***The Official Columbia College of Dental Medicine Class of 2024 Interview/Acceptance Thread***

[AngleClass3]

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Hi, I am an applicant this upcoming cycle and noticed there was not a thread yet. Has anyone heard anything?

Last year's thread: ***The Official Columbia College of Dental Medicine Class of 2023 Interview/Acceptance Thread***

Link to interview prep: Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center School of Dental and Oral Surgery Interview Feedback
----> Be sure to give feedback on your interview to help future applicants! 🙂

*edited by staff to include links to interview feedback and last year's thread​

 

[nightowl54]

I am an accepted applicant from last year’s cycle so mostly everything from applying is still fresh in my mind, if anyone has questions!

For perspective, I applied in early August and received my interview invite (for January) in mid September.

 

[TeethAreKewl]

I am an accepted applicant from last year’s cycle so mostly everything from applying is still fresh in my mind, if anyone has questions!

For perspective, I applied in early August and received my interview invite (for January) in mid September.

Hi @nightowl54 I've seen plenty of varying answers but - have you known people to be accepted / interviewed with 2 science letters instead of the 3 requested?

 

[Theslowsouthy]

I wonder if they count math as a science

 

[Queserrva]

@Theslowsouthy I called about the same question since I am a math major and was told that math/statistics letters do not count as science professors.

 

[nightowl54]

Hi @nightowl54 I've seen plenty of varying answers but - have you known people to be accepted / interviewed with 2 science letters instead of the 3 requested?

I never really asked people what letters they submitted so I couldn’t tell you for sure :/

Here’s what I submitted to all the schools I applied to, without ever being asked for additional letters:
1 PI/science professor (he was both for me, so I’m not really sure which they took it as)
1 science professor (bio)
1 Psych PhD student who was my teacher for a writing class (but idk if that counts as a “science professor”)
1 work supervisor (she is also a science professor but I was never in her class)
2 dentists

 

[TeethAreKewl]

I never really asked people what letters they submitted so I couldn’t tell you for sure :/

Here’s what I submitted to all the schools I applied to, without ever being asked for additional letters:
1 PI/science professor (he was both for me, so I’m not really sure which they took it as)
1 science professor (bio)
1 Psych PhD student who was my teacher for a writing class (but idk if that counts as a “science professor”)
1 work supervisor (she is also a science professor but I was never in her class)
2 dentists

Interesting - well, I guess all I can do is wait for now and see if I need to submit an additional letter 🙂 thanks for the response!

 

[Hales124]

Interesting - well, I guess all I can do is wait for now and see if I need to submit an additional letter 🙂 thanks for the response!

When they send the received email it also says that they would let you know individually if you are missing anything. As long as you don't get an email saying you are missing something then you should be good! Like my University does a "letters packet" instead of a committee letter and they don't have 2 science professors on it and so far I haven't gotten any email that I am missing anything.

 

[JustAWanderingStudent]

I submitted my application last week while my committee letter was submitted this past Monday. On AADSAS it still says "none", should I be worried?

 

[liverpool2019]

I submitted my application last week while my committee letter was submitted this past Monday. On AADSAS it still says "none", should I be worried?

There's a link on their website that will allow you to pay the application supplemental fee. Once you do that, it should update to received/under review. That was my same experience, and when I called them they told me to pay the supplemental before the application was considered complete.

 

[JustAWanderingStudent]

There's a link on their website that will allow you to pay the application supplemental fee. Once you do that, it should update to received/under review. That was my same experience, and when I called them they told me to pay the supplemental before the application was considered complete.

Thank you so much! I emailed them asking if I can use my Fee waiver to waive the supplemental fee but they never got back to me.

 

[liverpool2019]

Thank you so much! I emailed them asking if I can use my Fee waiver to waive the supplemental fee but they never got back to me.

I'm not sure about that and it doesn't state on their site whether they do or not. You can always try calling them directly to get a quicker answer. When I called, the assistant there was very pleasant and helpful.

 

[ChemistryDentist]

I submitted my application last week while my committee letter was submitted this past Monday. On AADSAS it still says "none", should I be worried?

I called them just this morning with the same question. The woman I spoke with (incredibly nice!) told me that they're running a bit behind this year and the portal should be updated soon if you've paid your fees. She didn't give a time frame, but so long as everything was submitted and paid you should be good. Mine still says "none" as well.

 

[DDS2be123]

does columbia send “application complete” emails? I only received one email from them stating that they received my application and that I will receive a separate email if my app is missing anything. This was weeks ago, so do I assume my app is complete or should i call to confirm?

