They sent me an email yesterday. I don't know whether I was rejected because I'm applying from my last year at law school or something else.One good thing is that they are highly efficient so that I don't have to keep daydreaming...

My heart goes out to you, I'm very sorry. But don't be disheartened, I'm sure you've applied to other great schools, I just hope you get into one of them. Best of luck.

Thank you. Has anyone else heard from Columbia? I was not applying through early review, but I've already got the decision.

Do you mind if I ask what your GPA was? I am in the process of applying to Columbia but don't want to waste $70 dollar if I don't have a chance. In my first degree I averaged 3.6/3.7 but my law degree was not so great about 3.3/3.4. Do I have a chance of getting in?

IMHO, such a swift rejection might mean that there was something wrong with your application and some formality was not met, e.g. the transcripts were not duly certified or the application fee not received. Someone I know got rejected last year supposedly because she had not paid the application fee (she was reapplying and for some reason thought she did not have to pay it).

That's what I'm worried about most. But two weeks ago I received an email saying my application was complete (except for my final transcript, which is certainly not available now). I think my GPA,ranking, and TOEFL score are good. I also have plenty of internships. So the only reason I can think of is my lack of full-time experience. Can I call or writh them a letter to ask why I was rejected?

The first email is as follows:
Your application to Columbia Law Schools Graduate Legal Studies Program is complete, pending receipt of your final transcripts. Upon successful completion of your law degree, please be sure to send your transcripts (and a copy of your degree certificate, if applicable) as soon as they become available. We will soon begin the process of reviewing your application, and will contact you in the next few months when we have made a decision.

They say IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, so I felt weird when I got that decision YESTERDAY!

So the only reason I can think of is my lack of full-time experience.

I don't think experience is a requirement, either. That's why I had the gut to apply. Do you think I can call them to ask why?

Definitely, I think you should inquire the matter...
But get ready to receive an answer that they don't answer such questions... due to a large volume of mail they receive and etc.
Anyway you have nothing to loose now.

Dear,

I am a current LL.M. student at Columbia Law School and maybe I can help you with this question. Columbia takes into consideration several different things in order to admit a student and not only lack of experience. Maybe you are right and the lack of experience was something more decisive to you rejection. Unfornunately, for sure they do not disclose why did they reject an applicant. If you accept my suggestion, forget about it, head up and there are a lot of other great Law Schools in USA. I know people who was rejected at Columbia and accepted at Harvard, so do not worry that much.

Best of luck to you,

Lenny

I'm a current LLM student at CLS - one good indicator of this swift review of your application is that perhaps CLS will address applications in a more timely manner this year. Last year things went on for a long, long time, and this can be quite worrying, since often other universities that are not as prestigious accept your application, but you haven't heard from CLS as of yet.

I found this information in Columbia's website:

"Admissions Standards
Strong preference is given to applicants who have at least one year of experience after earning the law degree. Only in exceptional circumstances are applications from candidates who are in their final year of law school considered."

So maybe you have the reason...
Good luck with the other schools! I agree with Lenny, don't worry that much!

Thank you guys! Good luck to everyone!