Why did Columbia put me on reserve? Forum

[musicfor18]

I'm kind of surprised to have been put on reserve at Columbia, since it seemed that my numbers were probably going to be too low...particularly for this cycle. Any thoughts on why I might be on reserve instead of being rejected right away?

Numbers: 167/3.7
Softs: masters degree, musical performances around the world, teaching experience,

I am not a URM.

[Unitas]

I'm kind of surprised to have been put on reserve at Columbia, since it seemed that my numbers were probably going to be too low...particularly for this cycle. Any thoughts on why I might be on reserve instead of being rejected right away?

Numbers: 167/3.7
Softs: masters degree, musical performances around the world, teaching experience,

Being as they have holds and reserve it may be more a soft rejection... Try, but don't expect much.
It is way better than a rejection, but a long way to an accept.

[DeSilentio2728]

I'm kind of surprised to have been put on reserve at Columbia, since it seemed that my numbers were probably going to be too low...particularly for this cycle. Any thoughts on why I might be on reserve instead of being rejected right away?

Numbers: 167/3.7
Softs: masters degree, musical performances around the world, teaching experience,

They need a bench player. They'll call you into the game when somebody else gets hurt or needs a rest.

[musicfor18]

Yeah, I certainly don't have much expectation that I'll be admitted...but they did reject people.

[Ragged]

In any case, now you get to tell people that Columbia didn't reject you right away - an accomplishment in itself.


It is wierd how the stats range for people Held/Reserve/WL at CLS.

From what I read a hold is better than WL, but how does a hold compare to reserve and deffered?

[Unitas]

In any case, now you get to tell people that Columbia didn't reject you right away - an accomplishment in itself.


It is wierd how the stats range for people Held/Reserve/WL at CLS.

From what I read a hold is better than WL, but how does a hold compare to reserve and deffered?

Reserve = WL at Columbia... Deferred is more like a hold, probably the same.

[BaiAilian2013]

^reserve = waitlist
deferred = we don't feel like accepting you ED, but we'll put you in the RD pool
hold = we refuse to make a decision just yet but we feel we owe you some communication since we've been sitting on your app for so long

[T14_Scholly]

YP.

[musicfor18]

In any case, now you get to tell people that Columbia didn't reject you right away - an accomplishment in itself.


It is wierd how the stats range for people Held/Reserve/WL at CLS.

From what I read a hold is better than WL, but how does a hold compare to reserve and deffered?

Those who are "held" are told they'll receive a final decision by April 30. It seems that they're often asked to submit extra materials, as well.

Those who in the "reserve group" are told that their file will be reviewed again at the end of May (at the earliest).

[musicfor18]

YP.

Yeah, right! I was YP'd at Columbia. Very funny!

[jl2032]

^reserve = waitlist
deferred = we don't feel like accepting you ED, but we'll put you in the RD pool
hold = we refuse to make a decision just yet but we feel we owe you some communication since we've been sitting on your app for so long

FWIW, I was held right away. So, my app wasn't sitting around for too long. I took it to mean there was something missing on my app, and if I could just find out what they want, it could put me over the top.

[gmail]

Columbia put you on reserve b/c they knew you would write about it on the internet and give a sliver of false hope to prospective applicants with your numbers who aren't black/hispanic and thus actually don't have a chance in hell but do have $80 for the application fee.

[musicfor18]

Columbia put you on reserve b/c they knew you would write about it on the internet and give a sliver of false hope to prospective applicants with your numbers who aren't black/hispanic and thus actually don't have a chance in hell but do have $80 for the application fee.

Haha! By the way, I am not a URM of any kind. I should have mentioned that in my original post.

[AngryAvocado]

Columbia put you on reserve b/c they knew you would write about it on the internet and give a sliver of false hope to prospective applicants with your numbers who aren't black/hispanic and thus actually don't have a chance in hell but do have $80 for the application fee.

Probably more likely than people think. Schools risk absolutely nothing by WL/reserving people, so don't read too much into it--especially at CLS where there is Accept->Held (long shot)->Reserve (soft rejection)-> Rejection.

[Integrity]

I'm going to take the less cynical approach and postulate that they found your overall applications materials to be superior!

[stratocophic]

I'm going to take the less cynical approach and postulate that they found your overall applications materials to be superior!

Obviously they're lacking in the world-class musician department this year. Given that Columbia's the school in question, I'm not even being snarky with that comment.

[gmail]

I'm going to take the less cynical approach and postulate that they found your overall applications materials to be superior!

http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2009/0 ... oombergcom

Someone's gotta help 'em out.

[musicfor18]

These are all interesting points.

[Integrity]

Heck, I'm a non-URM 4.0/158...why did they defer me from ED when others with better numbers were flat-out rejected? I'd die for a waitlist at this point...(haven't received final decision yet).

[jl2032]

I went a little overboard when i was held. I sent a LOCI and I had my recommenders re-do their LOR's.

[musicfor18]

I went a little overboard when i was held. I sent a LOCI and I had my recommenders re-do their LOR's.

And were you admitted?

[blue5385]

I'm kind of surprised to have been put on reserve at Columbia, since it seemed that my numbers were probably going to be too low...particularly for this cycle. Any thoughts on why I might be on reserve instead of being rejected right away?

Numbers: 167/3.7
Softs: masters degree, musical performances around the world, teaching experience,

I am not a URM.

Because your softs are interesting, and they haven't yet admitted someone with similar ones, so they want to keep you around to see if they will eventually have room for you?

I'm on the side of the less cynical people ITT, I'm starting to believe that LS isn't a total numbers game.

[jl2032]

No, I was just held. I told my extra recommender to send in his letter, and then my boss offered to rewrite his letter too. So, I took him up on it.

Let's see how this goes. I think my LOCI was good.

Whatever happens now, at least I'll know I tried everything.

[PDaddy]

I went a little overboard when i was held. I sent a LOCI and I had my recommenders re-do their LOR's.

And were you admitted?

That was an ok response. It showed them that you were interested. You were making your case.

[AngryAvocado]

I'm kind of surprised to have been put on reserve at Columbia, since it seemed that my numbers were probably going to be too low...particularly for this cycle. Any thoughts on why I might be on reserve instead of being rejected right away?

Numbers: 167/3.7
Softs: masters degree, musical performances around the world, teaching experience,

I am not a URM.

Because your softs are interesting, and they haven't yet admitted someone with similar ones, so they want to keep you around to see if they will eventually have room for you?

I'm on the side of the less cynical people ITT, I'm starting to believe that LS isn't a total numbers game.

I'm one of the cynics, but it's directed toward this tactic and not the numbers game (I actually think softs and essays matter a lot more than TLS gives them credit for). I just think people are reading far too much into this "hold/reserve hundreds of applicants" business. Check previous cycles and see how many holds they end up taking--let alone reserves--and notice how the very few that actually make it have competitive numbers anyhow.

Bottom line: I think it's sort of a clever tactic by CLS (and they're not alone in this) to take away a bit of the sting and leave people with a more favorable attitude towards the school. Oh yeah, it also helps them appear more "holistic" when people come on boards like this and post about how surprised they were not to get rejected. The school loses nothing by doing it, and potentially gains reputation points with a bunch of future lawyers.