Columbia Wait List

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Frantz needs to fill holes in a class. The class according to the adcom has been picked, the process is over. However, not everybody comes, not everybody likes New York, some people prefer Boston, so his job is to fill those spots. I think that Columbia has had a positive experience with taking people off the waitlist before for two reasons:
1. he knows that the hole will be filled, less work for him in the end
2. the people he picks are the people you end up seeing leading the tour on interview day that made most of us think that they loved columbia so much and were so happy to be there.

What is the point of delegating a waitlist to an adcom when you have a man that has read all applications and that knows what holes need to be filled and that can do it all by himself? Seriously, the adcom members have jobs, they see patients, they teach - why bother them for longer with an already very time consuming task that they often do as favors to the Dean anyway? Does anyone else think of the practicality of having a single man do the task of 12 AFTER THE PROCESS IS OVER???
 
Because DIFFERENT people bring different perspectives to a single applicant. Hence you have a congress instead of just a dictator even though during these times you have to wonder...

anyway, we will agree to disagree on this subject and let the thread return to its original purpose of getting off of the Columbia Waitlist.

A age old piece of wisdom from Monica L for all second interviewees...

"Its sucks to get a strawberry burn on your knee and yes the smell of a cigar takes many days to go away"


Originally posted by IntlMD07
Frantz needs to fill holes in a class. The class according to the adcom has been picked, the process is over. However, not everybody comes, not everybody likes New York, some people prefer Boston, so his job is to fill those spots. I think that Columbia has had a positive experience with taking people off the waitlist before for two reasons:
1. he knows that the hole will be filled, less work for him in the end
2. the people he picks are the people you end up seeing leading the tour on interview day that made most of us think that they loved columbia so much and were so happy to be there.

What is the point of delegating a waitlist to an adcom when you have a man that has read all applications and that knows what holes need to be filled and that can do it all by himself? Seriously, the adcom members have jobs, they see patients, they teach - why bother them for longer with an already very time consuming task that they often do as favors to the Dean anyway? Does anyone else think of the practicality of having a single man do the task of 12 AFTER THE PROCESS IS OVER???
Click to expand...
 
"Dictator" is a little too strong. I think that Frantz gets plenty of other people's perspectives on the applicants. Otherwise, I don't see how I ever would have gotten accepted, since I've never met the man! The rugby, piano, and Ivy qualifications are all completely unnecessary too, since I don't have any of them either. I think it's about time Snopes.com did an article on Columbia admissions to help dispel some of these myths. 🙄

Good luck to the SDNers on the waitlist! You all sound really dedicated, and I would be honored to have you as my classmates. :clap:
 
Hey there

While columbia is my dream shcool, i found NYC too fast and expensive for me. I will be withdrawing my application, I have met 2 ppl at hopkins revisit, they too are going to withdraw. thats three going off the list and counting, its still early in the game u guys, be patient.

food luck

amiroz
 
thanks for posting and letting us know amiroz. good luck in baltimore.
 
Hi everyone,

As I looked at the subject for this thread, I thought to myself, "What do I wish I had known last year while fighting to get into Columbia off the waitlist?" The immediate answer that came to mind is that Columbia interviews and then waitlists A LOT of people!! Because it is such a high caliber school, an excessive amount of people do not end up getting off their waitlist. In my first year class alone, I would have to say there are about 20 people who were never accepted off the waitlist at Columbia (and I think almost all of us interviewed with Frantz - what that says, I don't know). Despite sending letters every month, assuring him that I would go to Columbia, while also updating him on new things I was doing, I repeatedly only got a slightly-reassuring form letter with some handwritten comment in the corner.

I am not writing this post to discourage people. Instead, I just want to warn you about getting your hopes up. I was on the phone with the admissions office (and Frantz) the day before getting on the plane to attend my current med school. I don't wish that agony on anyone else.

Good luck to everyone. I hope you all get into Columbia, but if you don't, it's not the end of the world.
 
thanks for the post nutty.

i can totally imagine the same thing happening to me. at least you were able to get a response from dr. frantz. i have yet to receive a response from my two letters (one sent in early march, the other in early april.). i'm really getting strung around by this one admissions staff person. gonna try calling at a different time tomorrow to get a different person. =P

this whole process is sooo painful. i am doing eveything i can think of and all i can see is me starting classes in august and still calling dr. frantz everyday for two weeks in aug trying to get in off the waitlist. is it worth all of this? i say yes, but it really is painful. i also feel that i am losing out on a chance to go to my second choice school cause i can't say in any letters to them that they are my number one choice. i have reserved that for columbia. =P

at this point, i just want a response from dr. frantz... why is everyone getting responses, and i'm still relegated to some back seat status?

grrr..... just a little frustrated...

i'll get over it though...

sorry to complain.

