2010-2011 Columbia Application Thread

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surfingphd said:
I sent an email to them about 9 days ago informing them that I'll be there in early January to interview at 3 other schools in NYC. I received an automatically generated reply, but nothing else.

Would you suggest following up with them at some point through another email or phone call? Perhaps in another week?

I am coming from California and it may be difficult for me to make another trip out to NYC if they offer me an interview later, so I was really hoping to take care of all of my NYC interviews in one trip if possible.

Thank you!
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You can try contacting them again, however my understanding is that they don't consider In The Area emails to be significant unless you're talking serious international travel. Even Western Europe doesn't cut it. It sucks, I know, but I think that's how they run things.
 
surfingphd said:
I sent an email to them about 9 days ago informing them that I'll be there in early January to interview at 3 other schools in NYC. I received an automatically generated reply, but nothing else.

Would you suggest following up with them at some point through another email or phone call? Perhaps in another week?

I am coming from California and it may be difficult for me to make another trip out to NYC if they offer me an interview later, so I was really hoping to take care of all of my NYC interviews in one trip if possible.

Thank you!
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We are twins! I'm going to NY in early Jan for 3 interviews too! I sent an in-the-are email to columbia too, and got a reply from the associate dean: "I am writing to advise that we are unable to invite you for an interview at the time you suggest." But like others said, I would call and ask them to confirm receipt of your email.
 
phltz said:
You can try contacting them again, however my understanding is that they don't consider In The Area emails to be significant unless you're talking serious international travel. Even Western Europe doesn't cut it. It sucks, I know, but I think that's how they run things.
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I don't ever remembering hearing that, but regardless I have heard of them accommodating people who were in the country and not abroad so it is worth the attempt.
 
Hey folks, was hoping to get your opinion on something. I sent an update letter about a week ago to all the schools I haven't heard back from and this week I got an interview at Cornell. I was thinking of sending an in the area email to Columbia, but I feel like that might make me seem a little pushy (update letter one week, in the area the next week). What do you folks think? Should I send one anyway?
 
rafflecopter said:
Hey folks, was hoping to get your opinion on something. I sent an update letter about a week ago to all the schools I haven't heard back from and this week I got an interview at Cornell. I was thinking of sending an in the area email to Columbia, but I feel like that might make me seem a little pushy (update letter one week, in the area the next week). What do you folks think? Should I send one anyway?
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I think you should absolutely send the in-the-area email.

In your new email, simply say you're sorry for sending so many emails but you received an area interview since sending your update letter.

I'd think they'd understand considering it's something you could not have possiblty addressed in your update letter. Just try to communicate as well as you can that you're cognizant of the fact they receive a lot of correspondences and you're not trying to overwhelm them.
 
mmmcdowe said:
I don't ever remembering hearing that, but regardless I have heard of them accommodating people who were in the country and not abroad so it is worth the attempt.
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Talked to the admissions office today and they wanted me to dispelthe idea that you have to be international in order to legitimately be considered for an in the area interview. They take all such requests seriously.
 
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kind of in love with columbia. went recently for an interview and it totally fit me and my personality. the students were INCREDIBLY nice and welcoming, and i loved the community that the school has built for its students.
 
mmmcdowe said:
Talked to the admissions office today and they wanted me to display the idea that you have to be international in order to legitimately be considered for an in the area interview. They take all such requests seriously.
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Hmm don't think I follow your phrasing. So you're saying only international applicants are considered for in the area requests?
 
nerdtastic said:
kind of in love with columbia. went recently for an interview and it totally fit me and my personality. the students were INCREDIBLY nice and welcoming, and i loved the community that the school has built for its students.
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👍
 
mmmcdowe said:
Talked to the admissions office today and they wanted me to display the idea that you have to be international in order to legitimately be considered for an in the area interview. They take all such requests seriously.
Click to expand...

rafflecopter said:
Hmm don't think I follow your phrasing. So you're saying only international applicants are considered for in the area requests?
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I think he meant to say "dispel", not "display". That makes more sense with the second sentence.
 
Is columbia receptive to in the area mails? Recently got an interview from cornell, my third trip to NYC this cycle
 
PartyHouse001 said:
Is columbia receptive to in the area mails? Recently got an interview from cornell, my third trip to NYC this cycle
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Not trying to make this personal, but if you read even just this page you can find the answer...
 
