pmcarthu7
So what does it mean if I submitted on 1/3 and people who submitted 1/4 got an interview and I am still waiting. Do they review applications in the exact order received? Has Columbia passed me by?
I wouldn't freak out, because nobody knows the exact method for considering (and then extending) interview invites that Columbia uses. They could go by concentration, GMAT+GPA stats, geographic location.. who knows.
If you look back in this thread, there were a few people who had to wait almost two months before getting an interview invite. Of course, as time passes and admission offers are made, invitations will gravitate more and more towards refining the class stats (and that probably means doom for profiles like mine).
However, since you just can't be sure about their method of selecting people for interview, there really is no point in panicking. Look at it this way: there were people who submitted on 1/4 who were denied a week ago. For all that matters, you're still in the game and you could be in a limbo for another month.
Relax, prepare for the interview, and cross your fingers. That's it.