Calling All CBS 2011 Applicants!!

Hey there,
When Columbia says they have three adcom members read each application with a chance to invite a candidate for an interview, they don't mean that they do so at the same time. For example, you may have submitted on 1/5, the app went under review 1/10, then Adcom Member #1 reads your entire app thoroughly on 1/10. If he or she passes on it (doesn't invite you), then it'll go into the pile, likely at the bottom, of Adcom Member #2. So it'll take at least another 5-10 days (and probably longer) for it to be read thoroughly by Adcom Member #2, at which point he or she can pass or invite you. This whole cycle repeats for Adcom Member #3. If you aren't invited by any of the three and you are fairly competitive, then adcom as a group might consider whether you deserve an interview.

This is why interview invites can be very quick, or can take a long time. We all know that in any group, each member has certain likes and dislikes relative to other members of the group, and this system minimizes the potential for systematic biases.

Hope this helps.

I think that depends on when you receive an acceptance letter. Fellowship offers go out sometime in late February, so for the already admitted, it is just a waiting game. For those who get admitted after February but applied before 1/5 (the deadline to be considered for a fellowship), you may find out your fellowship amount, if any, when you get accepted.

Thanks everyone!!!!!!!! You guys have been an awesome support network!!!!

Yikes - kind of 'half glass empty' - yes?
Positive thinking can do wonders people.

So I guess there is still some hope for me. This also means then that really strong applicants will get invites earlier than others. That will allow one to gauge how competitive they are.

Hi Zeus,

If the 1st reader invites for interview, does it still get a 2nd and 3rd review? Also, what is the timeline for a "fairly quick" interview invite and for a "take a long time" one? I hope this makes sense.

Hi there,
I'm not 100% sure, but I believe then that everyone on the committee reads through the application, but perhaps not as thoroughly, and largely as part of the entire Adcom decision-making review (which takes into account the results of your interview). I also think the person who invites you for your interview is sort of your biggest advocate on the Adcom, and will probably be the one who will follow up with you about any questions.

As for the timeline, it depends purely on the number of applications there are. I bet if you submitted your app between Xmas and 1/5, you could be waiting up to 8 weeks before a third person would theoretically read your app.

Zeustheman, i hope you're right on the timeline. I submitted on Christmas Day and went under review on 1/4 but not invite yet. Getting really nervous since some people received invites this week.

I'l give you a reason to be positive. If you look at the Google CBS Application Status document, you'll noticed a lot of EDs who eventually were admitted didn't receive an interview invite until well over a month after they submitted their app. You could end up exactly like them. Again, your first reader could have passed, but your second reader could be someone who loves to cook and really falls in love with the fact that you were the second runner-up in a regional cooking competition (as an example clearly).

Guys, know I'm a bit late in the race, but was wondering if there are any CBS admits/current students/alums active on the forum who'd be willing to give my essays a quick read? Planning to submit my app in a day or two.
Would be of immense help. Thanks.

Anyone know how long CBS gives you to make up your mind about a seat/tuition deposit? I saw on the website that they only give ED applicants 2 weeks, and wanted to know if RD applicants have a longer time frame.

Hi~got two questions here:
1. When will CBS start accepting 2012 J-term applications?
2. If i opened an application for Sep-2011, and the recommendation letter was submitted. will it be carried over to the Jterm application?

Thanks~~

Sure, I'd be happy to. PM me?

These are questions for CBS admissions office not for strangers on a forum

Posted from my mobile device

I believe that they give RD applicants 1 month to send in the first enrollment deposit, which is for $2,000.

I applied on Jan. 3 and still have not received any status updates. When I log on, it just says Submitted and the date and time. My recommenders both submitted their recommendations by Jan. 5. Anyone else in a similar boat? Should I be concerned?

Thanks,
P.W.H.

Feel free to PM me as well! Would be glad to help out.