Columbia c/o 2021 Applicants Thread (2017-2018) Forum

[principalagent]

Did you guys tailor your PS to Columbia?

I didn't, because my personal statement already spoke to the specific questions Columbia asked, even if not so explicitly.

[kiklavan]

Did you guys tailor your PS to Columbia?

I didn't, because my personal statement already spoke to the specific questions Columbia asked, even if not so explicitly.

Same here. But I didn't even use the word "Columbia" in my PS and now for some reason that's making me uncomfortable

[Aspire]

I tailored a paragraph to specifically mention Columbia and how the program fits my goals, mentioning a few clinics I am interested in, etc.

[sev]

I didn't mention Columbia. Probably a mistake, but I couldn't come up with anything that would fit without ruining the flow.

[dietcoked]

Checking in - I tailored my PS and wrote a Why Columbia bc what the hell is another one.

[Slippin' Jimmy]

I didn't mention Columbia. Probably a mistake, but I couldn't come up with anything that would fit without ruining the flow.

Once you get into the T6 it becomes less necessary to tailor your PS or write a Why X since its pretty self explanatory why you want to go there.

[kiklavan]

I didn't mention Columbia. Probably a mistake, but I couldn't come up with anything that would fit without ruining the flow.

Once you get into the T6 it becomes less necessary to tailor your PS or write a Why X since its pretty self explanatory why you want to go there.

This was my mentality as well but you don’t think Columbia’s prompt calls for this?

[15atay]

I didn't mention Columbia. Probably a mistake, but I couldn't come up with anything that would fit without ruining the flow.

Once you get into the T6 it becomes less necessary to tailor your PS or write a Why X since its pretty self explanatory why you want to go there.

This was my mentality as well but you don’t think Columbia’s prompt calls for this?

The prompt does call for it and they usually ask why Columbia during interviews so it seems to be something they want to know.

[tinycatfriend]

I didn't mention Columbia. Probably a mistake, but I couldn't come up with anything that would fit without ruining the flow.

Once you get into the T6 it becomes less necessary to tailor your PS or write a Why X since its pretty self explanatory why you want to go there.

This was my mentality as well but you don’t think Columbia’s prompt calls for this?

The prompt does call for it and they usually ask why Columbia during interviews so it seems to be something they want to know.

I didn't because it would have messed up the style of my PS but I did write a separate why Columbia and send it in.

[JosephFourier]

What kind of questions do they ask in the interview other than why Columbia? Apologies if I missed earlier comments about this.

[sev]

The prompt does call for it and they usually ask why Columbia during interviews so it seems to be something they want to know.

Not really the way I read it. It's more of "what can you contribute to Columbia?" not "why do you want to go to Columbia?":

[kiklavan]

The prompt does call for it and they usually ask why Columbia during interviews so it seems to be something they want to know.

Not really the way I read it. It's more of "what can you contribute to Columbia?" not "why do you want to go to Columbia?":

Also it’s worth mentioning that on their actual website page where they discuss application components the prompt sounds completely different and generic.

[ToddCraines]

Checking in after interview, mine went horribly and I think I'm a borderline case so we will see!

[austinlove]

Here’s to hoping!

[LawSSS]

The prompt does call for it and they usually ask why Columbia during interviews so it seems to be something they want to know.

Not really the way I read it. It's more of "what can you contribute to Columbia?" not "why do you want to go to Columbia?":

Also it’s worth mentioning that on their actual website page where they discuss application components the prompt sounds completely different and generic.

I went to an early information session over the summer and the speaker specifically said over and over again that they want a PS (or a PS & another statement) that says why you want to go to law school, and specifically why Columbia Law. She said they often they get statements that leave no indication as to why the person is going to law school and why columbia specifically, and this was a problem. She seemed to be indicating that this recurring problem was one of the reasons they altered the prompt this year to direct students to discuss why Columbia/why law specifically somewhere in their PS (or other materials). Just my two cents.

[kiklavan]

The prompt does call for it and they usually ask why Columbia during interviews so it seems to be something they want to know.

Not really the way I read it. It's more of "what can you contribute to Columbia?" not "why do you want to go to Columbia?":

Also it’s worth mentioning that on their actual website page where they discuss application components the prompt sounds completely different and generic.

I went to an early information session over the summer and the speaker specifically said over and over again that they want a PS (or a PS & another statement) that says why you want to go to law school, and specifically why Columbia Law. She said they often they get statements that leave no indication as to why the person is going to law school and why columbia specifically, and this was a problem. She seemed to be indicating that this recurring problem was one of the reasons they altered the prompt this year to direct students to discuss why Columbia/why law specifically somewhere in their PS (or other materials). Just my two cents.

My personal statement explicitly states why I want to go to law school. The whole thing is about why. But I don’t talk about Columbia. Based on what you heard, would you in my position submit a why Columbia or revise the statement?

[LawSSS]

The prompt does call for it and they usually ask why Columbia during interviews so it seems to be something they want to know.

Not really the way I read it. It's more of "what can you contribute to Columbia?" not "why do you want to go to Columbia?":

Also it’s worth mentioning that on their actual website page where they discuss application components the prompt sounds completely different and generic.

