2020-2021 Columbia VP&S

[Homunculus150]

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Would the "Anything Else" essay be a good place to discuss research experience and what I learned from it? I didn't mention my research in my personal statement so they're just listed as activities in my primary application.

I had a "Why Us" essay typed up but it sounds like that might not be useful from reading this thread.

 

[caffeineqween]

I am just going to briefly explain personal connections to the school and area. It is something I was not able to put anywhere else and is not an essay just explaining Why Columbia (bc they already know they have amazing opportunities and that folks want to go there).

Same here.

 

[Iced Milk Tea]

For the "work for compensation" question, would REUs and research stipends fall into this category?

 

[futureSurgeon98]

For the "work for compensation" question, would REUs and research stipends fall into this category?

i included them

 

[frenchfries7]

For the "work for compensation" question, would REUs and research stipends fall into this category?

I did not include my research stipends

 

[deleted959514]

Deleted

 

[sergioramos]

Anyone else not recieve Columbia's secondaries yet? I was verified 7/24 and I've gotten all my other schools besides here haha

 

[Lifeblood_20]

Anyone else not recieve Columbia's secondaries yet? I was verified 7/24 and I've gotten all my other schools besides here haha

I was verified a few days ago and haven’t gotten mine either.

 

[Iced Milk Tea]

I was verified 6/19 and received the secondary 7/23

 

[sergioramos]

Wow, I just got the secondary sent to me within an hour of posting that... are they listening to me 😱

 

[QwertyLover123]

Just received secondary! Verified 7/8

 

[Lifeblood_20]

Received mine too. Verified 7/29

 

[redheart33]

OOS received, verified 7/30

 

[roasted_oolong]

For courses that had a separate lab/lecture component, are y'all using slots for both? There are only 6 slots for chemistry, so if I list both lecture/labs I can only include 3 semester's worth, but if I don't include the labs then I'm worried they wont consider it as fulfilling both "lecture and lab"

 

[Justapremedguy]

For courses that had a separate lab/lecture component, are y'all using slots for both? There are only 6 slots for chemistry, so if I list both lecture/labs I can only include 3 semester's worth, but if I don't include the labs then I'm worried they wont consider it as fulfilling both "lecture and lab"

I listed lectures and lab because they need both. They still see your primary with all your courses, I’m sure, so they’ll still know. This just lets them check off that you’ve done enough requirements to be considered. Thats how I saw it

 

[roasted_oolong]

I listed lectures and lab because they need both. They still see your primary with all your courses, I’m sure, so they’ll still know. This just lets them check off that you’ve done enough requirements to be considered. Thats how I saw it

Thank you!! If I may ask, how did you fit 4 semesters' worth of classes in 6 slots for chemistry?

 

[Justapremedguy]

Thank you!! If I may ask, how did you fit 4 semesters' worth of classes in 6 slots for chemistry?

I didn’t. I only fit in 3 semesters with the labs separate. But my transcript has all my classes so I’m sure they see the rest of them anyway

 

[rocinan]

Do you guys all have 6 slots of biology, physics, and chemistry for the pre-req section? What should we put for the additional spaces?

 

[Snaketail]

Do you guys all have 6 slots of biology, physics, and chemistry for the pre-req section? What should we put for the additional spaces?

I emailed the admissions office and they said to just leave any extra entries empty if you don't need them to cover all your prereqs! I had a bunch of empty spaces since my school combines lectures and labs into one course.

 

[mass-premed66]

Hi y’all! Incoming M1 who is procrastinating unpacking my apartment. Haven’t started yet but happy to answer any questions I can.

 

[deleted1065184]

Hi y’all! Incoming M1 who is procrastinating unpacking my apartment. Haven’t started yet but happy to answer any questions I can.

Thank you! Good luck with unpacking, lol. Would you happen to have any idea when Columbia will start extending interviews? Would be nice to know if we can expect a significant delay, given *gestures broadly* everything lol

 

[hopper98]

Hi y’all! Incoming M1 who is procrastinating unpacking my apartment. Haven’t started yet but happy to answer any questions I can.

Good luck with the move in! I had a question about the anything else essay. Did you happen to leave it blank or throw in a why here essay?

