Columbia Wait List

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yeah, i sent in the letter. the thing is, since i've already interviewed with dean frantz, he may not feel it is necessary for second interview.

reading last year's forums, people did get in just by writing dr. frantz. one person i met during my interview got in sometime in july and basically just sent a few letters back and forth.

to be honest, i'm not sure what we'd talk about in a second interview. it would be more like me telling him why i want to go to columbia. not much new has happened since my first interview in january and now.

well, i'm still trying to get that second interview. my advisor is going to contact the admissions office to find out what they sent him at the end of the week if he hasn't received anything.

i just want to get a sense of whether or not i actually have a real chance. if i don't, then that's fine, i guess i can move on. but if i really do have a shot, i'll keep going until they start classes.

gonna call the admissions office later this week to try to get something soon. i'm willing to drop everything here and go to nyc to interview.

good luck intlmd! you'll do fine!

-ckat
 
well, after a few weeks of trying to get a second interview, i'm still stuck without one. dr. frantz just hasn't replied to my inquiries.

the silver lining is that my advisor called yesterday and apparently my file is no longer accessible to the regular admissions staff cause it's locked away in Dr. Frantz's office. apparently, he's reviewing it right now.

i can just hope that since i interviewed with him already, he doesn't feel the need for a second interview.

this is all just a guessing game to me. i just hope i can get some feed back at some point.

to all those who have interviewed with dean frantz for a first interview, anyone get a second interview?

to all those who have second interviews, good luck!

-ckat
 
ckat,
I was wondering the same thing too. I interviewed with Dean Frantz, so does he grant second interviews to those who already had a chance to meet him? I plan to go visit P&S again, so maybe I'll drop by and say hello. 🙂
 
hi florence. be careful about that. i was thinking the same thing, but the admissions staffer i spoke with yesterday said very emphatically that dr. frantz does not like walkins.

use your own judgement on that, but that's what i've been told. i think i'm gonna wait a few weeks then write another letter.

there's been a flurry of activity on my end these last 1.5 weeks, which is why i'm hoping that is what caused my application to be bumped into his hands (assuming that is even true).

like i've mentioned before, people do get in without a second interview. ie valleygirl from last year.

anyway, good luck to you and to everyone out there.

-ckat
 
Woo-whoooooo Ckat!!!!!!!!!!!! I only read your post now and I am so happy for you!!! File locked in Dean Frantz' office is definitely a good thing :clap: :clap: :clap:
Maybe you will be one of those lucky ones who gets in without a second interview and without having to write many letters 🙂
Awesome!
 
I interviewed with Dr. Frantz initially, and I've written a couple letters since being placed on the waiting list closing with the suggestion that I would be open to a second meeting with him if he felt it would be advantageous. I was in NYC earlier this week and mentioned it in one of my letters as well, but was not invited to visit the school again. I have not received a reply from him to any of my recent letters.

I'm planning on sending one more letter later this month, and perhaps I'll start calling occasionally in early May to see if there's anything going on with my file, but I'm certainly realistic about my chances considering the deluge of additional letters and calls the admissions office is receiving regarding waiting list progress.
 
So I recently wrote Dr. Frantz asking for a second interview as well, but am yet to receive a response. My question is about waitlists in general. I keep hearing you all say that you have called a bunch of times. What is it that people are saying when they are calling. I have only called a few schools to ask specific questions and never once have I given my name. What am I missing here? I've sent a bunch of letters of interest to schools, but I'm freaking out and I want to know what I should be doing to be more proactive!

Thanks all and I hope we can all get into Columbia 🙂
 
I actually have never called the admissions office except to schedule the interview. Last year people were calling him all the time. I have just been following the instructions on the waitlist letter and keeping him informed of my interest every 3-4 weeks. I wrote a couple of letters after the waitlist notification, he replied and I followed up. I hope this works out because otherwise I have to relocate my whole life to Louisiana, which I would rather not have to 🙁
 
Thanks intlmd for your optimism. =D I don't know what it means, but i'm hoping it's positive.

as for merlin's post, i have never spoken with dr. frantz on the phone when i have called. I have just spoken the the admissions staff and i direct questions to them in as polite a manner as i can. =D

my plan now is for another letter in a few weeks and perhaps a phone call beginning of may specifically asking to speak with dr. frantz.

good luck to all!

