Columbia University is a prestigious member of the Ivy League and receives over 60,000 applications each year for a place in its first-year class. Of those 60,000, less than 4% are accepted. That’s approximately 2,300 students each year. Unfortunately, far more than 2,000 students are completely qualified to go to Columbia. They have the grades. They have the activities. They have the experiences…but there just aren’t enough spots.
Most of the 60,000 applicants are rejected outright, but that’s not why you’re reading this post. A small group, typically 1-2% if we use other Ivy League schools as a guide (Columbia doesn’t publish waitlist statistics), are offered a spot on the waitlist. And you’re probably one of them, or you’re nervous you might be soon.
If you were waitlisted by Columbia, there are a few things you need to do and we’re going to run through all of them here. But if you are really serious about getting into Columbia, you also need to contact us. We have a proven track record of getting students into top-tier universities off of the waitlist and into their dream school.
The Reality of the Waitlist
Columbia doesn’t publish waitlist numbers, but we can confidently estimate that the admissions office most likely operates in a way that is similar to other Ivy League schools and top-tier universities, which means that they probably use the waitlist both aggressively and barely at all. Aggressively as a tool for hedging their bets and maintaining a stock of potential students, and barely at all as a way of actually bringing students into their first-year class.
Columbia may offer a spot on the waitlist to as many as 1,000 students (or more) each year. Of those, let’s say 80% probably accept the offer, or 800. It’s unlikely they actually offer a spot in the first-year class to more than 25 students. It’s more likely that they offer a spot in the first-year class to less than 10 students. It’s entirely possible that they offer a spot in the first-year class to 0 (yes, zero) students.
So being waitlisted is better than a rejection, but not by much. Yes, there is still a chance you may get in, but it’s a tiny chance and if you want any chance at all there are some things you need to do right now. Again, we’re experts at this, so the first one should probably be sending us an email.
Take Action
The next step is to accept your spot on the waitlist. If you don’t do this, you will not be officially added to the pool of waitlisted students (yes, pool, not an actual ranked list). You also need to submit a deposit for your backup — which should be a school you’d be very happy to attend. Doing this isn’t giving in or being negative, it’s called being responsible. We highly recommend it.
Once you’ve submitted your deposit and claimed your space on the waitlist, it’s time to really make your interest shown.
A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is a supplementary statement that you will submit to Columbia updating them on what’s happened since you pressed submit on your application. The LOCI will also provide them with additional important information as they reevaluate you and consider you for a spot at Columbia specifically.
To guide this LOCI, you need to make sure that you hit on the key categories Columbia looks for when considering an application:
Academic Preparation and Engagement with Others: Columbia looks for students who are at the top of their class, school, and community academically. Simply being good in the subject you want to major in isn’t enough. You need to be at the pinnacle across the board. If you weren’t they would have rejected you, so you’ve already jumped this hurdle — but it’s worth reminding them how epically you’re slaying it. What new successes have you had academically, or in your athletic pursuits, volunteer positions, job, or community work? Have you won any awards, received any recognitions, or earned any leadership positions since you submitted your application? If so, you need to share them at the top of your LOCI, right after you say that Columbia is still your number one choice.
Curiosity and Individual Voice: Doing a lot well isn’t enough. You need to have an intellectual mind and be a genuinely curious person with your own unique perspective. After you’ve shared your updates, you need to remind the admissions committee what it is you’re hoping to study at Columbia specifically. Don’t say “major in History,” say what you want to zoom in on, what inspires you to study history, and what you want to do with that degree as a young professional. Show your voice through your dreams, and your curiosity through your proposed pursuits.
Knowledge of Columbia: Finally, you need to know Columbia to get into Columbia off of the waitlist. Knowing Columbia is not the same as knowing that you want to go to Columbia. Like all schools, Columbia has its own unique quirks, and they want to find students that will love those quirks and eccentricities. Close out the LOCI by speaking to what it is about Columbia that most excites you, and be as specific as possible. Mention a specific student group, event, or tradition. Name drop a dorm, meal in the dining hall, but don’t make a big deal of it being prestigious or in NYC. Those things aren’t unique to them, but the Varsity Show is.
BTW You Need Help
Each year, only a tiny number of students are accepted off of Columbia’s waitlist — if any are at all. Vying for one of those spots is a major long-shot. Lucky for you, that’s what we specialize in. If you want to stand out and have a strong chance of getting into Columbia off of the waitlist, send us an email.
When it comes to dealing with waitlists, we’re pros. We guide students towards an outstanding future.