2011-2012 Columbia Application Thread

[luckyducky87]

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I submitted mine Aug 9 and I got a "complete" email on Aug 31

 

[DrRower]

Easy there with those "Complete" emails -- whether you're worried about not getting one or relieved that you did. I got a Complete a long time ago, then they emailed me to say that my Basset essay didn't show up on the application, and would I mind emailing it to them. [*gasp!* "Oh no!" /scrambles through folders of secondary app docs/ "It isn't anywhere -- Oh HERE it is!!" ]

* * Congrats to everyone with interviews!! Exciting! * *

 

[eleventwelve]

Easy there with those "Complete" emails -- whether you're worried about not getting one or relieved that you did. I got a Complete a long time ago, then they emailed me to say that my Basset essay didn't show up on the application, and would I mind emailing it to them. [*gasp!* "Oh no!" /scrambles through folders of secondary app docs/ "It isn't anywhere -- Oh HERE it is!!" ]

* * Congrats to everyone with interviews!! Exciting! * *

haha the same thing happened to me!

 

[deleted261193]

does anyone know how columbia feels about "in the area" emails?

 

[elegantorchid]

i just submitted my secondary to columbia today. I hope I still have a chance >.< my EC's are rather weak along with my gpa. well for that matter my 35 MCAT is not really that great for Columbia either... oh wells. You guys made it sound so great I had to apply.

 

[luckyducky87]

haha the same thing happened to me!

haha wow, roughly how long after the complete email? also, were both of you applying to the basset program? columbia has been so slow... but maybe that just means they give a more thorough look at our applications

 

[sharpie1006]

Interview invite this afternoon by phone! (9/6) - complete 7/19.

Congrats to everyone who is also interviewing, and good luck to all those still waiting!

 

[candav]

Interview invite by phone today!!! So excited! I received the call during my faculty interview at another med school... awkward. I was complete 7/28.

 

[elegantorchid]

Interview invite by phone today!!! So excited! I received the call during my faculty interview at another med school... awkward. I was complete 7/28.

i think its kinda cool. its like subtly saying i can go other places too 😡

though why was ur phone on during the interview =s

 

[candav]

i think its kinda cool. its like subtly saying i can go other places too 😡

though why was ur phone on during the interview =s

I usually keep my phone in my bag but I guess I took it out during one of the breaks and slipped it in my jacket. It was on vibrate mode, so no harm done!

 

[rivercity]

interview invite! so excited and definitely caught off guard by the phone call! I'll be up there in 2 weeks (nervous), but I'll have one under my belt before then so let's hope my nerves are calmed...

 

[mmmcdowe]

does anyone know how columbia feels about "in the area" emails?

They are responsive to them, but not being able to accommodate you does not mean you won't be offered an interview later in the season.

 

[deleted261193]

thanks!

congrats to everyone who's getting interviews so far! 🙂 to others -- are you having an issue logging into their website or is it just me? everytime i try to login the page just refreshes. 🙁 i wonder if it's because i'm on the latest version of firefox?

 

[thestrokes14]

app complete email. Submitted a few weeks ago.

 

[nuitsansetoiles]

app complete email. Submitted a few weeks ago.

+1

 

[MelMelisqueen]

just got my interview call! anyone else going to be there on the 20th?

 

[Rolling]

I still see the prompt for question 1. What do I do?!

 

[Laplace]

I still see the prompt for question 1. What do I do?!

As do I. It shows up after clicking the Print option if I type something too. Are we supposed to answer this? I don't understand why my application has it when I just created it a week ago. 😕

 

[LittleBuu]

Heya guys.
Did many of you take advantage of the "add anything extra" section?
I'm planning on using it but I was wondering how people approached it...
Perhaps like a cover letter, or more like an mini-essay?

 

[DrFunkeMD]

For those who have afternoon interviews, are you planning on attending the optional welcome breakfast?

 

[Slev]

Complete today. Submitted August 11.

 

[1CoolKat]

just got my interview call! anyone else going to be there on the 20th?

