Another letter from SEAS...

<p>I got another email from SEAS this time talking about Industrial Engineering (my intended major). Are they trying to do recruits for SEAS? Anybody else get an email from a graduate of their intended major?</p>

<p>depends on whether you're a hot-sheit candidate. colleges are always trying to recruit the best - even the best colleges.</p>

<p>I got the same E-mail. I figure, they saw the intended major you put down on your application, and had the head of the department write a speal on thier department. Most of it I already knew.</p>

<p>did anybody get a call from a CU student asking if you had any questions?</p>

<p>I got one such call yesterday, and another "unavailable number" called me in the middle of the interview/promoting-CU talk, so I was unable to pick it up, but I assume it was another CU student who was accidentally assigned to me?</p>

<p>I got called by a Seas student, and we talked for half an hour about Columbia, the life, the campus, the engineering program, and the different classes...etc. I had fun talking to him. </p>

<p>The guy asked me if Columbia was my first choice...etc</p>

<p>Did this impact your decision? I am really thinking more about SEAS, especially since they are taking so much time to talk to me. I appreciate their dedication to future students</p>

<p>Agree with the above sentiments.
The letter and call are making me consider Columbia more than before because it really isn't one of my top choices.</p>

<p>calamity_jane, that's probably exactly their intent</p>

<p>At least Columbia cares enough to have current students call prospective students.</p>

<p>
[quote]
At least Columbia cares enough to have current students call prospective students.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is definitely a new thing, and a good thing. It shows that 1) the school itself cares and 2) the students actually care.</p>

<p>If you don't mind me asking, why do you think you guys are getting these letters and calls? What makes you a really strong candidate? I was feeling like I had maybe a little bit of a chance at some of these schools ( I am a NMF, SATs 800/800/760 SATIIs chem 800 math 800 latin and lit 770, I attend a very competive prep school- so I am not number one or two in my class!) but after reading about all these calls and likely letters that people are getting from colleges I am thinking I am not going to get accepted anywhere!!!!! AAUUUGGGHHHHHH....</p>

<p>You applied to SEAS? I honestly am not sure but it probably is your ECs and essay. My SATs were considerably lower than yours.</p>

<p>I did apply to SEAS. I think my ECs were ok, maybe just too ordinary, the radio station, student government, stuff like that, the usual community service. I thought my main essay was pretty good, but it is hard to tell when you don't have others to compare it to.</p>

<p>How were your teachers' and couselor's recommendation letters? Those are very important also. I read one time, the Dean of Admissions of Duke (since they are all top tier schools, I would assume Columbia also has almost the same criteria) actually regards the recommendation letters more important than the personal essays. Also did you show your passion for engineering and science through your curiculum and ECs? </p>

<p>All this highlights the fact that test scores aren't that important because my SAT I scores weren't as high as yours, but my GPA probably made up a little bit.</p>

<p>I took a lot of science and math courses. But I am worried about my recs, I assume they are good, but how can you be sure? The problem with going to a top prep school is that you are going to school with lots of outstanding students, so it is probably hard for the teachers recs to say you were one "the best ever", because I probably was not. I would hope that if a teacher felt they couldn't write you a good rec, that they would tell you to ask someone else.</p>

<p>May I ask what's your race and gender? Sometimes, that can play a role. </p>

<p>But I really think you shouldn't be worrying too much, because most students are admitted without likely letters, and I'm pretty confident from your academics that you'll be accepted to an awesome school.</p>

<p>White/male..... and I know... intellectually that most people get accepted without getting likely letters and phone calls, but on a visceral level I am getting VERY nervous, I think I should stop reading this message board!!! ;)</p>

<p>Anyone else received a phone call from someone saying they're a professor?</p>

<p>I got one yesterday morning from a female prof from SEAS. The connection was kinda crappy, so I couldn't hear what she's a professor of, but she asked me if I had any questions.</p>

<p>I'm not sure if that was merely informational or if that was evaluational (I mean... it was a professor), but if it was the latter, I didn't do so well. My school was gonna start in 10 minutes, so I cut the call short, after 2 shallow questions. </p>

<p>Oh well.</p>

<p>I noticed colleges call whenever they want. MIT called me in the middle of first period! I of course answered it and signaled to my teacher it was a college calling. "Excuse me I have to take this call"</p>

<p>It's not like they're going to know your schedule.</p>