-ckat
 
ckat,

hang in there. hope you get a response soon.

good luck.
 
thanks for teh support Lou, and everyone else!

i called again today and was told that definitely something was sent out on monday the 14th cause she had it right in front of her. silly me i forgot to ask her if she could fax it. she said that dr. frantz had definitely read my letters and my support letters.

i asked her a few questions about the waitlist process and she said that she didn't really know, but to call back on monday when dr. frantz is in and she'd put me thru to him.

Maybe the mail'll come today. =P

intlmd, how was your interview?
 
Originally posted by ckat
i also feel that i am losing out on a chance to go to my second choice school cause i can't say in any letters to them that they are my number one choice. i have reserved that for columbia. =P
Click to expand...

hey ckat,

I thought the same way last year. I held off from any strong letters to my second choice (Vanderbilt), so I never got in off the waitlist there, either. When I called them in the summer to enquire about the waitlist, I was told that if I had shown more interest early on, I would have been admitted. So, I am very happily attending my third choice school.

This is not meant as advice - just a story. I would never suggest that you write strong letters of intent to two schools. If I had to do it over again, I would have thought more about whether or not it was a wise decision to gamble on Columbia and likely end up at my third choice, or have a much better chance of going to my second choice.

Again, I wish you the best of luck with Columbia. The admissions process is hard, but most people end up at schools that they love (especially if they're Pass/Fail!!!!). I know it's difficult to hear this, but try to spend less time obsessing and enjoy the last few weeks of senior year.
 
hey nutty. thanks for replying.

yeah, it definitely is a fine line to balance. i think i have been showing good interest with my second choice school though. any additional recs that i get for columbia i always have sent to all of my other schools, so things have been constantly streaming in, at least that's what i hope it seems.

i have two acceptances right now, so what i think i'm going to do is write a strong letter of interest to my second choice saying that i will go to that school over the other two places. i will still say that my second choice is one of my top choices and NOT say that is my top choice. I figure I am being more specific since i am mentioning that i will turn down two schools to go to their school, but i am still not committing myself fully to them.

hopefully this will cover me. =P

-ckat
 
Two weeks ago I wrote letters to all the schools I was waitlisted at - but did not make any promises. Just that I was still interested. I think as long as you don't say that you will go there no matter what they know that they're still high on your list. I would think being too specific about where the school lies in your thoughts is too confusing.
 
Hey everyone,

So I haven't been on here for a while, but a lot has happened since the last time I posted on this thread. I had my second interview with Dean Frantz in April, and it was as chill an interview as I could imagine. He pretty much asked the same questions everyone else has posted who had a second interview with "the man": Questions about family, college, favorite classes, sports, and of course why Columbia?

I didn't get an offer of admission from him on the spot though, which is kind of depressing considering other people had that offer. He just checked my phone number to make sure it was right, so he could call me later if he decides to pull me off the waiting list. Others have said that his words are the biggest indicators of whether one will gain acceptance. At the end of the interview, he said, "I'll keep you in mind." He glanced down at my file again, and it seemed as if he wanted to say more, but when he looked up, he just repeated "I'll keep you in mind." Well there you have it...I'm not going to interpret too much into his words, but anyone can tell he didn't say too much about my chances there. The waiting game continues...Anyone else have second interview stories they would like to share?
 
Here's my update:

Sent in intent letter early March. No response

Sent in second intent letter early april, requesting a second interview. i had interviewed with dr. frantz in January.

just got back a response saying:

my candidacy as an alternate is still being under active consideration by the committee.

Also he said that he can't schedule any additional interviews at this time, but he will keep me very much in mind.

i don't really know what to make of this. i guess he doesn't want to interview me again, since we've already interviewed?
I hope that's what it means.

I am also thinking that I'm not a top choice on his list of alternates. I can't rule out my chances, but if I do ever get in, it'll probably be later rather than sooner.

-ckat
 
ckat -

I admire your determination! I hope you get in!!! I havent gotten any response at all from them. Not even a letter. Blah. Maybe I am sending my letters to Colombia and not Columbia, and soon I will get some free coffee beans.
 
