2012-2013 Columbia University Application Thread

[Irish Football]

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I submitted about a month ago and never received a "complete" email, so I'm assuming it means you're complete.

Okay, I guess the wait begins for me then.

 

[cdnmedhopeful]

I submitted about a month ago and never received a "complete" email, so I'm assuming it means you're complete.

Mine said that I was complete about a day after I submitted, and then I got a complete email from them about a week later.

 

[deleted472157]

Well, there goes my theory hahaha

 

[sodarayg]

I received a complete email the same day I submitted my secondary

 

[bortenson]

Mine said that I was complete about a day after I submitted, and then I got a complete email from them about a week later.

Mine is listed as complete (and I have the locked "Interview Scheduling" button or whatever, like many others) and I never received a "complete" email either.

So if you haven't received the complete email, I would check your status on the app before freaking out. Perhaps the "complete" emails are coming from an email address OTHER than [email protected] so they're not coming up when you/I search for them?

 

[cdnmedhopeful]

Mine is listed as complete (and I have the locked "Interview Scheduling" button or whatever, like many others) and I never received a "complete" email either.

So if you haven't received the complete email, I would check your status on the app before freaking out. Perhaps the "complete" emails are coming from an email address OTHER than [email protected] so they're not coming up when you/I search for them?

You should also be able to look under the "Communications" tab. Anything they send should show up there, regardless of whether or not you got the email on your email account.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

word is that the interview season will begin a few weeks earlier this year than last - good luck to you all

 

[Propylene]

word is that the interview season will begin a few weeks earlier this year than last - good luck to you all

Thanks for the heads up! Good luck to everyone

 

[mmmcdowe]

Approximately sept 8th.

 

[DCSB6]

So maybe hearing back in the next week or two? It looks like the first interview was given out last year on 9/1.

 

[pfaction]

I don't have a "complete" email. nothing by communications either. shows up as complete on the page as completE?

Status: everything is green.
Document status: everything is in.

??

 

[mmmcdowe]

So maybe hearing back in the next week or two? It looks like the first interview was given out last year on 9/1.

Probably, I believe the Dean comes back this week.

 

[nychila]

My AMCAS was verified 2 weeks ago, but I haven't received an invitation to complete the Columbia P&S secondary application yet - should this be a cause for concern? I haven't submitted my letters of reference, but that shouldn't matter...

 

[cdnmedhopeful]

My AMCAS was verified 2 weeks ago, but I haven't received an invitation to complete the Columbia P&S secondary application yet - should this be a cause for concern? I haven't submitted my letters of reference, but that shouldn't matter...

It took me close to 3 weeks to get it from them. I wouldn't worry yet

 

[Salaam]

I don't have a "complete" email. nothing by communications either. shows up as complete on the page as completE?

Status: everything is green.
Document status: everything is in.

??

Same here. Maybe it just takes a little while to get a complete email. I submitted mine last week. What about you?

 

[bearintraining]

Could someone clarify the PhD/MD program for me? I am currently completing my PhD in Medical Genetics prior to the MD program and Columbia is one of the schools I applied to. I'm not sure if I should choose PhD/MD or MD program for the secondary.

(1) Are there separate considerations for the PhD/MD program?
(2) Are you considered for the regular MD program if rejected by the PhD/MD?

Thanks,

 

[Fivo]

Could someone clarify the PhD/MD program for me? I am currently completing my PhD in Medical Genetics prior to the MD program and Columbia is one of the schools I applied to. I'm not sure if I should choose PhD/MD or MD program for the secondary.

(1) Are there separate considerations for the PhD/MD program?
(2) Are you considered for the regular MD program if rejected by the PhD/MD?

Thanks,

MD/PhD programs are to gain both your MD and PhD upon completion. Since you will already have completed your PhD by time you matriculate, you should apply to the regular MD program

 

[bearintraining]

MD/PhD programs are to gain both your MD and PhD upon completion. Since you will already have completed your PhD by time you matriculate, you should apply to the regular MD program

Fivo, you misunderstood. Columbia has a special 3 year MD degree for people who already have a PhD in biomedical sciences. What I want to know is what are the pros and cons to applying for THAT option instead of the regular MD.

