2010-2011 Columbia Application Thread

[NickNaylor]

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What day are you interviewing? I'll stop by at the very least.

Interviewing Tuesday. Sweet! You'll know who I am.

 

[WesternMD]

Hi Everyone.

I was just wondering if I should be having concerns regarding the status of my application, or if I should be taking any proactive measures.

I have been verified by Columbia since 10/13, and since then, I have heard nothing from them. I am a Canadian university student, and our application process is significantly different than the American system, so any help that you could offer would be greatly appreciated!

Take care

 

[mmmcdowe]

Hi Everyone.

I was just wondering if I should be having concerns regarding the status of my application, or if I should be taking any proactive measures.

I have been verified by Columbia since 10/13, and since then, I have heard nothing from them. I am a Canadian university student, and our application process is significantly different than the American system, so any help that you could offer would be greatly appreciated!

Take care

Columbia encourages update letters, so feel free to send one soon (after you get grades perhaps if you are in college) as well as a brief letter explaining why you would love an interview, etc.

 

[WesternMD]

Columbia encourages update letters, so feel free to send one soon (after you get grades perhaps if you are in college) as well as a brief letter explaining why you would love an interview, etc.

Thank you very much for your helpful information. Apparently some others were upset with my posts, but I greatly appreciate your input. I have just finished my PhD, so I will not be receiving any new grades, but I do have 3 new publications and an international conference I am attending next week. I will be sure to send an update letter in the new year outlining this information.

Best wishes

 

[MDApplicant3]

is there a status check page for columbia where we can see if they have looked at the app yet?

 

[smartalleck2]

is there a status check page for columbia where we can see if they have looked at the app yet?

no there isn't... if you already have been marked complete via email, all you can do now is wait

 

[NickNaylor]

Just finished up the interview day - really enjoyed it (and loving my first trip to NYC!). I don't really have any new knowledge to share from the day that mmmc hasn't provided, so good luck! Gunna be a long wait.

 

[wanderer]

Just finished up the interview day - really enjoyed it (and loving my first trip to NYC!). I don't really have any new knowledge to share from the day that mmmc hasn't provided, so good luck! Gunna be a long wait.

I hope you enjoyed the light snowfall last night. Our first of the season.

It didn't look like much but was a pain to drive in.

 

[NickNaylor]

I hope you enjoyed the light snowfall last night. Our first of the season.

It didn't look like much but was a pain to drive in.

Haha, it was "cute." Enough to get the whole enjoyable snow experience without making me cold and wet. I was a fan.

 

[nerdtastic]

for schools that decide in march, what is appropriate timing for a letter of intent? i wouldnt want to send it too late, but also don't know if there is such thing as "too early"

 

[NeuroE]

for schools that decide in march, what is appropriate timing for a letter of intent? i wouldnt want to send it too late, but also don't know if there is such thing as "too early"

mmmcdowe, I choose you!

 

[mmmcdowe]

for schools that decide in march, what is appropriate timing for a letter of intent? i wouldnt want to send it too late, but also don't know if there is such thing as "too early"

mmmcdowe used
Obsessive Helpfulness!

The proper time to send a letter of intent is when you are confident that Columbia is your top choice (usually after you are done interviewing). So, there is no fear of being too early once you are sure. You can send one now, but I would (unless you have yet to decide) recommend sending no later than a month before decisions are released. There is also nothing wrong with sending a letter now and then a month before decisions are released and emphasize in both that you would attend Columbia over all other options.

 

[smad4]

Interviewed here today -- really loved it! I could definitely see myself fitting in here very well. March couldn't be further away =/

My interviewer and I had a lot of common interests; the "interview" seemed to be more of a conversation than anything - I can only recall being really asked just two or three questions.

That said, it's bit nerve-racking to know that only one of four interviewees is ultimately accepted. Hopefully, I'll have the privilege of being a part of this wonderful school next fall.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

i interviewed there and he asked me a whole bunch of organic chemistry about my research, which i did like 3 years ago and have almost no interest in.

he was an organic chemistry phd 🙁

don't know what that means, i mean we had a lot of good conversation too, i just hope my research part didn't sink me

 

[SimplyMars9]

Interviewed here today -- really loved it! I could definitely see myself fitting in here very well. March couldn't be further away =/

My interviewer and I had a lot of common interests; the "interview" seemed to be more of a conversation than anything - I can only recall being really asked just two or three questions.

