Columbia 2013 (CBS) - Calling All Applicants

Big mistake ...if you do this.

Guys, I see only three lines in the job/duties section in the PDF proof. For the awards, I see only one line with everything else gone. Is that how it should be? Or am I doing something wrong !?

I agree. The optional essay (which I used to address my academic record) is meant to address lingering questions that come up for the adcom, but have not been adequately answered in the application. However, you can use part of the essay to highlight things about you the adcom would want to know but doesn't already have the info in the app.

For example, I basically said "Given my circumstances, a b and c, my acadamic record does not reflect my future potential or my intellectual capabilities. Given these facts, It is my hope that while evaluating my candidicacy the adcom pay greater attention to x, y and z. (This is where I fit in some new good stuff about me i.e. business accomplishments, overcoming personal challenges, community service) that I wasn't able to fit in anywhere else." I basically used the optional essay to put my academic record in context and explain how I hope to be evaluated by the adcom.

In the education page of the application, we have to enter a GPA. I completed my Undergraduation in India, and my transcript mentions total marks I secured.

The GPA box only accepts x.x format.

Any advice?

0.0

Thank you

Where is the "Job Duties" section referenced in the Columbia application employment section (referenced below)? I don't see it anywhere?

"You may include these as a separate notation in the "Job Duties" section. If you are an entrepreneur, please explain your salary in the Optional Essay. Please convert to U.S. Dollars."

Yes. You can. I emailed the admission office about using the optional essay to discuss an experience that had to do with my goals:

"I have a question about the optional essay of the MBA application. Can I use this essay to describe an experience that has played an important role in shaping my goals? I feel that this information is relevant to my candidacy."

Here is what they said:

"Thank you for your email. The optional fourth essay is available for you to discuss any issues that do not fall within the purview of the required essays. Using this to describe an experience that has played an important role in shaping your goals would be appropriate. This essay should be a maximum of 500 words.

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Rachael Lubetkin"


BTW, if you have questions about a school's application, contact the admission office.

Submitted 02 Oct. Fingers crossed now.

Got a call from CBS. Admitted for J-Term!!!
Stats:
International applicant
3.5yr WE - top tier management consulting
700 GMAT - 49Q/37V

Good luck for those who are still waiting!

Congrats!
So, after talking to guys I can make a conclusion that if you see a status change e-mail after an interview it means you are rejected but if you get a call from unknown number ...
Was interviewed exactly 2 weeks ago, yesterday got the message that an interview report was delivered, still waiting...

I wouldn't start thinking negatively just yet. Anything is possible! Good luck.

Not at all. I mean it seems that we will learn about our admittance via the call not e-mail which is used for negative news only.

Great job! When did you submit and interview?

Thanks,

Submitted on 21/7

Interviewed 2 weeks ago

Any light on whether Columbia might check on the 'University being Co-signor?'. I had applied for Wharton last year R2 and got dinged. Initially even Wharton had no such loan programs for students. But I got an update, while I was waiting for a response, that Wharton was pleased to annouce loan program for international student.

I really want something similar to happen here. With a difference of getting an admit

Definitely seems like they have slowed their pace of acceptances. A colleague of mine Submitted --> Interview (2weeks)--> Accepted (2 weeks). Was less than a month from submitt to accept and that was only 2 years ago.

Looks like if you submitted in July-August they have emailed for interviews, but not much outside of that.