2014-2015 Columbia University College of P&S Application Thread

[threesparrows]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Columbia-Bassett II this morning! Complete at Columbia in late August, added my Bassett essay to my app on 10/5.

There isn't too much info on SDN about the Bassett program interview -- is there anyone who's been to their interview day this cycle (or any previous cycle) who might kind enough to speak to their experiences? My invite email said that I'd be arriving Wednesday, interviewing with them on Thursday (they're kind enough to pay for accommodations), and then I'd be traveling down to NYC Thursday afternoon so I can interview at the main P&S campus on Friday.

Thanks for sharing the setup. Did you have a choice of dates or did they just assign you one? Do you know if its always Weds-Thurs-Fri (not sure if you could see other choices on portal).
Sorry for grilling you, really hoping for a Bassett interview!

 

[pinkPEACE]

Has anyone heard from mstp recently?

 

[frochocinco]

Does anyone know how frequently II are sent out? I'm just curious where I stand given that I was marked complete in mid-July and still have yet to hear anything...no hold, rejection, II. Not sure if this just means rejection or not.

Thanks

 

[OrbitalOverload]

Does anyone know if Columbia requires transcripts from this year's Fall Semester, from those still in school, before decisions are made?

 

[jibblesNbits]

Does anyone know if Columbia requires transcripts from this year's Fall Semester, from those still in school, before decisions are made?

I don't believe so, I think they said just a final transcript sometime before matriculation (but not necessarily before decision)

 

[WesternBlot]

Does anyone know how frequently II are sent out? I'm just curious where I stand given that I was marked complete in mid-July and still have yet to hear anything...no hold, rejection, II. Not sure if this just means rejection or not.

Thanks

I'm in the same boat. I'm trying not to worry too much! There are a lot of schools still sending out invites for dates in October and November. It's unfortunately just a waiting game at this point it seems. I'm sure it'll work out for you!

 

[RogueUnicorn]

What days does Columbia interview?

m-f

 

[anon12345678910]

Has anyone heard from mstp recently?

Wondering the same, since Cornell rejected me I feel like the rest of the nyc schools will as well -_-

 

[wibbleylever]

Thanks for sharing the setup. Did you have a choice of dates or did they just assign you one? Do you know if its always Weds-Thurs-Fri (not sure if you could see other choices on portal).
Sorry for grilling you, really hoping for a Bassett interview!

No worries!

They gave me a choice of two dates, one in Nov and the other in Dec. No idea if its always W/Th/Fri but the two dates I were given were both Thursdays. I actually got an email with the invite and the dates and the portal hasn't even been updated yet -- they said that once I select a date I'll be notified separately about my Fri interview with P&S.

Good luck!

 

[pinkPEACE]

edit

 

[Zaynecarrick]

Come on Columbia, show me some love. I'm doing work for you!

 

[mollyguacomole]

Well in that case, has anyone sent a thank you note and not gotten this letter as a response?

I just got this response as well (likely letter-worded response from the dean in regards to a thank you note I uploaded)--I'm curious to know if they send it to everybody who has interviewed?

 

[scooch]

I just got this response as well (likely letter-worded response from the dean in regards to a thank you note I uploaded)--I'm curious to know if they send it to everybody who has interviewed?

I'm wondering this as well...

 

[pluto101]

Has anyone heard from mstp recently?

Radio silence. I think they interview late into the cycle though.

 

[johnnytest]

This thread is pretty quiet. Any recent IIs?

 

[Person0715]

For those that already interviewed, how were the interviews at Columbia? How was the interview day?

 

[bangadees7]

For those that already interviewed, how were the interviews at Columbia? How was the interview day?

Chill. Don't like that there's only 1 interview, so make the most of it. Conversational. Felt like everyone had a great interview experience. Lunch wasn't great, though -- would have a bigger breakfast. Everyone is very nice, esp. Dean Nicholas. Hopefully your interview is in the morning versus after the tour and lunch, which can sap your energy.

 

[OrbitalOverload]

For those that already interviewed, how were the interviews at Columbia? How was the interview day?

The interview was very conversational, and my interviewer actually did most of the talking. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I'll take it for what it is. Columbia is a fantastic institution.

For those who interviewed, has anyone written a hand-written thank you letter to their interviewer? If so, did you just mail it to the admissions office? Also, is it appropriate to write a thank you letter to Dean Nicholas?

