ARGH!!! Columbia P&S Question

[choker]

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Freaking MCAT score release is run by everyone's favorite company, AMCAS. I faxed in my request to release my scores but they still haven't. This is the only outstanding part of my columbia app and I am wondering...

does anyone know if completing my Columbia app this late is going to hurt me? I know that they're not rolling, but I am wondering what people may have heard during their interviews about those who interview later, and if they are at a disadvantage.

 

[SMW]

You did more than just release the scores, right? You paid to have them sent to a non-AMCAS school as well, right?

I think that a school that doesn't have rolling admissions has made a conscious decision to not put later applicants at a disadvantage. I have no specific knowledge of Columbia, but it just seems self-evident to me. I could be wrong, of course.

 

[choker]

that's what i meant, i faxed that ASR sheet to send the scores to columbia.

 

[praying4MD]

I'm not applying to Columbia so I can't answer that question, but I am having the exact same problem as you (submitted early July.) Everything has been in for weeks, but no MCATs at several schools. Since they have the preliminary app, they think it's complete and tell me that it's complete. So now I think the file is complete, but when they go to look at it, there aren't any MCAT scores on the AMCAS app, so it just sits there for another couple of weeks until I got worried enough to check on it. I was not notified that my MCATs were missing either.

Anyway, I am having to fax/mail copies of my MCAT scores to individual schools now. Unfortunately, there are some that just don't take unofficial ones, so I just have to wait some more for those to come in.

Since you had problems with this school, I would recommend checking on the other schools you've applied to and find out if they have your MCAT scores, even if you've been told your app is complete.

 

[choker]

no dude, you don't understand, columbia is a non-amcas school. my mcat scores are on my amcas. i had to separately have the MCAT people send an official copy of the score report to columbia directly. only problem is that for some incredibly stupid reason, AMCAS is in charge of additional score reports (WTF!?!?!) and they're taking forever to send the damn things.

 

[MorningLight2100]

As long as you have everything in by the deadline, I really do not think you'll be at a disadvantage. Particularly in terms of MCAT scores, the logistics of which often lie beyond your control. Medical schools( particularly P&S, which has quite an agreeable admissions office (at least in my experience!))understand the problems we encounter with these services.

I honestly believe that P&S is not rolling admissions because they want to ensure that everyone is given fair consideration. Also, they encourage applicants to continue to send materials to the office even after their applications are complete, i.e., if they have further information regarding classes or extra-curriculars that they would like to share with the committee. So I would not worry too much...I know that the AAMC can be tremendously frustrating, but no need for an ulcer! 🙂

 

[zancudo]

My understanding of P&S is that they REALLY try to do a knock-up job in putting together a class. My experience with them REALLY confimed this. That being said, I would find it hard to believe that your delay in MCAT score release would have any effect on your candidacy.

In any event, good luck. You will love it!

 

[choker]

thanks guys, you've calmed me down. hey morningLight, how did the interview go? my other friend who interviewed there said that it was the worst school he interviewed at and everyone was a jerk.

 

[MorningLight2100]

The worst??? Are you serious? Wow, why did he say that? I thought that this was the best interview I've had yet! The faculty were terrific, and the students were among the happiest I've seen.

But perhaps I just have very different interests than your friend...what were his complaints?

 

[choker]

he basically just said that P&S was the only school that really didn't try to sell itself. he said no one really cared whether or not he liked the school. at other schools, supposedly, the interview day is where everyone tries to sell their school's philosophy and merits. i think he just got a better vibe at the other places. i dunno though, P&S is a kinda dreary looking, depressing school in a really really crappy nasty area of manhattan. there is a lot to be said about the other med schools that have the roman columns and grass and actual sunlight, etc. but i went there the other day and spoke to two of my old bosses there (both P&S professors, one of whom is chair of a department) and they both got really really defensive about the school when i questioned its curriculum. this was in response to my talking about my interest in cornell_ they both got their MDs there. Each of them responded that "cornell is one of the worst medical schools in the country" and they proceeded to argue how the only school that could get away with a completely PBL curriculum is harvard. it was interesting to hear the argument AGAINST PBL for a change.

 

[po' boy]

Hi choker,

I am an MS1 at P&S, and I would be happy to answer any questions you have about Columbia (or the application process in general). I'm sorry that your interviewing experience here was so negative -- can you think of specific things that turned you off about the school?

I can tell you that I had a lot of misgivings about the neighborhood/food situation/students when I was making my final decision, all of which were completely unfounded. Coming here was a leap of faith for me and, so far, it has turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made -- so much so that I don't even think about it anymore. My classmates, teachers, and downtown NYC (removed, but a short train ride away) have surpassed my expectations, and I actually really dig my Dominican neighborhood (great roast chicken and beans, and an incredibly diverse patient population that you WILL experience first year).

To all you guys, good luck with your applications, and feel free to send me a private message if I can be of assistance.

 

[katiep]

I think they have two rounds of acceptances. So if you're not interviewed and evaluated by the first, you're at a disadvantage. Maybe I'm wrong, though.

 

[E'01]

I've never seen such a sincerely enthusiastic student body - Columbia Med students seem to really love their school. And I thought the neighborhood was great!

 

[zancudo]

I think they DO have two rounds of acceptances, but from what I understand, the first one is in late January. So, unless your scores are super-delayed, I think you should be fine. 🙂