Columbia Waitlist 2006

[badlydrawnvik]

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i'm starting not to believe anything anyone says. it's much too stressful. on the bright side, i'm done with school/work and i get to plan my trip to Germany for the World Cup. anyone doing anything fun during our last summer of freedom?

wow i'm insanely jealous that youre going to the world cup. my friends and i tried so hard to get tickets but no one was successful, how did you do it? i just watched the whole game in my ronaldinho jersey with some friends.

 

[PhillyMD2006]

wow i'm insanely jealous that youre going to the world cup. my friends and i tried so hard to get tickets but no one was successful, how did you do it? i just watched the whole game in my ronaldinho jersey with some friends.

sheer luck. got tickets through the US soccer lottery.

i wasn't that impressed with Ronaldinho's play. alot of unnecessary dancing on the ball. Wenger blew the game by opting to sit on a 1 goal lead rather than continuing to get forward. oh well.

 

[Brainsucker]

So now I am very confused about the Columbia waitlist...Before I thought it was one of the most active, i.e. tons of people get off of it. On interview day, lot of the first years were saying that like 1/3 to 1/2 their class got off the waitlist and that being waitlisted meant you had a fairly good shot at acceptance if it was your #1 choice.

But, looking back at the 2003-2005 Columbia waitlist threads, it seemed like it hardly moved and there were a lot of anxious people waiting who eventually never got an acceptance. They all said that Frantz reported, "this year the movement is slow compared to years past, blah blah blah, overaccepted.." It seems to me that this is the norm rather than the exception...

Whats the deal with Columbia waitlist? Maybe being on it is not as good as I had first thought...

All I can tell you, and the rest of you that are freaking out, is that even if last year was a slow year for the waitlist, a ton of my classmates came off it. Give it more than two days before you start letter-bombing, okay?

 

[kasha]

All I can tell you, and the rest of you that are freaking out, is that even if last year was a slow year for the waitlist, a ton of my classmates came off it. Give it more than two days before you start letter-bombing, okay?

Thanks for the support. Do you know when they got in? May? June? July?

 

[Brainsucker]

Thanks for the support. Do you know when they got in? May? June? July?

That I'm not so sure about. I got in 5/17, but there was one guy that got in--I think--July or later. He had a pretty great story since he hadn't gotten in anywhere else and he got the call as he was driving somewhere--probably nearly hit someone.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I just got off the phone with Dr. Frantz. He said that their has been a surprisingly low number of withdrawals, far fewer than years past. He said that he doesnt expect to pull many people off the waitlist this year, and that my chances of admittance dont look good 🙁 Looks like I'm not headed to NYC next year...

 

[PhillyMD2006]

I just got off the phone with Dr. Frantz. He said that their has been a surprisingly low number of withdrawals, far fewer than years past. He said that he doesnt expect to pull many people off the waitlist this year, and that my chances of admittance dont look good 🙁 Looks like I'm not headed to NYC next year...

that sucks. i think i'm in a similar boat. oh well, i'm going to give it one last try some time next week then i'm calling it quits.

SanDiegoSOD, how do you have 2000+ posts and you are just applying to med school now?

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

SanDiegoSOD, how do you have 2000+ posts and you are just applying to med school now?

Check my join date - I'm an old SDN vet. 😀

 

[Catapult]

I just got off the phone with Dr. Frantz. He said that their has been a surprisingly low number of withdrawals, far fewer than years past. He said that he doesnt expect to pull many people off the waitlist this year, and that my chances of admittance dont look good 🙁 Looks like I'm not headed to NYC next year...

So what do we think? Have there really been fewer withdrawals this year or is this just the standard line Franz gives every year (sounds like he gave it last year according to the Columbia 2009 thread)? I'm having trouble letting go of hope that I'll still get a call...

