2011-2012 Columbia Application Thread

[1CoolKat]

---

Members don't see this ad.

HI. Im wondering if the admissions comm. sends out rejection emails or do they keep your file open throughout the remainder of the season?

Thanks

 

[bookfreak89]

All decisions will be sent out in March.

 

[mmmcdowe]

HI. Im wondering if the admissions comm. sends out rejection emails or do they keep your file open throughout the remainder of the season?

Thanks

They keep them open through the interview season. Last year they emailed re interview rejections a bit earlier than march, which was new.

 

[MilkIsGood]

what day does the interview day end? and when do they usually send the email of the formal confirmation and additional info?

 

[mmmcdowe]

what day does the interview day end? and when do they usually send the email of the formal confirmation and additional info?

You can request a morning interview. If you have a morning interview the final event is the tour, which ends at 2:15.

 

[jfoster5366]

I have a problem because I have not heard anything from Columbia but I want to go back to where I live which is outside of the US. When I leave the US, probably in November, I will not come back for any additional interviews because it is just too far.

If I leave I think I will have to withdraw my application from all the schools I have not heard from. I would too sad to get an interview after I left.

I completed my application at Columbia on August 1st. I also sent them an update recently saying that I will be leaving so if they want to interview me it would be best to know now. I got a response saying that the information would be added to my file.

Do people ever get interview invites long after they were complete? Is there any chance I will leave and then get an invite (especially since I already sent an email and got no invite makes me think I wont ever get one, or maybe Columbia doesn't care about those emails)?

 

[sharpie1006]

I have a problem because I have not heard anything from Columbia but I want to go back to where I live which is outside of the US. When I leave the US, probably in November, I will not come back for any additional interviews because it is just too far.

If I leave I think I will have to withdraw my application from all the schools I have not heard from. I would too sad to get an interview after I left.

I completed my application at Columbia on August 1st. I also sent them an update recently saying that I will be leaving so if they want to interview me it would be best to know now. I got a response saying that the information would be added to my file.

Do people ever get interview invites long after they were complete? Is there any chance I will leave and then get an invite (especially since I already sent an email and got no invite makes me think I wont ever get one, or maybe Columbia doesn't care about those emails)?

How long ago did you send that update email? If they are trying to schedule interviews in order, it may take one to several weeks just for new dates to open up. In any case, I don't think there's much you can do except follow your original travel plans and hope they get back to you. 🙁

If it helps at all, based off my (limited, 1-day) experience, their admissions office seems very friendly, interviews with 8-15 people happen 2-3 days a week, and they seem pretty flexible about scheduling them once they do invite you (myself and a few other interviewees were moved around because our originally scheduled times didn't work).

Oh and don't withdraw! Their decisions are non-rolling, so you never know...

 

[RogueUnicorn]

interviews afaik happen daily

 

[mmmcdowe]

I have a problem because I have not heard anything from Columbia but I want to go back to where I live which is outside of the US. When I leave the US, probably in November, I will not come back for any additional interviews because it is just too far.

If I leave I think I will have to withdraw my application from all the schools I have not heard from. I would too sad to get an interview after I left.

I completed my application at Columbia on August 1st. I also sent them an update recently saying that I will be leaving so if they want to interview me it would be best to know now. I got a response saying that the information would be added to my file.

Do people ever get interview invites long after they were complete? Is there any chance I will leave and then get an invite (especially since I already sent an email and got no invite makes me think I wont ever get one, or maybe Columbia doesn't care about those emails)?

Yes students get interview invites long after they were complete, there is a chance that you might get one later in the cycle. They do their best to accommodate people but sometimes they just cannot.

Also, Columbia interviews M-F for the most part.

 

[misslala]

Do we have to mail in our 2x2 photos along with submitting the secondary?
I can't find the link on the website to download the form.

or the photo is requested only upon interview invitation?


Thanks🙂

 

[deleted261193]

photo only needed if you get an II

 

[dancerdoc89]

do you think its appropriate if we add photos to that "additional information" Word document? there are some extracurriculars that I do that can be explained in words, but pictures tend to do it more justice. thanks!

 

[abe lincoln]

I didn't read through the entire thread, but people have been mentioning that students are allowed to take 2 free classes per semester at any Columbia school. Is there any official info on that on the website (I didn't see anything)? I want to know more about that policy, because I'm thinking about applying to columbia and would love to be able to take some philosophy classes while in med school.

also, do any other schools offer something like this?

