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

[lawapp1]

...

[Skool]

Does anyone know why this is/know more about the fellowship? Also, would people say it's the Columbia RTK equivalent? And if so, better or worse than RTK?

I think RTK has a mandatory public service commitment after graduation and, from the description above, this program does not. That sounds like a major difference.

RTK comes with a "moral obligation" to repay the money if you don't work in public interest for 10 years.

In addition, the faculty mentor thing sounds like a difference between RTK (not that an RTK can't easily use the program to establish mentors in the school).

I also think that RTK has several generations of members, with an established reputation and school community. Not that Columbia can't/won't eventually have that, but for anyone considering the merits of the two, it's something to keep in mind.

[chipofftheoldblock]

Congratulations on the Columbia Public Interest Fellowship.

I graduated from NYU a couple of years ago, and though I wasn't RTK, I knew a few and learned a little about the program.

The RTK comes w/ a 10 yr "moral" commitment to do PI work, so I don't think it's enforceable if you break into corporate work (though it would be highly insensitive to do so given its mission, and the benefits provided to the scholars). If you're set on PI work, Columbia's program may offer the advantage of a smaller group size and thus more specialized attention - the RTK program has somewhere between 14-20 people/class if I recall correctly. But the mentorship RTK scholars received still seemed very extensive. Also, the RTK name carries a strong name-brand recognition in the PI community, and a large alumni base that's spread across the entire PI spectrum. Columbia's program is newer I believe, and would seemingly offer fewer alumni networking advantages.

RTK scholars tend to do extremely well in securing amazing jobs, though the extent to which this is due to the "RTK" brand itself is questionable. Nearly all RTKs turned down at least one of HYS, so at least some significant part of their success may just be due to self-selection (i.e., already high achieving people w/ PI backgrounds who would make it far no matter where they went). I imagine those receiving the Columbia fellowship are similarly credentialed, and would probably be equally competitive for any PI job.

I don't know how/if RTK has changed - but if you apply for it and get it (which doesn't seem unreasonable given your admissions outcomes this cycle) you should speak to as many scholars from both schools as possible to get a better sense of which program is better suited to your personality and goals.

[w0w]

From what I understand of RTK if you do not do 10 years of PI you are morally obligated to pay the scholarship back in full. Which to me is a bit different than being morally obligated to work in PI.

[Skool]

I'm not sure if it matters to some people here, but not every RTK scholarship requires you work for ten years in PI. Some have slightly shorter commitments.

[butSeriously]

For those mere mortals of us just looking for acceptance, are we at the point in the cycle where we start seeing mixed decisions (e.g. waitlists, deinals)?

[w0w]

For those mere mortals of us just looking for acceptance, are we at the point in the cycle where we start seeing mixed decisions (e.g. waitlists, deinals)?

Wondering this too.

[Comma.Split]

For those mere mortals of us just looking for acceptance, are we at the point in the cycle where we start seeing mixed decisions (e.g. waitlists, deinals)?

Wondering this too.

According to this http://mylsn.info/d/columbia/1314-NoED/ the answer is yes. There are very few WL and no Dings in January, but quite a few of both in Feb.

[ChemEng1642]

IN at Columbia with a Butler!!

Letter came in the mail today - post marked 1/28!

[RSN]

IN at Columbia with a Butler!!

Letter came in the mail today - post marked 1/28!

Congrats!

Did you interview, or nothing since complete?

[ChemEng1642]

IN at Columbia with a Butler!!

Letter came in the mail today - post marked 1/28!

Congrats!

Did you interview, or nothing since complete?

Interviewed 1/16!

My GPA is a 3.6X fyi so for those of you with that GPA range you can get a named scholarship too!

[ErgoSum]

IN at Columbia with a Butler!!

Letter came in the mail today - post marked 1/28!

WOOOOO! Congratulations!

[ChemEng1642]

IN at Columbia with a Butler!!

Letter came in the mail today - post marked 1/28!

WOOOOO! Congratulations!

Thankssss!

[ub3r]

Columbia, which was shaping up to be one of my favorite schools on my list, is becoming my biggest point of concern.

I applied 1/7, got my confirmation email and login info the next day, and I've been "Completion Pending" ever since, despite all my boxes being checked.

I emailed them about it after the two week processing grace period, and got a reply the next day that may or may not have been an automated coincidence. Apparently they need my study abroad transcript, which I take some responsibility for since they do mention it on their website even though it's not listed on LSAC. But my study abroad classes were pass/fail and are listed on my main undergrad transcript, which means there is no study abroad transcript and I should be good to go. I emailed them about it January 26 explaining as much.

Worried, I called them the next day, despite the fact that they don't really want people calling about application updates. Apologizing to the person on the phone, she said it was okay, and that it was good that I emailed them the day before, and, after hearing my situation, said she was making a note on my profile and everything should be fine.

But here I am, still "Completion Pending". I'm mostly terrified that they've put me into a "too much of a hassle" pile and now I'm going to get looked at in the last possible wave despite applying nearly a month ago.

Do you think it's at all worth it to call or email them again tomorrow? My numbers are solid for Columbia and I don't even care when I hear from them; I just want to have my application marked as complete and under review. But at the same time I don't want to turn into "that guy" who becomes a bother.