 

[drhouse]

I have a new theory . I think he has three speeches, which are equivilant to upper/middle/lower tier wiatlist. The upper teir is the 'virtually promised spot.' The second tier is the speech I got, that I should keep waiting, because there are still plenty of spots into June and July since things are moving slowly this year (he said if I left the country this summer to let him know before I go). The third tier is the 'there are virtually no open spots this year' speech. This would explain all the mixed messages we are getting.

 

[thisyearsgirl]

I have a new theory . I think he has three speeches, which are equivilant to upper/middle/lower tier wiatlist. The upper teir is the 'virtually promised spot.' The second tier is the speech I got, that I should keep waiting, because there are still plenty of spots into June and July since things are moving slowly this year (he said if I left the country this summer to let him know before I go). The third tier is the 'there are virtually no open spots this year' speech. This would explain all the mixed messages we are getting.

Definitely. That's my theory.

*back to lurking*

 

[mbadoc]

Is it true that so far no one has gotten off the waitlist post-May 15? I'm waiting to see a string of posts from people accepted of the waitlist, but I don't see it...

 

[Catapult]

I have a new theory . I think he has three speeches, which are equivilant to upper/middle/lower tier wiatlist. The upper teir is the 'virtually promised spot.' The second tier is the speech I got, that I should keep waiting, because there are still plenty of spots into June and July since things are moving slowly this year (he said if I left the country this summer to let him know before I go). The third tier is the 'there are virtually no open spots this year' speech. This would explain all the mixed messages we are getting.

Unfortunately, I think you're probably right. The glimmer of hope to which I cling is that one or two people last year who reported getting speech number three display "Columbia P&S 2009" at the bottom of their message, so it's still possible...

 

[PhillyMD2006]

that sounds like a pretty good theory to me.

 

[kasha]

that sounds like a pretty good theory to me.

I disagree. After speaking with him on the phone yesterday I'm pretty sure that he was being genuine. I got a mixed message in terms of your 3 categories. He did say that he has already promised some spots to applicants who have parents at the school (shamelessly I might add!) and that even for these people it doesnt look good.

 

[mchou]

Is it true that so far no one has gotten off the waitlist post-May 15? I'm waiting to see a string of posts from people accepted of the waitlist, but I don't see it...

I guess it's better just to post than to keep having people PM me, I oddly feel a big responsibility to those who PM me on SDN and have worked really hard to get you responses as quick as I can.

I was accepted by phone on 5/16/2006. I had called Dean Frantz after my PI told me that Dean Frantz wanted to speak to me. (My PI had called Dean Frantz to put in a good word for me and apparently the word was good enough 🙂 )

So he told me that I should withdraw from my other acceptance (definitely!) and get off any other waitlists I'm on (didn't know he could ask you to do that). And I THOUGHT he said my packet would arrive Wednesday (because I thought priority mail meant overnight) so I almost panicked Wednesday when I didn't get anything in the mail. Anyway, I ended up checking usps and it will be here today or yesterday *couldn't check mail because SO has only mail box key... damn you for being on call!*

Anyway, I will definitely be happy to answer any questions you might have. Best of luck guys!

Oh and PS: I ran into a guy who works with my boss and he said he just sent his research assistant up last week to talk with Dean Frantz and that his RA got accepted. I've still got to talk to my PI to get the RA's contact info. But in any case, the waitlist does indeed seem to be moving. I really hope the best for you guys!

 

[drhouse]

Just got the same "active consideration" letter as stacyCA.

 

[gregrennt]

Just got the same "active consideration" letter as stacyCA.

drhouse (and others),

do you get an 'active consideration' letter in response to each letter you send? or have you only sent the one update? I received a letter after my first update/intent letter, but nothing since. I'm trying not to overanalyze this situation, as I have a feeling that many are going to have to pull off the alternate list as the process drags, which might throw a wrench in the "three tier" theory.

Also, while I'm guessing some sort of informal ranking exists, I also doubt they would have wait-listed all of us if they wouldn't genuinely want to have us there; after all, if they wait-listed 250 each year knowing they'd only take the first 150, why bother with having 100 of us call, write and agonize? So chin up, everyone, we're on the list for a reason.

