2013-2014 Columbia University Application Thread

[corndogger]

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This may be a dumb question, but how can I see what time the interview is? I can only see the date, sorry if this has been answered before. Very excited to interview here!

 

[mtbski]

This may be a dumb question, but how can I see what time the interview is? I can only see the date, sorry if this has been answered before. Very excited to interview here!

I think the interview day started at 8, but your individual interview time will be given to you when you get there.

 

[Ambitionista]

This may be a dumb question, but how can I see what time the interview is? I can only see the date, sorry if this has been answered before. Very excited to interview here!

The admissions office will let you know when you check in.

 

[corndogger]

I think the interview day started at 8, but your individual interview time will be given to you when you get there.

The admissions office will let you know when you check in.

Thanks, I figured but just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. presumably you arrive and check in before 8?

 

[nemo123]

Thanks, I figured but just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. presumably you arrive and check in before 8?

Yep. They have a little sticker that they stick onto your folder that says your interviewer's name and interview time.

 

[SN12357]

If anyone has or will be interviewing for the Bassett program and is willing to PM me, I'm trying to figure out the best travel arrangements (one of the Jan dates) and would appreciate input from someone who has visited already. Thanks!

 

[DoctorStrange0101]

Have all IIs been given out yet?

 

[nemo123]

Have all IIs been given out yet?

You can call the office to ask...

 

[aspirantmed]

Any word on pre-interview letters of interest and/or intent? 🙂

 

[mmmcdowe]

Any word on pre-interview letters of interest and/or intent? 🙂

Letters of intent prior to interviews aren't all that meaningful because in most cases the writer hasn't actually seen the school in action and is just enthusiastic based on reading and what they have heard. If you have updates it never hurts to write them and include a statement of your continued interest.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Have all IIs been given out yet?

Not to my knowledge

 

[Evvie]

I know this is a rather dumb request, but would anyone mind telling me the link to the P&S online application? I somehow erased all my application records this morning...
Thanks!

 

[RocDiva4040]

apply.med.columbia.edu

 

[Evvie]

apply.med.columbia.edu

Thanks, RocDiva4040!!! 🙂

 

[RocDiva4040]

No problem.

 

[fw5tape6kq]

I guess Columbia rejects everyone later on in the season. Is that correct?

 

[nemo123]

I guess Columbia rejects everyone later on in the season. Is that correct?

Yep in March according to last year's thread.

 

[Reckoner]

I guess Columbia rejects everyone later on in the season. Is that correct?

According to their website:

P&S does not have rolling admissions. Decisions are made at the end of interview season and all decision letters are sent at the beginning of March.

 

[Xeones]

When do they generally stop sending out invites?

 

[ace12345]

Is Columbia at all receptive to in the area emails at this point in the season?

 

[DoctorStrange0101]

Is Columbia at all receptive to in the area emails at this point in the season?

I sent an in the area email before and they said if I was invited to interview they'd keep it in mind. But I wasn't invited to interview lol so while they're "receptive" it doesn't help you in any way if you weren't already getting an interview 🙂

 

[willow88]

Have people received any e-mails Dr. Nicholas? It seems that last year Dr. Nicholas would reply to applicants when they sent thank you notes. The meaning of these emails was debatable, but I am still curious if any are going out this cycle.

 

[Ambitionista]

Have people received any e-mails Dr. Nicholas? It seems that last year Dr. Nicholas would reply to applicants when they sent thank you notes. The meaning of these emails was debatable, but I am still curious if any are going out this cycle.

Yes, I sent a thank you note to my interviewer and was met with a short letter from Dean Nicholas in response. It didn't really seem to be indicative of anything however.

 

[jeghaber]

Have people received any e-mails Dr. Nicholas? It seems that last year Dr. Nicholas would reply to applicants when they sent thank you notes. The meaning of these emails was debatable, but I am still curious if any are going out this cycle.

