Manager
Joined: 05 Feb 2013
Posts: 57
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
Need Reapplication advice
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12 May 2014, 06:11
Hi!
I applied to Columbia in the January Regular Decision deadline last year and unfortunately got dinged without an interview. I revisited the application and consulted some alumni to get some feedback. I feel multiple factors contributed to the rejection:
1. Mediocre essays
2. Less than average work-ex (3yrs)
3. Competitive applicant pool (Indian Male, although I am a Chartered Accountant and currently work as a Management Consultant)
4. Applied late in the cycle
I now plan to reapply this year and had a couple of questions -
1. I am not going to get a promotion this year and might not be able to increase my work responsibilities substantially by the time I reapply (given the hierarchical structure at my office). Any alternatives you can suggest to improve my case? I am looking at ways to take up leadership roles in my extracurricular activities. How helpful is that going to be?
2. Should I apply in the Early Decision or Regular Decision round? Applying in ED will show that I am really interested in Columbia. I will certainly be able to show personal growth, refinement of goals and better essays, but there won't be any professional growth to showcase (I suspect it won't change substantially by the January deadline as well).
Will appreciate your inputs!
Thanks.