2016-2017 Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Application Thread

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voteknope said:
Okay super silly follow-up question for this conversation. I speak another language (from childhood) and I wrote on AMCAS that it was "good" because I'm a little rusty and don't speak it very often at all. But then I included it on this question without really thinking about it. Looking back, I probably would need a dictionary if I needed to translate super science-y articles and maybe should not have included it. Now I'm stressing because I just got an II (YAY!!!) and looked at this thread and am now worried about them making me translate or something during my interview. Do you think I should clarify this before it comes up in my interview? Send a correction? Haha sorry if I am overthinking this!

PS. It's not a super useful language that they really care about (not Spanish)
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You're overthinking it
 
WedgeDawg said:
You're overthinking it
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Piggybacking off that question, do you think selecting "good" would probably result in getting tested at interviews? I did for Spanish because I have a solid grasp of grammar, pretty good vocabulary and based on conversations with native speakers and I'm certainly above "fair", but I'm not sure I would be able to answer typical questions well that come up in interviews, mainly medical and science related questions.
 
Yorick said:
Piggybacking off that question, do you think selecting "good" would probably result in getting tested at interviews? I did for Spanish because I have a solid grasp of grammar, pretty good vocabulary and based on conversations with native speakers and I'm certainly above "fair", but I'm not sure I would be able to answer typical questions well that come up in interviews, mainly medical and science related questions.
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I can't speak from personal experience, but I don't think I've heard of anyone being "tested" in their interview regarding their mastery of a language. I suppose it's possible that if you say you're fluent in a more commonly spoken language like Spanish or perhaps French, you might happen to talk to an interviewer who also coincidentally speaks that language and might try to have a brief conversation, but to the best of my knowledge, it's not something that's "tested". Foreign language skills are likely not going to be a make or break factor in your admissions decision.
 
Hello, I have an interview on the 16th of September and was wondering what the process is like? What questions do they ask and what should we have prepared?
 
nk430 said:
Hello, I have an interview on the 16th of September and was wondering what the process is like? What questions do they ask and what should we have prepared?
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Check the interview feedback tab on the top of the SDN webpage, and search P&S for interview reviews and answers to your questions. I'm sure others that have gone through the process at P&S can answer your questions also. Unfortunately, I cannot answer those questions personally 🙁
 
I applied to regular and Bassett, complete late July/early August-ish but haven't heard anything. Does anyone know definitively how apps to both programs are reviewed? I assume it's Bassett then regular, not simultaneously.
 
Submitted Secondary today! Complete 9/4....hopefully I'm not too late 🙁
 
goriku671 said:
Submitted Secondary today! Complete 9/4....hopefully I'm not too late 🙁
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don't worry! stay positive and just let things happen! If they like you they'll extend an II not matter when you submit. In the end you don't know how they work in the office so just do your best and be confident!
 
I've heard Columbia doesn't have rolling admissions - does this mean I could submit a secondary now and not be at a significant disadvantage?
 
CavsFan2016 said:
I've heard Columbia doesn't have rolling admissions - does this mean I could submit a secondary now and not be at a significant disadvantage?
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Don't they say after labor day is when secondaries stop being early overall? I say turn it in! Try and get that complete email sent overnight 😉
 
CavsFan2016 said:
I've heard Columbia doesn't have rolling admissions - does this mean I could submit a secondary now and not be at a significant disadvantage?
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I know they wait and send all of their admission decisions at the same time in Feb. or March or something, but I don't know if that means that they actually wait until the end of the interview season to make all their decisions or if they make decisions along the way and just don't notify anyone until later on. Either way though, it's not super late in the season so it might be worth a shot to turn in the secondary!
 
Any current students have suggestions for good places to eat/things to check out near campus/Bard Hall the night before? Unfortunately they were not able to find a student host for me, but I'd like to check out the area the night before my interview anyway! Thanks!! 🙂
 
goriku671 said:
Submitted Secondary today! Complete 9/4....hopefully I'm not too late 🙁
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Current M1 at P&S. Its not too late! I know of classmates who submitted their apps in September... and they are my classmates now!

stgt9202 said:
don't worry! stay positive and just let things happen! If they like you they'll extend an II not matter when you submit. In the end you don't know how they work in the office so just do your best and be confident!
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Agreed 👍

CavsFan2016 said:
I've heard Columbia doesn't have rolling admissions - does this mean I could submit a secondary now and not be at a significant disadvantage?
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Correct. However, just because a school doesn't have rolling admissions does not mean that they don't give out interviews on a rolling basis! If they interview a large cohort of gifted applicants early on, your chances are lower to get an interview spot in January and February (when they stop interviewing - quite early compared to other schools). So yes, its better to prioritize secondaries to rolling schools first, followed by non-rolling like Columbia and Cornell; but technically speaking even such non-rolling schools are still "rolling". Columbia admissions officially convenes at the end of the interview season and does decisions then but there is no way of knowing for sure. I sense that some decisions are made on an ongoing basis and are constantly reassessed when they interview new applicants. I would submit the secondary ASAP.

