<p>In theory, the earlier you submitted your complete application, the sooner you should hear back from them. I had all of my stuff in by February 3rd, and I have not heard anything yet. I have no idea how many people submitted earlier than that. I suppose it’s possible that there are hundreds of applicants out there somewhere who had everything done by Christmas who’ve already been accepted.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve had my app stuff in since November! I figured the early bird gets the worm, but…we’re not birds. I guess we’ll all have to play the waiting game. Best of luck!! Let us know when you hear, and I’ll do the same.</p>
<p>Has anyone been asked for an interview?</p>
<p>For anyone who’s been through this before or who knows the inner-workings of what’s entailed:</p>
<p>When Admissions tells you that your application is currently “under review,” what sort of time frame should you expect in terms of receiving a decision?</p>
<p>Does anyone know if you have to do something spectacular on your year off? Or if a year isn’t enough? I get the impression that GS is comprised of military veterans, people with children, or actors/dancers. I’m none of those things.</p>
<p>Just show an interest in the program, have a stellar (recent) academic record, and write an essay that speaks to both your past and your desire to attend Columbia (try to mention the core). If you can demonstrate these things you will have a decent shot at getting accepted. </p>
<p>An undergraduate education at Columbia is both rigorous and extremely competitive. As such, the admissions committee, through the application process, is trying to gauge whether a prospective student can handle both the workload, and the completive academic milieu that the University engenders. The adcoms do not have a standard traditional rubric for measuring a student’s potential at Columbia, as many GS students have very non-traditional paths to Columbia. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>@tsar: thanks for your input. you seem like you know what you’re talking about. anybody on the edge of their seats awaiting admissions decisions?</p>
<p>@jmlstern: good question. Mine is under review as well. Any of the more experienced users got an idea?</p>
<p>@CA0823 Thanks for the heads up. The recommendations finally surfaced on the 12th and 13th, if that helps anyone else. Both were postmarked by the 1st according to the professors.</p>
<p>Have not heard anything official, and Barnard and NYU reg decisions are coming up. My safety school down here (USF) is already wanting me to schedule orientations, but I was awarded a transfer excellence scholarship with them. 
I had my app for them in during winter break.</p>
<p>Best of luck as always, friends.</p>
<p>@afazchas: congrats on USF! I’m currently in school in FLA but have only applied for transfer to schools in NYC – that’s where I want to be (Columbia specifically)! </p>
<p>I got a call this morning from Admissions (an “unknown” number, FYI), which set my nerves off, but they just were calling to reply to a question of technicality that I had posed to them via email last week. Sheesh! I’m glad they called me back, but they almost gave me a heart attack. Very anxious to hear back, as I’m sure we all are. Best of luck everyone! Keep us posted on any developments.</p>
<p>Does anybody know how many applicants there are?</p>
<p>Hello, new poster. I applied to Gs and my application was completed by March 1st deadline. I called last week and spoke to a GS advisor, she was very eloquent and serene and stated that the office hopes to send out the mail by USPS sometime this week or next week. If you live in the NYC area you should receive the mail within 2-3 business days, outside 3-7 =(! </p>
<p>To ca0823: After checking college board last year 1,7xx applied, 759 were admitted, 352 enrolled. Give or take a few digits on admitted or enrolled, my photographic memory does not always hold through=p. </p>
<p>Good luck to all=D!</p>
<p>@cosmically: thanks for your insight!! ive asked a couple of times and they just give me the standard “you should hear by may 1st” response. i really hope it’s sooner than that! best of luck to all. i’ll report once i know either way!</p>
<p>No problem =D! Glad I could help. The office is extremely nice and she knew my name, bad or good sign, and said that I was within the 1st or 2nd wave so the latest would be mid-april. The earlier you applied the quicker the application is put through and the sooner a decision! I am on the edge of my seat. I did have a recommendation from a former GS U-Writing teacher so I hope it gives me an edge on top of my national community service standing, SAT *throws into a bonfire (above average but not near CC standing).</p>
<p>I’ll report once I know as well=D! So excited!!</p>
<p>I also have a letter of rec coming from a former CU professor. I’m surprised they told you that decisions would be mailed out via USPS – I thought I read on multiple websites, including this one, that decisions are mailed out via FedEx and are preempted with a phone call…</p>
<p>I hope they’ll grant me an extension to make my decision. I’m waiting on other schools to notify me in early May.</p>
<p>Have you heard back, @dcsmiss?</p>
<p>Has anyone been able to login to the financial aid section yet? In the past, admitted applicants were able to login before they found out from GS that they were in…</p>
<p>Nah, haven’t been able to log in despite repeated efforts to do so.</p>
<p>No, sorry of the misimpression. I suppose I am being a bit premature, but part of me just wants to assume I will get in, as the acceptance rate is 35%. If I do not get into General Studies, it does not bode well for my prospects at the 5% acceptance schools.</p>