-ckat
 
Hey everyone,
I have a few questions about letters of intent/interest and would be grateful if someone could help me out.

Is it appropriate to send a letter of interest/intent before receiving a 1st interview?

Is there any reason NOT to send a letter of intent if you are certain that the school is your #1 choice?

Is there a formal way of writing one of these letters, or is anything along the lines of confirming your interest/intent ok?

Thanks in advance.
 
there's nothing to stop you from doing anything in this whole process. the best thing that i can say is to take each school on a case by case basis. i'm sure there will be some people on sdn who have done pre-interview letters and have had good results, and then there will be others that will say no, don't do it cause this and this happened to me and i got screwed.

probably the best thing to do is to search the forums and gather as much info as you can about the school you are thinking about writing a pre-interview letter to and see whether or not there has been some favorable response.


i don't see any reason not to send in a letter of intent if a particular school is your number choice. that type of letter can never hurt, unless you intend to intentionally mislead a school etc, but then, it wouldn't be your number one choice would it?

no real way on writing one, just try to be straightforward, honest and polite.

-ckat
 
To those who have been fortunate enough to have a second interview-

Does Frantz ask the big question, i.e. "If I admit you, will you come to Columbia?"

If so, and if you say yes, does that commit you? I assume it would be vital to answer 'yes' to this question . . .
 
Honestly, I think if it comes down to a 2nd interview, that means that you have been waitlisted in the first place and are still fighting for a spot in that class... it is late enough in the process that you pretty much have all the info on your status in every other school... so my point is, if your answer isn't yes to that question, what is the point? What is the point of wasting his time, and your time and money for something that you don't want it so badly that you would even think about the level of commitment involved in answering yes to that question? To me every letter I wrote, and the fact that I will be going there again already explicitly imply my commitment to the school - I wouldn't go there any other way (I wouldn't bother for anything less than that).
 
i agree, if you are there for a second interview, you should be very sure that you'd go there. otherwise you're wasting your time and dr. frantz's time.
 
so i called the office again, and this time my file was available. i was told that there was a response that was going out to me today. i guess dr. frantz had pulled my file and was preparing a response to what had been sent in.

of course, given the fact that my advisor still hasn't received a response yet, even tho i've been told that something was sent out quite some time ago, makes me a little skeptical. but i think there may have been some mail problems (ie address changes) that is at the root of the problem.

bottom line, i'm not going to hold my breath waiting for the mail and will call at the end of the week if i haven't received anything yet.

good luck everyone with those second interviews!

anyone who interviewed with dr. frantz originally who has received a second interview? i'm thinking perhaps he'd rather not meet with those people since he's met with them already. but that's just speculation, i have no hard evidence of that.

-ckat
 
Ckat,

I am crossing my fingers for you! I hope things work out for both of us and that we are classmates next year 🙂 Let me know what the letter says. Whatever it is it should be highly personalized - hopefully GOOD personalized news!

Good luck!
 
thanks as always for your optimism intlmd! that would be awesome if we could both get in at some point!

good luck with your second interview! it's this week right? let me know how it goes! 😎

i'll be sure to post if/when i get a response.
 
I wanted to complete my second interview before I posted this --

Like Nonami, I called the admissions office simply to ask if I could attend the Second Look Weekend, and suddenly (aack!), I found myself on the phone with Dean Frantz. I explained that I had a significant other currently attending P&S, and that I was trying to decide whether or not to try to get off the wait list at Columbia or to attend Harvard. Dean Frantz told me I was welcome to attend the Second Look Weekend, and asked if I would be interested in a second interview.

I did not write a letter, neither before nor after I found myself with an appointment with Dean Frantz. No, I did not have an interview with him originally, so this was my first time meeting him.

My experience was almost exactly like Nonami's: questions about family, why I chose my college, what I was doing with my years off and why, did I like research, my favorite classes (which became questions about my favorite Shakespearean play and my favorite composer), if I played any instruments, what I would do if I wasn't doing medicine and why I chosen medicine, why I was interested in Columbia (he had forgotten about my significant other -- too many applicants, I guess!), what other schools I was considering. He talked to me a little about why he thought Columbia was so special. Very low stress, and also about 30-45 min.