Hey jm...

yeah, i don't know why dr. frantz is good about replying to some people and not to others. i mean, obviously the waitlist is ranked in some fashion though the waitlist letter says its not right?

i still think that the admissions staff has a list of people who dr. frantz has ok'd to be put thru to him when they call.

anyway, i'll be fighting this to the first day of classes at columbia... everything will be out, and i'll have no regrets about what could have been... (though i am worried about my chances at my second choice school)....

-ckat
 
Promethius,

Did Frantz ask if you would attend if he admitted you? If so, what did you say?
 
i wrote a letter of interest to columbia maybe 2 weeks ago and got a reply in the mail this past weekend, dated april 16th basically just saying thanks for your letter, we'll keep you in mind, it's too early to know how things are going to turn out.

i called the admissions office today and finally got put through to dean frantz (this is my third time calling). i asked if i might be able to visit columbia again but he said that he was really busy especially with some of the teaching that he was doing so i should try calling back later to see if he would be able to find time for a second interview or not.

hmmm. does that put me in the middle tier of the waitlist then? letter reply, but no second interview.

well i guess i am ok with it. i'll continue with my endeavors but if it doesn't work out, i've got somewhere to go where i think i'd be very happy too.

good luck to all of you guys!
 
God, reading this thread reminds me of the good ol' days of the med school application process. I feel for you guys. Though even if you have only one acceptance, you are better off than most.

Caveat: Dr. Frantz has the same access to this board as you do. Might want to keep that it mind.
 
Coming out of the long lasting depression that ensued on Friday, shortly after running into Promethius in the waiting room 😉 To share (and believe me, this is hard) the interview went well. We talked about lots of things, growing up in Brazil, reading, art, college, Columbia... he recited page after page of Shakespeare (I was extremely impressed at his memory, something completely unbelievable!) Near the end I started losing hope, didn't see the question coming... felt like the floor was going to disappear from under my feet.... everything became a blur. He DID say the waitlist is UNRANKED, he said also that later in the process it becomes somewhat ranked. Said that he and my interviewer thought that I had something very special to share with the class, but again probably not that special taking into account the no offer. Confirmed phone number, said he would keep me very strongly in mind. I left, on the verge of tears (no, he did not see it). I am NOT feeling it guys! Who else is going to Tulane next year?????? I am sad because I am going to have to leave my love in Philly 🙁(((((((((((((((
 
Oh, geez -- I'm so sorry that you didn't get a straight out offer, IntlMD07. Keep your chin up -- May 15 is just around the corner, and since you got a second interview, I'm sure you have a good chance of getting in once the offer declinings start pouring into the admissions office.
 
Thank you, Coffeespoon! But I refuse to keep my hopes up from this point on. I think I will regroup and write the thank you note, but I felt like the alphabeta post about Monica Lewinsky - by the way, that was an awfully rude post!
 
keep your chin up intlmd! i think you're in a better position than most!

just hang in there!
 
Thanks Ckat! I personally think this thread is getting a little depressing! Why isn't it May 15 already, why don't people just go ahead and withdraw? I think we should all get in and then form a secret society that gets honors in everything, AOA, and KICKS SOME MAJOR BUTT on the boards and then does some awesome community work (so the school remembers us forever). AND then we will see all of these schools BEGGING our secret society to come to their residency programs and we will say: no, I am sorry, I can't let you know now - I just don't know what your chances are... Just venting...
 
go get some fresh air...RELAX. Be thankful you are alive! I as a future patient am frightened by your coping mechanisms in stressful situations.
 
Oh come on!! You know I am just kidding! I have always liked you for saying what you think without censorship and now you are blaming me for the same thing!
 
that bit of sarcasm went over my head. my sincere apologies. there are some kids here who would actually be serious...I wasn't sure.
 
so i didn't interview with frantz originally, but i sent a letter asking for a second interview about a week ago and got offered one yesterday. i think if you didn't interview with him first he is still open to having you come in.

just figured i wold update. good luck everyone. i am really rooting for everyone on this board to pull through this rotten process!
 
hmm...so he IS still giving out second interviews...just not to ME. 🙁

Oh well...I guess I'll just keep waiting...
 