Cheers,
Greg

 

[Wolfgang12345]

Has anyone else had a lot of trouble getting through to Dean Frantz on the phone? I've called four times in the last 2 days and every time he's busy. Just wondering if this is par for the course...

 

[Sophie]

Has anyone else had a lot of trouble getting through to Dean Frantz on the phone? I've called four times in the last 2 days and every time he's busy. Just wondering if this is par for the course...

I tried 3 times today, and was told about 5 minutes ago to try back on Monday.

 

[drhouse]

Anything? Anyone?

 

[Sophie]

I got through to Dean Frantz on my second try today, and was told that my chances are nil. Very few people declined their acceptances, they're overenrolled at the moment without even taking people off of the waitlist, and he doubts he'll even be able to accept the people on the waitlist that he virtually guaranteed admission to.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I got through to Dean Frantz on my second try today, and was told that my chances are nil. Very few people declined their acceptances, they're overenrolled at the moment without even taking people off of the waitlist, and he doubts he'll even be able to accept the people on the waitlist that he virtually guaranteed admission to.

The exact same speech that I got. He ended with "never say never", which is shorthand for "never".

 

[PhillyMD2006]

I got through to Dean Frantz on my second try today, and was told that my chances are nil. Very few people declined their acceptances, they're overenrolled at the moment without even taking people off of the waitlist, and he doubts he'll even be able to accept the people on the waitlist that he virtually guaranteed admission to.

that is certainly encouraging news. screw it, i quit.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

that is certainly encouraging news. screw it, i quit.

I had considered sending Frantz a letter of intent, but I think I'm going to save myself the 39 cents and invest in the stock market. I can use that money later to help pay off my student loans, which of course will be significantly lower than if I went to Columbia. So i win twice 😀

 

[Sophie]

The exact same speech that I got. He ended with "never say never", which is shorthand for "never".

Well, I didn't even get "never say never", if it makes you feel better. 😛

 

[beffers8888]

This is depressing 🙁

 

[drhouse]

Do you guys think that's just a speech he gives, or do you think he's being serious... i.e. nobody gets in off the waitlist? Because when I called on the 15th i got a more optimistic schpeal (but by no means a promise).

 

[Sophie]

Do you guys think that's just a speech he gives, or do you think he's being serious... i.e. nobody gets in off the waitlist? Because when I called on the 15th i got a more optimistic schpeal (but by no means a promise).

He sounded genuine when he was talking to me, but it's possible it was just an "it's us not you" speech to make me feel better in a few months when I'm rejected.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Do you guys think that's just a speech he gives, or do you think he's being serious... i.e. nobody gets in off the waitlist? Because when I called on the 15th i got a more optimistic schpeal (but by no means a promise).

It's all relative... You're at the higher end of the waitlist, while Sophie and I are at the lower end of the waitlist. He can be optimistic to you, as you've got a chance of getting in, but since we're not getting in, he's not optimistic to us. That's just the way it goes, I guess.

 

[almost_there]

So he told me that I should withdraw from my other acceptance (definitely!) and get off any other waitlists I'm on (didn't know he could ask you to do that).

What do you guys think about this? Is it reasonable for a school to ask you to do this?

 

[MDMAMA]

Why would you give up a sure thing until you have a letter of acceptance?

 

[mountainhare]

What do you guys think about this? Is it reasonable for a school to ask you to do this?