To address stumeyers, yes, I was asked if I were admitted, would I come to Columbia. I took a deep breath and told him the truth -- that I was not sure, and that I needed to attend the Second Look weekends for both schools and to meet my potential classmates before I could make a decision. I told him, though, that the idea of enduring another 4 years of doing the long-distance thing with my boyfriend weighed heavily on my mind and was a significant strike against Harvard.

He told me that if after the Second Look Weekend, that I decided that I want to come to Columbia, to give the admissions office a call, and that he gave his word that I would have a position in the class. He would not put anything down on paper, which made me a bit uncomfortable, instead saying something like marking me as an accepttee now would presuppose that I would definitely come -- I was under the impression that he couldn't put me in the computer system or something unless he had a definitely yes. I don't know why.

Anyways, I hope this post is of some help. The second interview is nothing to sweat over, although I was relieved to have an opinion about my favorite Shakespearean play/composer (Dean Frantz had a bit to say about Hamlet and Bach, and my opinions helped to keep the conversation going). I guess my advice would be to be prepared, but to be assured that you won't be grilled -- he just seemed to genuinely want to get aquainted, although I have no idea what it is about an applicant that makes him want to give someone an offer (or maybe I do - say that your favorite play was King Lear ;-) ). It was overall an enjoyable conversation.

I wish everyone here luck, and perhaps I'll see some of you at the Second Look weekend!
 
wow coffeespoon, i wish i were in your situation!

it seems like dr. frantz gives out a list of names to the admissions staffers and tells them to pass him the phone if a person on the list calls. or it might be completely random for all i know.

i've called numerous times and i've never gotten to speak with dr. frantz.

my interview in january with dr. frantz sounded just like the one coffeespoon just had, though instead of plays, we spoke a lot about music and martial arts because i'm heavily involved in both.

thanks for the post coffeespoon. good luck with wherever you eventually end up!

-ckat
 
Thanks, ckat! Good luck to you, too -- Dean Frantz has got to be impressed with your enthusiasm for Columbia -- I hope it translates into an offer!!
 
hey guys!

keeping my fingers crossed for all of us! I was wondering when Second Look for Columbia is? Is it already too late?

Thanks 🙂
 
It starts early April 24 and ends sometime April 25. If you search, you might be able to find the full schedule that someone posted earlier.
 
do you think it'd be a good idea to ask to go to the second look weekend? i can just see myself feeling very awkward when meeting people, hi, i'm only on the waitlist, but i thought it'd be cool to come by anyway... =P

supposedly, a reply was to be sent out to me yesterday. maybe i'll wait and see what it says and then call about the second look....
 
I don't think there's anything wrong with asking to come to the Second Look weekend, although I would wait to see what your letter says. I would have been in the same situation if I hadn't talked to Dean Frantz, and besides, I don't think anyone will ask. If they do, I can only imagine people wishing you well.
 
Second look is the same weekend as the Rolex Three Day event, that I am going to go watch. Bummer, I don't even have that excuse to call. But I will have more fun there I will bet. Good luck to you guys :clap:
 
First of all congratulations to Coffeespoon!! That is really awesome that you did so well on your second interview - I just hope that the stars are right on friday so I can do well too! I think I should brush up on my shakespeare though, it seems like a lot of people get in when they have interviews about shakespeare 😉 I wish you the best of luck in your decision and that the 2nd looks make it easier for you to decide. Nothing new on my front here in Philly and good luck to us all!
 
Anyone get a second interview from Columbia yet? What's your secret?
 
Originally posted by mirla
Anyone get a second interview from Columbia yet? What's your secret?

Secret: They can read!

Don't start a thread unless you are going to read it...
 
Hey everyone -

Wanted to provide you guys with feedback on the going ons surrounding my getting off the waitlist. I got on the letter of intent / update letter bandwagon a little late - I was pretty sure Columbia was my first choice, but I wanted to hear back from all the schools I applied to before taking any hasty action.

