<p>nyu here i come! No more rude interactions with Columbia officials. </p>
<p>did anyone else's rejection letter go like this?:</p>
<p>"Dear ---------,</p>
<p>We are sorry to inform you that the Committee on Admissions cannot offer you a place in Columbias Class of 2010. This year nearly 20,000 candidates applied for places in the first-year class, making this the most difficult selection process in our history. The qualitative strength and appeal of the applicant pool in scholastic success achieved, in community service performed, in activities pursued, in essays written and in books read made the selection process more competitive than numbers could possibly indicate. Indeed, while we are gratified by the number of candidates seeking the excitement and challenge of the Columbia experience, the size of the pool sadly compels us to disappoint a great many talented and appealing young people.</p>
<p>We want you to know that our decision in no way reflects a lack of confidence in your ability to achieve success at a competitive college and on through life. Our experience is that the vast majority of students who do not gain admission here go on to distinguish themselves at fine colleges and universities throughout the world, and we are confident that you will do so as well. We must make clear, however, that since our decisions are made after months of intense deliberation, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions cannot consider any review of this decision.</p>
<p>We appreciate your interest in Columbia and wish you the best in your pursuit of higher education.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Jessica Marinaccio
Executive Director
Undergraduate Admissions </p>
<p>P.S. Please note that a hardcopy of the above was mailed yesterday afternoon."</p>
<p>I mean this feels so personal. Part of my essay was thrown back into my face! </p>
<p>However, good luck there to all admitted.</p>
<p>My gladness is only because I dislike the area surrounding Columbia and as a hispanic I shouldn't even feel that way. Spanish Harlem scared me when I visited it. Good luck with the community everyone. You'll be welcomed with open arms, lol. Again, I very much dispise the attitude I received from various Columbia office workers and their financial aid office. I called and asked these basic questions as I did with my other schools and they were so completely inappropriate! I hate to use this word but they acted "ghetto." It is surprising. I felt at times that I was interacting with, and I say this with all due respect, inner-city hoodlums. Even Harvard (ED waitlisted, then rejected), with all of my extensive questioning and brown-nosing was kind towards my family and I the majority of the time. Preferably, I don't want to be reminded of my neighborhood, in which I'm escaping, on a daily basis. Which is why NYU is a WAY better place for me to live for the next four years of my life. </p>
<p>However, best wishes to all admitted.</p>
<p>Wow, can we say sour grapes, assuming you're not just making this all up to flame Columbia? Spanish Harlem is nowhere near Columbia, first of all. Spanish Harlem is on the east side of the city -- nowhere near Columbia.</p>
<p>I was rejected, too. But it honestly was no longer my first choice anyway. Glad you found another school to go to. BY the way, my rejection letter was the exact same wording.</p>
<p>"We must make clear, however, that since our decisions are made after months of intense deliberation, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions cannot consider any review of this decision."</p>
<p>Heh, gotta love that clause. Ah well, got accepted at NYU with a good scholarship (rare for that school...). Rejections suck, but ah well, I'm happy with NYU.</p>
<p>sarah what were stats? SAT, gpa, courseload, ec's...etc</p>
<p>No columbia2002, I'm legit. Columbia is on 116th and we visited and up around 155 - 170's and Broadway. It was only a few stops away on the number 1 subway train. I had a few run ins with the large Dominican population. That wasn't in the viewbook.</p>
<p>lol When I read the intense review line in letter I thought <em>oh, please, do they really think I'm gonna beg or something?</em> I guess I can try Harvard for grad... Yes, I'm happy with my NYU package as well! My stats are the usual... Rank: 10/702 (school pop. about 3000), took old SAT in 1400s, URM. what's notable for me (but not on this board) was my National Merit (my hs hadn't had that in 5 yrs!), 300 hrs of community service, and held part time job as a lifeguard for 3 yrs and Captain of swim team, won various medals. My recs: idk? I got my swim coach to add an extra one.</p>
<p>40-60 blocks in Manhattan is very far away. That's a 30-45 minute walk. I'm not sure how exactly your "few run ins with the large Dominican population" and "Spanish Harlem scared me when I visited it" statements have anything to do with Columbia. NYU is 40-60 blocks from plenty of seedy areas, too.</p>
<p>You sound like sour grapes and racist, to boot. Losing you was no great loss to Columbia.</p>
<p>i spent a month at columbia this summer for the summer program and the area right around campus is really nice. i only went into harlem once to go to taco bell but that was at the border of it on 125th and let me tell you the walk from 116th to 125th was long and empty. .. you generally don't go uptown you just go downtown so 116th-120th is really safe.</p>
<p>anyway i got rejected. don't really know why, but i'm going to barnard so at least i'll be near by!</p>