Spring 2011 admissions cycle

<p>Thanks max, best of luck to you too. I’ve heard nothing so far. Haven’t been asked for an interview either.</p>

<p>Hey, T4P - I’m in the same position as you are. I haven’t been asked for an interview either. I’m not exactly sure if that means anything, but at this point, I would love the opportunity to talk to somebody. It sounds like we both got everything in around the same time, so it might just take a little more time for us to hear. As long as we get good news, it will be worth the wait, right?</p>

<p>Hey MC, GTW, RCave, Giuli (Giuli, you’re probably waiting on your packet)–</p>

<p>Have you signed up for orientation yet? If so, where did you get your C.U. email? I can’t seem to locate it in this package, but it’s being asked for on the registration page.</p>

<p>I just received my package a few hours ago. I was actually in the middle of my daily run and saw the FedEx truck and just high-tailed after it for a few minutes until it stopped at my house, haha. </p>

<p>I think you have to send your acceptance and deposit first, and once they receive that, then maybe you’ll be able to activate your University Network Identification and CubMail? Just my best guess.</p>

<p>Your uni should be listed on some paper in your package.</p>

<p>B2: I did register for the mandatory orientation on Jan. 10th, but it did not ask for a CU email. I was directed to the orientation registration page after signing up for my APS I believe, and all that I needed for either one was my CUID, (the C######### ID number that was received after applying and that you use to track your application).</p>

<p>My admissions packet did not have a UNI # or CU email address, FYI.</p>

<p>Mine didn’t either. Just my PID.</p>

<p>Oh right, my mistake. You have to activate your uni on [url=&lt;a href=“Manage My UNI | Columbia University Information Technology”&gt;http://uni.columbia.edu/]myUNI[/url</a>]</p>

<p>Click “Activate a NEW UNI account”, scroll down and click accept, scroll down and click accept again, click “Look up UNI” and enter your full name. Find your UNI and activate it on the previous page where you originally had to click “Look up UNI”.</p>

<p>Yes, and for that, they’ll need to receive your acceptance reply first.</p>

<p>Hey guys,
I was one of the lurkers on here…I also applied to GS for Spring 2011 and was accepted. I am traditional aged but had some issues with having to withdraw from my old college for several reasons (one of them being I wanted to pursue a major they did not have strong placement in) and ended up taking time off from school and working. I’ve been a straight A student but had one bad semester due to family issues so I am at a 3.8 overall gpa. Although I really think it was my essay that got me in. I am really thrilled to have been offered a spot for next semester and can’t wait to get started.</p>

<p>Where are all of you planning on living? I assume the NY locals will continue to live at their current residences. How about the out of state and international students? Did you all apply for university housing?</p>

<p>Congrats to everyone who was admitted and looking forward to meeting you all this January.</p>

<p>I’ve applied for housing. Coming in from the southeast…trying to dump all of my much-beloved furniture in anticipation of slightly smaller living quarters…</p>

<p>Hmmm…Hope I can secure something.</p>

<p>Congrats nyleaguer! Yes, I’m planning on staying where I’m at for the time being. (I live downtown). I’m fortunate that I live right on the 1 train, which goes straight to Columbia. It’s an easy commute, logistically, but I am slightly concerned about the ongoing uptown/downtown schlep combined with late nights in the library… etc. So after a semester or two, we’ll see. Maybe I’ll want to try and get uptown within walking distance and apply for university housing.</p>

<p>I’m in Los Angeles and I applied for university housing. Not sure how it’ll work out, but if I get accepted I’ll try it out for a semester or two and decide from there whether or not I want to get my own place.</p>

<p>gtw only problem might be trying to find something cheap but I can understand the need for having more privacy.</p>

<p>I was wondering if any of you guys are interested in business? It is my dream to be an investment banker and I know that Columbia is a great school to attend to launch a investment banking career due its reputation and the proximity to nyc banks. I’ll be asking my adviser this very question but as GS students will we have the same resources for internships and career services as Columbia College. The reason I am asking is because GS doesn’t strictly have a business program but they do offer majors in economics/financial economics. I know that students from Columbia have had great success in IB recruiting but I am not sure if that is CC students or university students in general.</p>

<p>Hey guys, I was hoping that someone who got accepted could PM me a copy of their essay. I would like to see what a successful one looks like. I’m applying for ED Fall 2011 and have most of my application filled out. I would really appreciate it. Also, here are some of my stats: (Let me know what my chances look like)</p>