On April 3rd I fed-exed a letter to Dr. Frantz stating that if a place opened up in the class, I would most certainly take him up on any offer and why that was so. I called the admissions office the next day (at this point I felt like I was 'behind' - so I was getting a little anxious) and asked to speak with Dr. Frantz to express my enthusiasm for Columbia. After 2-3 tries that day (I gave my name and explained why I was calling each time - he wasn't in the office the first two times) Wendy pulled my file and said Dr. Frantz would be with me shortly. He had read the letter, saw that I had requested to see him again, and asked me to come in on Monday..... So at this point I'm ecstatic, litterally jumping out of my body I was so happy.

So I spent Sunday becoming an uberColumbianerd (not that I wasnt already, but......) and after a brutal subway ride, met with him and chatted with him for an hour while pouring coffee down my throat. He asked the same exact questions as the other posts have mentioned and he indeed did ask if Columbia was my number one choice, and he asked if accepted would I come. I of course replied yes - this was halfway through the interview btw- and he let it go at that. At the end of the interview he said why don't we go ahead and say youre admitted! I beamed, exuded thanks, stood up, contemplated the existence of god, and shook his hand. But he could see I wanted to give him a big ol' hug, and we embraced, waves crashing around us! No really, it was awesome, he printed me an admissions letter and signed it (at which point i noticed the initial interview request / response to letter I sent had been signed by a secretary!) . I also signed the admissions acceptance form right there just so there was a paper record if I woke up from the dream I was having =] He did ask that when I went into the waiting room I say nothing to the other waitlistee sitting in there because he didn't know if it would end up the same way for him. right before extending the offer he did say they normally take 30 people off the waitlist and that most of that action happens in later april and may, and that i was a little early on in the process......

Sooooooo........there you go.
I'm looking forward to moving to Canada, I mean 170th street, wohoooooooooooooooooo! Hit me up with any questions, my current employment ain't exactly untying the gordeon knot.
 
first things first: Indie congrats on your acceptance, its always great when people get into their first choice.

Now, I want to express my opinion on the Columbia Admission process. Its silly that one person has so much control i.erules out the diversity of perspectives that other Adcom members can bring. Secondly, I am not a fan of having to get on my hands and knees to get a position of the waitlist. I know desperate times call for desperate measures but Columbia makes that the major way to get off the waitlist. What about a disadvantaged applicant who cannot afford to travel to NYC? I wish I could formulate a more thought-out argument but I just don't have the patience. Does anyone else feel the gut instinct that Dr. Frantz plays a dirty game? I have very little respect for a person that creates an atmosphere where unique applicants are all of a sudden memorizing Shakesperian quotes and rugby trivia. I think I might call him next week and ask his opinions on my thoughts. I'll let you know what happens.
 
congrats indie! that's great news.

you must be soo psyched! enjoy the rest of your spring and summer!

i liked your approach of specifically calling to speak with dr. frantz. whether or not i get my response this week, i think i'll call and ask to speak with him next week.

30 off the waitlist huh? that's not too bad...not great, but not too bad...

and i guess it's still early on in the waitlist season. to be honest, i'm not the strongest of all candidates, so i guess i can't expect to be as lucky as indie. here's to hoping though!

-ckat
 
Indie!!!! AWESOME!!!!!! I am soooo happy for you guys!!!!! Send some more details, please!!!!! Any Shakespeare in your interview?? Any tricks, any hints? Wow! This is unbelievable... I am very happy that things are working out for people and you guys are filling me up with hope for Friday 🙂 I can't wait to meet Dr. Frantz, and hope that I can be as lucky as you two were! BTW did you mention SDN?

Cross your fingers for me, please!
 
oh yeah, indie, did you interview with Dr. Frantz originally?

-ckat
 
I just got in off of the waitlist. And I can't find my mom to tell her.

I sent a letter of intent two weeks ago and received a phone call from Dean Frantz verifying that I would attend Columbia if offered a place in the class. I happily accepted and he offered a place on the telephone. The conversation lasted about one minute.

So I'm going to Columbia. My husband is so thrilled that we don't have to move!!!

