2011-2012 Columbia Application Thread

[FulfilledDeer]

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What do you mean?

I'm guessing "in a relationship".

 

[canibeadrplease]

I'm guessing "in a relationship".

Ahh, I see ... I wasn't following the thread closely enough.

 

[EyeLuvRcadeFyre]

i've decided to give up my spot. 4yrs + being a hospital's b***h for 4-7 yrs post-grad, coupled with 200K+ debt is sounding less and less appealing. i think i'm going to get a phd in immunology instead and work my way into a startup or vc. bah! sorry for unnecessary details! you guys certainly love columbia...so i hope this helps. good luck 🙂

 

[mmmcdowe]

i've decided to give up my spot. 4yrs + being a hospital's b***h for 4-7 yrs post-grad, coupled with 200K+ debt is sounding less and less appealing. i think i'm going to get a phd in immunology instead and work my way into a startup or vc. bah! sorry for unnecessary details! you guys certainly love columbia...so i hope this helps. good luck 🙂

Good for you for being true to yourself! It is a very hard decision to make after a year of painful admissions cycles.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Aren't off campus apartments much more expensive and harder to find? Also, I heard that first years cannot get into the towers... that a year living in Bard is the entrance fee.

Yes they can be more expensive, but not always depending on what you want and where you want it. I know some classmates that live in apartments that are within a 100 bucks of the towers price, especially in the Washington Heights area. If you are willing to pay a broker's fee, it isn't hard to find. However, if you are like me and have never lived in NY it can be difficult to navigate on your own. That is why Bard Hall is a great option. If you want, you can move in for a few weeks, get settled, get your bearings, find some like minded classmates, and move out whenever you find an apartment.

Living in Bard for a year is the entrance fee for your OWN apartment, where you and a group move in together. If you are willing to move into an existing apartment group to fill a vacancy, then you can live there first year. I know a number of first years who have taken advantage of this option.

 

[mmmcdowe]

What about the Towers? I'll be living in couples housing, so I get to live there my first year, thank goodness! Can someone tell me about the differences between the three choices: Jr-1 Bedroom Apt, 1 Bedroom Apt, and 154 Haven Ave? Is 154 Haven Ave so cheap because it's small? (The monthly rent is $1,325, and it comes fully furnished, whereas the other ones don't.)

http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/facilities-management/housing/rates

Looks like you don't get a stove, nor a real kitchen space (2 rooms, bed and living room). They are definitely the least nice, but it's also technically the cheapest apartments on campus when you divide it by 2.

IDK the difference between Jr-1 and 1 bedroom, unfortunately. Presumably size.

 

[marathongirl911]

http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/facilities-management/housing/rates

Looks like you don't get a stove, nor a real kitchen space (2 rooms, bed and living room). They are definitely the least nice, but it's also technically the cheapest apartments on campus when you divide it by 2.

IDK the difference between Jr-1 and 1 bedroom, unfortunately. Presumably size.

Thanks for letting me know!!! Yeah, not having a real kitchen would be a huge issue... and in the end would be the more expensive option if you can't cook and you have to buy food every day.

 

[chronicidal]

gave up my alternate spot; good luck everyone
wheeee

 

[mmmcdowe]

Bard Hall Players is putting on a hilarious version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, for anyone in the area!

 

[FulfilledDeer]

Wow....I'm directing A Midsummer Night's Dream right now. Odd.

On a different note, about notes: If I wanted to thank my interviewer do you think addressing the note c/o Admissions would work?

 

[mmmcdowe]

Wow....I'm directing A Midsummer Night's Dream right now. Odd.

On a different note, about notes: If I wanted to thank my interviewer do you think addressing the note c/o Admissions would work?

If you write the admissions office with the title to your interviewer, it will reach them. I'm not sure if that's what you are asking, however.

 

[FulfilledDeer]

I think we're talking about the same thing......I just wanted to mail the letter to the admissions office instead of my interviewer in case she would rather keep her mailing address/office information private or something.

 

[MembersName]

It depends on the type. Need based at columbia is excellent, and they are very crafty about ringing out every last drop. Merit based is good, but it is much more fragment. There are hundreds if not thousands of them, but many are very specific. When you get. Your fin aid. Packet they. Will include a paper for you to list some biographical info, so that they can filter the scholarships.

So I've heard from students when I interviewed, and on this forum, that after I was accepted, I would receive a survey of biographical info to fill out, in order to filter the vast number of possibly applicable scholarships.

In the acceptance folder, there were two sheets of paper on the subject. Given that I am not: Lebanese/Syrian/Greek/Chinese, fluent in Estonian, or from Vermont/Nebraska/Lexington, how much merit aid is there left to qualify for? I heard that some of the scholarships may be oddly specific, but surely there are more than the six listed?