Did anyone get a second interview with Frantz who interviewed with him the first time? I interviewed with him the first time and got one of those "thanks for your interest - we'll keep you in mind" letters, which is now depressing me!
 
i believe that's the million dollar question. well, it is for me that is.

i've posted this question for the past 2 months and no one has replied with an affirmative.

mirla, i got a similar response to yours (see my previous posts). apparently he is very busy this time of the year.

my thoughts are that he doesn't give second interviews to people he's already interviewed. of course, i'm just speculating, but so far no evidence to suggest otherwise. 🙁
 
Hey guys, i just withdrew from Columbia. good luck to all of u ! hope u guys get into the school of your choice.
 
Dr. Franz told me that he does not do second interviews for people he already interviewed.

When I spoke with him a week ago he also said he has seen less withdrawls than previous years BUT it was still too early to tell.

He concluded by saying he'd keep me very much in mind.
 
thanks drjacob for finding this out.

yeah, it makes sense that he doesn't. here's to waiting.... good luck to all!
 
Dear Friends,

Just saying hello after being sick all week and hardly posting... No news over here in Phila... but then again, I haven't even written a thank you note yet.

Let me know of any developments, and news on second look,
IntlMD07
 
feel better intlmd!
 
No word on this end neither. I don't expect to hear anything till after May 15th anyways, but I will be happy with going to Jefferson nevertheless. Good luck to all the waitlisted people out there. Sorry to hear that you are sick IntlMD07. Hope you feel better soon!
 
Thank your for the get well wishes guys! I feel much better 🙂
No news here either.... I just wrote a thank you note and mailed it... I will let you know if he replies. Anyone went to second look? Let us know how it went!
 
Xaelia, check out the new thread talking about mdapplicants that just started... I think it is called 'Applicant Profiles' on SDN... by ironey...
Meanwhile, don't stress about Columbia too much, I bet even the signed letters are signed by the secretary - everyone is on the same boat. How are your other lists going?
 
Originally posted by IntlMD07

Meanwhile, don't stress about Columbia too much, I bet even the signed letters are signed by the secretary
Click to expand...
Probably true. I have two "signatures" from "Frantz" which are unmistakeably from two different people.
 
hmmm, so i've been doing some thinking and i am just doubting my chances of getting in...

if i keep on pursuing this waitlist, i may be shooting myself in the foot and mess up my chances at my second choice school and end up at a school much lower on my list of choices...

it's all a gamble, but i'm starting to rethink this situation... yes, i would be totally happy at columbia, but i keep seeing that post that was made a few weeks ago about the guy getting hand written comments from dr. frantz and still calling the day before he left for his other school and still nothing.

i guess i'm just starting to get a little risk adverse.

how bout everyone else?
 
Every update letter I've sent to Columbia I've sent to all the other schools I'm waitlisted at, with appropriate modification and personalization. The only line I didn't duplicate to everyone was the "if accepted, I will withdraw all other applications and matriculate" line.

After all, they're all great schools I'd be excited to end up at.
 
I am drawing the line on June 15. I have made this one only promise to myself. If I am not off this list by June 15 I will head down to Louisiana and pick out an awesome apartment (cheap too) and invite you all over for Mardi Gras 2004! Here is to all of us and to the best of luck!
 
yeah, that's a good idea about setting a deadline.

maybe i'll do something similar... argh, stupid waitlists...

why can't med schools just have a match process like residency programs?
 
Oh nooooo Ckat!!!! A match-like process would be even worse!!!!! Everyone would list their top three schools on the level of Harvard, Yale and Columbia and then would get extremely disappointed when they wouldn't get into medical school AT ALL!! I would have never gotten into Tulane in a match-like process... I agree that the current process may have some flaws, but I also think that the level of luck involved in this process is what allowed me to be on this waitlist in the first place. About the deadline, it is the only thing that is going to keep my sanity, I need to know where I am going to be and be able to be excited about it and be able to plan ahead. I know that I am extremely fortunate to have a back up plan, more so that I actually like my backup plan, but it is soooo frustrating to NOT know. BTW, I also think you should do what xaelia did and put some pressure in all of your other schools too... I know it is hard (I haven't even sent my deposit to Tulane yet, which is the only other school I have). It is great to have a first choice, but don't let it ruin your chances elsewhere. The more lists you have the better the chance that at least one will come through for you! Good luck!
 
bump
any news???
 
So, I called today, but Dr. Frantz is out for the weekend until Monday...
The list started moving around this time last year...
 
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