I hope the rest of you have as good of news.
 
hey ladies and germs - thanks for the thanks =]

and emo - CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you going to revisit since youre in the city too?
i am, just to meet people, etc. work schmerk.

to answer some questions:

i did not interview with frantz originally and didn't really get to meet him on my interview day either, so a second interview definately helped. no shakespeare on my end - i must admit im a bit of an oxfordian though - and when you believe in a conspirary theory surrounding a great dead white man - its best to keep your views to your self when you interview at old-school classics-philia columbia =]

i have a bit of a nontraditional application so i think frantz wanted to see if i was just a scatterbrain or truly interested in lots of things.

keep on trucking guys - my years outside the ivory tower have taught me that despite what alphabeta says - you gotta work hard for your money (musical interlude: so hard honey honey - she works hard for her money so you better treat her right.......la la la)
 
Wow, congratulations indiemd and emotis!! And indiemd, I can't believe you and Dean Frantz hugged! :laugh:

Good luck this Friday, IntlMD07! :clap:
 
Congrats emotis!! Thank you coffeespoon!! Awww... now I want to go to Columbia for my future classmates 🙂) I just keep accumulating reasons...
 
Just curious... I know coffeespoon asked this before but only ckat and I replied: why do you guys love Columbia so much?
 
Now, I want to express my opinion on the Columbia Admission process. Its silly that one person has so much control i.erules out the diversity of perspectives that other Adcom members can bring. Secondly, I am not a fan of having to get on my hands and knees to get a position of the waitlist. I know desperate times call for desperate measures but Columbia makes that the major way to get off the waitlist. What about a disadvantaged applicant who cannot afford to travel to NYC? I wish I could formulate a more thought-out argument but I just don't have the patience. Does anyone else feel the gut instinct that Dr. Frantz plays a dirty game? I have very little respect for a person that creates an atmosphere where unique applicants are all of a sudden memorizing Shakesperian quotes and rugby trivia. I think I might call him next week and ask his opinions on my thoughts. I'll let you know what happens.


Word...but good luck to you guys anyways.
 
I was excepted regular admission and I just wanted to say congratulations to all of those who got in and put my two sense in about Columbia and the application process.

Columbia was my first choice for a number of reasons:
1. I think NYC is the greatest and that is where I wanted to live
2. I think the school has a great reputation especially clinically
3. They are very strong in neuroscience (which is what I am interested in)
4. Most importantly I got a great feeling when I went to the school. I thought the students were great and I liked the atmosphere. I know people have different feelings on this, but that is what makes horse races.

I completely disagree with alphabeta53's views on the admissions process. Every application gets a thourough review the first time around so there is a diversity of adcom members reviewing your file. The adcom wants students who really want to come to the school, so they want you to tell them that. I don't think you have to get down on your hands and knees, just express your true desires. If you don't want to go there than don't beg. I think if you expressed your position as someone who cannot afford to visit the school again I think he would understand.
 
Originally posted by bez2
I was excepted regular admission and I just wanted to say congratulations to all of those who got in and put my two sense in about Columbia and the application process.

Excepted regular admission eh? :laugh:
 
congratulations emotis!!!! 😀
 
I'm all the way across the country, so doing a second interview doesn't sound so appealing to me, but I've recently sent in my letter of intent. I hope it turns out well. I reallllllly want to go to Columbia.
 
hey street philo.

i reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly want to go to columbia too. 😀

hehe. good luck!
 
FYI-- Dean Frantz will be out until Friday.
 
"The adcom wants people that really want to be there"

The problem that I have with this statement is that why did an applicant pay a primary fee, secondary app fee, interview expenses, and the postage for a waitlist response letter if they "really" didn't want to go to a school. True, the adcom initially viewed all files but they are not involved in these handing out of offers during second interviews. I am not judging anyone who is jumping through Frantz's hoops, you are just playing the hand you were dealt. I think its time for a shuffle and a new dealer.

AB


Originally posted by bez2
I was excepted regular admission and I just wanted to say congratulations to all of those who got in and put my two sense in about Columbia and the application process.

Columbia was my first choice for a number of reasons:
1. I think NYC is the greatest and that is where I wanted to live
2. I think the school has a great reputation especially clinically
3. They are very strong in neuroscience (which is what I am interested in)
4. Most importantly I got a great feeling when I went to the school. I thought the students were great and I liked the atmosphere. I know people have different feelings on this, but that is what makes horse races.

