2010-2011 Columbia Application Thread

[MrAppleseed]

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For those who got waitlisted or rejected, how did you feel about your interviews?

Mine can be summed up as 'meh'. Overall, it was pleasant, like shooting the breeze with a stranger next to you on the bus - it was nice, but pretty void of any substance (nothing asked about my app, experiences, why I would be a good fit, etc.). We actually talked for close to an hour, though it probably would have been considerably shorter without my questions. The interviewer was very friendly, but we really couldn't connect on anything. Also, they asked a couple of questions on topics that I'm really not familiar with or very interested in, so I didn't have much to say about them, which was a little rough.

I left feeling like I just had an enjoyable conversation, but was disappointed because I knew that what seemed like a fluffy personality test was in no way going to be some "game changer" that might get me in.

 

[brooklyndude]

Finally got home in the Mid-Atlantic and no mail here, either. I do not understand how mail sent out last Thursday could be taking this long to get to me, much less to people in New York City.

If they were wedded to sending notices by mail, couldn't they have at least sent them out on the same day? Last year's class had a 12-day window wherein people received decisions. It looks like we're on-track for at least seven or eight days...

I like Columbia, but their admissions process has been exhausting and a huge turn-off for the school. From asking us to mail in passport photos to mailing out these decisions, it is simply not applicant-friendly. If I get in, you can bet I have some suggestions for the admissions office.

(Glad to hear that they're nice on the phone at least!)

Couldn't agree more re antiquated admissions process.

Still nothing here in Brooklyn.

 

[NeuroE]

Still nothing here in Brooklyn.

Nothing over here in Brooklyn either.

 

[minka]

i'm presuming i've been rejected, but my interview was odd too. It was also only about 20 minutes, and there was very little talked about my actual application.

+1

 

[med8866]

-

 

[jusgeo89]

Hey, just called the admissions office. They said some stuff was mailed out Friday. I live like 10 miles from the office and still haven't heard anything. I don't think its going to be good news as my interview was under 12 minutes long. The guy asked me 1 question and then was trying to push me out. I felt like a cheap date getting forced out of the room after a 1 night stand... lmao

 

[HankMED]

Hey, just called the admissions office. They said some stuff was mailed out Friday. I live like 10 miles from the office and still haven't heard anything. I don't think its going to be good news as my interview was under 12 minutes long. The guy asked me 1 question and then was trying to push me out. I felt like a cheap date getting forced out of the room after a 1 night stand... lmao

To preempt any questions, the admissions office said the Friday mailing DID include some acceptances. Keeping the hope alive...

 

[NeuroE]

To preempt any questions, the admissions office said the Friday mailing DID include some acceptances. Keeping the hope alive...

What a freakin' roller coaster. Did they happen to give an explanation as to why some accepts went out then? Or that's just how it goes?

 

[med8866]

That's really good news. I'm keeping my hopes us 🙂

 

[OoEeOoAhAh]

It seems like everyone left waiting for a decision who has posted about their interview has had a bad experience. Is there anybody else who thought their interview went well?

I actually thought mine was my best I had all year. Haha. If I'm rejected, I'm going to laugh at how insanely unpredictable this process is.

(ETA: Just read the "some acceptances went out" addition. I'll cross my fingers but at this point, I'm going to stop expecting anything. I'm just along for the ride.)

 

[takk]

It seems like everyone left waiting for a decision who has posted about their interview has had a bad experience. Is there anybody else who thought their interview went well?

I actually thought mine was my best I had all year. Haha. If I'm rejected, I'm going to laugh at how insanely unpredictable this process is.

I also thought my interview was probably the best one I had...

 

[HankMED]

I also thought my interview was probably the best one I had...

+1

And as to why some acceptances went out Friday... that's just how they do it.

 

[tribe86]

It seems like everyone left waiting for a decision who has posted about their interview has had a bad experience. Is there anybody else who thought their interview went well?

I don't wanna jinx it, but I actually thought my interview went really well. Still though, not holding out hope for an acceptance... can we assume these last acceptances were sent priority like the others? If so, I'd think they would've arrived in NYC by now..

 

[Krayak]

Empty mailbox again today. I also felt like my interview went really well, I actually remember my interviewer saying something along the lines of "hope to see you here next year" as I was leaving. Don't want to get my hopes up again though-- it's just too draining.

 

[NeuroE]

It seems like everyone left waiting for a decision who has posted about their interview has had a bad experience.

So much for that theory 😀

My interview was ok.

As for getting rejected after good interviews. It definitely happens. I thought Tufts was my best interview up to that point and I got rejected.

 

[OoEeOoAhAh]

Haha- it wasn't so much as a theory as an observation. I was angling for someone to reassure me.

No mail in NYC today?

