Columbia 2011! Forum

[miracle2011]

I just received a fall grade request email from Columbia. First of all, it seems really strange that they would wait this long to ask me (especially considering I already sent an update to LSAC).

Do you think this is a good or bad sign for being admitted? Also, what sort of impact does this have on when I will hear a decision. I got the impression that this was going to be the last big week for admissions and then mostly WL/rejections after that.

When did you go complete? I think you're one of the first RDers to get the request. Was it through email?

I went complete 12/15, RD, and got a grade request on 1/5. Nothing since then...I took it as a relatively good sign though, at least if your new grades are as good or better as your prior levels.

I am RD went complete late September and got a grade request 1/20. However it was weird because my LSAC said that Columbia had requested my updated grade report on 1/19. Maybe they just have a slow system?

[Confused7]

So maybe their slow system is preventing them for accepting all of us because they haven't gotten our most recent updates yet? And the people who applied on or after us who got their VCEs just happened to have all their info in? .....

[mel2010]

I just wish that they would at least have an NYU-esque "Decision letter sent" status update...I can somewhat understand wanting a more climactic notification than an e-mail, but at least then I wouldn't have to check my mail twice a day every day until potentially April. Bah!

[blanknow]

got my admitted students binder but no VCE? weird...

[starrydreamz3]

got my admitted students binder but no VCE? weird...

Congrats! You're not the first. Maybe some VCEs have been lost.

[c_dubya_s]

got my admitted students binder but no VCE? weird...

Congrats! You're not the first. Maybe some VCEs have been lost.

Location?
Postmark date?
Submit/UR date?

Congrats! And I apologize for badgering you, but I figured I'd get it out of the way.

[jdstl]

I too (St. Louis, submitted mid-October, 4.8 index) got an admitted students binder but no VCE! What is happening?

[Fresh]

I too (St. Louis, submitted mid-October, 4.8 index) got an admitted students binder but no VCE! What is happening?

Maybe they're sending an old school telegram to you?
that would be fun

[ahduth]

I too (St. Louis, submitted mid-October, 4.8 index) got an admitted students binder but no VCE! What is happening?

The letters are being lost by the NYC postal system due to the weather.

[jdstl]

I too (St. Louis, submitted mid-October, 4.8 index) got an admitted students binder but no VCE! What is happening?

The letters are being lost by the NYC postal system due to the weather.

Awesome. Well, I know I'm in but have no idea if I got any scholly. More waiting...

[ahduth]

I too (St. Louis, submitted mid-October, 4.8 index) got an admitted students binder but no VCE! What is happening?

The letters are being lost by the NYC postal system due to the weather.

Awesome. Well, I know I'm in but have no idea if I got any scholly. More waiting...

I'd call the admissions office and ask them about the scholly with that index (phrasing it somewhat politically lol). If you have the binder, it's like... enough with the goofball Ivy League protocol, I need to make a business decision here.

[GinaTheresa]

This comparison of NYU vs Columbia is actually really helpful! Can you guys also start a comparison of NYCity vs Berkeley?

I checked that topic from previous years, but the thread got totally derailed. I don't know much about New York City or Northern CA, and I'm planning to visit both, but just from a quality-of-life standpoint, I'd love to hear other opinions. . . . (please??)

I have lived in Berkeley and now I live in NYC and from a quality of life standpoint Berkeley wins in my book by far. Quality of life there is just great in general. That being said, Columbia was still my first choice and I think its a stronger school than Berkeley (although Berkeley is absolutely a great school). I also find Morningside Heights to be a very livable place and much more mangable than other parts of the city. It's a more family friendly area, a little quieter, safe and great parks so I really enjoy it.
Please PM me if you have specific questions!

Yeah some of the people who came to NYU from northern California had a hard time of it, didn't really like New York at first. Not so much the people from LA though, I dunno. Downtown versus Morningside is definitely a personal preference thing - I like downtown for a lot of very reasons it's not as quiet or family-friendly. I want a lot of bars, clubs, coffeeshops, art galleries, theatres, restaurants, delis, people, people and people. All the noise and activity can be a culture-shock, and some people thrive on it, some people hate it.

edit: NYU is also closer to Brooklyn and all the stuff going on there too.

Great - thank you! I'm in Chicago now, so I'm imagining NYC as pretty similar - just more extreme in every way. Bigger, more snow, more crowded, more crime, etc. But also more to do, and more to see. My impression is that people just go out and do a lot more in NYC than in Chicago. (but I really have no idea.) Berkeley sounds very relaxed and friendly, but I'm not sure I would fit in out in CA. Thanks for your input!

