Dr. Frantz/Columbia P&S

[Benjo]

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Anybody out there write to Dr. Frantz (not a thank you not) to express interest/intent in Columbia and get a response?

Also, it says on the wwebsite that they will send out decisions around Feb. 1. Is it at all realistic to expect info that early from them, or is this date just them being optimistic?

 

[Scooby Doo]

Most people send a thank you note to dr. frantz who are interested in attending Columbia. If it's your top choice, definitely mention that. Columbia has an interesting way of doing things in that most likely it comes down to Frantz being the last person to decide if you are getting in or being waitlisted.

If they say they'll sound out decisions Feb. 1st, expect a decision a little after that.
2 years ago, acceptances were mailed out I think on Feb. 15th or so (but that was the date said by them), and then a round of waitlists followed over the course of the next week.

Goodluck!

 

[medstylee]

yeah - i got one back from him. sounded pretty much like a generic letter except for one little sentence pertaining to my interview. i thought they don't send out decisions until mid february? i might call the admissions office and see, because i still want to send an additional letter of recommendation.

 

[CalBeE]

I sent out a Letter of Interest to Columbia last Friday, hope it'll make it on time.

After my interview, I sent a thank you card to my interviewer, and I got back a letter from the admission office about thanking my interest in the school, etc. It's a pretty generic letter, but sorta gave me the feeling that they want people who like their school.

 

[medstylee]

actually, where did you find Feb 1 as the decision date on the web page, benjo? the only think i could find says feb 15, but that page looks like it hasn't been updated in a while.

 

[SarahGM]

Is it too late for me to send a letter of intent? I interviewed at Columbia on 10/24.

 

[periodic]

Dean Frantz gets around -- I wrote a letter to my interviewer (who wasn't him), but got a reply from him.

And, I don't think it's too late to write an LOI. Dean Frantz said we would hear around mid/late February, and decisions haven't been made yet.

 

[medstylee]

yeah - i just inquired and the admissions office told me that decisions will be sent in mid-february and that there is still plenty of time to send in extra materials or letters.

 

[TheFlash]

Did everyone who sent thank you letters post-interview receive some kind of response from Columbia? If so, how long did that take after you sent your letter? I sent a thank you letter about 2 weeks ago, but have yet to get any kind of response letter from Columbia. It's kind of mind-boggling that one man controls essentially the entire admissions process.

tf

 

[CalBeE]

Originally posted by TheFlash
Did everyone who sent thank you letters post-interview receive some kind of response from Columbia? If so, how long did that take after you sent your letter? I sent a thank you letter about 2 weeks ago, but have yet to get any kind of response letter from Columbia. It's kind of mind-boggling that one man controls essentially the entire admissions process.

tf

The letter they sent out is generic, so don't think too much into it. It just basically thank you for your interest in Columbia and mention that you won't hear back until February.

 

[Super Rob]

Feedback from a friend who interviewed:

currently tied for his 1st choice
interviewed in mid Dec
enjoyed experience
sent letter to interviewer (not Dr. Franz)
hasn't received anything back from them.. not even the generic letter.

his #s are beyond par for the school, was shown at another ivy that his E.C.s were in the 'A' category (whatever that meant), but thinks he has no chance because of his non ivy u.g. and lack of connections

he told me that a 4th year took him aside on interview day and suggested that he write the Dean. Even though the extent of his interaction with Franz has been a "Hi" in passing, do you think he should?

 

[SarahGM]

I interviewed in October and also didn't get the generic letter.

*But* my interviewer (not Dr. Frantz) mentioned how we had very similar interests and we should have lunch if I get into the school... that can't be bad, right?

 

[TheFlash]

IMHO, Columbia interviews way too many applicants. That gives a lot of interviewees false hope (myself included). If you flip through the facebook, you'll see that 70+% of the class is from HYP. They really need to streamline their interview process so that getting an interview can actually be a decent indicator of acceptance. They interview about 9 people for every one spot in the class! 🙄 I've got a better chance of winning Powerball.

[/rant]

Ahhh, I'm feeling much better now. 🙂

tf

 

[JohnHolmes]

Originally posted by TheFlash
IMHO, Columbia interviews way too many applicants. That gives a lot of interviewees false hope (myself included). If you flip through the facebook, you'll see that 70+% of the class is from HYP. They really need to streamline their interview process so that getting an interview can actually be a decent indicator of acceptance. They interview about 9 people for every one spot in the class! 🙄 I've got a better chance of winning Powerball.