I received one in response to my thank you notes, but it was addressed to "First Name Jeghaber" so I personally wouldn't put much stock into them, hahah 😛

 

[nemo123]

Have people received any e-mails Dr. Nicholas? It seems that last year Dr. Nicholas would reply to applicants when they sent thank you notes. The meaning of these emails was debatable, but I am still curious if any are going out this cycle.

Yep, got one too. It's been said they just have very nice form letters that sound amazing and sound like you're going to get admitted. In the end, people say they don't mean anything and Columbia is just being very courteous.

 

[Reckoner]

I received one in response to my thank you notes, but it was addressed to "First Name Jeghaber" so I personally wouldn't put much stock into them, hahah 😛

Only once you matriculate does P&S grant you the right to use your first name.

 

[wuzman]

Yep, got one too. It's been said they just have very nice form letters that sound amazing and sound like you're going to get admitted. In the end, people say they don't mean anything and Columbia is just being very courteous.

what did it say? like we will strongly consider your application but can't promise anything?

 

[nemo123]

what did it say? like we will strongly consider your application but can't promise anything?

Nope, mine said something like from a personal standpoint, I would love to have you here... It seems like variations of this are sent to interviewees.

 

[Innocuous]

I got one as well. Did EVERYONE who sent thank you's get one? If not, I guess it means something, even though it is just a form letter.

 

[nemo123]

I got one as well. Did EVERYONE who sent thank you's get one? If not, I guess it means something, even though it is just a form letter.

Yep, it seems everyone gets one (at least supposed to). Though sometimes, someone's thank you letter slips through the system and Dean Nicholas forgets to send one to some applicants lol (based on last year's thread). I wouldn't be surprised if someone other than Dean Nicholas sent them (like a secretary in the office).

 

[WorfoSAUR]

I didn't get one. Although, I was in NY without a computer and sent my thank you letter a week after my interview

 

[Sophocles]

I sent a letter to both my interviewer and one to Dean Nicholas in January, and I never received any correspondence after either. Conversely, there were individuals last cycle that received these letters and were not accepted..... I don't think it's completely random but I wouldn't look too much into it either.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Yep, got one too. It's been said they just have very nice form letters that sound amazing and sound like you're going to get admitted. In the end, people say they don't mean anything and Columbia is just being very courteous.

Exactly

 

[dragonthalyne]

Could someone explain how they sent thank you emails? I had my interview a week or two ago, and they strongly suggested using the Portal online thing to send thank you's. The sheet says to use the Communications tab, but I don't see anything there I can click. Did you all just upload things under Additional Information?

 

[Ambitionista]

Could someone explain how they sent thank you emails? I had my interview a week or two ago, and they strongly suggested using the Portal online thing to send thank you's. The sheet says to use the Communications tab, but I don't see anything there I can click. Did you all just upload things under Additional Information?

That's where I did it.

 

[pyrrion89]

Secondary complete: 7/11/13
Interview invitation: 12/18/13

So for all you early people waiting forever, there may be hope! I might also add I sent in a new LOR and a letter of interest, each sent about one month apart. Good luck!

 

[DaenarysDuhh]

Secondary complete: 7/11/13
Interview invitation: 12/18/13

So for all you early people waiting forever, there may be hope! I might also add I sent in a new LOR and a letter of interest, each sent about one month apart. Good luck!

Congrats pyrrion! It looks like you have had a couple later interview invitations, the hope is very much alive!

 

[Codynna]

i think people exaggerate how bad bard hall looks. i actually thought it was descent during my interview there.

 

[nemo123]

i think people exaggerate how bad bard hall looks. i actually thought it was descent during my interview there.

The rooms themselves were okay, but the cement walls in the bathroom and one kitchen in the whole building made it kind of on the eh side for me...

 

[Ambitionista]

i think people exaggerate how bad bard hall looks. i actually thought it was descent during my interview there.

Did you get the chance to see the inside of the rooms while you were there?

 

[jeghaber]

Did you get the chance to see the inside of the rooms while you were there?

I stayed with a host when I was there and it was just a standard dorm room. Roomy enough -- my host had a full-size bed, comfy chair, desk, bookshelf, drawers as well as a small walk-in closet with plenty of floor space for a twin air mattress.