 

[schiffbased]

Interview!!!! Complete late September and reapplicant! Some late November dates still available

 

[DejaVu42]

Do we know before the interview day if our interview is in the morning or afternoon? If my interview is 2-5PM, then what's scheduled for us from 9-11:30? Visit a class or something? (I'd love to just be able to sleep in lol and get there later). Or if my interview is from 9-11:30, can we leave at 2 or is there stuff scheduled until 5PM? I'm this Monday by the way.

 

[fermata125]

Do we know before the interview day if our interview is in the morning or afternoon? If my interview is 2-5PM, then what's scheduled for us from 9-11:30? Visit a class or something? (I'd love to just be able to sleep in lol and get there later). Or if my interview is from 9-11:30, can we leave at 2 or is there stuff scheduled until 5PM? I'm this Monday by the way.

You pretty much hit the nail on the head. You won't find out until you get there--if your interview is in the morning then you'll leave when the tour is done, at 2pm (or you can attend a class if you like). If your interview is in the afternoon, you'll have the option to attend a class from 9-11ish.

 

[DejaVu42]

Oh OK, thanks! I'll just book a 6:15 bus then just to be safe.

 

[FFH]

Columbia Med viewed from Riverside drive in the fall. Thought you guys might like it.

Photographer: FFH
Guest performance: Dog the Pie

 

[HorseshoeLex]

Interviewing here this week--is the interview closed or open file?

Also, do they consider anyone given an interview academically capable and therefore no longer care about scores when granting acceptances? I've heard schools vary with this.

 

[samsunimomo]

Interviewing here this week--is the interview closed or open file?

Also, do they consider anyone given an interview academically capable and therefore no longer care about scores when granting acceptances? I've heard schools vary with this.

There's probably no way to know for sure, but compared to other schools of its caliber, Columbia has slightly lower median for GPA (3.79) for accepted students (US News), which seems to suggest that they may place stronger emphasis on different aspects of your application.

 

[OrbitalOverload]

Hi All, I was just wondering - would sending a thank you letter to Dr. Nicholas be considered by the admissions office, and just in the realm of customs, a standard practice in manners? Dr. Nicholas introduced himself to the interviewing group for around 30 minutes, and spoke directly to each of us in this non-private forum for about a minute each.

 

[FFH]

Dear Alma Mater,
Although you kept me waiting until now, I'm still very thrilled to be able to walk two blocks from my apt to interview for you. I am so glad that I didn't send that ITA email that I'd been wanting to for a long time.
Above average Stats, completed last day in July. Available dates: 11/19, 12/11, 12/16, 12/18
Funny thing is, I am sitting at the NYPH ED to get a new cast post car accident while I got the email for this II and another acceptance. I also got my first 2 II while I was here for pneumonia. Maybe I should have more "accidents"

Edit: the interview scheduling is a bit unstable. Dates come and go when the portal is refreshed or reaccessed. But it's to my advantage because I got to schedule a more convenient date.

 

[breakintheroof]

Dear Alma Mater,
Although you kept me waiting until now, I'm still very thrilled to be able to walk two blocks from my apt to interview for you.

Well, look at that! We all knew it would happen for you eventually. Congrats!

 

[FFH]

Well, look at that! We all knew it would happen for you eventually. Congrats!

😉

 

[nolentem]

Dear Alma Mater,
Although you kept me waiting until now, I'm still very thrilled to be able to walk two blocks from my apt to interview for you. I am so glad that I didn't send that ITA email that I'd been wanting to for a long time.
Above average Stats, completed last day in July. Available dates: 11/19, 12/11, 12/16, 12/18
Funny thing is, I am sitting at the NYPH ED to get a new cast post car accident while I got the email for this II and another acceptance. I also got my first 2 II while I was here for pneumonia. Maybe I should have more "accidents"

Edit: the interview scheduling is a bit unstable. Dates come and go when the portal is refreshed or reaccessed. But it's to my advantage because I got to schedule a more convenient date.

Congrats!

And +1 to the unstable interview scheduling. Opened it yesterday morning to see the same dates (11/19, 12/11, 12/16, 12/18), none of which worked for my schedule so i figured I would call them today to see if anything else was possible. Opened it again last night to see everything until January gone.

Checked this morning: the scheduler opens up on November (which on first look was empty of available dates), the December dates were back available (12/11, 12/16, 12/18). I clicked back to November, and some dates popped up (11/17, 11/18, and 11/21). Not going to pretend I understand what the logic behind this scheduling system is...