<p>Straight A student until I dropped out of HS sophomore year to work to help support my newly divorced mom. </p>

<p>Worked 3 jobs simultaneously in order to help with the rent. Actually became a manager at all three, including a regional manager of a chain of retail stores before I was 20. </p>

<p>At 20, after my mom was finally financially stable, spent two years straight in Russia doing humanitarian work (mostly in hospitals and orphanages) and teaching English for free. </p>

<p>Returned and traveled the U.S. and Europe for two years as a tour manager for a record company.</p>

<p>Pushed carts at Costco for a year, during which I took and aced the GED test.</p>

<p>Worked as a PA for a decently famous musician/writer/record label owner.</p>

<p>During my first semester at a community college I missed my finals because my boss gave me the choice of either losing my job or going out of town for two weeks to work, resulting in 2 D’s and an F. (My biggest concern)</p>

<p>Went back a year later after deciding to really pursue my dreams. Am currently in my 3rd semester (not counting that horrible first) with a 3.8 GPA. I have also retaken those 3 classes with A’s. One of my letters of rec is coming from one of those professors b/c I did so well in that class. </p>

<p>Also spent the last year as an editor of an online entertainment blog that receives over 2 million hits per day. I also run their online store.</p>

<p>Any input for my essay would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, and sorry for the long post!</p>

<p>JamesInGlendale–</p>

<p>I’d send you my essay if it weren’t so personal. I think that, at least as far as G/S goes, many applicants are going to be hesitant in showing anyone outside of admissions their essay simply because they often touch on personal experiences that aren’t really meant for other people to probe, especially in the context of examining a successful essay. Other people might be more than willing to–I certainly can’t speak for anyone but myself–but this is sort of the feeling I get.</p>

<p>That said, I definitely think you fit the profile–if it can be said that such a profile exists–of a non-traditional student. Your professional achievements are certainly noteworthy.</p>

<p>Academically, you’re in a bit of a tough spot. The D’s and F’s will raise some questions especially since it seems that they weren’t that long ago. How did that affect your overall GPA? They’re going to look at that as well as your courses and your SAT/ACT scores if you have taken them. </p>

<p>I wish you the best of luck!</p>

<p>B2</p>

<p>James-</p>

<p>I have to agree with what Boola says above. My essay has a significant amount of specific, personal information that I’m not sure I feel comfortable sharing with just anyone on the internet, even privately. I can give you, however, the general idea of what I included.</p>

<p>My essay was slightly over the limit—approx. 2,500 words total—which apparently was not an issue. I structured it chronologically, discussing my academic background, why I studied what I did, why I left my previous school, my motivations and interests, etc. I also discussed some significant hardships/challenges I overcame along the way. I discussed my professional successes and how those have been informed by, and contributory to, my intellectual pursuits.</p>

<p>Because I do feel that Columbia in general is a great fit for me academically, in addition to making a case for how my non-traditional path made GS specifically the best place for me, I also discussed my scholarly interest in the specific major program at CU that I’m interested in. I mentioned specific Columbia professors and their work, and tied them to my demonstrated interests, papers I’ve written, etc.</p>

<p>It sounds like you could present a compelling story about your life, your path, etc. And while yes, the D and F grades could definitely be problematic, it sounds like your most recent grades are quite good, and for multiple semesters, which is great. So I would imagine you could overcome those old marks in the eyes of the AdCom.</p>

<p>There is also an optional 2nd essay, a much shorter one. You could always use it to specifically address those grades, play up your improvement since then, etc.</p>

<p>I was able to activate my UNI today. Woohoo!</p>

<p>I also received my invite to Storybook – GS’ social media platform. It seems cool, I set up my profile. Although it appears there are very few people actually on it. Current GSers, can you confirm that Storybook goes essentially unused by most?</p>

<p>I’m on Storybook. Was not able to access my UNI though…yet.</p>

<p>I’ve gotta say, Storybook is pretty cool despite the relative paucity of people there. I like it.</p>

<p>Anyway, PM me if you want to see my profile or whatever.</p>

<p>B2</p>

<p>Yeah, I hope Storybook takes off. It would be pretty useful. </p>

<p>Also, no care for anonyminity, I’m here: [Columbia</a> GS Storybook](<a href=“http://storybook.gs.columbia.edu/profile/KarimDelgado]Columbia”>Home)</p>