voteknope said:
Any current students have suggestions for good places to eat/things to check out near campus/Bard Hall the night before? Unfortunately they were not able to find a student host for me, but I'd like to check out the area the night before my interview anyway! Thanks!! 🙂
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Haven't done much exploring yet so I don't know the popular sites. But walking around the George Washington Bridge is very nice. You can check out our new education building which opened up 3 weeks ago and offers spectacular views of the Hudson. There is a good sandwich place not far called Tasty Deli. I think one of the more popular sandwiches is called "The Gunner" - worth checking out 😉

Feel free to ask me any questions here or via PM. Up until 3 weeks ago I was technically a premed so the PTSD is still very real.
 
II about twenty minutes ago while my CS class! Complete late July, came by email. Absolutely shocked that I got a II with a Lizzy of ~73
 
Went back and just added this school to my primary! How long did it take most of you guys to recieve your secondaries?

I'm so late

Edit: received and submitted

Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
Last edited:
Just a PSA for interviewees, the interview location as listed on the portal is different from the address listed on the interview section of their website. On our portal, the location is stated as 104 Haven Ave., which is on Haven and 171st. On the website it is a different address on 168th. Just so nobody goes to the wrong place. Good luck everyone!
 
Thanks for the tip! But which is one of the addresses is the real interview location?
 
sxullf said:
Thanks for the tip! But which is one of the addresses is the real interview location?
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I'm going to go ahead and assume the 104 Haven Ave address is correct, since that one is the one on the portal. That building is also newer, so it's probably a realistic scenario that they just haven't updated the address on the website from years past.
 
Hey guys,

The 104 Haven address is the new building (intersection of 171st and Haven). I believe that the admissions suite has now moved to that building (at least that's where the admissions office is located now). If I find out anything more I'll post back (maybe one of the MS1s has a definitive answer!).
 
WedgeDawg said:
Hey guys,

The 104 Haven address is the new building (intersection of 171st and Haven). I believe that the admissions suite has now moved to that building (at least that's where the admissions office is located now). If I find out anything more I'll post back (maybe one of the MS1s has a definitive answer!).
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Not an MS1 but I'm confirming this is correct b/c apparently @WedgeDawg doesn't read our admissions emails .________.
 
For anyone interviewing here who is nervous -
This was by far my chillest interview day so far. I had a fun, low stress day and met some truly amazing people (current students, faculty, and my fellow interviewees)! I'm so impressed by this school.
Relax, be yourself, and enjoy some great conversations! You will all do great 🙂
 
Hey you guys!

My name is Joseph and I'm a current MS1 at P&S. I just wanted to introduce myself to let you all know as you start getting your II's that I'm available as a resource. If you need any help either getting to Washington Heights, de-stressing regarding interviews (which you shouldn't be stress out for-- mine as fun actually), or just wondering about the school as a whole, I am definitely here to help out.

Feel free to message me or reply to anything I post, and Good Luck!
 
There were some questions earlier in the thread with regards to the question on the secondary that asked if you can translate literature in a certain language or something like that. FWIW, I interviewed here just recently and I put on the secondary that I was able to translate stuff from Spanish. At no point during the interview day was this even brought up, so they won't sit you down with a Spanish journal publication and ask you to showcase your skills or anything like that.
 
@ManxomeJoe Thanks for your offer to help! I am scheduled to interview on 10/03 and really excited. I will be arriving and leaving on Amtrak in the evening. My question is how safe is it to take the subway to Penn Station in the evening. My hotel is pretty close to the station. Is it safe to walk alone in the evening?
 
sxullf said:
@ManxomeJoe Thanks for your offer to help! I am scheduled to interview on 10/03 and really excited. I will be arriving and leaving on Amtrak in the evening. My question is how safe is it to take the subway to Penn Station in the evening. My hotel is pretty close to the station. Is it safe to walk alone in the evening?
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My rule is: if you ever feel unsafe just call a taxi or an Uber. I always tell my friends this when going out. That being said, I've never had a problem in the city. I've taken many subway rides up and down Manhattan at odd hours of the night. I've never felt unsafe, and you will realize soon enough that Penn Station is one of the really busy areas of New York where shady things are not likely to go down. Plus, since Penn Station is one of the stops on Amtrak, I'm pretty sure you won't have to take the subway anywhere (but if you do-- there are nice stops for the blue and red lines). Depending on how far your hotel is from Penn Station you could certainly walk it-- it will give you loads of practice for when you're walking ALL AROUND NY. I walk alone at night all the time-- just plan your route beforehand and look like you know where you're going and you'll have no problems. 😀

Can't wait to meet you!
 
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