(Also, I didn't pay too close attention to the January dates, but if I recall correctly, some of them were 1/5, 1/6, 1/12, 1/13, with a few others--all in the first half of January).

 

[CannedPineapple]

II!!!! Complete early August, so thrilled right now I can't even

 

[Dabirdman167]

II!!! Complete mid-Sep, really glad to finally hear from them.

 

[sms32291]

II!!!! Complete early August, so thrilled right now I can't even

II!!! Complete mid-Sep, really glad to finally hear from them.

congrats! was complete around the same time as you two so hoping for some attention soon 🙂 cmon alma mater!!

 

[alison92]

anyone have any suggestions for good hotels to stay at the night before an interview? I can't seem to find any in the area that don't have terrible reviews...

 

[FFH]

anyone have any suggestions for good hotels to stay at the night before an interview? I can't seem to find any in the area that don't have terrible reviews...

There is none. Try Airbnb.
Basically anything west of Amsterdam is great. To give you a sample of the listing you can pick from
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Washington-Heights--New-York--NY--United-States?price_max=120
This one seems great to me. That area is actually super convenient to get to CUMC and extremely safe.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/245504?s=IaQ1

PM me if you want help figuring out which Airbnb listing to pick.

 

[ProbablyAPenguin]

anyone have any suggestions for good hotels to stay at the night before an interview? I can't seem to find any in the area that don't have terrible reviews...

you can stay at the housing they provide

 

[samsunimomo]

For the Bard Hall housing, do we have to bring our own bedsheets?

 

[FFH]

you can stay at the housing they provide

Oh yeah, that's an option too. I don't think too much about student hosts/provided housing since I live right here...

 

[mollyguacomole]

For the Bard Hall housing, do we have to bring our own bedsheets?

They provide sheets, blanket, and pillow. Be warned though, they provide these cots that are pretty uncomfortable. Worth it for the price, but not the best night of sleep I've ever had.

 

[innov8]

II!!!! Complete early August, so thrilled right now I can't even

II!!! Complete mid-Sep, really glad to finally hear from them.

Congrats guys!!! Very exciting to see people completed early and still getting invites. Would you mind PMing me your stats, so that I have something to compare to? Good luck at your interviews!

 

[HorseshoeLex]

Looping back to an earlier conversation, has anyone submitted a thank you letter to the portal post interview and not received the message back from dean Nicholas? I i interviewed late last week and want to know what I should expect.

Edit: got one today (thursday)

 

[ProbablyAPenguin]

Is Bard a good option for housing for one night before an interview? Is it close to the admissions office?

 

[bangadees7]

Is Bard a good option for housing for one night before an interview? Is it close to the admissions office?

Yes, for me. And yes.

 

[rainingbunnies]

Any II's today?

 

[FFH]

Is Bard a good option for housing for one night before an interview? Is it close to the admissions office?

2 block ~3 mins walk

 

[Appletini10]

Is Bard a good option for housing for one night before an interview? Is it close to the admissions office?

Just a quick plug for staying with a student: I'd like to think that interview day is as much about you getting a sense of the school as the inverse, and there's probably no better way to get a feel for the flavor of P&S than by getting to know students. And we also really like to meet interviewees!

I should also mention that if you opt for a student host, there's also a chance that you'll be housed by a second year in the Towers next door to Bard. Those set-ups are typically quite comfortable (and us second years are extra friendly too!).

 

[quickquestion1125]

I signed up for the student housing, and I guess that Bard Hall is a back up as they said on their interview invite. How long does it take for the school to get back to us? My main concern is changing into a suit in a crowded or dirty (not judging, just extra cautious because I lived in dorms ) common bathroom.

Thanks guys!

 

[anon12345678910]

nvm

 

[ConsultantMD]

Looping back to an earlier conversation, has anyone submitted a thank you letter to the portal post interview and not received the message back from dean Nicholas? I i interviewed late last week and want to know what I should expect.

Edit: got one today (thursday)

Just to answer you I got a response recently but it seemed somewhat more personalized. I guess I don't know what others got but I did get a quick response back.

 

[Willy38]

I sent Columbia an in the area email prior to my II, but it seems like they were unable to accommodate my initial request. Would it be too much to send them another set of dates of when I will be in the area? Or should I just suck it up and choose one of the available dates? I don't want them to think I'm a pest.

Hi Person0715, who did you send your ITA email to at Columbia ?