Pre-Application Review (PAR) Program

What's the PAR Program?

The PAR Program is for people intending to apply to Columbia's Computer Science PhD Program. It is a student-run volunteer program that provides a review of the personal statement (and resume/cv) by a currently-enrolled Columbia University Computer Science PhD student from the applicant’s research area of interest. The PAR Program has a small pool of volunteer PhD student reviewers, so reviews are provided on a first come/first served basis.

What's your mission statement?

As we enter the 21st century and beyond, Science, Technology and its related fields-- including Computer Science-- will play a key role in shaping the future of our society. Institutions such as Columbia University will be instrumental in working on the most important problems in the field as well as educating the next generation of academics and researchers who will go on to make their own invaluable contributions. In light of this reality, we-- current PhD students in the Columbia Computer Science department-- believe that we should put our efforts towards establishing the most accessible PhD application process possible, in order to promote a diverse and welcoming intellectual environment for all. This volunteer-run program is one part of our ongoing efforts to achieve this goal.

Who is eligible?

Anyone intending to apply to the Columbia University (in the City of New York) Computer Science PhD program is eligible. Participation in this program is first-come, first-served and dependent on the availability of our volunteer PhD reviewing pool.

How do I sign up?

~~ Sign up by filling out this application. ~~

After you complete the application, you will receive an email by Nov. 14th letting you know if we were able to match you with a PhD student reviewer in your area to review your personal statement. If you are matched, you will receive one round of feedback on your personal statement by Nov. 21st.

Have you ever done this before?

We have! We ran this program for the first time last year. We provided 64 applicants with feedback on their application material, and the response was very positive, from both the applicants and the current students who provided the reviews. We are excited to continue to improve this program.

Please note that this is a Student-Run Volunteer Program.