[/rant]

Ahhh, I'm feeling much better now. 🙂

tf

HYP?

I emailed my interviewer and asked told him I obtained his mailing address from the faculty directory and asked if he could verify it was correct and complete. He did not respond. I sent him a letter in the mail. He did not respond. I have not been overwhelmingly impressed with P&S. I am not understanding why everyone is so "bout it bout it" P&S. If someone could explain it to me, I would appreciate it. I am serious, please explain ...

Coops

 

[Scooby Doo]

Originally posted by TheFlash
IMHO, Columbia interviews way too many applicants. That gives a lot of interviewees false hope (myself included). If you flip through the facebook, you'll see that 70+% of the class is from HYP. They really need to streamline their interview process so that getting an interview can actually be a decent indicator of acceptance. They interview about 9 people for every one spot in the class! 🙄 I've got a better chance of winning Powerball.

[/rant]

Ahhh, I'm feeling much better now. 🙂

tf

I actually thought I had a slim chance of getting into Columbia (especially direct acceptance) and had similar thoughts to you...but I ended up getting in and attending....so I woudln't knock the interviewing the large amount of applicants. I also attended a public undergrad (UC)...My class ended up having a large amount of people who aren't from HYP...but ya know, in the end, it doesn't really matter where the people went to undergrad, you're all in the same place now.

 

[JohnHolmes]

Originally posted by TheFlash
Hey Coops,

HYP = Harvard, Yale, Princeton. And I'm probably not as 'bout it, 'bout it about Columbia as most of the other people on this thread. The facilities weren't on the caliber of other top 10 schools that I've seen, and the location was downright horrible. It's actually third on the list of NYC schools that I'm considering. I got the feeling that Columbia depends a lot on its US News ranking to attract students. That said, I didn't abhor the school either; I'm pretty neutral about Columbia. I'm just really irked by their somewhat unorganized interview process.

Oh, almost forgot... Go 'Hoos!!

tf

Yeah, I feel the same way.

Coops

 

[TheFlash]

Originally posted by Cooper_Wriston
HYP?

I emailed my interviewer and asked told him I obtained his mailing address from the faculty directory and asked if he could verify it was correct and complete. He did not respond. I sent him a letter in the mail. He did not respond. I have not been overwhelmingly impressed with P&S. I am not understanding why everyone is so "bout it bout it" P&S. If someone could explain it to me, I would appreciate it. I am serious, please explain ...

Coops

Hey Coops,

HYP = Harvard, Yale, Princeton. And I'm probably not as 'bout it, 'bout it about Columbia as most of the other people on this thread. The facilities weren't on the caliber of other top 10 schools that I've seen, and the location was downright horrible. It's actually third on the list of NYC schools that I'm considering. I got the feeling that Columbia depends a lot on its US News ranking to attract students. That said, I didn't abhor the school either; I'm pretty neutral about Columbia. I'm just really irked by their somewhat unorganized interview process.

Oh, almost forgot... Go 'Hoos!!

tf

 

[TheFlash]

Originally posted by Cooper_Wriston
Yeah, I feel the same way.

Coops

Heh, I accidentally deleted my old post when editing and re-posted it, but looks like you got it anyway. Cool.

To Scooby: Thanks for the insight.

tf

 

[raincrew]

Interviewed in early september, sent out thank you card immediately afterwards, haven't received anything from them. oh, and i interviewed w/ frantz. hope this isn't a bad sign!

actually, from what it says on their site, it seems like they're interviewing less people this year. so if you think about it, 1000 interviews for 250 acceptances isn't TOO bad.

 

[JulianCrane]

How would you guys view Columbia vs. Cornell? I mean, what stands out to you about Columbia?

 

[jjmack]

As a medical school applicant and a NYC area native Columbia is viewed as the better school and hospital. I'm sure there are some things better at Cornell, but Columbia is much stronger over all. The basic scineces are also weaker at cornell. They do have sloan and Rockefeller though in the area that I think a med student who is non MSTP can work if they want an research experience. I currently work at Columbia and it is an amazing place, but I would agree the interview day and tour are not very good. They don't show the applicants a lot of the amazing things that columbia has such as the Neurolgical institute and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. The new Childrens' hospital is also amazing which I'm not sure if they show all tours either. In the end though you can't go wrong with Cornell or Columbia. In the end though if I were sick I'd go with Columbia.