 

[Self]

Guys I don't know what to think. I was complete in July but still haven't heard anything. I don't believe silent rejections even exist, but what the hell is going on here??

 

[penguinism]

I've been complete for roughly two months now and have not heard anything from Columbia. Would it be appropriate to send an update letter with recent honors and awards that I have won (along with new activities)? Is Columbia receptive to these types of letters? Thanks 🙂

 

[mmmcdowe]

I didn't read through the entire thread, but people have been mentioning that students are allowed to take 2 free classes per semester at any Columbia school. Is there any official info on that on the website (I didn't see anything)? I want to know more about that policy, because I'm thinking about applying to columbia and would love to be able to take some philosophy classes while in med school.

also, do any other schools offer something like this?

I have seen it somewhere in the loads of columbia information on their page, but as someone who has personally taken advantage of this I can assure you it is true.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I've been complete for roughly two months now and have not heard anything from Columbia. Would it be appropriate to send an update letter with recent honors and awards that I have won (along with new activities)? Is Columbia receptive to these types of letters? Thanks 🙂

Yes

 

[abe lincoln]

I have seen it somewhere in the loads of columbia information on their page, but as someone who has personally taken advantage of this I can assure you it is true.

Thanks for the info. It must be buried somewhere. Google searches turned up nothing. The only reference I saw was on the P&S club website.

 

[lo215]

II today! Via email unlike many of the invites here...
Very excited about this one!
Complete 9/13

 

[zamzee]

Sent an "in the area" email today. Will keep you guys posted of the outcome!

 

[LJ1000F]

just got an interview invite against all odds!
canadian applicant, marked complete august 9th AND i had sent an in the area email which they acknowledged then never got back to me so I assumed I wasnt getting an interview (I interviewed in NY two days ago ><) but im ready for round 2 in NY!
so don't lose hope if they don't get back to your in the area request.

 

[GS Mikami]

just got an interview invite against all odds!
canadian applicant, marked complete august 9th AND i had sent an in the area email which they acknowledged then never got back to me so I assumed I wasnt getting an interview (I interviewed in NY two days ago ><) but im ready for round 2 in NY!
so don't lose hope if they don't get back to your in the area request.

Got an interview invite this morning too. I can't remember when I was marked complete, but I sended my secondary app. on Jul. 02.

Their interview:acceptance ratio is a bit scary. 1253:314.

 

[Yraqi]

I'm sure this question has been asked before but I have horrible internet access and can't browse through the entire thread. Is Columbia receptive to "in country" emails?

 

[omelas]

For those of you with afternoon interviews, are you attending the morning breakfast?

 

[chronicidal]

I'm sure this question has been asked before but I have horrible internet access and can't browse through the entire thread. Is Columbia receptive to "in country" emails?

there is a thread search function;

i don't know.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I'm sure this question has been asked before but I have horrible internet access and can't browse through the entire thread. Is Columbia receptive to "in country" emails?

Columbia does their best to be flexible, but if they cannot that doesn't necessarily mean you won't be offered an interview at another time.

 

[pdxjazz]

I have sent them a couple in the area e-mails and the first one took just under 2 weeks for the "add to your file" reply, the second reply however was much quicker. Apparently neither had made much of an impact though as I am still waiting for an invite. I can't say if they help or not but they do acknowledge them.

I assume allot of you also apply to Cornell and I can tell you they replied back the same day, and I received an invite within a few days. So I suggest to send your in the area e-mails to both schools. Good luck!

 

[Yraqi]

I have sent them a couple in the area e-mails and the first one took just under 2 weeks for the "add to your file" reply, the second reply however was much quicker. Apparently neither had made much of an impact though as I am still waiting for an invite. I can't say if they help or not but they do acknowledge them.

I assume allot of you also apply to Cornell and I can tell you they replied back the same day, and I received an invite within a few days. So I suggest to send your in the area e-mails to both schools. Good luck!

They both replied the same day. Cornell at 7.30 am.

 

[capn jazz]

They both replied the same day. Cornell at 7.30 am.

did they reply favorably??

 

[Yraqi]

By replied I meant acknowledge. They are yet to inform me of their decision, if any, at this time.

 

[kautionwirez]

is it too late to apply here?

 

[archer57]

is it too late to apply here?

yes, oct 15th was the last date to add to amcas, sorry

 

[luckyducky87]

For those who received interview invites earlier this month, what dates were they scheduling interviews for?

 

[BillyPilgrim]

I received an interview request Monday via email. Submitted secondary mid August. Does anyone know the interview format?