I completely disagree with alphabeta53's views on the admissions process. Every application gets a thourough review the first time around so there is a diversity of adcom members reviewing your file. The adcom wants students who really want to come to the school, so they want you to tell them that. I don't think you have to get down on your hands and knees, just express your true desires. If you don't want to go there than don't beg. I think if you expressed your position as someone who cannot afford to visit the school again I think he would understand.
 
well, while I think knowledge of piano or rugby or shakespeare may not be good indicators of future medical potential I suspect it's a lot less important whether you like these things or not as to whether you are able to hold a reasonably intelligent and coherent discussion on any random topic.

People sometimes complain that the admissions process is random. Well, at least Dean Frantz introduces a consistent methodlogy for assessing candidates - and one we can prepare for. Should he discuss rap music or some other subject he himself is probably not as well versed in occasionally? I don't really see what purpose that would serve other than to produce a difficult conversation for both parties (the applicant would not anticipate it and Dean Frantz probably does know much about it - though he might, who knows 😉 ).

On my interviews I met some people that had already been admitted to my dream school and I had been admitted to theirs. Sadly we couldn't just "swap". I think there is a lot to be said for leaving the door a little wider for people that *really* want to go to a specific school if that is genuine. I wish it had been possible for me. So I also see no problem with the offering of places to people willing to go to 2nd interviews or call, or write or promise to go if accepted.

Now for all that defense of the system I would add I'm not a huge fan of Columbia, or the piano questions. But for whatever faults I might believe exist in the Columbia admissions process I actually liked Dean Frantz very much and felt that he was trying very hard to make the process easy on the applicants and good for both them and the school - and I didn't always get that feeling at every other school I interviewed at, whose admissions process seemed just as, if not more, arbitrary.
 
Again, I am going to have to disagree. Paying the application fees and sending in the waitlist response letter doesn't necessariliy mean that you really want to go to a school. For a majority of people they are just hedging their bets. For example if you haven't gotten in anywhere you really want to go you are going to send in waitlist responses to every school, but you might only really want to go to one. If there are 100 people on the waitlist and you want to go to Columbia and you aren't smart enough to realize that you have to jump through some hoops than I can promise you that there at least 50 kids who do realize what they have to do and they will rightfully get accepted before you.

And by the way, Bob Dole I sense a little sarcasm from your post.


Originally posted by alphabeta53
"The adcom wants people that really want to be there"

The problem that I have with this statement is that why did an applicant pay a primary fee, secondary app fee, interview expenses, and the postage for a waitlist response letter if they "really" didn't want to go to a school. True, the adcom initially viewed all files but they are not involved in these handing out of offers during second interviews. I am not judging anyone who is jumping through Frantz's hoops, you are just playing the hand you were dealt. I think its time for a shuffle and a new dealer.

AB
 
I have to put my two cents in as well on the Columbia process. I was accepted off of the waiting list after having sent a letter of intent. I never spoke to Dean Franz before he called me and our conversation consisted of him offering me a place in the class.

I have had no other offers from any other medical school. I think every medical school expects its applicants to jump through hoops. I think that the only difference is that Columbia makes no attempt to hide their admissions process.

Admissions is a nightmare due in no small part to the rankings of US World and News Report. But we're the ones who subscribe to those rankings in the first place.

The difficulty also lies in them not having the ability to make up financial aid packets for 50 people who have no intention of going there.

I wish you guys all the best.
 
I appreciate the responses because this is a debate that I have been meaning to have for a long time. I think Boy Wonder makes a good point that Columbia puts it out there more than other schools as to the location and the size of the hoop that you have to jump through. Maybe that encourages my discontent but I still think its more deeply rooted than that. Here are the two issues that I need to hear more on...

1)Dean Frantz: one man admission committee... bad policy. Bez, I think you attempted to address this but again Frantz is giving out offers without consulting others.
2)Not giving out an offer unless you guarantee that you will attend. Way to keep your matriculation rate high...the "old fashioned" way. This is a problem I have with G-town as well.

emotis,

as to your point...I am not saying that it happens all of the time but you are more the exception to the rule.

Again, before I call Dean Frantz and ask his views on my concerns... Do people think that I should wait till the end of the summer so that I am not taking up valuable phone time for waitlistees or should I not even call because I may be burning some bridges.

AB
 
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