2011-2012 Columbia Application Thread

[MilkIsGood]

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I still see on the instruction page that a passport size photo is requested to be mailed. What's the final verdict?

would like to know as well

 

[grt398]

I called the admissions office when I submitted on 8/1 and they told me the photo was no longer required. I'm still waiting for my complete email though.

 

[sireArnest]

i started my secondary in july before i received an invite to complete it, but still have not received an email invite. i have gotten invites from every other school i have applied to. can i submit my secondary to columbia without getting an invite to fill out the secondary?

 

[Dartmouth1230]

my app was submitted on july 25th and i haven't heard anything. I also e-mailed a photo on the 25th and haven't received confirmation... should I call to confirm?

 

[nucleophilic]

For those who submitted: When you check the PDF file of your application, are all the questions complete? The question, "In what collegiate extracurricular activities did you engage? Please briefly discuss no more than three that have been most meaningful to you" is blank in my PDF file. I definitely answered this question and checked the PDF before submitting but now it's not there...

I think I read earlier in this thread that they negated those questions since they're already in the amcas app...pretty sweet for those of us that already completed it, eh?

 

[PnSLove]

i started my secondary in july before i received an invite to complete it, but still have not received an email invite. i have gotten invites from every other school i have applied to. can i submit my secondary to columbia without getting an invite to fill out the secondary?

I would just call and double check, but I doubt it will be a problem.

 

[PnSLove]

my app was submitted on july 25th and i haven't heard anything. I also e-mailed a photo on the 25th and haven't received confirmation... should I call to confirm?

Can't hurt. They're pretty backed up there, but should be able to check quickly. You probably won't get a confirmation on your picture since they are no longer required before interviews.

 

[Fanaya]

.

 

[raltima07]

I got a email saying if I hadn't finished my secondary to submit it soon. WTF...I submitted a long time ago.

 

[minerva3121]

I got a email saying if I hadn't finished my secondary to submit it soon. WTF...I submitted a long time ago.

Don't worry this is my second reminder even though I submitted a while back too. When I got the first reminder e-mail I subsequently got a message that said "If you have already submitted your secondary application, you do not have to submit another one. The previous e-mail was for applicants that have not started to fill out our secondary application. I apologize for the confusion this may have caused."

 

[zed]

there was also an email that says "On behalf of Dr. Hilda Hutcherson"? i got it on Saturday

 

[doctorSOX]

Ahhhhh. Just got the email telling us that the Activities section and photo were removed from the application. What a let-down, I was hoping it was an invite!!

 

[a532]

For MSTP applicants: does everyone see a spot for GRE scores or is it just me?

 

[NYCMommy]

Do any of you think it might be wise to contact admissions and let them know that you are a non-trad with an interesting story? Would that make them take a look at my application with a more "whole-person" approach? I am applying pretty late comparing to some of you. Just submitted my primary on 8/1. Transcripts received on 8/3 but haven't be verified yet. Finished the secondary, will submit that in the next couple of days and taking the MCAT at the end of the month.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Do any of you think it might be wise to contact admissions and let them know that you are a non-trad with an interesting story? Would that make them take a look at my application with a more "whole-person" approach? I am applying pretty late comparing to some of you. Just submitted my primary on 8/1. Transcripts received on 8/3 but haven't be verified yet. Finished the secondary, will submit that in the next couple of days and taking the MCAT at the end of the month.

no

 

[candav]

Do any of you think it might be wise to contact admissions and let them know that you are a non-trad with an interesting story? Would that make them take a look at my application with a more "whole-person" approach? I am applying pretty late comparing to some of you. Just submitted my primary on 8/1. Transcripts received on 8/3 but haven't be verified yet. Finished the secondary, will submit that in the next couple of days and taking the MCAT at the end of the month.

Wouldn't your background already be expressed in your personal statement/activities/recommendations? I don't see how emailing admissions would add anything. In any case, Columbia seems pretty friendly towards non trads so I'm sure they will consider your application in the appropriate context.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Do any of you think it might be wise to contact admissions and let them know that you are a non-trad with an interesting story? Would that make them take a look at my application with a more "whole-person" approach? I am applying pretty late comparing to some of you. Just submitted my primary on 8/1. Transcripts received on 8/3 but haven't be verified yet. Finished the secondary, will submit that in the next couple of days and taking the MCAT at the end of the month.

That'd all be good stuff to mention in the "is there anything else important you need to tell us" essay, assuming it is still there.