 

[Fivo]

Fivo, you misunderstood. Columbia has a special 3 year MD degree for people who already have a PhD in biomedical sciences. What I want to know is what are the pros and cons to applying for THAT option instead of the regular MD.

Oh gotcha. In that case I have no idea! 😳

 

[bearintraining]

Oh gotcha. In that case I have no idea! 😳

Thanks anyhow! I sent them an email also asking these questions.. but I was hoping someone was a bit more clued up than I am 🙂 Both their website and the secondary has very sparse information on what exactly the program IS. Maybe it's a new thing??

 

[pfaction]

Same here. Maybe it just takes a little while to get a complete email. I submitted mine last week. What about you?

A few days after it was due

 

[nikkitries]

any significance to receiving a secondary prior to your primary being verified?

paranoid i'm sure, but i'm worried it means i've been screened out...?

 

[Propylene]

I think everyone receives a secondary who marked Columbia on their AMCAS application. I wouldn't worry about being screened out before verification; they will definitely look at a complete version before making any calls.

If I remember right, a medical student told us earlier that the dean of admissions reads every single application.

 

[nikkitries]

Nice thank you

 

[rollingstone27]

Just wanted to make sure there weren't any errors for the question:
.
.

3. Have you previously applied to P&S?

If yes, briefly summarize your activities since your previous application

.


It's only 250 characters? That's three sentences to describe my significant growth since the last time I applied. It's not some sort of technical error where only my application allows 250 characters and not words.. right?


.

 

[Mosa]

Just wanted to make sure there weren't any errors for the question:
.
..


It's only 250 characters? That's three sentences to describe my significant growth since the last time I applied. It's not some sort of technical error where only my application allows 250 characters and not words.. right?


.

Same thing happened when the very first batch of secondaries came out. They later emailed us saying it was a mistake and to resubmit replacing characters with 250 words. Call admissions and ask if it doesn't let you submit with the limit being 250 words, not characters.

 

[smile8888]

When they said "is there anything else you'd like us to know", is it okay to put down how I as an applicant can contribute to the diversity of the school?

 

[jjolso12]

That's what I did for that essay. Don't see how it can hurt.

 

[aps91]

that's what i did for that essay. Don't see how it can hurt.

+1

 

[mmmcdowe]

When they said "is there anything else you'd like us to know", is it okay to put down how I as an applicant can contribute to the diversity of the school?

That is not the function of that paragraph, but as others have said it doesn't hurt. It just wont help. The function of that box is for people who have to explain something such as bad grades, a conduct violation, planning to defer if accepted, applying with a spouse, etc. If you have a pre-written "why you should accept me" essay, go ahead. You won't be punished for not putting anything either.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Could someone clarify the PhD/MD program for me? I am currently completing my PhD in Medical Genetics prior to the MD program and Columbia is one of the schools I applied to. I'm not sure if I should choose PhD/MD or MD program for the secondary.

(1) Are there separate considerations for the PhD/MD program?
(2) Are you considered for the regular MD program if rejected by the PhD/MD?

Thanks,

1) Your research is a greater priority than your clinical background.
2) Yes

Fivo, you misunderstood. Columbia has a special 3 year MD degree for people who already have a PhD in biomedical sciences. What I want to know is what are the pros and cons to applying for THAT option instead of the regular MD.

The Pros are that you finish a year early. The cons are that you lose out on your elective time during fourth year. I truthfully am only vaguely aware of the program, you are the first to ever ask about it in the years that I have been stalking this thread, as far as I recall.

 

[bearintraining]

1) Your research is a greater priority than your clinical background.
2) Yes




The Pros are that you finish a year early. The cons are that you lose out on your elective time during fourth year. I truthfully am only vaguely aware of the program, you are the first to ever ask about it in the years that I have been stalking this thread, as far as I recall.