Interviewed 1st of December, and my interview went the same. I walked out of there confused because it felt completely conversational, more like a "getting to know you" chat. My interviewer didn't ask any ethical questions, nothing about why I want to be a doctor. Plus she kept going on about how great the school is lol.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Columbia interviews are well known for being very chatty and often more about Columbia than you. However, don't think that they aren't important just because they are more about gauging your personality than your responses.

 

[NickNaylor]

Columbia interviews are well known for being very chatty and often more about Columbia than you. However, don't think that they aren't important just because they are more about gauging your personality than your responses.

Definitely true. I actually liked it; it was more relaxing since I had no idea what they were looking for and, thus, didn't really get all freaked out about what I should or shouldn't be doing. Just relax, have a conversation, and enjoy.

 

[KUNRD07]

Just got an interview for the MD-Bassett program! Woohoo! I didn't think I was going to get anymore interviews!

Complete: July 28th
Interview Invite: December 16th
Interview Day: January 26th

 

[megrs]

Just got an interview for the MD-Bassett program! Woohoo! I didn't think I was going to get anymore interviews!

Complete: July 28th
Interview Invite: December 16th
Interview Day: January 26th

Congrats! If this program is as amazing as it sounds on paper, it will definitely become my #1...good luck!!

 

[RogueUnicorn]

i had a dream about this thread. christ that's not healthy

 

[mmmcdowe]

Tomorrow is my last tour for potentially a very long time 🙁 (starting "3rd year")

On the other hand, I'm also writing up my tour spheel for the 1st years so that they can begin standardizing tours a little more. I'll post it when I finish.

 

[KUNRD07]

Thanks!

Does anyone know what percentage of applicants interviewed for the Bassett program end up being accepted?

 

[smartalleck2]

Thanks!

Does anyone know what percentage of applicants interviewed for the Bassett program end up being accepted?

Around 100 were interviewed last year for 10 spots. I don't think the 2x rule applies in this situation. I'm fairly certain they made less than 20 offers.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Around 100 were interviewed last year for 10 spots. I don't think the 2x rule applies in this situation. I'm fairly certain they made less than 20 offers.

Yes, it was pretty close to 100% acceptance of acceptances.

 

[KUNRD07]

False alarm!

They just emailed me and told me that they sent me the wrong email and that my interview was for the regular MD program. Haha Oh well, I'm still pumped.

 

[ArkAngel]

False alarm!

They just emailed me and told me that they sent me the wrong email and that my interview was for the regular MD program. Haha Oh well, I'm still pumped.

Oh damn. And there you were thinking you were going to get all this free money . Anyone know if they have started giving out Bassett invites and how far along they are if they have?

 

[mmmcdowe]

Oh damn. And there you were thinking you were going to get all this free money . Anyone know if they have started giving out Bassett invites and how far along they are if they have?

They have been for months, but as far as I know they aren't done yet.

 

[PartyHouse001]

...

 

[KUNRD07]

Oh damn. And there you were thinking you were going to get all this free money . Anyone know if they have started giving out Bassett invites and how far along they are if they have?

Haha seriously!

 

[IDreamtIChased]

Oh damn. And there you were thinking you were going to get all this free money . Anyone know if they have started giving out Bassett invites and how far along they are if they have?

whoa do they give free money????

 

[smartalleck2]

whoa do they give free money????

All Bassett students get 30,000 in scholarships per year.

 

[IDreamtIChased]

All Bassett students get 30,000 in scholarships per year.

wow didn't know that!!

 

[smartalleck2]

wow didn't know that!!

Scroll to the bottom to hear it straight from the source.

http://ps.columbia.edu/education/what-to-expect

 

[IDreamtIChased]

Scroll to the bottom to hear it straight from the source.

http://ps.columbia.edu/education/what-to-expect

I probably should've read that before applying to the Bassett 🙂

It truly is an amazing program..