Ive seen your salutation prior, and wanted to simply say... Winterfell!!! 😉

 

[1CoolKat]

Quick question guys, I just got an email stating that my app was complete in spite of the fact that my latest mcat score has not yet been released? Should I be worried/early rejection?

 

[sweetsinger729]

Has anyone gotten an invite to interview for Columbia-Bassett? Relatedly, does anyone know if getting an interview invite for that program means you're also in consideration for the regular MD program as well? (since you have to interview on both campuses anyway, and the Bassett program only accepts 10 students...)

 

[DrRower]

Heya guys.
Did many of you take advantage of the "add anything extra" section?
I'm planning on using it but I was wondering how people approached it...
Perhaps like a cover letter, or more like an mini-essay?

I'm not telling what to do with your own app or anything, but I wanted to do this and felt unsure, so I contacted Admissions and asked about it. They told me specifically not to use it that way (because there are prompts in the secondary for that type of thing already).

They said that part is intended for extra academic credentials that wouldn't fit in the spaces provided, like it says in the instructions.

Personally, I used it to upload transcript information that was not available in time for AMCAS submission.

 

[candav]

Heya guys.
Did many of you take advantage of the "add anything extra" section?
I'm planning on using it but I was wondering how people approached it...
Perhaps like a cover letter, or more like an mini-essay?

I discussed various meaningful circumstances of my childhood. Not sure if this is what they wanted, but I'm sure they will just ignore it if they don't want to read it.

 

[Disheveled]

1. If you received a fee waiver from AMCAS do you still have to print the voucher and mail it to Columbia?
2. I still see on the instruction page that a passport size photo is requested to be mailed. What's the final verdict?

Hey, did you ever find out the answer to the first question? I emailed my fee waiver to them. Don't know if that's enough.

 

[LJ1000F]

Has anyone had any luck with the "in the area" emails? And just so I'm sure, this is basically just saying you have an interview in the same region, is it possible for them to extend an interview for you at that same time?

 

[MelMelisqueen]

Ive seen your salutation prior, and wanted to simply say... Winterfell!!! 😉

if you also happen to like arrested development you should check this out:

http://arrestedwesteros.com/

 

[cowsgomuon]

Has anyone gotten an invite to interview for Columbia-Bassett? Relatedly, does anyone know if getting an interview invite for that program means you're also in consideration for the regular MD program as well? (since you have to interview on both campuses anyway, and the Bassett program only accepts 10 students...)

Yup, I did 🙂 You get an email from Columbia-Bassett, and once you schedule your interview with them the regular MD program contacts you to set up an interview the following day. If you get an interview with Bassett you automatically also get one with regular MD, but if you get regular MD you don't necessarily get a Bassett interview.

 

[sweetsinger729]

Yup, I did 🙂 You get an email from Columbia-Bassett, and once you schedule your interview with them the regular MD program contacts you to set up an interview the following day. If you get an interview with Bassett you automatically also get one with regular MD, but if you get regular MD you don't necessarily get a Bassett interview.

Great, thanks for the info! I got an interview invite as well, and I was under the impression that I'd be considered for both programs, but just wanted to make sure. I have to sort out my work schedule to figure out when I can take off 3 days in a row (yikes!) but I'm excited to check out both Columbia campuses. Congrats on your interview!

 

[mmmcdowe]

Has anyone had any luck with the "in the area" emails? And just so I'm sure, this is basically just saying you have an interview in the same region, is it possible for them to extend an interview for you at that same time?

In the past, yes.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Quick question guys, I just got an email stating that my app was complete in spite of the fact that my latest mcat score has not yet been released? Should I be worried/early rejection?

Columbia doesn't reject early, they keep your application open for most of the admissions cycle. Assuming they keep doing things as they have in the past, that is.

 

[1CoolKat]

Columbia doesn't reject early, they keep your application open for most of the admissions cycle. Assuming they keep doing things as they have in the past, that is.

Thanks...I just heard back from admissions and apparently the email was a mistake...it was meant to someone else with my same last name! 🙂. Who knew I might be related to another applicant, and btw, my last name is not common...

Thanks again for your response.

 

[Laplace]

Dumb question but if we paid via Paypal, we're not supposed to print a payment voucher and also mail it to them correct?

