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

[R. Jeeves]

I doubt I have the numbers (in my bank account) for this school, but I might as well see if I can get in.

You have pretty good numbers! Scholly? keep your columbia hopes alive

I'm feeling a little bit optimistic about admission, but yeah I would need a pretty substantial scholly to even consider attending.

[suppy183]

Checking in.

[Mack.Hambleton]

checkin in

[downbeat14]

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[Toby Ziegler]

checking in!

[Kobaine51]

Checking in!

[pylon]

Checking in! Less than a week before applications open!

[w0w]

Checking in! Less than a week before applications open!

I can't wait to start filling out apps on Monday! This one and NYU.

[psychmusic]

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[Hand]

Columbia's killin' me here. Every other school says they strongly prefer academic letters, but Columbia's instructions say they require a letter from employers if you're graduated and employed full time. I'm sure my boss is going to be super stoked to write me a letter with two weeks notice...

wait, what? hmm...

[Hand]

The application says the following:

In some instances, applicants may find it extremely difficult to obtain one of the
required appraisals. If that is the case, applicants must use their best judgment to determine what letters should be submitted
to complete their file, with the understanding of how valuable letters of recommendation are to our evaluation of their
qualifications for admission.

Should we assume that no letter from your employer for those working FT is an auto-ding? My employer doesn't know I plan on bailing on them and I have no desire to let 'm know 'till the spring TBH...

[middlebear]

The application says the following:

In some instances, applicants may find it extremely difficult to obtain one of the
required appraisals. If that is the case, applicants must use their best judgment to determine what letters should be submitted
to complete their file, with the understanding of how valuable letters of recommendation are to our evaluation of their
qualifications for admission.

Should we assume that no letter from your employer for those working FT is an auto-ding? My employer doesn't know I plan on bailing on them and I have no desire to let 'm know 'till the spring TBH...

It can't be an auto-ding! You're definitely not the only one in that situation.

[downbeat14]

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[everything_bagel]

Columbia's killin' me here. Every other school says they strongly prefer academic letters, but Columbia's instructions say they require a letter from employers if you're graduated and employed full time. I'm sure my boss is going to be super stoked to write me a letter with two weeks notice...

I highly doubt Columbia auto-dings everyone who does this. But, couldn't you consider asking a non-higher-up to write for you--like a coworker or a young associate or someone who isn't a boss and whom you're comfortable telling you're considering leaving?

[Hand]

It can't be an auto-ding! You're definitely not the only one in that situation.

I sure hope so... and while I am probably not be the only one in this situation, there may be plenty applicants with comparable numbers who don't have this problem.

Didn't have a non-academic letter to submit... I think we are fine on that everyone. They have to hold their medians at the end of the day, and it's very reasonable that some people won't be able to get a letter from their boss. I'm going to post something on the 2017 forum to see if there is a consensus on that. Will report back.

Thanks!

I highly doubt Columbia auto-dings everyone who does this. But, couldn't you consider asking a non-higher-up to write for you--like a coworker or a young associate or someone who isn't a boss and whom you're comfortable telling you're considering leaving?

Not a bad suggestion, but unfortunately not really an option for me--while some of my co-workers know I'm leaving, given their experience/status in the company/etc., a letter from them is going to be as good as worthless. I'm planning to just submit my two academic letters, maybe add in a note explaining that I've read the instructions but am not comfortable asking my supervisor for a letter right now, and maybe ask for a letter in the spring, if I find myself on the WL.

[downbeat14]

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[psychmusic]

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[kevin0201]

Columbia's killin' me here. Every other school says they strongly prefer academic letters, but Columbia's instructions say they require a letter from employers if you're graduated and employed full time. I'm sure my boss is going to be super stoked to write me a letter with two weeks notice...

Damn... I did not know about this. Thanks for the info

[Marshmallow]

Columbia's killin' me here. Every other school says they strongly prefer academic letters, but Columbia's instructions say they require a letter from employers if you're graduated and employed full time. I'm sure my boss is going to be super stoked to write me a letter with two weeks notice...

