Columbia c/o 2018 Applicants (2014-2015 cycle) Forum

[jbagelboy]

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in response to the unedited version:

This. Absolutely this.

As LSAT:75+/GPA:75++, WE, stellar softs, ivy that literally had their building's internet go out during the H interview, I was as good as Columbia's had they only handled my application professionally. Here I am looking for roommates in Chicago while Columbia takes their time with an application they've had their hands on for seven months.

Law students, like most other rational beings, prefer to minimize risk. We like to find good roommates, secure a convenient apartment, read up, and begin planning for how we would like to approach law school and our 1L+ summer several months out. Columbia could have stronger matriculants if their offers didn't come with the lite dose of "you have to throw your clothes in a suitcase and move into an NYC hotel with no plan" poison pills.

When I submitted, Columbia (first choice) >> H in my book (personal reasons). However, after this admissions experience...

I'm sorry, I have to take issue with this because it is not how you should be approaching this decision. Come on. You don't need to do anything to prepare for law school other than clear your head and take a vacation. Whether you know where you're going in February or August, it won't make any difference once you start class. No one will remember this time and the little anxieties or insecurities that provoked such exaggerated responses -- I certainly don't.

If you're admitted in April and decide to attend, you really think it takes you four months to "throw your clothes in a suitcase"? You need half a year to find roommates? You can't even approach employers about 1L summer until December 1st of 2015! People get really upset about the most insignificant things during the admissions process. I empathize. But Columbia is the same school in the fall as it is when the cycle ends (As are the others). They rightfully are not and should not be concerned about the hysterics of a set of applicants halfway through the cycle: law students might be risk averse, but they are above all rational actors who can parse the substance from the bullshit. You've got beef with admissions? So does everyone - fortunately you never need to see them again and they play no role in your law school experience. Even typing what you wrote on a forum seems unhealthy to me. Calm down!

[nickhalden]

.

in response to the unedited version:

This. Absolutely this.

As LSAT:75+/GPA:75++, WE, stellar softs, ivy that literally had their building's internet go out during the H interview, I was as good as Columbia's had they only handled my application professionally. Here I am looking for roommates in Chicago while Columbia takes their time with an application they've had their hands on for seven months.

Law students, like most other rational beings, prefer to minimize risk. We like to find good roommates, secure a convenient apartment, read up, and begin planning for how we would like to approach law school and our 1L+ summer several months out. Columbia could have stronger matriculants if their offers didn't come with the lite dose of "you have to throw your clothes in a suitcase and move into an NYC hotel with no plan" poison pills.

When I submitted, Columbia (first choice) >> H in my book (personal reasons). However, after this admissions experience...

Admissions experiences shouldn't affect the calculus of your decision. In general: COA + Employment Outcomes Aligned With Employment Goals = Choice

[omegaweapon]

Are the other probably YPed people writing LOCIs? Columbia with money would be an easy top choice for me, but it's seeming like even getting in is pretty unlikely now, and getting real money may be impossible.

I'm already in at one of HYS and have solid money at lower T14, so it seems crazy to even think about the idea of Columbia at sticker just because I like the location and stuff.

I'm also as upset as SpeakingTheTruth is, but trying REALLY hard to divorce that from what I actually do...

[thinkdifferent]

I'm a borderline candidate based on the numbers, in the held group yesterday. Writing a LOCI unless I miraculously get into HYS in the next three days. Any advice on sending an additional LOR? Have a really strong one I decided not to send in my lsac account. I've heard conflicting things about whether sending another LOR along with LOCI is well-received by adcomms.
If I do, is there a way to permit LSAC to send or should I ask my recommender to snail mail? Thanks to all in advance.

[NeptuneSpear]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I have my interview with CLS scheduled on March 12th. I would be very grateful if someone could share their interview experience. Specifically, I would like to know what sort of questions they ask and what they are looking for.

Thanks!

[mindthegap]

Lol, just sent my LOCI via International FedEx. I'm considering this a £40 gamble that someone in admissions will appreciate my effort enough to let me in.

[4LTsPointingNorth]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I have my interview with CLS scheduled on March 12th. I would be very grateful if someone could share their interview experience. Specifically, I would like to know what sort of questions they ask and what they are looking for.

Thanks!

Scroll through earlier pages in this thread (I think somewhere between pages 15 and 25) for more detailed descriptions.

Pretty much just be prepared to answer Why Law, Why Columbia specifically, what your career goals are, etc. Be prepared to talk about past work experience and undergrad classes. My interviewer looked pretty closely at my undergrad transcripts and asked me some questions about specific classes even though I've been out of school for more than three years. It was a very conversational interview, and the interviewer didn't appear to be going down a checklist of predetermined questions.

As far as what they're looking for, I imagine they just want to see that you're able to present yourself well, articulate yourself, and that you seem to have put some thought into why you're pursuing a career in law and in how Columbia specifically aligns with those goals.

[The thinker]

What is the convention for loci? The email doesn't give an email or snail mail adress. Is mail or email appropriate?

[NeptuneSpear]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I have my interview with CLS scheduled on March 12th. I would be very grateful if someone could share their interview experience. Specifically, I would like to know what sort of questions they ask and what they are looking for.

Thanks!

Scroll through earlier pages in this thread (I think somewhere between pages 15 and 25) for more detailed descriptions.

Pretty much just be prepared to answer Why Law, Why Columbia specifically, what your career goals are, etc. Be prepared to talk about past work experience and undergrad classes. My interviewer looked pretty closely at my undergrad transcripts and asked me some questions about specific classes even though I've been out of school for more than three years. It was a very conversational interview, and the interviewer didn't appear to be going down a checklist of predetermined questions.