 

[mmmcdowe]

So I've heard from students when I interviewed, and on this forum, that after I was accepted, I would receive a survey of biological info to fill out, in order to filter the vast number of possibly applicable scholarships.

In the acceptance folder, there were two sheets of paper on the subject. Given that I am not: Lebanese/Syrian/Greek/Chinese, fluent in Estonian, or from Vermont/Nebraska/Lexington, how much merit aid is there left to qualify for? I heard that some of the scholarships may be oddly specific, but surely there are more than the six listed?

Yes, there are many more both now and as you progress through the four years.

 

[FulfilledDeer]

So I've heard from students when I interviewed, and on this forum, that after I was accepted, I would receive a survey of biographical info to fill out, in order to filter the vast number of possibly applicable scholarships.

In the acceptance folder, there were two sheets of paper on the subject. Given that I am not: Lebanese/Syrian/Greek/Chinese, fluent in Estonian, or from Vermont/Nebraska/Lexington, how much merit aid is there left to qualify for? I heard that some of the scholarships may be oddly specific, but surely there are more than the six listed?

If you go to the financial aid website (http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/student/finaid/index.html) and choose incoming MD, there is a .pdf survey thing to fill out and send in. Though I'm not 100% sure, I think this is what you were talking about, and the things in the acceptance letter are just highlighting important ones/deadline ones. Or something.

 

[canibeadrplease]

Am I over analyzing things by thinking that the fact that the FB group has 143 members already means the wait list might not be that heavily used?

 

[JasonicBoom]

Am I over analyzing things by thinking that the fact that the FB group has 143 members already means the wait list might not be that heavily used?

LOL it seems like the majority of them are upper year P&S students though

 

[mmmcdowe]

Am I over analyzing things by thinking that the fact that the FB group has 143 members already means the wait list might not be that heavily used?

Yes

 

[Megatron2016]

Does anyone know if there is any storage space in Bard for first years? It'd be nice to be able to keep some of the things I own for when I move into a real apartment again.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Does anyone know if there is any storage space in Bard for first years? It'd be nice to be able to keep some of the things I own for when I move into a real apartment again.

No, nothing like that

 

[EvilSponge]

Does everyone receive the same waitlist letter (very highly ranked...unable to offer a place...please be assured that we will let you know as quickly as we can if we have a place in the class for you.)?

And if so, don't you feel like Columbia is sorta teasing you with the way they word it (esp in consideration of how many they waitlist)?

 

[CretaKano]

Good luck to everyone on the waitlist!

Not sure how many accepted students would still check this thread, but who is freaked out by the fb group? First it was MS1s talking up a storm, and now just total silence. I wish there was some chitter chatter from us!

 

[FulfilledDeer]

Good luck to everyone on the waitlist!

Not sure how many accepted students would still check this thread, but who is freaked out by the fb group? First it was MS1s talking up a storm, and now just total silence. I wish there was some chitter chatter from us!

I still check it. Sort of compulsively. Don't know why. I still need to create a new fb account, but when I do I'll join that and talk.

 

[CretaKano]

Fulfilled will you be coming to P&S? I definitely will! Even though we spennt a lot of time making jokes on another thread together I'm sure we can come up with some interesting columbia/crown/p&s dorky jokes 🙂

 

[FulfilledDeer]

Fulfilled will you be coming to P&S? I definitely will! Even though we spennt a lot of time making jokes on another thread together I'm sure we can come up with some interesting columbia/crown/p&s dorky jokes 🙂

Hah, just got your PM. I'm at work right now, but I'll be home in a bit, so check for a message in about an hour. Short answer: highly likely.

 

[JasonicBoom]

Good luck to everyone on the waitlist!

Not sure how many accepted students would still check this thread, but who is freaked out by the fb group? First it was MS1s talking up a storm, and now just total silence. I wish there was some chitter chatter from us!

Me too haha, but I have nothing good to say nor any questions because I'm pretty much sold as it is 😛. Perhaps there will be a little more activity now that the second look emails just went out and advertised the fb group.

 

[FulfilledDeer]

Me too haha, but I have nothing good to say nor any questions because I'm pretty much sold as it is 😛. Perhaps there will be a little more activity now that the second look emails just went out and advertised the fb group.

The plural being the most important part of that sentence. No offense to Columbia, but something needs to be done about the way they use technology. On the plus side, it's fairly amusing to watch.

 

[mmmcdowe]

The plural being the most important part of that sentence. No offense to Columbia, but something needs to be done about the way they use technology. On the plus side, it's fairly amusing to watch.