Hey, almost_there. To be honest, I'm not really sure what "reasonable" means in this context. From a certain point of view, it isn't all that "reasonable," either, to demand that someone withdraw from all the other schools to which they were accepted, pre-May 15. I don't think it's a matter of reasonableness so much as this: he may have the right to ask you to withdraw, but you always have a right to refuse. Of course, exercising this right may not get you what you want. You (the universal "you") have a few options:

(1) tell him to his face that you refuse to withdraw from the other waitlists
(2) promise to withdraw from your other waitlists but then don't follow through
(3) withdraw from the other waitlists

If you choose option #1, he probably won't give you an acceptance. If you choose option #2, get off another waitlist later on, and ditch Columbia to go to the other school, the worst that could happen is that you will be blacklisted at Columbia and might have difficulty getting a residency there later on. At least, that's the way I perceive it. I personally think a number of Dean Frantz's requests are rather unusual (e.g., some people think that an interviewer doesn't have the right to ask you what other schools you applied to), but, as far as I'm aware, there are no written rules prohibiting this particular request. I'm curious to see what other people think.

 

[mchou]

Hey, almost_there. To be honest, I'm not really sure what "reasonable" means in this context. From a certain point of view, it isn't all that "reasonable," either, to demand that someone withdraw from all the other schools to which they were accepted, pre-May 15. I don't think it's a matter of reasonableness so much as this: he may have the right to ask you to withdraw, but you always have a right to refuse. Of course, exercising this right may not get you what you want. You (the universal "you") have a few options:

(1) tell him to his face that you refuse to withdraw from the other waitlists
(2) promise to withdraw from your other waitlists but then don't follow through
(3) withdraw from the other waitlists

If you choose option #1, he probably won't give you an acceptance. If you choose option #2, get off another waitlist later on, and ditch Columbia to go to the other school, the worst that could happen is that you will be blacklisted at Columbia and might have difficulty getting a residency there later on. At least, that's the way I perceive it. I personally think a number of Dean Frantz's requests are rather unusual (e.g., some people think that an interviewer doesn't have the right to ask you what other schools you applied to), but, as far as I'm aware, there are no written rules prohibiting this particular request. I'm curious to see what other people think.

http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/policies/admissionofficers.htm

It says here:

After May 15 of the matriculation year (April 15 for schools whose first day of class is on or before July 30), each school implement school-specific procedures for accepted applicants who, without adequate explanation, continue to hold one or more places at other schools. These procedures:

May require applicants to:

Respond to acceptance offers in less than two weeks.

Submit a statement of intent, a deposit, or both.

Should recognize the problems of applicants with multiple acceptance offers, applicants who have not yet received an acceptance offer, and applicants who have not yet been informed about financial aid opportunities at schools to which they have been accepted.

Should permit accepted applicants to remain on other schools' waiting lists and to withdraw if they later receive an acceptance offer from a preferred school.

But I guess it's only a recommendation?

 

[akaz]

where are you accepted?

http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/policies/admissionofficers.htm

It says here:

After May 15 of the matriculation year (April 15 for schools whose first day of class is on or before July 30), each school implement school-specific procedures for accepted applicants who, without adequate explanation, continue to hold one or more places at other schools. These procedures:

May require applicants to:

Respond to acceptance offers in less than two weeks.

Submit a statement of intent, a deposit, or both.

Should recognize the problems of applicants with multiple acceptance offers, applicants who have not yet received an acceptance offer, and applicants who have not yet been informed about financial aid opportunities at schools to which they have been accepted.

Should permit accepted applicants to remain on other schools' waiting lists and to withdraw if they later receive an acceptance offer from a preferred school.

But I guess it's only a recommendation?

 

[mchou]

where are you accepted?

Columbia (off waitlist on 5/16/2006) which is where Dean Frantz asked me to get off my other waitlists.

I'm withdrawing from ucla.

 

[Wolfgang12345]

Hi everyone. I just got into Columbia off the waitlist! I called and got through to the admission's office last Friday, and was invited to a second interview with Dean Frantz this morning (I live in NYC). We talked for quite a while, and then he gave me the same little speech that others have "There is surprisingly little waitlist movement this year, and we are currently over-accepted." But he asked me several times if Columbia was truly my first choice, and if I would withdraw from all other waitlists and acceptances, and when I said "Absolutely!", he said he would just go ahead and accept me now.

