<p>I don't really think this question applies to me, but I'm curious if having a family member on staff affects admissions or cost of attendance at all. I'm just wondering because I learned I have a family member who is a director in one of Columbia's departments. I doubt this would affect me, since they're not a professor or a research scientist (I know people who have family members who hold those posts at other universities and they are basically ensured a full ride and leniency in admissions). Is Columbia like that?</p>
<p>It shouldn’t affect admissions, but I think you might get a full ride. I’m not certain, though.</p>
<p>Thanks for that. Maybe I’ll ask the family member. They’ll probably know.</p>
<p>it must, i saw someone on here with a 3.1 gpa and a profile that wasn’t even…ugh. and they got in. i guess it helped that his MOM was on the admissions staff /:</p>
<p>idk, that makes me mad.</p>
<p>Hah, a 3.1 GPA? I have okay stats, but I’m not counting on something like that happening. That’s just unfair. How would someone like that actually survive classes?</p>
<p>i don’t even know. i was just angry that someone with stats like that person was even considered, and then admitted! i mean, how is that fair to the rest of us who bust their asses off to get the most stellar grades that we can?</p>
<p>i think that the most advantageous way you can use someone you know that works at columbia is for them to right a rec letter for you. in any case, good luck to you :)</p>
<p>@wombatlikewoah: It is Ivy. Some things don’t ever change. As progressive as Columbia is, they suffer from the vestigial consciousness of the good ol’ boy network just the same as any other elite does.</p>
<p>yeah, i know, and i’d go even as far to say that it doesn’t just apply to ivies either though. it happens a lot in life.</p>
<p>granted, i can’t do anything about it, but i can whine! haha</p>