As far as what they're looking for, I imagine they just want to see that you're able to present yourself well, articulate yourself, and that you seem to have put some thought into why you're pursuing a career in law and in how Columbia specifically aligns with those goals.

Thanks

[Winston1984]

What is the convention for loci? The email doesn't give an email or snail mail adress. Is mail or email appropriate?

It's 2015. Email.

[altf4]

What is the convention for loci? The email doesn't give an email or snail mail adress. Is mail or email appropriate?

Do you have a "my Columbia law" account? If you do, sign in, go to "apply" then "submit application update". You can attach it there!

[darla2013]

held 3/2 and shocked (expected to be waitlisted/rejected)

How forcefully worded should a LOCI be? I'm worried about saying "I'll come to Columbia no matter what" because it might come off as insincere. For the most part that's how I feel, but I'm also still worried about paying sticker and NYC COL. I'm worried if I said something like that and was admitted on that basis, I'd be viewed poorly if I then tried to negotiate $. Plus I don't know what to say in the letter other than "I really wanna come because of your prestige." That's true, but does it sound bad to say (however subtly)?

[Mack.Hambleton]

called admissions to ask about my file since I have some April deadlines now, they just said I was still under review (no hold yet, Oct submitter)...

[sheishkabob]

called admissions to ask about my file since I have some April deadlines now, they just said I was still under review (no hold yet, Oct submitter)...

Nov complete with no decision yet either...I'm not competitive for Columbia though so idk why they haven't flat out rejected/waitlisted yet. People with my stats who submitted later have received decisions already ugh

[sneezus]

held 3/2 and shocked (expected to be waitlisted/rejected)

How forcefully worded should a LOCI be? I'm worried about saying "I'll come to Columbia no matter what" because it might come off as insincere. For the most part that's how I feel, but I'm also still worried about paying sticker and NYC COL. I'm worried if I said something like that and was admitted on that basis, I'd be viewed poorly if I then tried to negotiate $. Plus I don't know what to say in the letter other than "I really wanna come because of your prestige." That's true, but does it sound bad to say (however subtly)?

at this point, schools who put you on Hold want to know you'd most likely/definitely attend. they gain nothing from extending you an offer at this stage unless you actually accept it. so yeah, be honest/transparent.

that said, if you don't have much to say about Columbia in a LOCI other than prestige, i'd suggest you completely rethink this. that prestige isn't worth 315k (much more than that after 10 years of interest).

[Fred Norris]

When is the next ASW?

[darla2013]

held 3/2 and shocked (expected to be waitlisted/rejected)

How forcefully worded should a LOCI be? I'm worried about saying "I'll come to Columbia no matter what" because it might come off as insincere. For the most part that's how I feel, but I'm also still worried about paying sticker and NYC COL. I'm worried if I said something like that and was admitted on that basis, I'd be viewed poorly if I then tried to negotiate $. Plus I don't know what to say in the letter other than "I really wanna come because of your prestige." That's true, but does it sound bad to say (however subtly)?

at this point, schools who put you on Hold want to know you'd most likely/definitely attend. they gain nothing from extending you an offer at this stage unless you actually accept it. so yeah, be honest/transparent.

that said, if you don't have much to say about Columbia in a LOCI other than prestige, i'd suggest you completely rethink this. that prestige isn't worth 315k (much more than that after 10 years of interest).

thanks! i would most likely attend, I'm just still trying to get over sticker shock. i would want to attend for reasons other than prestige...and yet they're all tied to prestige. ugh. struggling with this letter.

[foamborn]

i bet they're holding/waitlisting people with cat avatars

[supersplittysplitter]

What is the convention for loci? The email doesn't give an email or snail mail adress. Is mail or email appropriate?

Do you have a "my Columbia law" account? If you do, sign in, go to "apply" then "submit application update". You can attach it there!

can we submit an updated resume there as well?

[bou]

hey everyone - checking in.
Complete on 2/11


what does YP mean?

thanks

[radio1nowhere]

hey everyone - checking in.
Complete on 2/11


what does YP mean?

thanks

YP stands for Yield Protection. Law schools want the percentage of admits who choose to matriculate (the yield) to be as high as possible, as it negatively affects the school's ranking if a lot of people who are accepted decide to go elsewhere. Therefore schools lower in the T14 sometimes waitlist or even reject applicants who are "too" well-qualified, as the school might reasonably think that the applicant will probably end up going to a better school.

Columbia has been doing a lot of YP this cycle.

[bou]

hey everyone - checking in.
Complete on 2/11


what does YP mean?

thanks

YP stands for Yield Protection. Law schools want the percentage of admits who choose to matriculate (the yield) to be as high as possible, as it negatively affects the school's ranking if a lot of people who are accepted decide to go elsewhere. Therefore schools lower in the T14 sometimes waitlist or even reject applicants who are "too" well-qualified, as the school might reasonably think that the applicant will probably end up going to a better school.

Columbia has been doing a lot of YP this cycle.

wow. thanks for explanation. this does suck:(

[Peck.173]

Hey all, I'm an ED applicant who's application is being reconsidered in April per the email from Admiss that I got in December... which I guess is better than the flat out ding I was expecting. I'm in at a T10, but Columbia is still my #1. Is there any precedent for someone in a similar situation writing an LOCI? Could this help me?

Thanks!! Best of Luck to everyone else waiting!!!

[Mack.Hambleton]

Hey all, I'm an ED applicant who's application is being reconsidered in April per the email from Admiss that I got in December... which I guess is better than the flat out ding I was expecting. I'm in at a T10, but Columbia is still my #1. Is there any precedent for someone in a similar situation writing an LOCI? Could this help me?

Thanks!! Best of Luck to everyone else waiting!!!

wouldnt hurt, but not necessary because you already told them you would go there with a binding app

[ErgoSum]

Was just held