2012-2013 Columbia University Application Thread

[Sophocles]

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I was complete a little less then a month earlier (8/1) and still haven't heard a thing. Does Columbia do silent rejections? (Sorry if this has been asked before)

I think it's still super early for you to be worrying. It's nonrolling and I don't think they make a decision either way until feb. the moderator mmm on this site is an amazing source of info and you could probably private message him for specifics. He's really good at responding in a timely manner

 

[mmmcdowe]

I was complete end of August and haven't heard anything yet... Should I send an LOI? Or just wait it out?

Updates are always accepted.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I was complete a little less then a month earlier (8/1) and still haven't heard a thing. Does Columbia do silent rejections? (Sorry if this has been asked before)

It depends on your definition of silent rejections. They will eventually send you a notification if you are not going to offer you an interview, but it happens near the end of the interview cycle.

 

[pfaction]

When would you say we're pretty much rejected? Keeping in mind I'm MSTP, but this applies to MD as well. They've handed out MSTP interviews already.

 

[mmmcdowe]

When would you say we're pretty much rejected? Keeping in mind I'm MSTP, but this applies to MD as well. They've handed out MSTP interviews already.

When they stop offering them post-December.

 

[SoulinNeed]

On the secondary, when it asks for "collegiate extracurriculars", are they asking for like sports and stuff, or can we include our hospital volunteering?

 

[Ichiban88]

how far is Columbia from la guardia and how far is NYU from columbia?

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

how far is Columbia from la guardia and how far is NYU from columbia?

NYU is south and east of central park, Columbia is North and West. They are basically on opposite ends of Manhattan - almost as far apart as you can be.

 

[Ichiban88]

should probably ask how long it will take taxi and when not in rush hour.

 

[FijiGNR89]

An hour maybe 2. Rush hour 160 blocks will be brutal

 

[RogueUnicorn]

On the secondary, when it asks for "collegiate extracurriculars", are they asking for like sports and stuff, or can we include our hospital volunteering?

you can put whatever you want

An hour maybe 2. Rush hour 160 blocks will be brutal

uh.. no? it's an hour by bus without traffic. By cab without traffic probably ~20-25 mins tops. With traffic, god knows

 

[Ichiban88]

what about from la guardia to columbia? And when is traffic hours in new york. Sorry to be so naive.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

what about from la guardia to columbia? And when is traffic hours in new york. Sorry to be so naive.

the timeframe i gave was regarding LGA --> CUMC.

re: traffic hours i can't say with authority as i don't drive here

 

[BurghStudent]

I was complete Sept. 6. Is it update letter time for me?

 

[PreMedOrDead]

I was complete Sept. 6. Is it update letter time for me?

There have been very few IIs announced, Columbia may just be taking their time. This would be pretty practical considering they have until March to make decisions. Or SDNers just aren't announcing their IIs very frequently.

If you have a good reason to send an update (Publications, jobs, and grades updated), then go for it. But if you had a bowel movement yesterday and it was shaped like their insignia, I don't think they're going to take that as a sign to interview you.

 

[Member 987653]

But if you had a bowel movement yesterday and it was shaped like their insignia, I don't think they're going to take that as a sign to interview you.

Thanks for the chucklez

 

[BurghStudent]

There have been very few IIs announced, Columbia may just be taking their time. This would be pretty practical considering they have until March to make decisions. Or SDNers just aren't announcing their IIs very frequently.

If you have a good reason to send an update (Publications, jobs, and grades updated), then go for it. But if you had a bowel movement yesterday and it was shaped like their insignia, I don't think they're going to take that as a sign to interview you.

😀 I think I'll wait.

Columbia is one of the most generous with interviews. I think they offer 1200, so hopefully I'll see one in the inbox one day.

 

[chillaxbro]

Amcas has received my LOR and some schools have me complete
Yet the webpage for Columbia's secondary says it hasnt received my letters yet
Is this normal?

 

[cutsnipsew]

Amcas has received my LOR and some schools have me complete
Yet the webpage for Columbia's secondary says it hasnt received my letters yet
Is this normal?

It may take a day or two. I submitted about two weeks ago and it took about a day and half even though AMCAS had my letters since July.

 

[Fivo]

😀 I think I'll wait.

Columbia is one of the most generous with interviews. I think they offer 1200, so hopefully I'll see one in the inbox one day.

1200 interviews? 😱

 

[somethingdeep]

1200 interviews? 😱

Holy crap. That makes me feel way less good about having gotten an interview

 

[An MD Hopeful]

Holy crap. That makes me feel way less good about having gotten an interview

And on the other hand, if I don't get an interview now, I'm going to be very offended.

Jk.

 

[deleted127837]

~1200 interviewed, ~300 accepted.

 

[mmmcdowe]

1100-1200 interviewed, about 200 accepted immediately, about 100 accepted off waitlist (this include people accepted off waitlist that do not attend).

 

[crzyxballer03]

1100-1200 interviewed, about 200 accepted immediately, about 100 accepted off waitlist (this include people accepted off waitlist that do not attend).

Do you mind if I ask where you got that info? Directly from their website? Interesting...

 

[mmmcdowe]

Do you mind if I ask where you got that info? Directly from their website? Interesting...

Well, yes a lot of it was on their website, IDK if it still is, but I get it directly from the adcom.

 

[SoulinNeed]

Do you guys think it's still worth it to apply here, or am I too late?

 

[FijiGNR89]

Just to let everybody know, they told us different on interview day. I interviewed 10/12 and they said that this year they halved the number of interviews they gave out, so you should A) still feel good that you got an interview and B) be not as offended if you don't. They'll be having approx 600 interviews this year.