I highly doubt Columbia auto-dings everyone who does this. But, couldn't you consider asking a non-higher-up to write for you--like a coworker or a young associate or someone who isn't a boss and whom you're comfortable telling you're considering leaving?

They like me at my job enough that they won't be too annoyed to write it, I just feel guilty that I didn't ask earlier

Hey everyone, just thought I'd chime in on this even though I don't advise doing what I did: I applied and was accepted last cycle (170/3.78). I actually had an employer letter ready to go, but forgot to use it (used 2 academic recs instead)

anyway, just sayin'

[Kobaine51]

I asked this in the Harvard thread too, but for better coverage - do you all think that an employer rec right now, after having worked for my employer for two months (I am confident that my boss would write me a strong letter, but worry it might hold less weight), is worth it? I have two academic recs, as well as one from a past employer, but it seems that the current employer one is the really important non-academic. Would you all get the current employer rec now, wait a few months and get it then, or submit with the other rec from a past employer?

[everything_bagel]

I asked this in the Harvard thread too, but for better coverage - do you all think that an employer rec right now, after having worked for my employer for two months (I am confident that my boss would write me a strong letter, but worry it might hold less weight), is worth it? I have two academic recs, as well as one from a past employer, but it seems that the current employer one is the really important non-academic. Would you all get the current employer rec now, wait a few months and get it then, or submit with the other rec from a past employer?

I'd go for the new letter, personally. It seems like at least some schools are placing more weight on WE and I think you want to get as much out of that as you can. You might need to give your current employer more guidance about your goals/personality since they don't know you that well, but that isn't bad--in a way it's almost better than a recommender who will assume they know all of those things. As for how schools assign weight, that sounds to me more like a previous applicants/Spivey question than a question anyone here will have special insight into. Could you ask your employer to include something in the letter that underscores his/her ability to comment on your strengths this early? Like a specific discussion of projects you've worked on together or why/how s/he has had an opportunity to review your work product? If I were an adcomm I'd be much less concerned that a letter after four months was premature if it was clear you worked closely together in the same office or something.

It might be worthwhile to set pre-Halloween as your submission goal date since people still seem to believe that's quite early. Little risk and some reward?


mostly unrelated edit:

Tuition for 2014-2015 is $58,292. There are additional mandatory fees for health services, student activities, and University facilities, which will be $1,982 for 2014-2015. Insurance for hospital care and standard medical coverage is also required ($2,508) unless students can show proof of comparable coverage. The total budget for the nine month academic year, including tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal expenses is $85,755 for a single student. Expenses are adjusted annually.

[Toby Ziegler]

mostly unrelated edit:

Tuition for 2014-2015 is $58,292. There are additional mandatory fees for health services, student activities, and University facilities, which will be $1,982 for 2014-2015. Insurance for hospital care and standard medical coverage is also required ($2,508) unless students can show proof of comparable coverage. The total budget for the nine month academic year, including tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal expenses is $85,755 for a single student. Expenses are adjusted annually.

That is so astronomical.

[everything_bagel]

mostly unrelated edit:

Tuition for 2014-2015 is $58,292. There are additional mandatory fees for health services, student activities, and University facilities, which will be $1,982 for 2014-2015. Insurance for hospital care and standard medical coverage is also required ($2,508) unless students can show proof of comparable coverage. The total budget for the nine month academic year, including tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal expenses is $85,755 for a single student. Expenses are adjusted annually.

That is so astronomical.

CLS also requires 2014 taxes (filed by Mar. 1) for financial aid. Thaaaanks, guys.

Is anyone itt willing to go here without $$? dat COL...

[pylon]

EIGHTY-FIVE SEVEN-FIFTY-FIVE?!?! Yikes.

[Mack.Hambleton]

anyone solicit a fee waiver yet?