 

[m9999]

Woo! Just got my 'complete' email! SR:7/18 SS:7/27 C:8/9
(I'm REALLY slow at secondary essays, apparently)

Now all I have to do is wait for the rejection letter. What a load off my back 😛

 

[deleted392924]

Just got an email asking me to resend them the answer to the Columbia Bassett prompt. It seems like their secondary is having some serious issues.

 

[bookfreak89]

would like to know as well

The admissions office sent me an email stating that the photo is no longer needed:

"Dear Applicant: The extra curricular activity question has been removed by the Admissions Committee. If you see the question on the PDF please disregard it. The Admissions Committee has also decided that we no longer need a photo to complete your application. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you for your interest in P&S."

 

[MilkIsGood]

The admissions office sent me an email stating that the photo is no longer needed:

"Dear Applicant: The extra curricular activity question has been removed by the Admissions Committee. If you see the question on the PDF please disregard it. The Admissions Committee has also decided that we no longer need a photo to complete your application. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you for your interest in P&S."

yea i saw the post above about this email. i never received this email. hmm. hopefully ill get the complete email soon

 

[Local Native]

Did anyone else get this email? Trying to figure out if this is legit or a spam email of some sort.

Dear Applicant,


Thank you for applying to Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. We have experienced technical difficulties with the "Select the Program to Which You are Applying" field on our secondary application. In order to ensure that we have an accurate record of the program you intend to apply to, please follow this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/psadmissionsquestionnaire to select the academic program for which your application is intended.



We assure you that this is an isolated glitch and that the remainder of your application has been received in full. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your attention.

 

[Matteo]

Did anyone else get this email? Trying to figure out if this is legit or a spam email of some sort.

it's legit

 

[DunKno]

Did anyone else get this email? Trying to figure out if this is legit or a spam email of some sort.

I came here to figure out the same thing. I also recieved this email an I think it's legitimate since it came from the same email address as other columbia materials, but I'm not 100% sure

 

[protonate]

Received it as well. Since they're not asking for any passwords, I think we should be fine.

 

[deleted401746]

Just got it too

 

[Neurosomething]

I got it as well. Seems legit enough. AAMC ID isn't quite like they're asking for my CC# and SSN on there, so I don't mind filling it out. I just hope they're not gonna hold it against anyone who already submitted the secondary and then doesn't fill this out. I'm sure CU realizes by now how problematic their secondary is.

 

[PnSLove]

I got it as well. Seems legit enough. AAMC ID isn't quite like they're asking for my CC# and SSN on there, so I don't mind filling it out. I just hope they're not gonna hold it against anyone who already submitted the secondary and then doesn't fill this out. I'm sure CU realizes by now how problematic their secondary is.

It's legit.
The service they're using for the secondary has been having issues. They just want to make sure they have everyone's stuff figured out.

 

[thestrokes14]

Wow, the secondary was actually really easy (with the elimination of those other questions).

I have one question though: is it possible to submit a picture? I didn't see anywhere on the application that mentioned this.

 

[luckyducky87]

so... for the bazillionth time, all we need to do is complete the online secondary + pay the fee online to be "complete" right? (i.e. no mailing in anything)

 

[Freigeist]

I have a small question about the Bio section. The application asks:

Legal Permanent Address Good Until* mm/dd/yyyy

What do they mean by this? My permanent address isn't going to expire or anything and I don't plan on moving until next year if I get into a med school. What did you guys put for this since it is a required question?

 

[luckyducky87]

I have a small question about the Bio section. The application asks:

Legal Permanent Address Good Until* mm/dd/yyyy

What do they mean by this? My permanent address isn't going to expire or anything and I don't plan on moving until next year if I get into a med school. What did you guys put for this since it is a required question?

I just said 8/31/12 which I'm sure is later than the last date they;ll ever need to contact me for this cycle...

 

[Slev]

I was a little confused on the letters of recommendation section for those of us who are sending in individual letters rather than a letter pack. I thought the yes/no question was a little confusing so I called admissions office and this is what they told me:

If you are sending in individual letters of rec select NO to the question "Have you requested your College Premedical Committee, Advisor or Letter Service to send us a recommendation?"... even though you're sending them through the AMCAS letter service (the words "letter service" is what made this confusing for me). You then need to list the names of three individual letter writers in the spaces below.

I asked about types of letters and they said most students send in 2 science and 1 non-science letters and that they allow you to submit more than 3 letters.

Hope that information is useful to other people.

