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

[MC819]

anyone know through what mechanism RD hears about decisions (email, phone call, mail, status checker, etc.)?

thanks!

mail for all acceptances

[xylocarp]

anyone know through what mechanism RD hears about decisions (email, phone call, mail, status checker, etc.)?

thanks!

mail for all acceptances

last cycle they started doing email acceptances later in the cycle, though that's not relevant for us now

[ChemEng1642]

anyone know through what mechanism RD hears about decisions (email, phone call, mail, status checker, etc.)?

thanks!

For acceptances I believe it is snail mail?

I think they switch to email towards the end of the cycle though

[twitterati]

My interview was super relaxed and conversational. We talked a lot about the programs at Columbia and not so much about my own application. I got the sense that they were gauging whether I would attend. The answer is -- YESSSSSSSSSSSS.

They also mentioned they're going to try really hard to get decisions out within two weeks!! PM me if you have any other questions.

[hillz]

My interview was really nice, too. We spent about half of the time talking about me and the other half talking about specific programs/opportunities Columbia offers that fit with my interests. PM if you want more info.

[ejoung93]

My interview was super relaxed and conversational. We talked a lot about the programs at Columbia and not so much about my own application. I got the sense that they were gauging whether I would attend. The answer is -- YESSSSSSSSSSSS.

They also mentioned they're going to try really hard to get decisions out within two weeks!! PM me if you have any other questions.

Same for me, for example after asking me what I was looking for in a law school, she proceeded to explain how Columbia fit each of my requirements. Incredibly nice interviewer, much much much more conversational than Chicago, also feel free to PM me for other questions.

[gentlemanscholar]

Interviewed earlier today. It was pretty conversational but still business like and efficient. I had Danielle Flores. She said that their target timeline for decisions is to mail them two weeks from the date of interviews. No tough questions or anything; just generic resume items and an obligatory "why NYC/why Columbia." She gave me an opportunity to ask questions at the end.

I'm hoping these interviews are similar to the UVA interviews insofar as they operate as screeners for likely admits, but we'll know soon enough.

[Kip]

"Decisions mailed two weeks from the time of interview" sounds like interviewing is a prerequisite for acceptance, though I know the conventional wisdom on this thread is that that's not true. I wonder if CLS is transitioning to a broader interview program than in years past.

[xylocarp]

"Decisions mailed two weeks from the time of interview" sounds like interviewing is a prerequisite for acceptance, though I know the conventional wisdom on this thread is that that's not true. I wonder if CLS is transitioning to a broader interview program than in years past.

they might be, but the two week timeline is the same as last year, and last year tons of people were admitted w/o interviewing

[LoganCouture]

I'm hoping these interviews are similar to the UVA interviews insofar as they operate as screeners for likely admits, but we'll know soon enough.

I'm hoping they're like the UVA interviews in that it's possible to be admitted without doing one.

[xylocarp]

I'm hoping these interviews are similar to the UVA interviews insofar as they operate as screeners for likely admits, but we'll know soon enough.

I'm hoping they're like the UVA interviews in that it's possible to be admitted without doing one.

LC your Hamilton is probably in the mail

[LoganCouture]

I'm hoping these interviews are similar to the UVA interviews insofar as they operate as screeners for likely admits, but we'll know soon enough.

I'm hoping they're like the UVA interviews in that it's possible to be admitted without doing one.

LC your Hamilton is probably in the mail

Thanks haha. Do you know when the first interview slots were? Wondering when 2 weeks from that date is so I can obsess about the mailbox.

[Four Winds]

Thanks haha. Do you know when the first interview slots were? Wondering when 2 weeks from that date is so I can obsess about the mailbox.

Pretty sure the first slots were on January 6th.

[xylocarp]

the first reported RD interview was on december 31. nobody mentioned the two week thing until yesterday though I don't think.

[LoganCouture]

Thanks haha. Do you know when the first interview slots were? Wondering when 2 weeks from that date is so I can obsess about the mailbox.

Pretty sure the first slots were on January 6th.

Ah ok thank you. So we'll see first decisions around the same time as last year I'm guessing.

[bobleman300]

I was part of the first wave of interview invites on Dec 31 but I think that the first date to sign up was Jan 6th. The first wave people did not all get to sign up for an interview either so they opened up slots for next week.

Last year I believe the people who got in on the first day of mailed acceptances were not interviewees, most of them waited until roughly 2 weeks after their interview.

[Kobaine51]

My sense is that they are doing far more interviews this year, and that they are going to be staggered by complete date. Consequently I think that acceptances are going to come out later for most applicants than in previous years. The reason I think that is my sense that all of the previous interviews were really early complete dates (thinking that it's unlikely that they will ONLY interview early complete dates), so another wave of interviews are coming. Could be wrong tho.

[jlwx]

For those who had your interview, do you recall who conducted it?

[LoganCouture]

My sense is that they are doing far more interviews this year, and that they are going to be staggered by complete date. Consequently I think that acceptances are going to come out later for most applicants than in previous years. The reason I think that is my sense that all of the previous interviews were really early complete dates (thinking that it's unlikely that they will ONLY interview early complete dates), so another wave of interviews are coming. Could be wrong tho.

I don't think they've only extended invitations to really early complete dates, October through late Nov completes have gotten the request IIRC. I think you are right that more waves will come, I'm just pondering if those Sep/Oct/Nov completes who were skipped over last round will get them or if they'll move on to Dec/Jan completes.

[middlebear]

My sense is that they are doing far more interviews this year, and that they are going to be staggered by complete date. Consequently I think that acceptances are going to come out later for most applicants than in previous years. The reason I think that is my sense that all of the previous interviews were really early complete dates (thinking that it's unlikely that they will ONLY interview early complete dates), so another wave of interviews are coming. Could be wrong tho.

I think even if the number of interviews was constant they would still start with early complete dates and move chronologically--I'm sure there will be more waves, even if there isn't a big increase in interviews over previous years.

[ChemEng1642]

Completely unrelated to anything but this is great:

COLUMBIA GASTRONOMY SOCIETY
The Columbia Gastronomy Society is the student group dedicated to the art and science of food and cooking. Through a variety of tastings, formal dinners, casual outings, talks by chefs and other food connoisseurs, cooking competitions, and trips to farmers’ markets, members of this group come together over their love of good food.

mmmmmmm

[whompwhomp]

Completely unrelated to anything but this is great:

COLUMBIA GASTRONOMY SOCIETY
The Columbia Gastronomy Society is the student group dedicated to the art and science of food and cooking. Through a variety of tastings, formal dinners, casual outings, talks by chefs and other food connoisseurs, cooking competitions, and trips to farmers’ markets, members of this group come together over their love of good food.

mmmmmmm

oh la la, gotta add this to my "Why Columbia" ;D

[JohnnyHop]

My guess is that the first wave of admits will be roughly the same time as last year and include people who both interviewed and didn't interview. Reading through the thread last year, it looks like they started interviews around the same time as people got admitted, and I think they are consciously avoiding making a bunch of people wait a lot longer just because they were selected to do an interview.

[bmo]

the first reported RD interview was on december 31. nobody mentioned the two week thing until yesterday though I don't think.

I went on Dec 31 but I don't think I count as earlier than Jan 6. I saw Dec 31 open when I registered and so I went ahead and signed up for that day to avoid taking off work. It was only after the interview that I saw in the email, "Please make an appointment between Jan 6 and Jan 15."

[ub3r]

My app has been at "Completion Pending" for over a week now