PartyHouse001 said:
No offense taken, but I just want more than just one source.
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Sending an ITA e-mail won't be looked upon unfavorably at any school. So if you are going to be in NYC, why not just send Columbia an e-mail and be done with it? If you need a source, it's called common sense.
 
Sorry, I meant dispel not display. Regardless of being in the country or abroad, the admissions office will take your request into equal consideration. They have no policy one way or another that gives you more or less leverage based on distance. I apologize for the confusion, I have a bad habit of typing without my contacts in.

As for the comment about wanting more than one source, why not just call the office anonymously and ask what their policy is if you don't want to take my word for it 😉.
 
tlaloc87 said:
Sending an ITA e-mail won't be looked upon unfavorably at any school. So if you are going to be in NYC, why not just send Columbia an e-mail and be done with it? If you need a source, it's called common sense.
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Nvm ... my bad
 
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mmmcdowe said:
Sorry, I meant dispel not display. Regardless of being in the country or abroad, the admissions office will take your request into equal consideration. They have no policy one way or another that gives you more or less leverage based on distance. I apologize for the confusion, I have a bad habit of typing without my contacts in.

As for the comment about wanting more than one source, why not just call the office anonymously and ask what their policy is if you don't want to take my word for it 😉.
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Haha, sorry, I think I have to rephrase. I was confused by the typo of "dispel" and "display." Thank you.
 
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Wow convo in here & the Cornell thread is awesome…
(1) mmmcdowe didn’t put a space b/t “dispel” & “the,” and your brain can’t figure out what he meant, yet you want a P&S interview.
(2) rafflecopter hit “QUOTE” on mmmcdowe and managed to misquote – personally changing “dispelthe” into “display the” in the quote (unless you have some autocorrect thing going on???)
(3) mmmcdowe is probably the BEST source out there getting his info from THE source – no second opinion necessary
(4) Cole – Did you send an ITA email to Columbia when you were coming out for Hopkins? If so, you should tell UES on the Cornell thread that you’re not bluffing being ITA as he/she wants to.

We all good?
 
etherpentane said:
Wow convo in here & the Cornell thread is awesome…
(1) mmmcdowe didn't put a space b/t "dispel" & "the," and your brain can't figure out what he meant, yet you want a P&S interview.
(2) rafflecopter hit "QUOTE" on mmmcdowe and managed to misquote – personally changing "dispelthe" into "display the" in the quote (unless you have some autocorrect thing going on???)
(3) mmmcdowe is probably the BEST source out there getting his info from THE source – no second opinion necessary
(4) Cole – Did you send an ITA email to Columbia when you were coming out for Hopkins? If so, you should tell UES on the Cornell thread that you're not bluffing being ITA as he/she wants to.

We all good?
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mr. mmmmmmmmmmcdowe obviously corrected his post yo, stop hyperventilating.
 
etherpentane, just because someone gets an invite after an "in the area" email, does not mean that the kid got the invite "just because he was in the area". It means that he/she was going to be invited anyway and the school just moved it up. Also, it could have been just a coincidence. I hear from reliable sources (reliable to "me" anyway) that they only make a difference if you are coming from "across the world" (like China). Otherwise, they are meaningless. There are already way too many qualified applicants to choose from.
 
Clint said:
Overall, I was very impressed with Columbia and the interview day organization in general. The only negative I could find with the school was the lack of a simulation lab, which some could argue isn't really necessary considering the hands-on patient interactions you get at Columbia.
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Columbia has numerous simulation labs. They are occasionally available to the preclinical students but mostly reserved for the residents/clinical years. Instead for preclinical students, you begin interviewing real patients in your first semester (and you also begin simulating interviews on actors in your first semester). In the second semester, you begin a combined history and physical exam, which culminates in a complete history/exam, differential, plan, and oral and written presentation by your third semester, right on time for the wards.
The pre-clinical preparation for the clinic is exceptional, and that is if you choose only to do the bare minimum. There are numerous other opportunities in departments, with the free clinics affiliated with Columbia/doctors around the city, etc...
 