[absolutazn87]

Great - thank you! I'm in Chicago now, so I'm imagining NYC as pretty similar - just more extreme in every way. Bigger, more snow, more crowded, more crime, etc. But also more to do, and more to see. My impression is that people just go out and do a lot more in NYC than in Chicago. (but I really have no idea.) Berkeley sounds very relaxed and friendly, but I'm not sure I would fit in out in CA. Thanks for your input!

NYC is really very different from Chicago. And much less crime, not more.

[ugbadger]

I just received a fall grade request email from Columbia. First of all, it seems really strange that they would wait this long to ask me (especially considering I already sent an update to LSAC).

Do you think this is a good or bad sign for being admitted? Also, what sort of impact does this have on when I will hear a decision. I got the impression that this was going to be the last big week for admissions and then mostly WL/rejections after that.

When did you go complete? I think you're one of the first RDers to get the request. Was it through email?

I went complete on 12/17, and yes I got the request through email.

[ahduth]

Great - thank you! I'm in Chicago now, so I'm imagining NYC as pretty similar - just more extreme in every way. Bigger, more snow, more crowded, more crime, etc. But also more to do, and more to see. My impression is that people just go out and do a lot more in NYC than in Chicago. (but I really have no idea.) Berkeley sounds very relaxed and friendly, but I'm not sure I would fit in out in CA. Thanks for your input!

NYC is really very different from Chicago. And much less crime, not more.

Think a 24 hour Chicago. With more of it. And a subway that goes everywhere (at least in Manhattan) unlike the CTA.

[bistduverrueckt]

Just got my daily mail update: GULC packet but no VCE. My mail is lost theory has officially gone down the drain

[Excellence = a Habit]

Just got my daily mail update: GULC packet but no VCE. My mail is lost theory has officially gone down the drain

I'm sure there's a similar story waiting for me at home. There's still hope for another wave!

[timmna]

It's time for my mailman and I to have a little "chat."

[ahduth]

Just got my daily mail update: GULC packet but no VCE. My mail is lost theory has officially gone down the drain

For the record, I think this GULC-correlation theory or whatever it is, is bunk. When mail gets screwed up, it doesn't get screwed up in some sort of organized, linear fashion. A box gets set aside here, a pickup gets missed. Stuff from out of town gets processed more quickly, because it came via train, versus local stuff that has to both get picked up and sorted locally before it makes it back out. You mail carrier misses an envelope.

Even UPS was losing crap in New York - my sister is haggling with them over a package they admit is just gone.

[arkansawyer]

Just got my daily mail update: GULC packet but no VCE. My mail is lost theory has officially gone down the drain

Got my GULC packet too! No VCE though...

[Excellence = a Habit]

Just got my daily mail update: GULC packet but no VCE. My mail is lost theory has officially gone down the drain

For the record, I think this GULC-correlation theory or whatever it is, is bunk. When mail gets screwed up, it doesn't get screwed up in some sort of organized, linear fashion. A box gets set aside here, a pickup gets missed. Stuff from out of town gets processed more quickly, because it came via train, versus local stuff that has to both get picked up and sorted locally before it makes it back out. You mail carrier misses an envelope.

Even UPS was losing crap in New York - my sister is haggling with them over a package they admit is just gone.

I like what you say. Especially given how many people have received the binder without receiving the VCE.

[bistduverrueckt]

For the record, I think this GULC-correlation theory or whatever it is, is bunk. When mail gets screwed up, it doesn't get screwed up in some sort of organized, linear fashion. A box gets set aside here, a pickup gets missed. Stuff from out of town gets processed more quickly, because it came via train, versus local stuff that has to both get picked up and sorted locally before it makes it back out. You mail carrier misses an envelope.

Even UPS was losing crap in New York - my sister is haggling with them over a package they admit is just gone.

I like what you say. Especially given how many people have received the binder without receiving the VCE.

That's true. Maybe we should all just be hoping for a binder at this point instead.

Also this USPS ridiculousness has me worried my fall grades will never reach LSAC. They were sent out of NYC around the time of the blizzard last week

[jdstl]

In case anyone else has the items arrive separately, I e-mailed and they said the items are sent separately and sometimes one gets lost, wait a week and then call.

[Excellence = a Habit]

In case anyone else has the items arrive separately, I e-mailed and they said the items are sent separately and sometimes one gets lost, wait a week and then call.

Thanks jdstl!!

[law_monkey]

Ugggg I can't check my mail for another couple hours, but I'm sure that at most there will be a GULC packet. I realized what a spoiled brat this process has made me when I got a scholarship from Fordham and I just briefly skimmed the letter and shrugged. Apparently satisfaction for me only comes in the form of a VCE.