: when were you complete?

 

[Supernerd]

Supernerd: when were you complete?

I was complete in like late July early August... So I've been waiting haha
stats wise I'm a 34S, 4.0 from a super no-name upstate university (aka... I'm a shmuck AND a yokel 😛)

 

[badb100d]

Anyways, I sent back the email with preferred dates... didn't get anything back yet. Should I call? wait? think it got there but they just have a lot of stuff...? just wanted some opinions 🙂

It took them 2 days to get back to me, got a January date. So you should be hearing something back from them soon Supernerd!

 

[IDreamtIChased]

I was complete in like late July early August... So I've been waiting haha
stats wise I'm a 34S, 4.0 from a super no-name upstate university (aka... I'm a shmuck AND a yokel 😛)

I guess I still have a chance!! Did you send any interest/update letters?

 

[ArkAngel]

I've been complete since early this month so I guess I'll just keep waiting

 

[mmmcdowe]

I've been complete since early this month so I guess I'll just keep waiting

Yeah, you're pretty late. Typically 500 or so people apply the last day of open secondaries, and I know they aren't completely caught up with all of the processing and review.