Helpful meeting a Columbia representative?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Last year's Columbia app has a line that reads... "Have you conferred with any Columbia representative about the admissions process (e.g., admissions officer, coach, alumnus, faculty member)? If so, with whom?"
Does that mean that it helps to personally approach those people, ask questions, and then mention it on the app to show initiative?</p>

<p>I've been coming to Columbia much lately anyways, just lingering about the beautiful campus, checking out the awesome selection in the bookstore and bugging the very very helpful Columbia students still on campus about Columbia :D Would it help to mention any of their names too? Or would it help to mention briefly meeting some admin rep in an encounter they probably wouldn't remember?</p>

2

<p>probably doesn’t help. checking those things off might show more interest, and that would make you ever so slightly more desirable, but I don’t know how much of an effect that is. I mean, it couldn’t hurt to talk to a Columbia representative, even if it doesn’t help you in the admissions process.</p>

3

<p>It definitely helps. Schools want to accept kids who are interested in them. I mean, it’s a small touch, but checking off that box definitely shows initiative and it’s a very good idea. Not only that but meeting with reps can sometimes offer valuable insight that you might not get from brochures and such.</p>

4

<p>Checking that box could boost their yield (not by much though), i.e. applicants more interested in Columbia are more likely to attend. So it could help you a little in getting accepted.</p>

<p>But I think it’s mostly for data gathering purposes. They want to see what way works best in getting across to potential applicants.</p>

5

<p>Epaminondas is likely right in that its probably more about data than anything. The place to show off your interest in the school is in the “Why Columbia” essay. I mentioned my campus visit, and if you talk to a rep, you can write about how the conversation made you more interested in the school.</p>

6

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<p>Not to be harsh, but you don’t sound like Columbia material. The people who get into Columbia are the types who spend their free time trying to discover the cure for cancer etc., not those who are off pursuing some aimless obsession with Columbia.</p>

7

<p>Malthus’s theories have been rendered moot by technology</p>

8

<p>^no, Malthusian thought has been made more relevant than ever by our current state of overpopulation.</p>

9

<p>Not where I live.</p>

10

<p>^ Malthusian thought was rendered moot ages ago when economists “discovered” economies of scale. Or at least it should have been…</p>

11

<p>Do they actually keep track of which applicants really did do a campus tour or attend a regional info session? I don’t see how they could keep track of it for everybody, meaning people could easily lie, meaning it probably doesn’t really help in admissions.</p>

12

<p>just talk to someone.</p>

13

<p>ThePerson, I’m sure lots of people lie just to have that little edge.</p>

14

<p>and the ease with which you can lie simply reinforces the idea that it doesn’t have any significant effect on your application.</p>

<p>Mustafah: don’t forget economies of scope.</p>