nickdrake is right, GPA matters a lot. I had GPA 3.4 when I was applying for GS. They put me on hold regardless of what hard classes I took. So if anyone thinking about taking Multivariable Calculus or any hard science courses with harsh professors(I am talking about those kinds of professors who never give A, and never curve). Please, think again. Although you can push yourself by taking hard classes, you may risk yourself to get admitted to prestigious schools. I applied for many “holistic review” colleges, and most of them holistically review GPA. You can take hard classes after transfer. Don’t be like me.
What do you mean they put you on hold? @MoTeak
I imagine he meant waitlisted. But yeah, a high GPA is extremely important. The committee needs to feel confident in the applicant’s ability to take on the rigor of a Columbia course load.
I’m in an interesting situation with regards to my GPA. I attended college for a semester right out of high school and my GPA was a 2.9 on 12 credits. I ended up taking a break from school for a few years to find myself and I came back as a very determined individual/student. In my first semester back I took 25 credits (Fall + Winter) and earned a 3.976 GPA. My lowest grade was an A- in one class where the teacher was super nitpicky. So my overall GPA right now is 3.64 which isn’t stellar, but I’m hoping the admissions folks will take that into account. I’m sort of worried they may hold off on giving me a decision until they see my Spring semester grades which would delay this process another month.
@ColumbiaHopeful99 I was in a somewhat similar position - I failed out a few times almost 10 years ago (or, more accurately, stopped attending and neglected to withdraw from my courses), only to return last spring to community college. I received all A’s over 30 credits, have a decently compelling life story, and was completely and thoroughly honest in my essay. I hope that provides some encouragement.
@CCDropOut32 That certainly seems like a positive for me. Thank you for sharing. Keeping my fingers crossed!
@KeppGirl12 They won’t make the decision until they see my Spring semester GPA, even though I applied in Jan. Keep calm and still waiting… :’)
The review process is extremely holistic. Your essay as well as letters of recommendation are very important. @CCDropOut32 @ColumbiaHopeful99 I wouldn’t worry too much about past school performance especially if you have gone back to school and have shown a positive upward trend. I dropped out of school and did very poorly at past institutions but returned to school and applied to gs w/ 4.0 @ 60 units (obv. not taking anymore classes since they won’t transfer). The great thing about admissions is that they really value your LIFE accomplishments and what you’ve done outside of school. But like @nickdrake said…being able to handle the rigor of an ivy league education is very important which is why they generally like to admit those with higher gpa’s. Keep a posi outlook there’s obviously a reason you believed you were what they are looking for otherwise you probably wouldn’t have applied.
That being said…I can’t seem to find a concrete date that the acceptance reply form needs to be signed by. Anybody know?
@Mike2011 I don’t think there is one. If so, the regular decision deadline doesn’t even expire until June 1st, so you’ve got plenty of time to get back to other schools (I imagine that’s why you’re wondering).
@Mike2011 I couldn’t find an exact date in my online messages/letters, etc. Perhaps it is in the hard packet they send to admitted students? (I also have yet to receive that, but hey, it’s only been one week since I found out.)
I’ve just returned from taking the GSAE and doing the information session and campus tour. Word out to everyone who plans on attending the info session (I’m sure 2017 applicants will be browsing this thread) - it seems to be tailored to those early in the application stage. I had already submitted my autobiographical essay and both of my letters of recommendation, so when one of the admissions team members presented us with tips and advice for both, I felt slightly out of step. With that being said, I highly suggest going if you can. They share with you lots of great information, regardless of where you are in your application.
Did any of you who were accepted write the optional essay? I plan on doing so now that I am back home from my trip. I plan on covering my upcoming two week academic bootcamp at Yale and giving my impressions of Columbia and the Morningside Heights now that I have physically paid a visit. I have to tell you though, the Admissions Manager at our information session admitted they sometimes don’t even read the optional essay, especially if they are pressed for time. Oh well! Worth a shot.
Also, congrats to everyone who has been accepted so far. @Mike2011, your wait is finally over!
@maxenvellzen Regarding the optional essay, I simply took the pieces of the autobiographical essay that I deemed nonessential and briefly expanded upon them there. It is certainly not advisable for prospective applicants to focus a considerable amount of energy on the optional essay, a point I made previously in this thread.
hi @CCDropOut32 . So you said you upload the unofficial college transcript. Does your application status page change to require(Awaiting) Official college transcript when you get accepted ? My status screen suddenly change to require Official college transcript but I haven’t received any acceptance or rejection email yet. So nervous now !
Just spoke to a few folks in the department. Depending on your early action apply date, your acceptance (or rejection) will fall in line with that. So, if anyone is in the same boat as me - and applied by the March 1st date, decisions won’t be out until May 1st, and rolling thereafter. That lifted some weight for me. Oh, and yes- some decisions will be send over the weekend. I’m still nervous as hell though.
@Kevin2509 I uploaded my unofficial transcripts when I submitted my application (somewhere around mid Feb) AND submitted my official transcripts, most of which arrived by March 1. Only my HS transcript was delayed. Hopefully they get back to you soon! I imagined I would have found out this week, not last. Perhaps more people on this thread will find out by the weekend (like @polarsun600 said above). Good luck!
I just got an email from Columbia saying there had been an update to my application. I logged in and it showed that I had been accepted!!
Right on @HillaryB ! I get stoked for each person that posts their good news! I’m assuming that you’re celebrating tonight, haha.
I have to ask… did you apply before the first (in January) or the second (by March 1st) early action deadline?
Me too. An email saying there had been an update on my status page. And bum bum bu, I has been accepted 
Good luck to those who are still waiting.
Btw, anyone know when will the scholarship and transferable credit come out ?
@Kevin2509 As for the scholarships, once you have submitted the Planned Enrollment Form, the review process will start. So it depends on when you submit it. It might take about a month to review your scholarship application after you turn in the Planned Enrollment Form. Regarding transferable credits, it depends on your current school. If you won’t take any class from now on, they will give you transfer assessment relatively soon. but if your last quarter ends in June, it might be after you finish your current school. hope it will help
Thanks @yesorno0101