Clint said:
The only negative I could find with the school was the lack of a simulation lab, which some could argue isn't really necessary considering the hands-on patient interactions you get at Columbia.
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Well, they better start spending some of that endowment money. This is the 21st century and it will be a "must" for any top school. After all, they are already sitting in Washington Heights, which does not make them very attractive 🙄
 
BrainBuff said:
Well, they better start spending some of that endowment money. This is the 21st century and it will be a "must" for any top school. After all, they are already sitting in Washington Heights, which does not make them very attractive 🙄
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This negative comment has been constantly disputed. Washington Heights is not a hellhole by any means. Its population is unlike that of other reputable schools and is a fantastic environment for those interested in working with underserved populations. There is a lot of Dominican culture/energy and midtown Manhattan is EASILY accessible by subway. Secondly, sim centers are NOT a must. Actual patient contact is much more important. As for endowment, Columbia will be completely renovating their entire medical campus in a couple of years thanks to 50 million from Dr. Vagelos the former head of Merck.
 
Clint said:
Overall, I was very impressed with Columbia and the interview day organization in general. The only negative I could find with the school was the lack of a simulation lab, which some could argue isn't really necessary considering the hands-on patient interactions you get at Columbia.


C
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We have a simulation lab, so Columbia is now perfect 😉
 
nerdtastic said:
kind of in love with columbia. went recently for an interview and it totally fit me and my personality. the students were INCREDIBLY nice and welcoming, and i loved the community that the school has built for its students.
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ditto.
 
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I'd like to ask for some advice!
I live in Texas...and I'll be interviewing at Hopkins on March 4th..
Is it a stretch to say I'll be "in the area"?
It'd def be cheaper and more convenient for me
if I were to hit up both NYC and Baltimore in one trip..
Thanks in advance. 🙂
 
ohhgeelee said:
I'd like to ask for some advice!
I live in Texas...and I'll be interviewing at Hopkins on March 4th..
Is it a stretch to say I'll be "in the area"?
It'd def be cheaper and more convenient for me
if I were to hit up both NYC and Baltimore in one trip..
Thanks in advance. 🙂
Click to expand...

Go for it.
 
ohhgeelee said:
I'd like to ask for some advice!
I live in Texas...and I'll be interviewing at Hopkins on March 4th..
Is it a stretch to say I'll be "in the area"?
It'd def be cheaper and more convenient for me
if I were to hit up both NYC and Baltimore in one trip..
Thanks in advance. 🙂
Click to expand...

I did the exact same thing earlier in the cycle. They didn't accommodate my request, but maybe they will for you since you're giving them so much heads up.
 
etherpentane said:
Wow convo in here & the Cornell thread is awesome…
(1) mmmcdowe didn't put a space b/t "dispel" & "the," and your brain can't figure out what he meant, yet you want a P&S interview.
Click to expand...

Either that or I quoted him before he fixed it. Whose the one undeserving of a P & S interview now?

etherpentane said:
(2) rafflecopter hit "QUOTE" on mmmcdowe and managed to misquote – personally changing "dispelthe" into "display the" in the quote (unless you have some autocorrect thing going on???)
Click to expand...

That's a much more logical explanation than him changing his original post 🙄.
etherpentane said:
We all good?
Click to expand...
Naw, dawg.
 
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ohhgeelee said:
I'd like to ask for some advice!
I live in Texas...and I'll be interviewing at Hopkins on March 4th..
Is it a stretch to say I'll be "in the area"?
It'd def be cheaper and more convenient for me
if I were to hit up both NYC and Baltimore in one trip..
Thanks in advance. 🙂
Click to expand...

I sent an in-the-area email to Baylor for my interview in NY lol. It was mostly to show them that I'm still interested...
 
rafflecopter said:
Either that or I quoted him before he fixed it. Whose the one undeserving of a P & S interview now?



That's a much more logical explanation than him changing his original post 🙄.

Naw, dawg.
Click to expand...

👍 Best part is the edit note. You're my hero.
 
ohhgeelee said:
I'd like to ask for some advice!
I live in Texas...and I'll be interviewing at Hopkins on March 4th..
Is it a stretch to say I'll be "in the area"?
It'd def be cheaper and more convenient for me
if I were to hit up both NYC and Baltimore in one trip..
Thanks in advance. 🙂
Click to expand...

The only potential problem I see here is that if they operate on the same schedule as last year, they will be finished with interviews by that time.
 
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