 

[10942863]

Trying to decide whether to go for Bassett or not... has anyone who initially selected Bassett as their first choice been rejected and then accepted at the main Columbia program? I am interested in academic (not rural, come from a suburban bkg, but who knows) medicine but absolutely LOVE the longitudinal clinical/relationship emphasis of Bassett.

 

[Vikingbear16]

Good luck with the move in! I had a question about the anything else essay. Did you happen to leave it blank or throw in a why here essay?

Would like to know too. My premed advisor (who typically gives much better advice than some of the stuff I've seen other advisors say) said adcoms will get annoyed but I'm now heavily regretting listening to her after reading all these threads 🙁 Also congrats on moving in! Hope y'all still have a semi-normal start 🙂

 

[TehTeddy]

Trying to decide whether to go for Bassett or not... has anyone who initially selected Bassett as their first choice been rejected and then accepted at the main Columbia program? I am interested in academic (not rural, come from a suburban bkg, but who knows) medicine but absolutely LOVE the longitudinal clinical/relationship emphasis of Bassett.

I'm wondering the same thing. For what it's worth, I emailed the admissions office about it, and they said being rejected from Bassett would not decrease your chances for the regular MD program. On that note, I'm going for it.

 

[ingobingo]

(I think this is MSTP-only)

For the "Experiences" section, what are people putting? It asks for the employer, so is it only jobs or things like shadowing, etc. as well?
Also, how are we supposed to write the type of work? I basically copied/pasted from my CV, but they also have you upload your CV so I'm not sure what to do.

 

[JumbaJoo]

For the required coursework section, I'm struggling a bit with the one year of biology + labs part. I took both Bio 1 and 2 at my undergraduate, but received credit for the lab sections from the AP exam. The labs I received credit for are listed on my transcript but it doesn't seem like I can actually use them in the portal. Does this mean I can't submit my application? I have a lot of research in an immunology lab, but it wasn't an official course so I'm not sure how to list it.

 

[deleted1039724]

is anyone leaving the optional essay blank?

 

[Homunculus150]

is anyone leaving the optional essay blank?

I used it as a random essay prompt (used challenge essay). Didn’t want to leave it blank but heard mixed thoughts on “Why Columbia” so did something else instead.

 

[Student189045]

is anyone leaving the optional essay blank?

For reference I left it blank and was accepted here

 

[eelsauce]

Does anyone know if this place is rolling admissions?

 

[SiberianIris]

Does anyone know if this place is rolling admissions?

Bad form to post the exact same question - which can usually be solved by some website searching - in several threads. Especially at the same time.

 

[rep_the_don]

Does anyone know if this place is rolling admissions?

This is from their FAQ:
"Columbia does not have rolling admissions for medical school. Decisions are made at the end of interview season and all decision letters are sent in early March."

 

[proudofmykids]

This is from their FAQ:
"Columbia does not have rolling admissions for medical school. Decisions are made at the end of interview season and all decision letters are sent in early March."

However, most adcoms on SDN indicate that despite a single communication date later in the cycle, these non rolling programs, internally are Indeed rolling. That said, the earliest of waves of IIs and acceptances at non- rolling programs are for the most sought after applicants and many get accepted in later waves despite early IIs.

 

[rep_the_don]

However, most adcoms on SDN indicate that despite a single communication date later in the cycle, these non rolling programs, internally are Indeed rolling. That said, the earliest of waves of IIs and acceptances at non- rolling programs are for the most sought after applicants and many get accepted in later waves despite early IIs.

Thanks for sharing that - that's a good piece of information. So I suppose even these programs that have only one official communication date are not purely non-rolling overall then. They're a mixture.

 

[stunzeed]

Is the CV required this year or am I just not seeing a way to submit without it? Asking because last years thread indicated it was optional.

 

[Havelock Vetinari]

Is the CV required this year or am I just not seeing a way to submit without it? Asking because last years thread indicated it was optional.

Under “Document Upload.”

 

[toffm]

wow i realized after i sent my primary here that they require a year of college physics, but i tested out of physics 1 with ap credit. does anyone know if Columbia is strict with the pre-reqs?

 

[electr!c]

wow i realized after i sent my primary here that they require a year of college physics, but i tested out of physics 1 with ap credit. does anyone know if Columbia is strict with the pre-reqs?

From what I've heard they seem to be pretty strict about not accepting AP credit for pre-reqs. I have a friend who needed special approval for something else to be counted as a pre-req instead because he only took 1 semester of one of them. He had to email the admissions office about it - maybe try emailing them and seeing what they say?

