<p>Is anyone sending in supplemental materials to get off the waitlist? What are the chances of getting off the waitlist?</p>
<p>I didn’t apply to Columbia, but I’d like to know this as well – one of my best friends was waitlisted and is trying to improve her chances.</p>
<p>I’ve been waitlisted at Columbia (to my surprise and happiness!) and I have sent in just brief letter (perhaps 5 to 8 sentences) expressing my continued interest in CU. In May I will be participating in an AIDS walk to raise money so when that is done, I will probably send in another letter to show them I’ve continued to do extra curriculars and community services even after college application season.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t want to send too much though because CU specifically said to not send an extra recommendation and I don’t want to send anything unnecessary for that might be detrimental?</p>
<p>I sent a short statement updating them of my achievements.</p>
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<p>LOL. This isn’t the kind of thing that gets people into Columbia. That you’re able to spend an hour or two walking around a park isn’t showing that you do meaningful ECs that you’re passionate about.</p>
<p>I completely disagree with the characterization of Columibia 2002’s AIDS Walk.</p>
<p>I believe participation in group activities for a meaningful cause when viewed in light of a pattern of such participation is helpful and probably more emotionally healthy than posting on these boards for years and years after you’ve graduated from Columbia.</p>
<p>I didn’t appreciate the ‘LOL’, whatever I choose to do to give my part to the community is what I deem meaningful. Not everyone has the chance to participate in a cancer research or something in that extent…this is what opportunity presents and that is my chance to grasp it.</p>
<p>Go ■■■■■ somewhere else.</p>
<p>It is also unhealthy to speak and behave more immature than 17 year olds. If anyone in my office would behave in such a manner to our new recruits or employees, he would have been fired. If Columbia adcom ever visits this forum, I wonder what they would think.</p>
<p>I think anything you can do to enhance a pattern of positive conduct is excellent. Obviously, isolated events will not help at this later date than they would have earlier.</p>
<p>But if this is evidence of an overall concern for AIDS awareness, or a history of community involvement so much the better and if you had any involvement in a more supportive level note that as well or if this is the fifth year you have participated note that!</p>
<p>Take the opportunity to recast your involvements as a growing group of acitivities that demonstrate your personal interests. If you have not connected these dots as well as you should have before – do it now by all means!</p>
<p>Good ECs:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>doing research to find the cure for AIDS</p></li>
<li><p>volunteering / working with AIDS patients, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>working to increase AIDS awareness in poorer communities</p></li>
<li><p>spending the summer in Africa to hand out condoms or whatever</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Insipid EC:</p>
<ul>
<li>spending a couple hours walking a few miles in the park on a Saturday.</li>
</ul>
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</p>
<p>See, you’re looking at it the wrong way. A meaningful EC isn’t an “opportunity” that presents itself that you can “grasp” by walking around for a couple hours so that you can write a letter to a college to show that you’ve “continued to do extra curriculars and community services even after college application season.”</p>
<p>Even if it is a new thing, it might be worth mentioning. Back when I was on the waitlist, I wrote in my supplement how I had signed up for a Technical Theater class second semester senior year, and how I really enjoyed building sets and props for the spring musical. I had never done it before and it didn’t really relate to the main theme of my application, but it was still an interest at the time. It shows that you are still experimenting and exploring new things. If your AIDS walk was an important thing in your life recently, then mention it.</p>
<p>Oh, and as a PS; not all or even most of your EC’s have to be extremely over the top–ie going to Africa to hand out condoms over the summer. There seems to be a misconception, in my view at least, that if it’s not some huge thing then it’s not worth mentioning. I didn’t found any clubs, I didn’t do any huge research projects, or the like. Even if it seems a little small or local, it couldn’t hurt.</p>
<p>This AIDS walk mean a lot to me because I survived a five pound tumor when I was 13…from then I’ve always wanted to do something to help those suffering any kind of sickness. Sure, I haven’t gotten a chance to volunteer to help AIDS patients but I have done other things in the past which includes helping Katrina/Tsunami victims and a list of other things. </p>
<p>My purpose in acknowledging Columbia is to tell them I have continued to help out my community, whether it is a big or small impact.</p>
<p>cayumie, you don’t have to defend yourself.
and Columbia2002, can i ask why you’re so bitter?</p>
<p>I would tie it all together in your supplement just the way you did in your previous post – shortly and succinctly. That does show a personal motivation and a history or participation. The thing about the supplement is you are not fighting the little ‘boxes’ on the online application and with good editing you can recast your situation.</p>