Thank you! Great to finally get some advice.. I guess I'll start drafting my 500 word response as to my future research goals. I did also send admissions an email asking similar questions but have yet to hear back.

Although a huge stretch, I did apply to Harvard and there I chose both the NP and HST programs, since they're considered individually. So it's great that Columbia would consider me for both as well - was scared it would be one or the other.

 

[Muhlgrad11]

You should also be able to look under the "Communications" tab. Anything they send should show up there, regardless of whether or not you got the email on your email account.

I submitted on 7/23 and never received a complete email (not even in my communications page on the application) so I called them a few days ago and they told me that I was complete as of 7/23 lol. so not really sure what the deal is with the emails.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Spoke to the Dean, sounded like it was going to be around 8/17 this year for the start of interviews.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I submitted on 7/23 and never received a complete email (not even in my communications page on the application) so I called them a few days ago and they told me that I was complete as of 7/23 lol. so not really sure what the deal is with the emails.

They are still getting the kinks out of their new entirely electronic application system

 

[cdnmedhopeful]

Spoke to the Dean, sounded like it was going to be around 8/17 this year for the start of interviews.

9/17? 😛

Is that the start of interviews, or just of invites?

 

[mmmcdowe]

9/17? 😛

Is that the start of interviews, or just of invites?

Interviews.

 

[alisvolatpropri]

I would like to find out more about the 3 year MD program. My googling skills are failing me. Care to enlighten? Thank you in advance.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I would like to find out more about the 3 year MD program. My googling skills are failing me. Care to enlighten? Thank you in advance.

Email them, I'm not particularly familiar with it. Basically if you did a medical science PhD they let you skip a year and finish in three.

 

[lacalavera]

Does anyone know if Columbia would be receptive to an "in the area" call? I just received an interview at Cornell and would rather not fork over $500 twice to fly up to NYC if I am so lucky to be selected for a Columbia interview. Columbia is one of my top choices (as it is for all I'm sure) but do you think this would be a risky move?

 

[stevecoral155]

Does anyone know if Columbia would be receptive to an "in the area" call? I just received an interview at Cornell and would rather not fork over $500 twice to fly up to NYC if I am so lucky to be selected for a Columbia interview. Columbia is one of my top choices (as it is for all I'm sure) but do you think this would be a risky move?

Seconded. Would love to hear an answer to this.

 

[speakwhales]

Seconded. Would love to hear an answer to this.

Just did it. I think (or hope) most schools understand that traveling is expensive.

 

[lacalavera]

Just did it. I think (or hope) most schools understand that traveling is expensive.

Call or email?

 

[DrDestroyMD]

Call or email?

I'm interested in this as well. I would like to avoid multiple trips to the NYC area so I don't have to take off exorbitant amounts of time for work.

 

[DCSB6]

I intend to send an ITA email once Columbia has in fact started sending IIs. I don't want to be too pushy if they haven't began sending them out yet.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Does anyone know if Columbia would be receptive to an "in the area" call? I just received an interview at Cornell and would rather not fork over $500 twice to fly up to NYC if I am so lucky to be selected for a Columbia interview. Columbia is one of my top choices (as it is for all I'm sure) but do you think this would be a risky move?

It won't hurt you. However, if they aren't willing to give you one that doesn't mean you won't get offered one later. Often, there just isn't space.

 

[speakwhales]

Email.

 

[smile8888]

The lack of extracurricular activities is going to hurt isn't it? When they mention extracurricular activities, does it just include clubs/sports during the school year? Or does it also include summer volunteer experiences/internship? Does research count as extracurricular activities?

Thanks!

 

[mmmcdowe]

The lack of extracurricular activities is going to hurt isn't it? When they mention extracurricular activities, does it just include clubs/sports during the school year? Or does it also include summer volunteer experiences/internship? Does research count as extracurricular activities?

Thanks!

Yes, no, yes, yes.

 

[hurlygrly07]

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