 

[ChemistryDentist]

does columbia send “application complete” emails? I only received one email from them stating that they received my application and that I will receive a separate email if my app is missing anything. This was weeks ago, so do I assume my app is complete or should i call to confirm?

I asked when I called them. They said it should update on AADSAS in the coming weeks! You could call too to confirm, though. Share what you find out too if you do!

 

[nightowl54]

does columbia send “application complete” emails? I only received one email from them stating that they received my application and that I will receive a separate email if my app is missing anything. This was weeks ago, so do I assume my app is complete or should i call to confirm?

Looking back at my emails from CDM from the beginning of last cycle, I received emails in the following order: when they received my AADSAS application, when I was missing the supplemental fee, when they received my supplemental fee, interview invite, etc etc.

 

[hh2498]

does columbia send “application complete” emails? I only received one email from them stating that they received my application and that I will receive a separate email if my app is missing anything. This was weeks ago, so do I assume my app is complete or should i call to confirm?

Just got an Application Received email this morning after submitting on 7/26. The email also requests to not contact them and that they'll reach out if anything else is necessary

 

[ChemistryDentist]

Just got an Application Received email this morning after submitting on 7/26. The email also requests to not contact them and that they'll reach out if anything else is necessary

Just received that same email!

 

[JustAWanderingStudent]

Just received that same email!

As did I!

 

[piddy]

Hmmm, they said they received mine on july 9th, but I didn't get the application complete email yet. Should I just wait instead of contacting them?

 

[nightowl54]

Hmmm, they said they received mine on july 9th, but I didn't get the application complete email yet. Should I just wait instead of contacting them?

They don’t send an email like that. Only an “application received” email. And then if you’re missing anything (like a supplemental fee).

 

[thirsties]

Did anyone receive 2 “received supplemental fee” email ? I got one back in 7/9 and one right now....weird

 

[Sbofet]

Did anyone receive 2 “received supplemental fee” email ? I got one back in 7/9 and one right now....weird

Yeah lol that email brought my hopes up then killed it so quickly

 

[Dr.sam2024]

Did anyone receive 2 “received supplemental fee” email ? I got one back in 7/9 and one right now....weird

Same here. But the one on 7/9 was just application received. This one today was specifically regarding the supplemental fee

 

[futuredent122024]

Yeah lol that email brought my hopes up then killed it so quickly

Yes I got it too

 

[free wifi]

Just a heads up, Columbia is one school that does not really communicate well with the applicants. They never send out their rejection letters, don't be confused if they don't get back to you. Good luck!

 

[DDS2be123]

Has anyone here not gotten the confirmation email that their supplemental fee has been received? I paid it on like june 4th and received nothing to confirm from them

 

[hh2498]

Has anyone here not gotten the confirmation email that their supplemental fee has been received? I paid it on like june 4th and received nothing to confirm from them

No, but I got the receipt after submitting it so not too worried

 

[BUSLASF]

I am an accepted applicant from last year’s cycle so mostly everything from applying is still fresh in my mind, if anyone has questions!

For perspective, I applied in early August and received my interview invite (for January) in mid September.

Thanks for helping us out. Do you know if a 19 on PAT would jeopardize my chances of getting into Columbia dental school? (My other stats: 23 AA, 24 TS)

 

[jkam123]

Thanks for helping us out. Do you know if a 19 on PAT would jeopardize my chances of getting into Columbia dental school? (My other stats: 23 AA, 24 TS)

I know youre asking nightowl54 specifically but in case you dont have access to it the dental school explorer lists the 5%-95% range as 18-25. The mean is 21.2. Goodluck to you! PS, I have a 19 and applied too, so hopefully its ok 🙂

 

[BUSLASF]

I know youre asking nightowl54 specifically but in case you dont have access to it the dental school explorer lists the 5%-95% range as 18-25. The mean is 21.2. Goodluck to you! PS, I have a 19 and applied too, so hopefully its ok 🙂

Great! Thanks

 

[nightowl54]

I know youre asking nightowl54 specifically but in case you dont have access to it the dental school explorer lists the 5%-95% range as 18-25. The mean is 21.2. Goodluck to you! PS, I have a 19 and applied too, so hopefully its ok 🙂

RT. Remember, “average” means there are scores both above and below that number!