 

[UnclePhil]

What a freakin' roller coaster. Did they happen to give an explanation as to why some accepts went out then? Or that's just how it goes?

Agree about the roller coaster. I seriously almost threw up when I read that, I haven't been this up and down emotionally since I was an angsty teenager in high school. Maybe it'll be like Charlie Bucket, given up all hope that he got a golden ticket, only to find one in his Wonka bar after the news broke out that there was one left.

 

[NeuroE]

Agree about the roller coaster. I seriously almost threw up when I read that, I haven't been this up and down emotionally since I was an angsty teenager in high school. Maybe it'll be like Charlie Bucket, given up all hope that he got a golden ticket, only to find one in his Wonka bar after the news broke out that there was one left.

Well, now I know what I'm going to post if I'm actually one of the lucky ones.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

No mail in sc today

 

[Harpoon]

To preempt any questions, the admissions office said the Friday mailing DID include some acceptances. Keeping the hope alive...

Still nothing here in Western Mass...although at least now i can be slightly more optimistic about seeing a letter in my mailbox

 

[drugsarefun]

No mail in sc today

same deal in the midwest. unbelievable.

 

[dohlo]

I like Columbia, but their admissions process has been exhausting and a huge turn-off for the school.

Anything that will help ease the blow of the coming rejection/waitlist, haha.

If anything, be mad at the application process in general, don't hate the playa hate the game.

 

[ERmaven]

Thought I was the only one... Easily my worst interview experience. He seemed to think I had run over his dog or bullied his son or something. Got this vibe before I had even sat down. Don't think I ever had a prayer with him.
Still a great school and would love to attend despite that.

 

[KUNRD07]

Nothing in the mail, again. (Midwest) :-/

 

[UnclePhil]

for those still waiting, what have you guys been doing in your spare time to keep sane? lol to lighten the mood a little bit.

 

[tribe86]

Waitlist letter FINALLY received! (NYC)

 

[drugsarefun]

If not one received anything from Columbia yesterday or today, then there is no way they were mailing things out every day starting on Tuesday. There would not be a 2 day gap for every single applicant regardless of location. So bizarre. Maybe they sent out a bunch of stuff on Tuesday and then Friday or something. Bla.

Edit: thank you tribe86 for receiving something!

 

[Krayak]

tribe86, if you don't mind my asking, did your letter have comments from Dean Nicholas on it? And if so, did you get to interview with him?

 

[tribe86]

tribe86, if you don't mind my asking, did your letter have comments from Dean Nicholas on it? And if so, did you get to interview with him?

Hey, I haven't seen the letter yet (I'm at work and my roommate has been on mail watch 🙂), but I'm told it has no handwritten comments. I did not interview with Dean Nicholas.

 

[OoEeOoAhAh]

If not one received anything from Columbia yesterday or today, then there is no way they were mailing things out every day starting on Tuesday. There would not be a 2 day gap for every single applicant regardless of location. So bizarre. Maybe they sent out a bunch of stuff on Tuesday and then Friday or something. Bla.

I agree that we've been getting some bogus information. I'm sure it's not intentional, but there's no way that something could have been mailed out on Friday and not received in NYC until today. And certainly not on Thursday like someone else (PnSLove, maybe? God love him.) said.

I was telling a parent the situation and they wondered if mail from the admissions office is sent through the university-wide postal service, where it'd be delayed, particularly if it left the admissions office right before a weekend. We'll never know, but I think it's an interesting idea.

 

[Krayak]

Hey, I haven't seen the letter yet (I'm at work and my roommate has been on mail watch 🙂), but I'm told it has no handwritten comments. I did not interview with Dean Nicholas.

Hmmm... So has anyone recieved handwritten comments that did NOT interview with Dean Nicholas?

Also congrats on the WL tribe, still quite an accomplishment at a school like Columbia.

 

[NeuroE]

I was telling a parent the situation and they wondered if mail from the admissions office is sent through the university-wide postal service, where it'd be delayed, particularly if it left the admissions office right before a weekend. We'll never know, but I think it's an interesting idea.

(PnSLove is a girl!)

I've thought about this, too. In opposition to it, some people did receive acceptances the day after the first day of mailings. That doesn't mean the mail doesn't go through the university system, but it rules out a systemic delay.

 

[tribe86]

Also congrats on the WL tribe, still quite an accomplishment at a school like Columbia.

Thanks, good luck!

 

[venacontracta]

I agree that we've been getting some bogus information. I'm sure it's not intentional, but there's no way that something could have been mailed out on Friday and not received in NYC until today. And certainly not on Thursday like someone else (PnSLove, maybe? God love him.) said.

I was telling a parent the situation and they wondered if mail from the admissions office is sent through the university-wide postal service, where it'd be delayed, particularly if it left the admissions office right before a weekend. We'll never know, but I think it's an interesting idea.