 

[1CoolKat]

Im with you! I have not yet begun watching the series as of yet... I am hooked (currently reading book 3) and super excited about what is about to happen...Guess you can say that Im one of those that always enjoys the books better than the film(s); however, my impression is that the series does justice to the the story line...some of the characters dont look as I imagine them...Jon Snow in particular. Otherwise, an epic story! Cheers.

 

[1CoolKat]

if you also happen to like arrested development you should check this out:

http://arrestedwesteros.com/

Sorry for the double post. I meant to address MelMilsqueen....

Im with you! I have not yet begun watching the series as of yet... I am hooked (currently reading book 3) and super excited about what is about to happen...Guess you can say that Im one of those that always enjoys the books better than the film(s); however, my impression is that the series does justice to the the story line...some of the characters dont look as I imagine them...Jon Snow in particular. Otherwise, an epic story! Cheers.

 

[intj]

App submitted 8/14... complete email 9/13. Geeez!

 

[cowsgomuon]

Great, thanks for the info! I got an interview invite as well, and I was under the impression that I'd be considered for both programs, but just wanted to make sure. I have to sort out my work schedule to figure out when I can take off 3 days in a row (yikes!) but I'm excited to check out both Columbia campuses. Congrats on your interview!

Congrats to you too! The 3 days off is tough, but they help out by paying (!!) for your hotel in Cooperstown, and sharing the contact info for all the people interviewing on a certain day so everyone can carpool together to NYC to save money. I forgot to ask about parking in NYC,though 🙁 Hopefully they reserve some spots for interviewees?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Congrats to you too! The 3 days off is tough, but they help out by paying (!!) for your hotel in Cooperstown, and sharing the contact info for all the people interviewing on a certain day so everyone can carpool together to NYC to save money. I forgot to ask about parking in NYC,though 🙁 Hopefully they reserve some spots for interviewees?

🤣

you wish!

 

[mmmcdowe]

Congrats to you too! The 3 days off is tough, but they help out by paying (!!) for your hotel in Cooperstown, and sharing the contact info for all the people interviewing on a certain day so everyone can carpool together to NYC to save money. I forgot to ask about parking in NYC,though 🙁 Hopefully they reserve some spots for interviewees?

No, but there are parking garages on campus. To my knowledge they do not pay you back for the price though (in the past).

 

[bookfreak89]

Complete email 9/15, secondary submitted 8/16.

 

[zamzee]

Just FYI for other Columbia hopefuls - I just called the admissions office because I submitted my app in late August but didn't get a complete email, and was wondering if it was because I didn't send in a photo. The photo is indeed not required anymore, and they're really behind on apps so don't worry about complete emails. Just wanted to confirm for people what others have said is true.

Good luck!

 

[ialwayslose]

complete today, submitted 8/16.

Please pick me Columbia 🙂

 

[mmmcdowe]

Interviews start next week, I look forward to meeting some of you!

 

[Freigeist]

Just submitted secondary today, I'm glad I had some substantial things to say in the "Why P and S?" essay. Btw, the first essay about extracurriculars is back up there, I answered it just in case. Good luck to everyone!

 

[Flamen04]

So I just received an email from the diversity office encouraging me to apply. How competitive would I be if I applied now? Am I too late? My stats are 3.9/32S with decent ECs...

 

[DrRower]

So I just received an email from the diversity office encouraging me to apply. How competitive would I be if I applied now? Am I too late? My stats are 3.9/32S with decent ECs...

I got that too a long time ago. Did you just recently get your scores? If you check this thread from a looooong time ago, you'll see a ton of people asking about this.

It's hard to say how competitive you'd be, but they send these letters to loads of people.

 

[joy14]

a while back i got an email saying my app was sent to the bassett folks/committee ...is this a good sign? i haven't heard anything back since....id say it's been about a month

 

[eleventwelve]

a while back i got an email saying my app was sent to the bassett folks/committee ...is this a good sign? i haven't heard anything back since....id say it's been about a month

Me too. Did they also ask you to re-send them your Bassett essay? I don't think this was a good or bad sign...I just assumed it was because they couldn't download the original essay.