Calling Columbia applicants for 2008

What kind of ideas do people have for this essay (For those of us who haven't had any entrepreneurial experience)?:

The entrepreneurial mindset is an integral component of the Columbia Business School MBA. Please discuss a time in your own life when you have identified and captured an opportunity (Recommended 500 word limit).

I am wondering if I should focus on opportunities that highlight my entrepreneurial spirits (Albeit weakly) or opportunities that I captured much better (At work - although those may not have much to do with entrepreneurship). I am obviously leaning towards later.

umm interesting question !

I guess this question can be paraphrased to - any interesting instances when you had taken the initiative to do something about a situation and the outcome of the same (shud b successful)

Also, do u have the other Columbia essay questions ? looks like we need to start on the app to see them ! or am i missing something ?

I am applying for the January start program. Do I still count ?

What's your definition of entrepreneur? Depends on how you define it will be important. Innovating a new process and implementing it to improve something can be considered entrepreneuric? Especially if you were trailblazing a new path? I think that the there is more to being an entrepreneur than jsut the common view....

Anyway, I'm in at the ED.. wish it was still $5000..... another $1000 is a bit taxing. Maybe they're doing this to gauge the commitment of ED applicants.... probably improve yield?

Well, you are welcome (Only because you love bsd so much. I was using netbsd on an IBM Z50 last year .. but moved to a traditional laptop with Ubuntu eventually).

Aren't you from down under? Then are you planning to go back there after the MBA? I ask because it appears to me that internships are very valuable to internationals hoping to start working in the US after the MBA.

You are spot on (both about bsd and down under).

I feel that internships are a guaranteed way of MBA school to ensure that they place their students into a job, it seems to help MBA schools in terms of getting their statistics up.

I personally don't place too much value in it, I think those 3 months are better spent speeding up the degree.

changed to $6000....money grabbers!

I am in for ED, however I am a re-applicant. So, I just have to work on one essay and a new recommendation.

Review starts on Aus 15th, when are most people planning to turn in their app? Ideally, I would like to turn it in before 15th.

Yeah I would love to turn it in before Aug 15th too, but I don't see that happening (Looking at the snail's pace of my app work). Since you are a re-applicant, do you have any pointers for us? For example, why do you think you didn't get the admit last year (If you don't mind telling)?

Sure, I dont mide sharing with fellow Gmatters!

I think there where a couple of factors:

- My UGrad gpa is right above 3.0. While this is not the best, I do have a decent GMAT score: 730. However, last year's application volume is really high volumes and maybe my GMAT just didnt cut it.

- I am an Indian male doing IT consulting with one of the big 4s. This is a over represented group. In addition, I applied towards the end of January. At that late in the game, it extra competitive for the over-represented groups.

I did interview and it went fairly well. Hence, I think I did come fairly close. But maybe not close enough to get in or on the waitlist.

So if I had to give a couple of tips, I would say the following:

- Make sure that CL knows that its your first choice. You have probably read that CL is extremely yield conscious.
- Apply as soon as you are redy
- Visit the campus and try and get some face time with Ad Com.

As I said before, good luck to us all.

I am also a re-applicant and I got feedback from CBS adcom. What they told me was my experiences had not fully matured. I was 2 years out of college when I applied last year, and my promotion and leadership positions in the community came along too close to when I applied. Therefore, there was not enough time to impact my life. I am hoping that with another year under my belt I can assuage that issue.

As for my GMAT and GPA, I have a 690 and 3.3 from a top undergrad b-school. CBS told me that a higher GMAT score would help my case, but if that was not possible a 690 would certainly not raise a flag about my abilities to handle the work.

I know that I am preaching to the choir on this one, but give yourself enough time to do the essays. Columbia has some pretty unique essay questions, and to answer them, as well as "Why Columbia", not to metion weave your theme throughout every essay, is a task. I gave myself one month to do all of CBS' essays last year, and I felt rushed--I think most people would agree that one month is not nearly enough.

djhouse, did you interview with them?

No, I did not. Did you? If so, what did you think of the interview?

Does applying to ED mean I cannot "reject" the admission offer? I know it sounds kinda stupid that some one would reject a Columbia offer, but lets say I have my reasons for asking.....

Columbia says that if you apply ED you agree to accept their offer if admitted. If you have any doubt then you should apply during RD.

ED is only for those who are willing to accept their "honor" system. If you are not sure if you will join Columbia (If they accept you), then you should wait till the RD starts.

I remember a previous conversation on this forum. Technically, you can choose not to "Honor" the commitment by declining the offer. But there is a possible down side.

Eventhough Columbia hasn't black balled anyone so far for refusing to adhere to the ED guidelines, it may be done in the future. Add to this, you stand to lose $6000. I personally would be very uncomfortable doing it. Why not wait until RD starts?

I guess you are aware that this year J-term ,will be 2 batches instead of 3...

So i am yet to decide about the J-term!