Calling Columbia applicants for 2008

I will make my final decision about going ED or RD after I visit some east-coast schools next month. So far, based on what I've found about Columbia, I would happily go there (If I get an admit). Do not underestimate the power of NYC, my friend

Since review for the ED starts from Aug 15, does it make sense to submit the applications asap or hold on for a while. I am going over my essays and making edits to them.

I will be submitting way before October 10, but is there any advantage in sumbitting on September 15 versus September 30.

Does Columbia review applications immediately, or pile them up and start reviewing after the deadline?

It is Rolling admission, so they will review it immediately. No piling up in this case.

The school visits will start in October. And I dont think they expect the ED candidates to visit the schools.

Well they have on campus info sessions all August and September. And they have class-visit programs starting from mid-September. So it is possible to visit the school even for ED.

Moreover, someone suggested me (And I agree with him now) that one should visit the school on a day when there's no admission event going on. That way you get more attention (Less competition), and get more non-prepared stories about the school from students.

As far as "Columbia expecting students to visit for ED" goes, well we will never know what is it that they truly expect

Yes.

Who out there has completed the Glenn Hubbard Essay? I have a first draft and am absolutely not sure what I am doing...anyone wanting to exchange ideas??? I guess we can talk via PM

Right now yes!!!!!

I am a reapplicant that was thinking about applying RD, but now I am considering applying ED. I took the GMATs in March of this year, and did decent (730), so I figured I'd take a long shot an apply to CBS. After scrambling to get my application together in a few weeks, I ended up turning in my application around mid-April last year, and as expected I was dinged. I hear the acceptance rate of ED is much higher than RD, especially for overrepresented minorities (another IT/Male/Indian). Considering CBS is one of my top choices, I would be willing to make the ED committment in exchange for the beter chance of acceptance. Anyone have any insights on applying late in the ED cycle? Considering I haven't started the essay and I haven't yet lined up another recommender, I'm guessing I won't be able to submit until atleast late September.

Best of luck to everyone!

It was quite dull. Same old questions and same old answers. Did anybody else visit it? ncprasad?

Nope. I am not applying to Columbia. My aspirations are more modest

Modesty = Harvard + MIT + Berkeley + Ross + Wharton

I am going insane trying to keep the essay on "What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals?" and the one on "How will your MBA prepare you for a rapidly changing business environment?" not repeating each other, but still making a fluid and coherent reading.

Why are you shocked? I am a shoo in to HBS.

Seriously, I do not think CBS is the right school for me. I am applying to set of competitive schools with the understanding that I may end up not getting in anywhere and thats fine with me.

Yeah, I am applying to only those schools that I would really really want to go to. I don't care if those schools are all "reach" schools for me. If I don't get in the schools that I like, then I will just start experimenting with my entrepreneurial self a couple of years earlier.

Looks like all of us are in the same boat. I dont want to go to a school where I wont feel comfortable plonking down $100k. And I do know that almost all my schools(W/K/Chic/Col/Tuck/Ross) are reach. Might throw in a Duke and(or) a Stern in R2 (and they are no where close to being a safe school).

Oh well- Columbia ED is my goal...

That 2nd essay is killing me...... I am not getting the theme of it at all. Can someone throw some more light?

The clear-admit essays analysis points posted by ncprasad give some idea of the theme of the essay. Compared to the first essay, where you are focusing on your goals and how an MBA (And specifically a Columbia MBA) can help you, here you are to focus on the anticipated changes in the global business landscape (The rapidly changing business world - as mentioned in the essay topic, and a few other points that you can think of), and how an MBA (And specifically a Columbia MBA) can help you.

At least that's how I am trying to keep my essays not repeating each other, but still answering the question.