For those still waiting - I don't feel like I did anything special to get in... I think part of it was decided before I even walked in the door, and the other part was decided when I expressed my enthusiasm for the school. Good luck to all of you!!!!!!!

 

[dbhvt]

Hi everyone. I just got into Columbia off the waitlist! I called and got through to the admission's office last Friday, and was invited to a second interview with Dean Frantz this morning (I live in NYC). We talked for quite a while, and then he gave me the same little speech that others have "There is surprisingly little waitlist movement this year, and we are currently over-accepted." But he asked me several times if Columbia was truly my first choice, and if I would withdraw from all other waitlists and acceptances, and when I said "Absolutely!", he said he would just go ahead and accept me now.

For those still waiting - I don't feel like I did anything special to get in... I think part of it was decided before I even walked in the door, and the other part was decided when I expressed my enthusiasm for the school. Good luck to all of you!!!!!!!

Congratulations, Wolf! Feels pretty good, doesn't it.

 

[Sophie]

Congratulations Wolfgang! 🙂

 

[Wolfgang12345]

Congratulations, Wolf! Feels pretty good, doesn't it.

Seriously... I don't even know how I feel yet. I got all teary-eyed when he accepted me, and now I'm so excited I can't concentrate on anything... it a great, great feeling. I look forward to meeting you in the fall... and I hope lots more people get in!!!

 

[PhillyMD2006]

Seriously... I don't even know how I feel yet. I got all teary-eyed when he accepted me, and now I'm so excited I can't concentrate on anything... it a great, great feeling. I look forward to meeting you in the fall... and I hope lots more people get in!!!

Congrats Wolf, but why don't you take all this teary-eyed stuff over to the accepted students page. Unless of course you want to tell me the secret password that will get me off the waitlist.

 

[PhillyMD2006]

Also Wolfgang, are you are classical musician in some way, shape, or form? I think i'm starting to believe people who say that Columbia is composed entirely of classical musicians and rugby players.

 

[Wolfgang12345]

Congrats Wolf, but why don't you take all this teary-eyed stuff over to the accepted students page. Unless of course you want to tell me the secret password that will get me off the waitlist.

Apologies, mea culpa! That was not very cool of me... and I don't really have anything all that special to my name. I am not a professional anything - I dabble a bit in ballet and painting, and I did get an MS in forensic science - but other than that, I am completely and totally normal and boring.

 

[drhouse]

If you look at last years thread, he told a bunch of people he accepted off the waitlist last year that they were "overaccepted." I think he's got the process down to a science.

 

[NYMed]

A little update. I had a second interview with Frantz last week, and he seemed very positive, even though he still gave me the "over-accepted" shpiel. I just called today to see if there has been any movement, and he said that to his "horror" no one has withdrawn, and he doesn't know what's going to happen because it's so hard to start class with so many people, and that acceptance off the waitlist at this point is unlikely. But again, he said "never say never" but that if there was going to be any movement, it probably wouldn't happen until well into the summer, if at all. He said that he is shocked at how things are this year with the over-acceptances not withdrawing, and that this is very uncharacteristic. So bottom line, sucks to be us 🙁

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Bueller? Bueller?

 

[beffers8888]

maybe he was telling the truth about the waitlist not moving this year. damn. at least I got into UC Irvine so if I dont get into columbia i can stay in california!

 

[OntheRoof55]

getting into med school is prob the best part of the whole experience...its all down hill from there...haha g'luck

 

[PhillyMD2006]

yeah this thread has died quite quickly. apparently along with many of our chances to go to Columbia. i've been monitoring the accepted students thread and i haven't seen any people post there about getting off the waitlist.

 

[PhillyMD2006]

yeah this thread has died quite quickly. apparently along with many of our chances to go to Columbia. i've been monitoring the accepted students thread and i haven't seen any people post there about getting off the waitlist.

correction: i haven't seen any people recently get off the waitlist. there have been a couple but that was closer to the middle of the month.