 

[futuredoctor262626]

I applied with 4 letters (1 dentist, 2 science professors, and 1 PI) does this satisfy the LOR requirement for CDM? Also if my application is pretty good (3.83 sGPA, cGPA) and I have great letters of rec, sick research and great ECs, will a 21 AA/TC and 21 PAT keep me out of good schools?

 

[piddy]

I applied with 4 letters (1 dentist, 2 science professors, and 1 PI) does this satisfy the LOR requirement for CDM? Also if my application is pretty good (3.83 sGPA, cGPA) and I have great letters of rec, sick research and great ECs, will a 21 AA/TC and 21 PAT keep me out of good schools?

So I was in a similar situation and called them, bc I had the same rec letters as you but my PI never taught me in a class though. They said it wouldn't satisfy their requirements so I had to get another science professor for a letter. So you might want to check with them about letters unless your PI taught you in a class.

 

[futuredoctor262626]

So I was in a similar situation and called them, bc I had the same rec letters as you but my PI never taught me in a class though. They said it wouldn't satisfy their requirements so I had to get another science professor for a letter. So you might want to check with them about letters unless your PI taught you in a class.

He did teach me, but after he sent the letter lol what to dooo...anyway, I submitted the 4 max through AADSAS...how did you end up fixing the situation? I can't just send them a letter can I it has to be through AADSAS?

 

[TeethAreKewl]

He did teach me, but after he sent the letter lol what to dooo...anyway, I submitted the 4 max through AADSAS...how did you end up fixing the situation? I can't just send them a letter can I it has to be through AADSAS?

If you used Interfolio you can mail a separate 5th letter to them. But yes - you’ll have to get that extra science letter to hit the 3 required for consideration.

 

[futuredoctor262626]

thanks

 

[piddy]

He did teach me, but after he sent the letter lol what to dooo...anyway, I submitted the 4 max through AADSAS...how did you end up fixing the situation? I can't just send them a letter can I it has to be through AADSAS?

They also said that you can mail it to them directly, which I did

 

[Nachatta]

So I was in a similar situation and called them, bc I had the same rec letters as you but my PI never taught me in a class though. They said it wouldn't satisfy their requirements so I had to get another science professor for a letter. So you might want to check with them about letters unless your PI taught you in a class.

Yikes, that has me worried... I'm in the same situation except I've recieved research credit from my PI but they said they'd accept it when I called. Did you get research credit for yours?

 

[futuredoctor262626]

I got research credit too...Im going to call just to double check

 

[Nachatta]

I got research credit too...Im going to call just to double check

Keep us updated!

 

[piddy]

Yikes, that has me worried... I'm in the same situation except I've recieved research credit from my PI but they said they'd accept it when I called. Did you get research credit for yours?

Ya I got research credit, but I didn't mention it when I asked them about it. So maybe I didn't need another letter lol

 

[futuredoctor262626]

Hi. This is my story : got units from a PI. After he submitted my letter and I applied, I took a graded course with him.

CDM said that my research don’t count towards their requirement, and my letter wouldn’t count as science unless he resubmitted with some notes about my performance in class. It’s super weird bc this info is different than what is written up in previous posts...so I’m confused

 

[futuredoctor262626]

Oh yea and she also said that this isn’t something that would make you not be offered an interview, but if they figured it out after you would be shifted back to a being a “incomplete application” and you would have to wait to move forward and she would prefer if we were “proactive” and fixed the problem early

 

[futuredent122024]

Anyone else have any comments on this? I thought taking research for credit counts as an academic reference

 

[piddy]

Hi. This is my story : got units from a PI. After he submitted my letter and I applied, I took a graded course with him.

CDM said that my research don’t count towards their requirement, and my letter wouldn’t count as science unless he resubmitted with some notes about my performance in class. It’s super weird bc this info is different than what is written up in previous posts...so I’m confused

I guess it'd just be better to listen to what she says

 

[futuredoctor262626]

Oh yea and she also said that this isn’t something that would make you not be offered an interview, but if they figured it out after you would be shifted back to a being a “incomplete application” and you would have to wait to move forward and she would prefer if we were “proactive” and fixed the problem early

call again i want this to be true

 

[###e###]

Just got an interview invite.
Looks like I'll have to get some additional letters

 

[TeethAreKewl]

Just got an interview invite.
Looks like I'll have to get some additional letters

So they extended the interview invite and concurrently requested additional letters as well?

 

[###e###]

No, just an interview invite.
I think I only have one science letter in their eyes since my other one is research based. Didn't expect anything back because of that.