You could always call the admissions office without giving your name and ask them a few questions ... worst case scenario, they don't answer them and think you're a bit weird.

 

[OoEeOoAhAh]

You could always call the admissions office without giving your name and ask them a few questions ... worst case scenario, they don't answer them and think you're a bit weird.

There's only one question I have for the admissions office and it's "What did you decide?"

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Apparently not everything got sent out Thursday, and by the time they finished everything up on Friday, the mailman had already come and gone, so the last of it went out yesterday

 

[drugsarefun]

Apparently not everything got sent out Thursday, and by the time they finished everything up on Friday, the mailman had already come and gone, so the last of it went out yesterday

wow. any idea what "the last of it" included? all waitlists/rejections i assume?

 

[OoEeOoAhAh]

Apparently not everything got sent out Thursday, and by the time they finished everything up on Friday, the mailman had already come and gone, so the last of it went out yesterday

So that would suggest that most New Yorkers should expect something today and everyone else tomorrow or Thursday?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

wow. any idea what "the last of it" included? all waitlists/rejections i assume?

no way i was asking that i wouldn't mind it if you did, though

 

[OoEeOoAhAh]

no way i was asking that i wouldn't mind it if you did, though

Well, we were told earlier today that the Friday batch had some acceptances so if it became the Monday batch due to missing the postman...

But the entire idea of two mailing days for acceptances makes me wonder why they even bothered to send the first batch priority mail.

Basically, we'll have to wait and see from those in NYC.

 

[nerd4life]

Hmmm... So has anyone recieved handwritten comments that did NOT interview with Dean Nicholas?

Also congrats on the WL tribe, still quite an accomplishment at a school like Columbia.

I know this isn't exactly what you asked, but I had a wait list letter (received on Saturday March 5 in the Minnesota) with hand written comments by Dean Nicholas (who I interviewed with). I thought my interview with him was fantastic, so I was actually a little bit surprised to be wait listed. Does everyone's wait list letter have hand written comments?

 

[RB93]

I haven't heard anything either. Hopefully someone from Columbia admissions does read this tread...if there were ever a reason to switch to email notifications, reading through this thread should convince them. I feel bad for anyone whose top choice is Columbia and still hasn't heard back - this must be really hard.

I also thought my interview went well, but it's always hard to judge I think.

 

[NeuroE]

I feel bad for anyone whose top choice is Columbia and still hasn't heard back - this must be really hard.

You got that right!

Apparently not everything got sent out Thursday, and by the time they finished everything up on Friday, the mailman had already come and gone, so the last of it went out yesterday

Waaaaa! I've said it before and hopefully I don't have to say it again - wtf? This forum is a bad thing Ironically, one of my Columbia lunch hosts told the few of us that were interviewing that day that we should not follow the forums when decisions were coming out... because it would make us go crazy. That was good advice.

 

[tribe86]

Does everyone's wait list letter have hand written comments?

Nope..

 

[jusgeo89]

Has anyone been accepted who DID NOT interview with Dean Nicholas?

 

[brooklyndude]

My letter finally arrived in Brooklyn . . .waitlisted. I am actually relieved because I thought it was a rejection (until I got to the second paragraph.)

Anything for you, NeuroE?

 

[placebo11]

Has anyone been accepted who DID NOT interview with Dean Nicholas?

I didn't interview with Dean Nicholas and was accepted.

 

[pntbtrjelytme]

I didn't interview with Dr. Nicholas but was accepted - i did have handwritten notes from him on my letter, however.

Does anyone know the schedule for second look weekend? I'm trying to go to another school's second look the same weeknd and trying to buy plane tickets soon...

p&slove do you know when there will be more second look information available? thanks

 

[PnSLove]

I didn't interview with Dr. Nicholas but was accepted - i did have handwritten notes from him on my letter, however.

Does anyone know the schedule for second look weekend? I'm trying to go to another school's second look the same weeknd and trying to buy plane tickets soon...

p&slove do you know when there will be more second look information available? thanks

Hey guys!

Second look schedule is being finalized, but I would recommend coming the first day (Thursday) and then leaving for the other one if necessary on Friday morning. I had to leave Bard at 4am for the same reason last year, but I'm glad I did. You really want to be sure you're here for coffeehouse! The schedule will be posted on the Facebook group/website as soon as it is finalized!

 

[NeuroE]

My letter finally arrived in Brooklyn . . .waitlisted. I am actually relieved because I thought it was a rejection (until I got to the second paragraph.)

Anything for you, NeuroE?

Yep. Also waitlisted. No handwritten note, but that's ok. I'm going to go charm him in person (hopefully my so-so interview here was the deciding factor).