 

[chronicidal]

I received an interview request Monday via email. Submitted secondary mid August. Does anyone know the interview format?

It's 30 minutes with a faculty member (without much wiggle room because each interviewer has multiple applicants back to back). Open-file with complete AMCAS and LORs. Dean Nicholas also reads your application and makes a chart of notes on everyone there that day with categories like arts, sports, international, research, etc. He comes in for the administrative welcome (30 min) and people go around the room introducing themselves to everyone, where they're from, what they study, and something they're passionate about or do for fun. He then picks something interesting from your application and you briefly tell everyone about it.

 

[boltzm]

I've received an II but they gave me only one date to choose from, and I have something else oging on that I absolutely can't miss. Does anyone know how accommodating P&S is to requests for alternate interview dates?

 

[chronicidal]

I've received an II but they gave me only one date to choose from, and I have something else oging on that I absolutely can't miss. Does anyone know how accommodating P&S is to requests for alternate interview dates?

very accommodating. I moved my date three weeks later.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I received an interview request Monday via email. Submitted secondary mid August. Does anyone know the interview format?

You will have a morning or afternoon interview with a senior faculty member or Dr. Nicholas, open application and conversational (Columbia isn't known for hard hitting stress questions). Other than that, there is a breakfast in the morning with two 3rd/4th year medical students, a "waiting" period during the morning where you are encouraged to go observe a lecture, explore, or just chat with students that come into the suite. You then have a chat with Dr. Nicholas as a group, followed by lunch in Bard Hall (~1215-1:00) and then a tour of the campus (~1-2:15). If you are done with your interview you sign out with the office and head home.

Have a happy halloween, don't worry we won't lock you in the cadaver lab.

 

[EleanorAutumn]

Does anyone know if Columbia accepts file updates pre-II? If so, in what format?

 

[autotroph]

Does anyone know if Columbia accepts file updates pre-II? If so, in what format?

You know instead of casting lines in every thread for schools you have applied to, you could just call or email the schools.

Columbia accepts updated by email.

 

[kpcrew]

You know instead of casting lines in every thread for schools you have applied to, you could just call or email the schools.

Columbia accepts updated by email.

lol he's going for some pretty difficult schools too

 

[EleanorAutumn]

You know instead of casting lines in every thread for schools you have applied to, you could just call or email the schools.

Columbia accepts updated by email.

Thank you for the info - and you're probably right; however, those people get tons of phone calls each day about trivial things. There are kind people (like you) who can give the information just as quickly. I appreciate your input and best of luck in the interview season.

 

[autotroph]

lol he's going for some pretty difficult schools too

I know, right? I was wondering why all the ivy schools were bumped at the same time -- and JHU. 😛

 

[Laplace]

Any IIs recently for people who were complete on or after 10/3?

 

[TheQ]

Any IIs recently for people who were complete on or after 10/3?

I was complete on 9/13 and received an II on 10/18 and interviewed 10/28 if that is of any help

 

[yayapps]

For those who have interviewed, does Columbia tell you when to expect a final decision? If so, what's the timeline?
Thanks so much!

 

[doctorSOX]

For those who have interviewed, does Columbia tell you when to expect a final decision? If so, what's the timeline?
Thanks so much!

Dean Nicholas said that everyone will hear back in March, regardless of what the decision is.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Does anyone have questions about Columbia?

 

[chronicidal]

Does anyone have questions about Columbia?

1) Explain the nickname 'College of Surgeons and Surgeons' and how clerkship experiences in surgery and surgical subspecialties at P&S differ from peer schools.

2) Two third year females said there is a 'boys' club' and 'fratty' feel to the school, but maybe it's just their class. Is there anything in your experience indicating a male-leaning institutional culture, social life, clubs?

3) I heard P&S students get more procedural experience than at other schools. Is this true, and is this important?

4) Given the patient population, how important is having Spanish skills? How many patients are Mandarin- or Cantonese-speaking?

5) What is the extent of involvement that P&S students have with NYP-Cornell? (e.g. is it a hassle to get involved with research or electives with non-Columbia faculty affiliated with NYP) A related question is, what benefits come out of NYP being technically one system that has both Columbia and Cornell?

6) Similar to (5), do P&S students get involved at HSS at all?

7) What is the average Step 1 score?

 

[Laplace]

I was complete on 9/13 and received an II on 10/18 and interviewed 10/28 if that is of any help

Thanks, guess I still have hope!