Ask Columbia GSB Admissions

Hi Lucas,

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately I am unable to give you feedback on the next step of your career. Keep in mind that the application process is holistic and your career is only one aspect of your application. I suggest doing what you think makes the most sense for your career rather than the MBA application. You have the opportunity to explain anything you would like about your career in the Optional Essay if you feel this is something that will need more clarification.

Best of luck,

Hi q,

Thank you for your question. It is best if the Optional Essay is not used as another essay, but to explain parts of the application that need clarification. While you can certainly add something that was not addressed like your community involvement, in general the Optional Essay is not used for this. If this is truly something that is a necessary part of the application I suggest finding a way to include this information in the required parts of the application.

Best of luck!

Dear Matthew,

I wanted to check how Columbia views reapplicants? Are there any metrics (eg: X% of applicants are reapplicants) that you can share.

Also, although I have significantly strengthened my application since last year (improvement in GMAT by 40 points, Promotion, more responsibilities etc.), my career goals as stated in the essays were too specific and of an 'atypical' field. I did visit Columbia during a recent trip to the US, and my interaction with students and faculty actually inspired me to do well on my GMAT, which I did.

However, I am a little perplexed around how my application from last year will be considered? For the purpose of full disclosure, I was denied without an interview.

The above may not seem too specific, but any advice for reapplicants, beyond whats already stated on the Columbia website, would be much, much appreciated.

Regards

Hi Matthew,

I have an inquiry about one of the requirements. Your instructions state that one of the recommenders must be a current supervisor. How strict is this requirement? The senior role I have right now combined with the internal company dynamics mean that I may not be able to ask my supervisor without some consequences on my position in the firm. It becomes more complicated given that it is still a long time before the admission dates.

Regards..
hellombs

Hi str1der,

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately I cannot give you specific feedback on your application; however keep in mind we accept reapplicants every year. In your new application you can certainly speak to your improved GMAT, your visit, and your progress at work, but how/if you do that is up to you. For reapplicants we take into consideration their last application in addition to their new application. I suggest being as specific as possible in your new application and take advantage of the optional essay if you feel you need to explain anything from your previous application. Also applying as early as possible.

Good luck!

Hi hellombs,

Thank you for your question. You can explain in the application why you are not using a direct supervisor. We understand that this isn't always possible. Please explain why you cannot use a direct supervisor and then choose another professional recommender.

Good luck!

You are welcome!

Hi Jack,

Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately I am not able to evaluate your chances for Columbia or speak to other schools. Keep in mind that the application process at Columbia is holistic and will take into consideration the entire application. I encourage you to learn more about Columbia at our website (the class profile is posted here https://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/admiss ... assprofile) as well as visit campus if you have the chance.

Best of luck!

Matthew - thanks for the honest revert. One more thing - it seems the definition posted on the Columbia website is a bit ambiguous. I applied in Sep last year - I am assuming I am a reapplicant if I choose to apply at any time this application season? Or is that dependent on the exact number of months since you last submitted an application i.e. you could be a reapplicant in Sep but maybe not in Feb.

Hence, I only have the option of submitting the one, two part, essay alongwith one new LOR. Is that correct? Or can I submit an optional essay as well?

Regards

Hi str1der - It is not the exact date you applied but rather the term of entry that decides if you are a reapplicant. If for example you applied for August 2012 you would be considered a reapplicant if you apply for January 2013 or August 2013, in this example. if you apply after the August 2013 start date you would complete an entirely new application.

I hope this helps. Best of luck.

Hi Columbia Team,

I will be applying for 2013 Sept batch and hope to send my best application.

I would like to know if someone with strong undergrad and a tough post grad clubbed with unique experiences of investment banking and micro-finance/social impact funding but an average GMAT score of say 650 will be looked down upon?

Does coming from an over represented pool of Indians but no engineering and IT background help? I have a BA in Economics from one of India's oldest economics colleges and a masters from a top British university along with the work experience mentioned above. I have significant experience in front end M&A and private equity advisory and managerial experience as a principal manager of strategy and new initiatives with a big Indian micro-finance firm.

I think Columbia is a good fit for me with its recent focus on social entrepreneurship (my long term future goal). Hoping to get your views on my profile and the hurdles i might face.'

Thank you for taking the time out to reply. Appreciate it.

Regards
sarveshmehta

Hello Team,

The requirement for a reapplicant case with respect to the recommendation letters, is to get one from a immediate supervisor. I was wondering if i can goahead and get one from a person who has contributed to an NGO which i have set up, or a board member of my NGO who is a CFO of a Microfinance company, with whom i have been working very closely.

Will either of them qualify to be a recommender in case of a reapplicant.

Kindly advise.

Hi sarveshmehta,

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately I cannot give you direct feedback on your background and chances of being admitted. Please keep in mind however that the GMAT is just one aspect of a holistic application process. Additionally, the middle 80 percent of admitted students scored between a 680-760; however we do not have a minimum requirement for the GMAT.

Best of luck!

Hi siddharth123,

Thank you for your question. We prefer that reapplicants submit a new professional recommendation. If you are not using current employers as recommenders please explain this in the recommender section of the application and then you may choose a new recommender. It is up to you who you choose to be your recommender, but be sure to select someone who will be able to speak to your professional experience and potential.

Best of luck,

Hello Matthew

Thank you very much for participating on this forum. Can you please tell me what should the expected word-limit for the Optional Essay?

Many thanks
q

Hi qtrip,

Thank you for your question. The Optional Essay does not have a word limit; however I suggest being as brief as possible. Also keep in mind that the Optional Essay should be used to explain parts of the application that may need further clarification.

Best of luck!

Hi Matthew,
Thank you for your participation on this forum! Has the admissions committee begun reviewing early decision applications? If not, when will the review process begin?
Sincerely,
Rob