PS: I had the same issue with Stanford, but after I emailed them about it they replied immediately and gave my application the completed status. So there shouldn't be any real problem with my credentials.

PPS: I do know how crazy and anxious I sound. I'm never like this, but I love Columbia and this red tape issue is really stressing me out.

[jbagelboy]

Columbia, which was shaping up to be one of my favorite schools on my list, is becoming my biggest point of concern.

I applied 1/7, got my confirmation email and login info the next day, and I've been "Completion Pending" ever since, despite all my boxes being checked.

I emailed them about it after the two week processing grace period, and got a reply the next day that may or may not have been an automated coincidence. Apparently they need my study abroad transcript, which I take some responsibility for since they do mention it on their website even though it's not listed on LSAC. But my study abroad classes were pass/fail and are listed on my main undergrad transcript, which means there is no study abroad transcript and I should be good to go. I emailed them about it January 26 explaining as much.

Worried, I called them the next day, despite the fact that they don't really want people calling about application updates. Apologizing to the person on the phone, she said it was okay, and that it was good that I emailed them the day before, and, after hearing my situation, said she was making a note on my profile and everything should be fine.

But here I am, still "Completion Pending". I'm mostly terrified that they've put me into a "too much of a hassle" pile and now I'm going to get looked at in the last possible wave despite applying nearly a month ago.

Do you think it's at all worth it to call or email them again tomorrow? My numbers are solid for Columbia and I don't even care when I hear from them; I just want to have my application marked as complete and under review. But at the same time I don't want to turn into "that guy" who becomes a bother.

PS: I had the same issue with Stanford, but after I emailed them about it they replied immediately and gave my application the completed status. So there shouldn't be any real problem with my credentials.

PPS: I do know how crazy and anxious I sound. I'm never like this, but I love Columbia and this red tape issue is really stressing me out.

Calm down. It's going to be fine. They have thousands if not tens of thousands of applications right now. They'll fix your status and you'll most likely be admitted. No need to call again, I promise you.

[ub3r]

Thanks man. I really needed to hear that. That's what I'm going to do.

[Comma.Split]

Columbia, which was shaping up to be one of my favorite schools on my list, is becoming my biggest point of concern.

I applied 1/7, got my confirmation email and login info the next day, and I've been "Completion Pending" ever since, despite all my boxes being checked.

I emailed them about it after the two week processing grace period, and got a reply the next day that may or may not have been an automated coincidence. Apparently they need my study abroad transcript, which I take some responsibility for since they do mention it on their website even though it's not listed on LSAC. But my study abroad classes were pass/fail and are listed on my main undergrad transcript, which means there is no study abroad transcript and I should be good to go. I emailed them about it January 26 explaining as much.

Worried, I called them the next day, despite the fact that they don't really want people calling about application updates. Apologizing to the person on the phone, she said it was okay, and that it was good that I emailed them the day before, and, after hearing my situation, said she was making a note on my profile and everything should be fine.

But here I am, still "Completion Pending". I'm mostly terrified that they've put me into a "too much of a hassle" pile and now I'm going to get looked at in the last possible wave despite applying nearly a month ago.

Do you think it's at all worth it to call or email them again tomorrow? My numbers are solid for Columbia and I don't even care when I hear from them; I just want to have my application marked as complete and under review. But at the same time I don't want to turn into "that guy" who becomes a bother.

PS: I had the same issue with Stanford, but after I emailed them about it they replied immediately and gave my application the completed status. So there shouldn't be any real problem with my credentials.

PPS: I do know how crazy and anxious I sound. I'm never like this, but I love Columbia and this red tape issue is really stressing me out.

Are you sure it was the 27th when you called? I was under the impression that Columbia was closed on the 27th due to snowstorm. In any case, it has been 4 days -- give them more time. You can't really expect your app to go to Complete in under 4 days. It takes up to two weeks. If nothing changes by next Monday, then give them a call. Right now, you are only going to piss them off, and that is the last thing you want to do.

[pylon]

Congratulations ChemEng!!

[aibohphobia]

In via email today! Interviewed last week. Interview only made me like the school even more so this was an exciting day

[tk17]

IN at Columbia with a Butler!!

Letter came in the mail today - post marked 1/28!

In via email today! Interviewed last week. Interview only made me like the school even more so this was an exciting day

Congrats to both of you!!

[R. Jeeves]

so only one TLSer got in via email today? seems kinda weird.

[w0w]

IN at Columbia with a Butler!!

Letter came in the mail today - post marked 1/28!

Grrr, I have already spent way too much time stalking my mailman. I'm about to just give him my number and ask him to please call me when I get something from Columbia.

[ChemEng1642]

Congratulations ChemEng!!

Congrats to both of you!!

Thanks!!

Grrr, I have already spent way too much time stalking my mailman. I'm about to just give him my number and ask him to please call me when I get something from Columbia.

Man if that were an option I would be all over it

[wonka]

Sorry if this has been discussed already, but what's the consensus on interviews? Have virtually all admits been asked to interview? Submitted 1/1, radio silence since. . .

[tk17]

Sorry if this has been discussed already, but what's the consensus on interviews? Have virtually all admits been asked to interview? Submitted 1/1, radio silence since. . .

There's a consensus on interviews a few pages back. It's before admits started, but not much before that.