@ OlivierCH: Rank in class is VERY important as it is not a job but rather advanced ACADEMIC studies.

@dierome: No, I haven't

I'm not sure that CLS will release only the clear cases first...

I know someone, from France, with extremely good credentials, and who does not have any answer yet. I would definetely say he is a clear case, but still.

Anyway, hope the decisions will be released soon.

@MAB79: What do you think differenciates a candidate you cannot refuse from one that is just good to go?

I would say a good class rank is a must....Top 15% at least...
They look for extracurricular activities (moot court, law review, pro bono etc)
They want some kind of work experience too....
I don´t think they care about TOEFL scores, as long as it is above the minimum they require...

The Waiting is killing me too!

I find this old post from 2006 (http://www.llm-guide.com/board/9640/3) to be very helpful:

Columbia Acceptances
Fri Feb 17, 2006 09:11 PM
Hi all,

Just a more accurate update on the Columbia LLM admissions process. Today I visited the Admissions Office at CLS and I talked with the lady who is in the highest rank in the admission process.

She is a very dynamic, easy to talk to and friendly lady. I asked her a couple of questions about deadlines and then we discussed a bit about the admissions process.

I mentioned the llm-guide website and she said that she is aware of it. She told me actually that it would be good to share the comments below with all the people waiting for replies:

- they received more than 1600 applications this year
- they will admit about 200-210 people from all over the world
- the selection process works on a rolling basis
- each application is given several readings
- each time the Committee convenes they have many files in piles (randomly) and the Committee goes through each one of them as many times as they need to reach a decision
- they examine each application very carefully and they do not stick only to 'grades', rather they look also at the recommendations and the personal statement. Basically, since almost everyone applying there has high grades, they see e.g. at extracurricular activities or activities to the benefit of a community.

Re the time they examine each application:
-the whole process is random; i.e. you might have applied in early-November but your file may accidentally be reviewed on the pile containing other applications which have arrived in mid-December. So, basically the question on when an application went complete does not make any sense.
-they do not examine appls by country and they do not release decisions by country
-they do not examine appls by grade
-they do not examine appls by previous school etc.
-the whole process takes much time. She mentioned that people you have not heard so far should not worry, because this only means that a decision has not been made for them yet, and nothing else.
-the process takes till the end of april or even early may; i.e. they are still less than half-way through.

Hope you find the above comments useful. I just wanted to share them with you coz I can understand from my experience that many people are getting anxious. All the best. Take it easy!

[Edited by link updater on 17 Feb 2006]

thanks for the update.

im sure it allays a lot of apprehension and anxiety - unfounded and otherwise. frankly though, im a little past 'killing'. im pretty much dead, what with the posts of some people about their admission.
its hardly of any comfort to know that this will take till may.
the process is reassuring, but, i wouldnt expect anything less from a top university.
im sure the univ authorities mean well, but its probably been a while since they were placed where we currently are.

@MAB79: What do you think differenciates a candidate you cannot refuse from one that is just good to go?

Congrats Olivier!

Were you early review of regular cycle?

Thanks!
Regular cycle.

Hello Olivier,

Je suis content de voir qu'il y aura des francophones a Columbia pour l'annee 2010-2011. Je suis de Montreal, mais j'etudie a Dublin.

I hope to see you at Columbia!

Olivier,

When did you receive the "file complete notification" in December?

Salut Dmannell,

I received it on December 30.

Olivier,

Did you receive your answer via email?

Yes, I did, on Wednesday.

This is such a lame question, but I will ask it anyway!! From those of you who have already had offers from NYU and Columbia, what time do they tend to send the emails at- morning or afternoon??!!! I told you it was dumb, but I am really going mad here now to know, and it means I am so sad that I have a ritual of finally checking my emails around midnight EVERY night (central european time) since its then 6pm in New york....

This is such a lame question, but I will ask it anyway!! From those of you who have already had offers from NYU and Columbia, what time do they tend to send the emails at- morning or afternoon??!!! I told you it was dumb, but I am really going mad here now to know, and it means I am so sad that I have a ritual of finally checking my emails around midnight EVERY night (central european time) since its then 6pm in New york....

This is such a lame question, but I will ask it anyway!! From those of you who have already had offers from NYU and Columbia, what time do they tend to send the emails at- morning or afternoon??!!! I told you it was dumb, but I am really going mad here now to know, and it means I am so sad that I have a ritual of finally checking my emails around midnight EVERY night (central european time) since its then 6pm in New york....

Hey Thanks that is really useful to know!!!! Yeah I also check mine on an hourly basis but I do the final check at the end of the day when its 6pm in NY!!! I cant stand the waiting, I think it will be ok once I have one reply but for now I have had none of the 3 applications I made!! Really wishing I had been more efficient and gone for early cycle for Columbia...

Hmm, I was thinking of that. But since I do not think that I would have been accepted, it's quite the same now!