 

[megrs]

I probably should've read that before applying to the Bassett 🙂

It truly is an amazing program..

Seriously amazing! The only thing is that last year's class was the inaugural class, right? Since they are still in NYC, there are no students to talk to who have lived/experienced the program in Cooperstown. I would really like to get the input of these non-existent students..

 

[mmmcdowe]

Seriously amazing! The only thing is that last year's class was the inaugural class, right? Since they are still in NYC, there are no students to talk to who have lived/experienced the program in Cooperstown. I would really like to get the input of these non-existent students..

While there aren't any people in the Bassett program who have done their clinical rotations at Bassett, that hospital has always been a very popular rotation site and some people have done a large amount of their training there in the past.

 

[cyanide]

Tomorrow is my last tour for potentially a very long time 🙁 (starting "3rd year")

I really enjoyed the interview day and all your interesting facts/stories during the tour. 🙂

 

[MrAppleseed]

To those who received the response note after sending a thank you note, did you send the note to your interviewer, the dean of admissions (does anyone actually do this?), or both (assuming they weren't the same person)?

 

[mmmcdowe]

To those who received the response note after sending a thank you note, did you send the note to your interviewer, the dean of admissions (does anyone actually do this?), or both (assuming they weren't the same person)?

Some interviewers will directly respond, but otherwise Dr. Nicholas tries to respond to everyone who sends a letter to the office of admissions for an interviewer (or him).

 

[linkorn12]

To those who received the response note after sending a thank you note, did you send the note to your interviewer, the dean of admissions (does anyone actually do this?), or both (assuming they weren't the same person)?

I only sent one to my interviewer since we didn't get to meet the dean on our interview day. I got the response note like a month after I sent it so if you're still waiting I'm sure it'll come sooner or later.

 

[linkorn12]

Quick question on update letters...

 

[smad4]

Quick question on update letters...

I wanted to send a post-interview update/letter of interest to Columbia, but I'm just starting to get my recent grades back and they are pretty bad ... lol. I guess being on the interview trail and taking a hard course load wasn't smart. Anyways I don't really want to send them these grades, but would it look sketchy/suspicious if I sent them an update without the grades? Thanks!

It'll look suspicious for sure, but if it's only gonna shoot yourself in the foot I wouldn't send them.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Quick question on update letters...

I wanted to send a post-interview update/letter of interest to Columbia, but I'm just starting to get my recent grades back and they are pretty bad ... lol. I guess being on the interview trail and taking a hard course load wasn't smart. Anyways I don't really want to send them these grades, but would it look sketchy/suspicious if I sent them an update without the grades? Thanks!

I think the adcom is too busy to delve deeply into why you did or did not send the grades. If anything, sending the grades is generally an excuse for the letter.

 

[marele86]

Quick question on update letters...

I wanted to send a post-interview update/letter of interest to Columbia, but I'm just starting to get my recent grades back and they are pretty bad ... lol. I guess being on the interview trail and taking a hard course load wasn't smart. Anyways I don't really want to send them these grades, but would it look sketchy/suspicious if I sent them an update without the grades? Thanks!

I sent an update letter/letter of intent last year without my grades. I didn't even think about whether it looked suspicious, it's just that I figured they probably didn't care.

I got in, so my n=1 --> don't worry about it.

 

[linkorn12]

mmmcdowe, marele, thanks!

 

[acceptmepleaz]

Is it best to send an update letter via mail or email at this point?

 

[Sonic008]

for those who sent update letters...did you email it to [email protected]?

 

[mmmcdowe]

Is it best to send an update letter via mail or email at this point?

for those who sent update letters...did you email it to [email protected]?

Either is fine. Decisions aren't made for months so there is still plenty of time for it to get there.

 

[wheredshego]

Can anyone PM me Dr. Lisio's email address? I forgot to pick up the sheet with all the email addresses. 🙁

 

[eric51]

Uploaded some new Coffeehouse vids for those interested. Get pumped for revisit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhZOD84I9jo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgR7gS6uxvo