 

[missbonnie]

Originally posted by TheFlash
Did everyone who sent thank you letters post-interview receive some kind of response from Columbia? If so, how long did that take after you sent your letter? I sent a thank you letter about 2 weeks ago, but have yet to get any kind of response letter from Columbia. It's kind of mind-boggling that one man controls essentially the entire admissions process.

tf

I guess the P & S countdown will be starting up soon...

I sent thank yous to both my interviewer and to the admissions office. Received email from my interviewer and letter from Dr Frantz. I guess it was generic and mentioned something about my interview. Got the email within a few days, and the letter from Frantz about a week later. Seems pretty standard, but it was nice nonetheless.

-b

 

[bigbaubdi]

Originally posted by SarahGM
Is it too late for me to send a letter of intent? I interviewed at Columbia on 10/24.

I don't think so. I interviewed at Columbia on September 16th and initially I wasn't so thrilled about it. However with time, P & S became increasingly attractive to me.

I didn't write a letter of intent but I did write a letter of interest to Dean Frantz (also my interviewer) with the reasons why I loved Columbia so much. I sent this letter around late November and I received a very nice response back from Dean Frantz in early December.

 

[Lux Aeterna]

My experience with Columbia and Frantz was exactly like bigbaubdi's. Received the same letter from Dr. Frantz that most of you got, I suspect. He's a nice guy. Well, I guess the big date for Columbia is just a month away!

 

[JohnHolmes]

Originally posted by Lux Aeterna
My experience with Columbia and Frantz was exactly like bigbaubdi's. Received the same letter from Dr. Frantz that most of you got, I suspect. He's a nice guy. Well, I guess the big date for Columbia is just a month away!

What are the specific attractions of Columbia. The area (way way up in manhattan vs the upper east side) is no comparison, whatsoever. Location is king and Columbia will lose every time.

The Childrens hospital I saw, was nothing nothing nothing like Wash U's. The facilities weren't even a 1/4 as nice as Wash U. The paint on the outside of the building's pillars was chipping and peeling. This wouldnt be so bad if the main color wasn't rust ... Iron Oxide rules!

so whats da dilly?


Coops

 

[Scooby Doo]

Originally posted by Cooper_Wriston
Maybe its just the caliber of the schools ive been too. I haven't been to a < 10th ranked yet...

Coops

Don't come to Columbia....

Thanks in advance...

Check out the type of people these schools attract...find the area where u fit..and go with it....

Yale had some great people...but new haven...just couldn't do it...
WashU...well, let's just say you might wanna go there Coops...
Columbia is at the top of manhattan...but short subway ride gets me wherever I want to go.

 

[CalBeE]

Originally posted by Scooby Doo

Columbia is at the top of manhattan...but short subway ride gets me wherever I want to go.

That's what I think too. I have never been to New Haven or St. Louis, but I don't think the area surrounding Yale and WashU are as vibrant as Lower Manhattan.

 

[JohnHolmes]

Originally posted by CalBeE
That's what I think too. I have never been to New Haven or St. Louis, but I don't think the area surrounding Yale and WashU are as vibrant as Lower Manhattan.

Id agree that NY is the shizzle, but Washington Heights doesn't seem like NY that everyone knows to me...

Coops

 

[Nike]

I wrote a thank you letter (which also expressed my interest) to my interviewer shortly after my interview and received the letter from Dr. Frantz thanking me for my interest. If I am to write a letter if intent, should I address it personally to Dr. Frantz, or just the Office of Admissions?

 

[CalBeE]

Originally posted by Nike
I wrote a thank you letter (which also expressed my interest) to my interviewer shortly after my interview and received the letter from Dr. Frantz thanking me for my interest. If I am to write a letter if intent, should I address it personally to Dr. Frantz, or just the Office of Admissions?

I addressed the letter to the admissions committee. I think that just sounds better if there are other people who're involved in your decision as well (Although it's rumored that Dr. Frantz make most of the decisions himself)

 

[medstylee]

to all you writing a LOI to columbia - are you doing this after already sending a thank you to dr. frantz or to your interviewer? i would like to write one because columbia is by far my top choice and i know dr. frantz likes to know that about the candidates he chooses for admission. but, i already wrote him a quasi-thank you note/letter of interest shortly after my interview and got a response back from him. i don't want to sound like a pest by restating my interests. what do you think? thanks a lot.