 

[Ambitionista]

I stayed with a host when I was there and it was just a standard dorm room. Roomy enough -- my host had a full-size bed, comfy chair, desk, bookshelf, drawers as well as a small walk-in closet with plenty of floor space for a twin air mattress.

Good to know, thanks! Did you get to see the gym as well by any chance?

With that being said, I don't think I would mind Bard as an OOS'er whose never lived in the city.

 

[nemo123]

Good to know, thanks! Did you get to see the gym as well by any chance?

With that being said, I don't think I would mind Bard as an OOS'er whose never lived in the city.

We got to see the gym on our tour. It was pretty nice and very spacious. I think they had just renovated 2 or so years ago so everything was new.

 

[jeghaber]

Good to know, thanks! Did you get to see the gym as well by any chance?

With that being said, I don't think I would mind Bard as an OOS'er whose never lived in the city.

I believe the gym was recently renovated and it did look pretty nice. They also have a swimming pool and squash courts in the building and though I didn't get to see it, apparently a buffet style cafeteria as well. Oh, and to add to the room specifications, my host had a sink/cabinet nook by the entrance. Someone who has a better memory can and should correct me on any of these details though 😛

 

[nemo123]

I believe the gym was recently renovated and it did look pretty nice. They also have a swimming pool and squash courts in the building and though I didn't get to see it, apparently a buffet style cafeteria as well. Oh, and to add to the room specifications, my host had a sink/cabinet nook by the entrance. Someone who has a better memory can and should correct me on any of these details though 😛

The room we saw had a sink in the corner too, though we didn't get to see the swimming pool (they have one in Bard?!) or squash courts.

 

[kimicurtis]

Secondary complete: 7/11/13
Interview invitation: 12/18/13

So for all you early people waiting forever, there may be hope! I might also add I sent in a new LOR and a letter of interest, each sent about one month apart. Good luck!

Will you be interviewing in January? February? What dates are still available?

 

[Codynna]

Did you get the chance to see the inside of the rooms while you were there?

lol no, i didn't get to see the rooms nor the bathroom 😵. 1 kitchen, wow. i still stand that it's not too bad. the students overall seemed to be ok with it. now i wish i had seen the bathroom.

 

[nemo123]

lol no, i didn't get to see the rooms nor the bathroom 😵. 1 kitchen, wow. i still stand that it's not too bad. the students overall seemed to be ok with it. now i wish i had seen the bathroom.

Lol it was a standard communal bathroom except strangely the walls were made of concrete. We asked the first years what they did about food besides the meal plan they had, and they told us they cooked secretly in their rooms and ate scrambled eggs or cereal. I'm sure @mmmcdowe can tell us more about this.

 

[BurberryDoc]

Hehe, as a non-columbian, I have some fun stories about Bard hall.

 

[YankeeLion16]

Lol it was a standard communal bathroom except strangely the walls were made of concrete. We asked the first years what they did about food besides the meal plan they had, and they told us they cooked secretly in their rooms and ate scrambled eggs or cereal. I'm sure @mmmcdowe can tell us more about this.

Current Bard resident here. I think it is great--at $700/ mo I get a room that has a sink, spacious closet (where I hang all of my dress clothing, store my dresser, keep my shoes, and extraneous stuff) that is literally a 5 minute walk to class and Milstein hospital. It is quiet, and you get used to dorm style showers/bathrooms very quickly.

Between the meal plan (which lets you take enough leftovers like chicken parm, skirt steak, and tilapia for an extra two or three meals) and free food from student events happening every day of the week, I am pretty much covered for the week. For breakfast I normally eat cereal, and when I'm not eating free food or leftovers from the meal plan, I get food from a number of delis/chipotle/dominican food restaurants. I also go food shopping at either of the two local supermarkets or travel 10 minutes to a great market called Fairway.

TL; DR Bard is great and I cook maybe once a week and never really feel the need to do so more than that, and I haven't heard of other people having issues competing for space in the Bard Kitchen.