 

[raltima07]

Complete

 

[percy]

Complete

Coo. When did they receive the last piece of the puzzle (be it secondary, recs, or whatever)?

 

[capn jazz]

I just got an email from Columbia saying

Dear Applicant,

Your application is now complete. Your application will be forwarded to the P&S Admissions Committee and will be under review. Once the committee reaches a decision they will notify you through e-mail. Thank you for your interest in P&S.

-----

But I went to AMCAS and my committee letter is still not received.
Did this happen to anyone else?

 

[raltima07]

Coo. When did they receive the last piece of the puzzle (be it secondary, recs, or whatever)?

Probably 7/23 (not sure exactly, but around there)

 

[percy]

Probably 7/23 (not sure exactly, but around there)

I'm around the same date. Commence twiddlethumbs!

 

[Floyd G]

Did anyone else recently see the activities question reappear?

I know it was there, then they took it away. When I logged in this past weekend it wasn't there. . .now it's back.

 

[MilkIsGood]

Did anyone else recently see the activities question reappear?

I know it was there, then they took it away. When I logged in this past weekend it wasn't there. . .now it's back.

just logged in, and i see it too. got the complete email yesterday, so i think i'm good. i already wrote it anyways before they took it down

 

[raltima07]

I just got a email saying that I was accepted!!

Dear Raltima07,

Congratulations! You were our 1000th applicant, so you win....a free acceptance!!!

Anyone in here jelly/?

 

[percy]

I got the same email. Must be one of Columbia's many email mishaps. Sorry to burst your bubble! 🙁

 

[raltima07]

I got the same email. Must be one of Columbia's many email mishaps. Sorry to burst your bubble! 🙁

I knew it was too good to be true...🙁

 

[frutiaspice]

Yeah, I see it too...are we suppose to fill it out if we haven't submitted it yet? I'm really confused @_@

 

[Floyd G]

Yeah, I see it too...are we suppose to fill it out if we haven't submitted it yet? I'm really confused @_@

Strong consensus seems to be it is not necessary to fill it out, and that it was meant to be deleted. Sounds like a few people confirmed that with admissions as well.

However, I found myself psychologically unable to submit with a big blank space. And too impatient to wait and call Monday. So I wrote up a quick answer. It was very premed of me.

 

[xadmin]

Can mmmcdove, P&SLove, or anybody else on this forum give me a pointer. The website said I can apply to both MD Program and the MD-Bassett program at the same time. Where do I indicate this and is it wise to apply to both because I am afraid I might be discriminated against by one of the program once they see that I apply to both.

I like both programs and I think each offer their advantages.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Can mmmcdove, P&SLove, or anybody else on this forum give me a pointer. The website said I can apply to both MD Program and the MD-Bassett program at the same time. Where do I indicate this and is it wise to apply to both because I am afraid I might be discriminated against by one of the program once they see that I apply to both.

I like both programs and I think each offer their advantages.

There is no discrimination, and I believe it is assumed that you are applying to both if you apply for the Bassett program (at least it used to be that way last season). Due to some changes that are being made to the application, I'm not sure where now you indicate that you are applying for the Bassett program, but you should definitely fill out any Bassett related essays and, if no place can be found, you should contact the admissions office and let them know you are applying MD-Bassett.You can still be accepted to the MD program even if you are rejected from Basset, as was the case for several applicants that I have spoken to.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

So I'm really interested in adding Columbia...but should I even bother? 3.71c, 3.98s, 33 MCAT. I know my MCAT isn't stellar. I have some research and great clinical experience. I have FAP so I'd just pay the primary fee. Is it worth it or will they flush my app down the toilet as soon as it arrives?

 

[percy]

So I'm really interested in adding Columbia...but should I even bother? 3.71c, 3.98s, 33 MCAT. I know my MCAT isn't stellar. I have some research and great clinical experience. I have FAP so I'd just pay the primary fee. Is it worth it or will they flush my app down the toilet as soon as it arrives?

You answered your own question.

Who cares if they flush your app? You got the FAP, girlfriend--go for it!

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

So I'm really interested in adding Columbia...but should I even bother? 3.71c, 3.98s, 33 MCAT. I know my MCAT isn't stellar. I have some research and great clinical experience. I have FAP so I'd just pay the primary fee. Is it worth it or will they flush my app down the toilet as soon as it arrives?

You're fine really. MCAT is not much below their average. GPA is great. Just do it. I applied and I suck 🙂.