<p>I was waitlisted for Columbia College and have a crucial question about the supplementary statement. </p>
<p>To quote Columbia: "We do not conduct interviews for students on the waiting list, and we strongly advise against the submission of any additional recommendations. You may submit a very brief (one-page maximum) supplementary statement of your own if you wish." </p>
<p>I already submitted a statement to columbia that was over 1 page long, it was basically an appeal for another school that i edited and sent off on a whim. The problem is that in my application and the additional supplement, i did not explain several disabilities and deformities that i have that i feel that i really should have informed them of becasue it has affected me mentally and physically. Another problem is that my disabilities/deformity is highly personal and I don't know if i want to reveal it if i 'm just going to be rejected anyway. I also might **** them off with my insistent mailings as two other people also wrote me recommendations and sent it off, one of them being an influential politician. I also feel that my supplement to my supplement, if i do send it, will probably need a couple of pages of explanation. </p>
<p>So should i risk it? I alrady know the odds are against me of getting in, but i really do love Columbia! I was also wondering, is there a way i can request that a female admission officer read it (if i do send it)?</p>
<p>PS... I also have a new hook, i recently moved past my deformity and tried out for a beauty peagant ( i was a former pageant girl b4 this all happened), and i won! and i even get special duties, interviews, etc. that come with the crown and i am expected to be a role model for a lot of girls. in case you guys are wondering, i was able to hide my deformity behind the dazzling sequins of my dress during the compeitition... :)</p>
<p>So you sent the appeal and the extra recommendations after being waitlisted but before finding out that they only want a one-page statement? If that's the case, then I think I would call or e-mail the admissions department to see if they think you should send your other statement; my gut reaction would be no, but they would obviously know better than I would. Not knowing what your disability is, I can't say if it requires several pages, but if at all possible, if you do send it, cut it down as much as you can, leave out any details that aren't absolutely necessary and such. I think a three or four page letter about it would be too much on top of the other stuff you've already sent. Those're my two cents anyway. Good luck, and congrats on the pageant.</p>
<p>Doesn't it say on the waitlisting decision letter to NOT send extar recommendation and too long of a supplement letter?</p>
<p>I think if you choose to send it, you should make it as brief as possible, yet stating the importance of each new material you are sending in. You don't want to seem desperate...but definitely make yourself sound like someone Columbia's GOT TO HAVE kind of person, ya kno?</p>
<p>Good luck! (I'm waitlisted too :P)</p>
<p>hmmm, do we want this girl on campus, will she improve the environment...</p>
<p>pro: beauty queen
con: physically deformed</p>
<p>program does not compute!</p>
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two other people also wrote me recommendations and sent it off, one of them being an influential politician
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<p>Your city councilman is not an "influential politician."</p>
<p>He may be in her city. Don't assume.</p>
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He may be in her city. Don't assume.
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<p>The issue is the influence on Columbia. Lots of candidates mistakenly think that getting a letter from a politician is somehow going to help them get into Columbia simply because the letter's author is a politician whom they perceive to be influential. A LOR's strength is based on how well the person knows you and what the letter says about you, and not based on the author's credentials.</p>
<p>I think your essay was the place to convey how overcoming personal challenges has made you a better person. That probably does not help you but maybe it will help someone else ... next year.</p>
<p>I think the poster is confused about the purpose of the statement to Columbia. Everyone waitlisted at Columbia was a compelling candidate. They just could not take everyone. It does not mean that the waitlisted applicant was weak in a particular area. Columbia does not want an appeal of an admission. They dont want new reasons as to why they should take you. This is not a deferral where you were not chosen and you want to provide updates. If you were waitlisted they saw wonderful things about your application. The reality is that the chances of getting in regualr decision were very small, and the classs had to also consist of an equal percentage of male and female, students from different geographic locations, a diverse student body, and there needed to be an eclectic mix of students with various talents and passions to bring to the school community.
The important thing is that you write a letter to the Dean of Admissions and your regional admission officer telling them in the first sentence that you were disappointed that you were waitlisted and that Columbia is your first choice and that you will definitely attend if accepted. You need to also convey this to your guidance counselor in case an admission officer from Columbia calls them. I would summarize in a short paragraph what you feel you have to bring to the Columbia community. This is not the time to write essays or include all kinds of things you forgot to mention in your appication. This is not an appeal. Everyone waitlisted was strong enough of a candidate to attend. You need to show a great deal of interest and let Columbia know you will go if offered the spot. They want to offer the waitlist spots to those who will definitely say yes.</p>
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They dont want new reasons as to why they should take you. This is not a deferral where you were not chosen and you want to provide updates.
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<p>I disagree. It's not necessary, but if you actually have something new to tell Columbia, then it can't hurt.</p>