 

[deleted1038508]

From what I've heard they seem to be pretty strict about not accepting AP credit for pre-reqs. I have a friend who needed special approval for something else to be counted as a pre-req instead because he only took 1 semester of one of them. He had to email the admissions office about it - maybe try emailing them and seeing what they say?

I'm just seeing if I get IIed/Accepted first before emailing them about this. I think it'll be more likely that they grant an exception if they've already accepted someone, rather than before. Thoughts?

 

[electr!c]

I'm just seeing if I get IIed/Accepted first before emailing them about this. I think it'll be more likely that they grant an exception if they've already accepted someone, rather than before. Thoughts?

I mean up to you. I know my friend said our school's advisor told him he should email them right away (like before he even submitted the secondary). You're potentially fine waiting for the II (maybe - I have absolutely no knowledge on this matter), but I doubt they'd just say screw it just because they accepted you. Maybe try asking on of the adcoms on SDN what they think?

 

[rep_the_don]

I'm just seeing if I get IIed/Accepted first before emailing them about this. I think it'll be more likely that they grant an exception if they've already accepted someone, rather than before. Thoughts?

I had questions on a different prerequisite and emailed their office to make sure I was okay to apply with my set of courses. I would recommend you email first because if they deny your exception then you will have spent the primary and secondary fees for nothing.

 

[deleted1038508]

I had questions on a different prerequisite and emailed their office to make sure I was okay to apply with my set of courses. I would recommend you email first because if they deny your exception then you will have spent the primary and secondary fees for nothing.

I already submitted everything

 

[rep_the_don]

I already submitted everything

Oh I see. In your case then it's not as clear-cut a decision. I would probably still lean on emailing to resolve this earlier than later though. If they end up being very strict on not taking the AP then it's good to know sooner so you could potentially take it before potential matriculation.

 

[goldenhuman444]

For the first question, did you guys only explain what you did for all jobs or did u also explain the skills u gained from each job? I worked a lot in undergrad and dont really have space to expound on what I learned. Would that be too detrimental?

 

[Havelock Vetinari]

For the first question, did you guys only explain what you did for all jobs or did u also explain the skills u gained from each job? I worked a lot in undergrad and dont really have space to expound on what I learned. Would that be too detrimental?

I didn’t have loads of room to expand either.

 

[mass-premed66]

@Gentle_Scientist
Finally got some information for y'all! Sorry it took so long, but I spoke to the dean of admissions to get the most accurate info. Interviews start in mid-september (three weeks!). There will be virtual tours led by 4th years. Students will be popping in on the zoom meetings throughout the day to talk to y'all and answer your questions. We are trying to let you get to know our community as best we can 🙂 A priority for VP&S is making the interview as fun and not stressful as possible so there's no tricky questions and the interviewers make sure to read your application in depth so they know you well before you meet.

I used the essay not for a "why us" but to explain my bad grades in one semester @hopper98
Let me know if there's anything else!

 

[deleted1065184]

@Gentle_Scientist
Finally got some information for y'all! Sorry it took so long, but I spoke to the dean of admissions to get the most accurate info. Interviews start in mid-september (three weeks!). There will be virtual tours led by 4th years. Students will be popping in on the zoom meetings throughout the day to talk to y'all and answer your questions. We are trying to let you get to know our community as best we can 🙂 A priority for VP&S is making the interview as fun and not stressful as possible so there's no tricky questions and the interviewers make sure to read your application in depth so they know you well before you meet.

I used the essay not for a "why us" but to explain my bad grades in one semester @hopper98
Let me know if there's anything else!

Thank you so much for this response! Sounds like IIs will need to go out very soon then, if they haven't already started. Exciting!!!

 

[mass-premed66]

Thank you so much for this response! Sounds like IIs will need to go out very soon then, if they haven't already started. Exciting!!!

Yep! Not sure on timing but should be soon. If there's anything other suggestions for the interview days, please let me know and I'll forward them on.

 

[deleted1065184]

Yep! Not sure on timing but should be soon. If there's anything other suggestions for the interview days, please let me know and I'll forward them on.

Awesome! I'm so glad interviewees will get the chance to speak with current students. And I'm sure creating that virtual tour was a ton of work, so I'm very thankful for that!