Hello Everyone,
I've decided to get over my fear of posting (!) and post to this thread because I have some info that I hope will be helpful, or at least interesting to my fellow applicants waitlisted at Columbia...
I called the admissions office in early March in hopes of asking the secretary a few simple questions (how many people are on the waitlist? is it ranked?), but instead the secretary put me on the phone with Dean Frantz, who he told me: "What we really like to do is have applicants that show a particular interest in Columbia, come in for a second visit." It seemed to me that ?second interviews? are pretty much offered to anyone who wants one?but I?m not sure?.so for all of you who want one?don?t be afraid to ask for one!
So?what started out as a simple phone call resulted in a famed ?second interview.? As soon as the interview was scheduled, I immediately sent a letter to Dr. Frantz explaining my interest in Columbia so that he would have it before we met. Unfortunately it did not get there before I did (in mid-March), and I?m not really sure it ever got there. I called a few days after my interview to ask if my letter had gotten to Dr. Frantz, but the admissions staff said that files were all over the place and they couldn?t really tell me, but that I should expect a reply from Dr. Frantz within the week. That was a couple of weeks ago, and I still have received no word. I have gotten no reply to my letter, OR the thank you card I sent post-interview, so for those of you who have not gotten a response to your letters, I wouldn?t be worried about it?I think things are very hectic in that office, and things are moving slowly?though I would try to call every couple weeks to try to see if your letter was received.
Anyway, about the second interview?it was very low stress. About half an hour?He had read my file, but he was not my first interviewer, so it really felt like it was a first interview. He asked about my family, my high school and college, my interest in New York City, what I am currently doing during my year off, why I took a year off, whether my interest was more research or clinical, my top three favorite classes in college, how/when did I know medicine was for me, if I played an instrument/any sports, where I had been accepted, where I was still waiting to hear from, what I did in my spare time?and of course, he asked about my interest in Columbia?A lot of questions in 30 minutes?I know! He was very friendly and easy to talk to?I did not feel stressed.
He then told me a little about how the waitlist works?he said they over-accept a small amount each year, but not so much that the waitlist is not used. In other words, I think they almost always accept a fair number of students from the waitlist. He of course seemed really reluctant to give numbers because every year is different, but he did eventually say that usually about 30-40 applicants are pulled off the waitlist (finally, concrete numbers!!). I found this encouraging?I think 30-40 is quite a bit, but of course, every year is different. He was very clear that he could not make any promises! He did not say how many people were actually on the waitlist, but he did say that the list is unranked, and that every year some of their best students come off the waitlist?
I asked if the committee meets again later on to decide who to accept off the waitlist since the list is unranked?He said that they do NOT meet again. He seemed a bit vague, but I got the distinct impression that the decision of who to accept off the waitlist, is almost entirely based on how much effort each waitlisted candidate puts into getting off the list. In other words, the more you convince Columbia that you love their school, and would jump at the chance to go, the more likely you are to make it off the list. He didn?t say this exactly, but it is the impression I got. I think Columbia is very interested in filling their class with students that REALLY want to be there. He said that later on, they may separate the list into high/middle/low rank, but he didn?t really elaborate much on that. He said that waitlist movement can start as early as April (I assume he means late April), and reaches a peak in May, but that the waitlist stays open until the start of classes in the fall.
He gave me some feedback on my chances, and though people say that his word is the best indicator of your chances, I was skeptical, because it seems he always has encouraging words for everyone he speaks with. I?m not sure.
Anyway, since my meeting with him, I think I am pretty certain that I will be withdrawing from the Columbia waitlist?not because of my second interview or anything like that?I still think Columbia is great. But, I thought I should share that since it might be encouraging to everyone waiting? Haha?
Phew! I?m sorry for the super-long post?what a way to get over a posting phobia, huh? Anyway, I just wanted to give as much information as possible, because I know information is one of the few things that makes waiting more bearable?
Best wishes to all those waiting. I hope everything works out well?Good Luck! 🙂
*Nonami*