 

[Nike]

Originally posted by medstylee
to all you writing a LOI to columbia - are you doing this after already sending a thank you to dr. frantz or to your interviewer? i would like to write one because columbia is by far my top choice and i know dr. frantz likes to know that about the candidates he chooses for admission. but, i already wrote him a quasi-thank you note/letter of interest shortly after my interview and got a response back from him. i don't want to sound like a pest by restating my interests. what do you think? thanks a lot.

medstylee,

That's exactly the same thing I was considering. I figured that writing another letter may not help, but it certainly wouldn't hurt. I asked my parents what they thought I should do, and they thought another letter briefly reiterating my interest and clarifying that Columbia was still my number one interest would be ok to send. Hope that helps.

 

[Scooby Doo]

Originally posted by Nike
medstylee,

That's exactly the same thing I was considering. I figured that writing another letter may not help, but it certainly wouldn't hurt. I asked my parents what they thought I should do, and they thought another letter briefly reiterating my interest and clarifying that Columbia was still my number one interest would be ok to send. Hope that helps.

DEFINITELY SEND ANOTHER ONE!

Don't worry about pestering him. JUST BE SURE TO MAKE IT DIFFERENT. The other letters were thanking for the opportunity for interviewing. Now int he new letter say:

"After having interviewed at some other places, I now have realized how much more I want to come to Columbia. The blah blah blah is amazing and orgasmic. The students there are so friggin cool! Especially Scooby Doo. If I ever go there, I will be just like Scooby Doo."

I think that'll def get you in 😉

 

[CalBeE]

Originally posted by medstylee
to all you writing a LOI to columbia - are you doing this after already sending a thank you to dr. frantz or to your interviewer? i would like to write one because columbia is by far my top choice and i know dr. frantz likes to know that about the candidates he chooses for admission. but, i already wrote him a quasi-thank you note/letter of interest shortly after my interview and got a response back from him. i don't want to sound like a pest by restating my interests. what do you think? thanks a lot.

See your thank you card may be sent in like in Year 2003. Schools know that people change their minds and the schools want to know your CURRENT interest in the schools. So sending in a LOI now, especially when decisions will be mailed out in a month, will be good.

 

[dl2dp2]

You don't have to live Washington Heights. You can live in Morningside or Upper West Side and go to school via a very short commute if you shell out the doughs.

I think the good thing about WH is that if you want cheap housing the option is there. Whereas if you go to cornell, you'll be stuck with expensive stuff (besides their student housing, which is BTW, very cheap), no matter what.

I went to WashU for an interview. And let me tell you, WashU's location isn't that great either. Central west end is kind of a shady area (well, it's actually a good area in St. Louis, but considering that St. Louis is the #1 or 2 murder capital in US...that's not saying much.) One of the reasons I disliked WashU was because of its location. And let me tell you, there is less stuff to do in St. Louis overall than there is even in Washington Heights 😛

I'll admit, the Barns is a very good hospital...and WashU does have a lot of money (i.e. to repaint the facade). The facilities inside are similiar in quality (1/4 as good is very inaccurate...where do you mean by "not as nice") NYP has one fo the best pediatrics systems (better than st. louis' children's, if you rank according to USNews) And the new Morgan Stanley Children's is obviously very cool too. It might be fairer if one goes beyond the facade of the building and how often the janitorial staff mop the floor and how much money is spent painting the walls.

But for me i just couldn't live in St. Louis...like...EVER...and especially in my twenties.

Originally posted by Cooper_Wriston
Id agree that NY is the shizzle, but Washington Heights doesn't seem like NY that everyone knows to me...

Coops

 

[medstylee]

Hey guys - thanks a lot for the advice. I think I'll write one and, if it seems meaningful enough (i.e. different enough from the one i sent back in december) I'll send it express.


Now, who wants to compare Washington Heights to the other NYC neighborhoods again....???

 

[raincrew]

hey guys,

do you think not getting a response back from frantz (i interviewed w/ him way back in september) to my thank you card is a bad thing?

 

[raincrew]

bump. i'm really curious to see if anyone has any insight into this. thanks!

 

[medstylee]

well - first off, i think it's a good sign that you had such an early interview. i've heard things before about Columbia sending earlier invites to those they are particularly interested in.

here's my take on it - i think it's a good sign if you get a response (at the very least, you know he's acknowledged receipt your letter/card). but, i don't think it's necessarily a bad sign if you don't get anything back. he could have just been real busy around the time he got your thank you. i'm sure he marked it down on your file. i wouldn't read into it too much. people who don't send any thank yous or LOIs get accepted, so a reply or lack there can't be too revealing of what's to come.

hope that was helpful in some way. good luck.