Columbia: Calling all applicants - Class of 2016

GMAT: 750
GPA: not good
Work: 5 yrs in marketing
Extra: mountaineering
Passion for Columbia: 100%

I visited Wharton and Columbia back-to-back. Columbia is so much better. The energy, the passion in the school is incredible. Wharton's class was really dry... and everyone was checking their facebook in the classroom.

My dates were 9/13 interview and 9/17 form submitted. Fingers tightly crossed...!

This is going to be our week!

Posted from my mobile device

Just got the call!

29/m/state school
3.8/GRE score that equates to about 720-740 GMAT
WE: 2 yr engineering, 2 yr consulting
Re-applicant

One small observation for those who will be interviewing in the future: Let your passion for the school show. The interviewers have volunteered their time and efforts to help the school by interviewing candidates, so it's a given that they are very passionate about the program. It's pretty clear that zurichs had a lot of it, too, from his post, and I did, too. (my interview lasted 90 minutes, though the interviewer told me up front that it would be about 45 min)

Hi,

I am an Indian student planning to apply to Columbia in the coming round. I am worried about the fact that CBS does not offer non-US co-signer loans to international students. I did look up GSLC, but they also do not cover India.

I have a couple of questions for the forum:

1. What are the options that I have? Are there any organizations that will help?
2. CBS specifically asks for financing in its application. Does not having firm financing affect my chances of getting in?

Help will be really appreciated.

Thanks a ton,
R

Hi R -

We don't have any specific advice on #1 but you can contact the school's financial aid office to discuss options. Most people look into loans from banks in their home country.

On #2, no, it won't affect your chances of admission.

The reason for that question about how will you finance the MBA is to make sure that you're starting to think about this stuff now. You don't have to have your financing lined up yet (don't think it's even possible to secure a student loan pre-admit anyway - not sure) but you should start putting plans in place. In past years, people have been admitted to Columbia and then had to back out later when they didn't have their money situation figured out. Sometimes people seem surprised at how much the MBA costs, once they get in; Columbia wants to avoid that, thus this question in the app.

Hope this helps!
EssaySnark

This covers it, although I would add one point to the end. Take Columbia's student budget and multiply it by at least 1.25 to be realistic.

Hi Folks,
For ALL who'll NOT be able to apply in ED for some constraints but still Cloumbia is their top choice...Here's what CBS Assistant Dean of admissions has to say, check this out and hopefully it'll add some fuel to your engines

mbaMission's chat with Amanda Carlson - CBS Adcom

Submitted for RD!!!

JUST GOT THE CALL!! So happy!

ED.
Submitted: 8/12
Interview invite: 9/3
Interview: 9/11
Feedback: 9/12
In: 1:00 PST

Stats: Ivy Engineering Undergrad/3.44/3 years at mat of aerospace/25 at mat (will be almost 26)/730 GMAT

do they review apps before rec letters are submitted?

No, they won't start evaluating it until it's complete.

Thanks Snark! I guess I won't submit my apps until my recommenders are ready to hit submit as well...I wanted to beat the rush next week before ED deadline

After I login to sytem, I can't open the early decision application link since yesterday. Is there anyone experiencing same problem?

submitted my app! good luck to all!

Hey guys, quick question: Firstly, Is it true that reapplicants are to skip the three main essays and instead are only required to complete the one essay "How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application" ?

Secondly, is it a total of one, or three recommendations that reapplicants need to submit?

Best wishes to you all! Hope things work out in your favor...

Hey SnowDay -

As a reapplicant, you only need to do the one reapplicant essay (How have you enhanced your candidacy?) and one recommendation. So, one essay, one rec. You also need to answer the immediate post-MBA goals question within the online application.

Good luck - hope it works out for you this time!!

EssaySnark