Columbia c/o 2020 applicants (2016-2017) Forum

[Thelaw23]

I was reserve listed at Columbia last week and am thinking about having the owner of the company I've worked at for the past 5 years write a LOR since he has a MBA from Columbia. (for my initial application I had my manager write a LOR as he has more personal experience with me). FYI I do have daily contact with the owner, as it is a small but well established company, but it is finance/technology related company and not law. Any advice about the effectiveness/usefulness of this additional LOR would be greatly appreciated!

Going to just be honest, I don't know that it would help. The MBA program has oversight from an entirely different committee of people (despite sharing a nice building ). While it's nice that your recommender was and is a part of the Columbia community at large, I'm not so sure that they can adequately testify to your abilities as a law student who can succeed specifically at Columbia Law.

Thanks, that's exactly the kind of response I'm looking for. After all, he is very busy running a company, and while I'm sure he'd be happy to write a LOR for me I don't want to waste his time if it won't help. Any other opinions are still helpful!

In my opinion, it DEFINITELY can't hurt. It is someone from the Columbia University who has employed you for five years and probably knows all about your work ethic. I would get that LOR from him and send it in. You aren't losing anything by doing this.

[lsa16]

So, who is left here from the "applied in 2016 and haven't heard anything at all" crew? 10/17 here

me. went complete about a week after you

Complete early November here

Still chillin

[addie1412]

So, who is left here from the "applied in 2016 and haven't heard anything at all" crew? 10/17 here

me. went complete about a week after you

Complete early November here

Still chillin

+1

[RParadela]

So, who is left here from the "applied in 2016 and haven't heard anything at all" crew? 10/17 here

me. went complete about a week after you

Complete early November here

Still chillin

+1

Applied in late December. Also waiting

[SybillAnnDorsett]

I was reserve listed at Columbia last week and am thinking about having the owner of the company I've worked at for the past 5 years write a LOR since he has a MBA from Columbia. (for my initial application I had my manager write a LOR as he has more personal experience with me). FYI I do have daily contact with the owner, as it is a small but well established company, but it is finance/technology related company and not law. Any advice about the effectiveness/usefulness of this additional LOR would be greatly appreciated!

Going to just be honest, I don't know that it would help. The MBA program has oversight from an entirely different committee of people (despite sharing a nice building ). While it's nice that your recommender was and is a part of the Columbia community at large, I'm not so sure that they can adequately testify to your abilities as a law student who can succeed specifically at Columbia Law.

Thanks, that's exactly the kind of response I'm looking for. After all, he is very busy running a company, and while I'm sure he'd be happy to write a LOR for me I don't want to waste his time if it won't help. Any other opinions are still helpful!

In my opinion, it DEFINITELY can't hurt. It is someone from the Columbia University who has employed you for five years and probably knows all about your work ethic. I would get that LOR from him and send it in. You aren't losing anything by doing this.

Yeah, I stand by what I said BUT I have to agree with Thelaw23 that you aren't losing anything. Screw it! you're on Reserve already; do what you gotta do.

[SybillAnnDorsett]

.

[Smc1994]

[quote="mm2368"]Wow, ok this is crazy considering the above but this just happened so I need advice asap. please don't quote.

I really wouldn't, unless he happens to have a uniquely intimate and positive relationship with Dean Iwerebon.

[SybillAnnDorsett]

I really wouldn't, unless he happens to have a uniquely intimate and positive relationship with Dean Iwerebon.

I see. Yeah, I'm really going to do whatever you guys suggest so, don't be shy! Lay it on me.
Thanks, Smc! Ugh, I guess it's the desperation which originally pulled me towards it. we're family but not by blood, so I figure it's pointless anyway.

[ParisHilton]

Unless he is a prof or influential alumnus (donor), I would not.

[Smc1994]

I really wouldn't, unless he happens to have a uniquely intimate and positive relationship with Dean Iwerebon.

No problem, and, I should note, that's just my take. I think that it's better to get an additional academic or professional reference-- it looks much stronger than a personal one. I would expect connections to a school to be highly beneficial, but only past a certain degree of proximity. If you know a faculty member, a dean, a donor--especially a trustee-- then the connections may matter, but I doubt that those conversations should take the form of a formal letter. You want someone with enough clout to pick up the phone.

[unrelated]

not quoting

Do it! Even if it's just a note/call into the Admin office. I did something similar with another school. I would say only do this because they are CLS alum btw.

[SybillAnnDorsett]

hey, thank you guys for coming through for me, for real. these answers are all really helpful. ultimately going with SMC's advice.
you guys rock <3 don't change.

[VA2lawschool]

I really wouldn't, unless he happens to have a uniquely intimate and positive relationship with Dean Iwerebon.

I actually disagree, I think it's a perfectly fine thing to do. Anecdotally, I've heard of people doing things like that for HYS, and it being a factor in them getting an interview/off a waitlist, etc. The schools' alum networks mean a lot to them, so I would think their opinions constitute being at least neutral, if not directly positive.

[Smc1994]

I really wouldn't, unless he happens to have a uniquely intimate and positive relationship with Dean Iwerebon.

I actually disagree, I think it's a perfectly fine thing to do. Anecdotally, I've heard of people doing things like that for HYS, and it being a factor in them getting an interview/off a waitlist, etc. The schools' alum networks mean a lot to them, so I would think their opinions constitute being at least neutral, if not directly positive.

Hey, I've been wrong before!

[Keilz]

maybe ask on the Spivey thread

[dyebri]

maybe ask on the Spivey thread

He won't even answer if we're in a counter cycle. Good luck!

[Smc1994]

maybe ask on the Spivey thread

He won't even answer if we're in a counter cycle. Good luck!

Shots fired. You do realize that he and his team answer the vast majority of questions, for free, despite having a full client load?

[Leliana]

maybe ask on the Spivey thread

He won't even answer if we're in a counter cycle. Good luck!

Shots fired. You do realize that he and his team answer the vast majority of questions, for free, despite having a full client load?

dyebri was warned in the Spivey thread for harassing them lol.

[Keilz]

spivey already said his thoughts re: counter cycle

[dyebri]

He also presumably made a fake twitter account and spammed every one of their tweets asking if we were in a counter cycle.

Also, spivey already said his thoughts re: counter cycle

What are they

[ornithorynque]

So, who is left here from the "applied in 2016 and haven't heard anything at all" crew? 10/17 here

me. went complete about a week after you

Complete early November here

Still chillin

+1

Applied in late December. Also waiting

Since people who applied in January already heard back about WL/hold, do we think that people who applied in 2016 and haven't heard back are going to get the ding? I completed in late October, losing all hope here... =/

[MrJD2020]

Anyone else who interviewed in February still waiting? And by waiting, I mean praying.

[addie1412]

Anyone else who interviewed in February still waiting? And by waiting, I mean praying.

1/9 interview here and still waiting

[gizmo1024]

Anyone else who interviewed in February still waiting? And by waiting, I mean praying.

Interviewed 2/17. RIP

[MrJD2020]

Anyone else who interviewed in February still waiting? And by waiting, I mean praying.

1/9 interview here and still waiting

Wow. This wait is unbearable. How are you coping? I'm finding it so hard to focus at work, which usually isn't an issue, because I keep refreshing my gmail inbox and this thread/LSN. Waiting is so unbearable that I'm strongly considering pulling my apps at other schools if I hear back from Columbia soon. Columbia is honestly my first choice anyway.