I went to an early information session over the summer and the speaker specifically said over and over again that they want a PS (or a PS & another statement) that says why you want to go to law school, and specifically why Columbia Law. She said they often they get statements that leave no indication as to why the person is going to law school and why columbia specifically, and this was a problem. She seemed to be indicating that this recurring problem was one of the reasons they altered the prompt this year to direct students to discuss why Columbia/why law specifically somewhere in their PS (or other materials). Just my two cents.

My personal statement explicitly states why I want to go to law school. The whole thing is about why. But I don’t talk about Columbia. Based on what you heard, would you in my position submit a why Columbia or revise the statement?

My thinking is that if your numbers are strong for Columbia, then you are probably going to get an interview request or admit anyway. I'm sure plenty of people did not submit anything that explained why columbia. You may not need it. If you are borderline, submitting a why columbia may be a good idea (1 page max). Have you already sent in your app? If you did, maybe have one ready in case of waitlist. I did submit a Why Columbia statement, and I personally encourage others to do so, but my advice goes against conventional wisdom around TLS for the T6. This cycle also has many more 170s in the applicant pool than last, so a Why Columbia is not a bad way to show from the onset that you did your homework. Esp. considering this is something they have an eye out for.

[monsterc_]

I know this was discussed earlier in the cycle, but interested to hear recent opinions on whether or not a lack of interview request is a kiss of death this year. Its clear they're trying to interview many more candidates than in the past but not sure whether I have a skewed picture of how many interview requests are actually going out since I'm basing it on TLS.

[kiklavan]

The prompt does call for it and they usually ask why Columbia during interviews so it seems to be something they want to know.

Not really the way I read it. It's more of "what can you contribute to Columbia?" not "why do you want to go to Columbia?":

Also it’s worth mentioning that on their actual website page where they discuss application components the prompt sounds completely different and generic.

I went to an early information session over the summer and the speaker specifically said over and over again that they want a PS (or a PS & another statement) that says why you want to go to law school, and specifically why Columbia Law. She said they often they get statements that leave no indication as to why the person is going to law school and why columbia specifically, and this was a problem. She seemed to be indicating that this recurring problem was one of the reasons they altered the prompt this year to direct students to discuss why Columbia/why law specifically somewhere in their PS (or other materials). Just my two cents.

My personal statement explicitly states why I want to go to law school. The whole thing is about why. But I don’t talk about Columbia. Based on what you heard, would you in my position submit a why Columbia or revise the statement?

My thinking is that if your numbers are strong for Columbia, then you are probably going to get an interview request or admit anyway. I'm sure plenty of people did not submit anything that explained why columbia. You may not need it. If you are borderline, submitting a why columbia may be a good idea (1 page max). Have you already sent in your app? If you did, maybe have one ready in case of waitlist. I did submit a Why Columbia statement, and I personally encourage others to do so, but my advice goes against conventional wisdom around TLS for the T6. This cycle also has many more 170s in the applicant pool than last, so a Why Columbia is not a bad way to show from the onset that you did your homework. Esp. considering this is something they have an eye out for.

Yeah, I already sent it in. Fuck idk what to do.

I was truthfully expecting a waitlist or ding anyway. Not sure if it’s worth submitting a why statement now or holding off.

[LawSSS]

Yeah, I already sent it in. I’m GPA > 75 and LSAT ~25. Fuck idk what to do.

I was truthfully expecting a waitlist or ding anyway. Not sure if it’s worth submitting a why statement now or holding off.

I did not mean to freak you out, sorry! I wouldn't worry too much yet. Maybe wait to see what January brings, before deciding?

[kiklavan]

Yeah, I already sent it in. I’m GPA > 75 and LSAT ~25. Fuck idk what to do.

I was truthfully expecting a waitlist or ding anyway. Not sure if it’s worth submitting a why statement now or holding off.

I did not mean to freak you out, sorry! I wouldn't worry too much yet. Maybe wait to see what January brings, before deciding?

It’s okay hopefully I’m just overthinking it

[jkander31]

Since Columbia does not offer status updates, should I be concerned that it's been 9 weeks and I haven't heard back with respect to a decision being made?

[38981928]

Since Columbia does not offer status updates, should I be concerned that it's been 9 weeks and I haven't heard back with respect to a decision being made?

I don't think anyone who's RD has heard back yet, beyond maybe an interview request (and they kind of just do that randomly).

[maybeman]

Since Columbia does not offer status updates, should I be concerned that it's been 9 weeks and I haven't heard back with respect to a decision being made?

I don't think anyone who's RD has heard back yet, beyond maybe an interview request (and they kind of just do that randomly).

I'm RD and had an interview last month. I was told that the earliest wave will be mid-late jan, so no need to worry

[jkander31]

Since Columbia does not offer status updates, should I be concerned that it's been 9 weeks and I haven't heard back with respect to a decision being made?

I don't think anyone who's RD has heard back yet, beyond maybe an interview request (and they kind of just do that randomly).

I'm RD and had an interview last month. I was told that the earliest wave will be mid-late jan, so no need to worry

Thank you brodie!