When I was your age sonny we had snail mail letters that looked like they were made on type writers.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Good luck to everyone on the waitlist!

Not sure how many accepted students would still check this thread, but who is freaked out by the fb group? First it was MS1s talking up a storm, and now just total silence. I wish there was some chitter chatter from us!

they told us to shut up and let the new people talk

 

[FulfilledDeer]

they told us to shut up and let the new people talk

That's funny. Well, I just joined so maybe that'll help.

 

[mmmcdowe]

see match list below. I edited out all the pre-lims and transitional year stuff so that I could order things by specialty.

 

[intricacy]

see match list below. I edited out all the pre-lims and transitional year stuff so that I could order things by specialty.

would it be possible to hear how many students are entering a transitional year/pre-lim?

thanks in advance!

 

[mika2234]

has anyone asked for and/or recieved a second interview? 🙂

 

[mmmcdowe]

would it be possible to hear how many students are entering a transitional year/pre-lim?

thanks in advance!

I'll have to check, I didn't save the original file. Do you mean people who ONLY entered a transitional year/pre-lim?

 

[cramsterdam]

has anyone asked for and/or recieved a second interview? 🙂

I called the admissions office when I got my waitlist letter and that was one of the things I asked about. David said that second interviews may be possible later, but much further down the road.

 

[protonate]

How feasible would it be to get an MBA? Is there a connection with the business school that would facilitate admissions for medical students?

 

[mika2234]

I called the admissions office when I got my waitlist letter and that was one of the things I asked about. David said that second interviews may be possible later, but much further down the road.

Okay. I actually called today too after I posted that and the lady said that Dean Nicholas is going to do second interviews this year but not for a while. I think I will send in a letter requesting one soon.

 

[mmmcdowe]

How feasible would it be to get an MBA? Is there a connection with the business school that would facilitate admissions for medical students?

Yes, a number of students get an MBA during a 5th year.

 

[AZFutureDoc]

What's up mmmcdowe? I'm the guy from ASU that interviewed a few months ago. Hope all is well!

I got my waitlist letter last week but I haven't given up hope yet. I'll be lurking and hoping that some of us hear good news!

 

[mmmcdowe]

would it be possible to hear how many students are entering a transitional year/pre-lim?

thanks in advance!

Per the school page:

The Class of 2012 has 158 students, and 157 matched this year. One student did not apply for the match and will do a Master of Public Health program, and then apply for residency. Students matched extremely well into their specialty of choice, including very competitive specialties, and into top programs. This year’s class demonstrated a significant increase in the number of graduates going into pediatrics (23) and emergency medicine (10), compared to previous years.

 

[jander18]

for the waitlisted people out there:

in your letters, regarding personalization, did everyone receive handwritten signatures from Dr. Nicholas???

 

[mmmcdowe]

for the waitlisted people out there:

in your letters, regarding personalization, did everyone receive handwritten signatures from Dr. Nicholas???

That is not the personalization that is being referred to, but yes I believe he signs all of them (or there's a stamp).

 

[jander18]

That is not the personalization that is being referred to, but yes I believe he signs all of them (or there's a stamp).

What does it mean for people that did not get individual personalization? What does it mean for those that did?

 

[mmmcdowe]

What does it mean for people that did not get individual personalization? What does it mean for those that did?

It is a sign that you are near the high part of the wait list, but not everyone who gets it is accepted, nor does it mean that people without it aren't. I haven't heard of a lot of people on this board getting it this year, so it is possible that this has been discontinued.

 

[DocMom1]

Are those who get admitted off the wait-list eligible for the same kind of institutional aid?

 

[mmmcdowe]

Are those who get admitted off the wait-list eligible for the same kind of institutional aid?

Yep, and letters of intent/interest will not affect it either.

 

[virelangue]

Yep, I even know waitlist kids on full rides.

Oh wow -- revived energy for working on my letter of interest!! I *think* I'm on high priority. . .

 

[JasonicBoom]

Oh wow -- revived energy for working on my letter of interest!! I *think* I'm on high priority. . .

Doooo it! Doooo it! 👍👍👍

 

[orinix]

Oh wow -- revived energy for working on my letter of interest!! I *think* I'm on high priority. . .

What gives you that impression? Did you get a personalized note?

Has anyone asked for or received a second interview yet? I suppose we still have a fair amount of waiting to do.

 

[virelangue]

What gives you that impression? Did you get a personalized note?

Has anyone asked for or received a second interview yet? I suppose we still have a fair amount of waiting to do.

Yeah, personal note at the bottom of my letter plus crossed out automatic name --> put my first name. I think that's positive, hopefully.

I did not request a second interview in my LOI, fwiw.