Calling all Columbia (CBS) MBA Applicants: (2017 Intake) Class of 2019

Yes, it's fine. Your internship was still full-time employment and I've had many clients do that exact same thing.

(Other schools have different rules though, so always check for each school.)

Great, thank you Erika!

Hi, Is taking TOEFL compulsory for international applicants?

I've given GMAT and scored a 750 in it. Also my primary language of education was English.

Will these not suffice? or do I have to take TOEFL as well?

Specifically talking about Columbia

Got the call on Thursday!

My timeline as below:

Submitted: July 21
Invitation to interview: August 20
Interview: August 29 (don't know when report was submitted; interviewer said she planned to submit on 29th / 30th)
Admit call: September 15

Wish everyone good luck with your application!

Anyone who applied in mid August (ED) hear back?

This is one of those things where I would encourage you to read each school's app carefully and call the adcom directly if you have questions -- I would never want someone to make a big decision based on message-board advice.

I *believe* (but again, you should check directly for yourself) that if your undergraduate education was in English and you can prove that (meaning it states English was the primary language used in class -- and this ONLY matters if the school was in a country where English is not the first language in the first place) then that usually means you don't need to take the TOEFL.

Good luck!

Hi All,

I submitted my app for Regular Decision last week, and I'm wondering when I can expect to hear from them? On the one hand they say that I should hear back within 4-6 weeks of submission, but on the other hand, they also say that they won't start reviewing Regular profiles until the Early round is completed. Any idea?

Thanks!

I applied last year and the AdCom sent a separate email to all Regular Decision applicants letting us know when they started reviewing RD applications. It was around mid-to-late November. Once they start reviewing RD applications, they'll go through them in the order in which they were submitted / completed. I believe the 6 week clock for each RDer who has applied starts then. I've listed my timeline from last year below:

Application Completed: 11/01/2015
Regular Decision Review Kickoff: 11/18/2015
Denied: 12/22/2015

Best of luck!

This is super useful -- thank you so much. I guess in retrospect it was pointless for me to submit so early, but I just wanted to be done with it. I have a long wait ahead of me now!


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Yes, as the other person said below, it's going to be a while -- sorry! They will complete ALL of the ED round first and then you'll be taken in the order submitted. I didn't realize they emailed regular round applicants letting them know when that review process began though, so that's cool and will help you anticipate when you'll be hearing from them.

Best of luck!

I did a study abroad program and the classes transferred back to my home university on a pass/fail basis. Do I need to include the transcript from my exchange university in the application? If so, will my application be hurt by poor marks on exchange? Like many study abroad students, my focus was more on the abroad part than the study part.

Hi Folks!

This is my first post this year - I'm delighted to receive an acceptance from Columbia. Here's my application timeline.

Application Submitted: 08/09
Invited to Interview: 09/07
Interviewed: 09/15
Accepted: 09/23

I am still trying to absorb the news. It has been one hell of a ride - I'm a re-applicant, applied to top 7 programs last year, interviewed at 5, and no admits. This was one phone call I waited so long for. I can't wait to attend the program!

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. It is my time to give back to this group.

Cheers!

Wow! Fantastic News!!

I'm trying to get my application ready, but struggling with the 3rd CBS matters essay.
Any tips on that?

Also, any tips on the application in general- anything you did different from last time?

Thanks for helping the rest of us!!
Good luck in Columbia

Congratulations!! Please help the group with things you did differently from your previous application. How was the interview process? Your GMAT score? Your essays?

It feels as though, everyone that got the interview invite, also got admitted.

Congrats guys.

Thanks gbengoose and 18967mba !

I've shared some details on my background:
Work Experience: 2y in a Big 4 firm and 3y at MBB
Education: one of the top engineering institutes in India
GMAT: 760

My profile didn't change much since I last applied - same GMAT score, no promotions etc. So, I focused on a few interesting projects I took up, and thought a lot more about why I want to go to Columbia and what I want to do post my MBA. The interview was quite conversational - general questions on professional accomplishments, why MBA, why Columbia etc.

To be frank, I also struggled a lot with CBS Essay 3. You should talk about what you think (from a personal angle) is unique about you. IMO, it depends much more on how you articulate that.

And, wishing you all the best!