 

[FijiGNR89]

Also you're too late dude. Can't submit primaries any more lol

 

[SoulinNeed]

Also you're too late dude. Can't submit primaries any more lol

I'm talking about secondaries, not primary.

 

[deleted127837]

Just to let everybody know, they told us different on interview day. I interviewed 10/12 and they said that this year they halved the number of interviews they gave out, so you should A) still feel good that you got an interview and B) be not as offended if you don't. They'll be having approx 600 interviews this year.

Good news for everyone with interviews - rate would likely jump to about 50% of people interviewed getting accepted 👍

I'm talking about secondaries, not primary.

If the deadline hasn't passed, you aren't too late. Columbia's not rolling-admissions.

 

[deleted127837]

.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Just to let everybody know, they told us different on interview day. I interviewed 10/12 and they said that this year they halved the number of interviews they gave out, so you should A) still feel good that you got an interview and B) be not as offended if you don't. They'll be having approx 600 interviews this year.

This to my knowledge is not correct. Ive spoken to dr nicholas and the director of admissions about this and everything they have said indicates that they are shooting for over 1000. They are interviewing sixty plus students a week currently and are only escalating. I will check next time im in the office.


Perhaps they were saying that the ratio of applications to interviews istwice as large as it was in the past? We broke 8000 primaries this year.

 

[2017Cycle]

This video of current Columbia students is amazing. It confirms all of the really good things I've heard about people there having fun. Now I just need to get in!

http://ow.ly/eAy2q

 

[Fivo]

This video of current Columbia students is amazing. It confirms all of the really good things I've heard about people there having fun. Now I just need to get in!

http://ow.ly/eAy2q

Thanks for the virus bro!

 

[FijiGNR89]

This to my knowledge is not correct. Ive spoken to dr nicholas and the director of admissions about this and everything they have said indicates that they are shooting for over 1000. They are interviewing sixty plus students a week currently and are only escalating. I will check next time im in the office.


Perhaps they were saying that the ratio of applications to interviews istwice as large as it was in the past? We broke 8000 primaries this year.

I mean I'm just relaying what we were told by Dr. Hutcherson and Dr. Nicholas. I'm not speaking as anyone who has inside information. But I was told this by the people in charge so my inclination would be that it's true. If not, then sorry for the temporary optimism about your chances as an interviewee XD

 

[minwoo123]

I don't mean to sound evil, but I hope that they are interviewing fewer candidates. Interviewing 1200 students and accepting 250 is kind of evil. Flying to the East coast from the West coast ain't the cheapest ticket!!

 

[Sophocles]

I mean I'm just relaying what we were told by Dr. Hutcherson and Dr. Nicholas. I'm not speaking as anyone who has inside information. But I was told this by the people in charge so my inclination would be that it's true. If not, then sorry for the temporary optimism about your chances as an interviewee XD

Did you talk to Dean Nicholas afterwards?

 

[mmmcdowe]

I mean I'm just relaying what we were told by Dr. Hutcherson and Dr. Nicholas. I'm not speaking as anyone who has inside information. But I was told this by the people in charge so my inclination would be that it's true. If not, then sorry for the temporary optimism about your chances as an interviewee XD

I will find out, but as I have said we've already interviewed a significant fraction of 600. Unless they are planning to stop interviewing in 4-5 weeks I don't see how we could keep it at 600.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

I will find out, but as I have said we've already interviewed a significant fraction of 600. Unless they are planning to stop interviewing in 4-5 weeks I don't see how we could keep it at 600.

What's the point of interviewing 1,200 applicants? Sounds excessive.

 

[mmmcdowe]

What's the point of interviewing 1,200 applicants? Sounds excessive.

To give people who might not fit the typical mold a chance.

 

[FijiGNR89]

Did you talk to Dean Nicholas afterwards?

Oui oui. He didn't provide the 600 number, he said they were aiming to interview about half the number of people they typically have in the past. I said 600 based on the MSAR/SDN pointing to 1200 as the typical number. So... don't quote me on that figure!

 

[PreMedOrDead]

To give people who might not fit the typical mold a chance.

I see. If it doesn't change, I am surprised that Columbia hasn't been cutting back on interviews. It seems like most schools have been cutting them back to the point where they're accepting about 50% of interviewees. I don't know if this is financially motivated, or is just schools getting more and more picky.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Oui oui. He didn't provide the 600 number, he said they were aiming to interview about half the number of people they typically have in the past. I said 600 based on the MSAR/SDN pointing to 1200 as the typical number. So... don't quote me on that figure!

Okay i spoke with the adcom today and the number is still set at 1100 to 1200. I dont know the context of what you were told, but it must have been a misunderstanding.

 

[mmmcdowe]

What's the point of interviewing 1,200 applicants? Sounds excessive.

I have not heard of such cutbacks among columbias peer institutions so i cant comment

 

[Sophocles]

Okay i spoke with the adcom today and the number is still set at 1100 to 1200. I dont know the context of what you were told, but it must have been a misunderstanding.

Thanks for checking and clarifying.

 

[smallone]

Anyone who has interviewed....Morning vs afternoon interview? When do they tell us?

 

[Sophocles]

Anyone who has interviewed....Morning vs afternoon interview? When do they tell us?

They didn't tell me until I got there, but I think some people have called them the day prior, or so, and were told.

 

[smile8888]

To mmmcdowe,

If Columbia is interviewing 1100-1200 this year, do you have a rough estimate about how many people have been interviewed already this cycle, and how many interview invites have been sent out so far?

 

[mmmcdowe]

To mmmcdowe,

If Columbia is interviewing 1100-1200 this year, do you have a rough estimate about how many people have been interviewed already this cycle, and how many interview invites have been sent out so far?

Based on our starting date and multiplying by my estimate of sixty per week I'd say 300-400. Do not know how many interview invites though. Plenty more to come definitely.