Ask Columbia GSB Admissions

Hi Charu - Thank you for your question! This is not too late to be considered. It is always in the applicants best interest to apply as early as possible with rolling decision, but our class will not be closed at the end of this month.

Good luck!

Hi Gabi,

Thank you for posting. We consider all types of work experience. As for recommendation letters a client or a partner at your firm could be used as a recommender.

Best of luck!

Hi Matthew,
I will apply by mid February. Based on the deadline for regular decision I think my application will still be considered for the August 2012 entry, right? Does the admission committee have different criteria for applicants applying at this time? Do the applicants need to explain why they apply late in the process?

Thank you for your time to answer our questions.

The criteria does not change for applicants. If you want to explain why you applied at this point in the process feel free!

Good luck!

Hi Matt,

Thank you for your time on this thread. I am looking to apply next cycle. My background is research-centric. Moreover, I've worked exclusively for the public sector (Fed and then the Treasury). Even though the subject matter of my work experience might be of interest to those in the private sector, I do not have direct exposure to businesses and thus am not familiar with decision making at the firm level (with the exception of reading about it in economic literature).

I wish to transition from a research career to one that is more action oriented. I believe going through an MBA program is a very good path. I am thinking about ways to promote my previous experience such that it would be relevant to business schools. How should I go about this? What are some natural questions that you would ask a candidate with my background?

Thanks again for your time.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Thank you for your question. How applicants speak to their experience and how it will shape what they do going forward will be a vital part of the application, but how you go about doing this is completely up to you. I suggest to all applicants to be as thorough as possible when completing the application so that there are no "self inflicted" mistakes. If there is something you feel needs to be address, but do not see a natural place for it in the application, you have the optional essay to address available to address anything additional. You do not want the admissions committee to have to guess why certain questions are not addressed. We do not have any "typical" questions we want applicants to answer outside of what we ask in the application, so do your best and be sure to address potential concerns where you see fit.

Good luck,

Hi Matt,

I have a question concerning the Early Decision round.

I am just curious: what are the repercussions for not accepting an offer of admission at Columbia GSB during the Early Decision round? I am aware you are losing out on a $6,000 deposit, but what else could happen if you simply decide you do not want to go to Columbia GSB anymore? (whether it is because you decide to go to another school, or simply because you have ultimately decided against an MBA).

Is the statement of intent legally binding? Do Columbia admissions notify other MBA programs of your actions?

Thank you!

Best,

Eric

Hi Eric,

Early Decision is for applicants who know that Columbia is their first choice. All ED applicants must sign the statement of commitment that reads:

"As an Early Decision candidate to Columbia Business School, I am committed to attending Columbia Business School, and will withdraw all applications and decline all offers from other schools upon admission to Columbia Business School."

We expect that all admitted students who apply Early Decision attend, but we do not take action against those who do not. If applicants are unsure of this level of commitment I always suggest that they consider applying instead for regular decision.

Good luck,

Hi Matt,

Is it too late to submit an application now?
Are the chances of acceptance for applications submitted at this time lower?

Thanks,
Dina

Hi admissions team

Though I know that Adcom will look at the overall application, I was wondering whether a GMAT testing history of 640 (Q40/V36), 640(Q42/V38), 710(Q42/V45), with more or less consistent 60% scores in Quant would be an almost automatic reason for disqualification at Columbia. I'm a healthcare analyst with a large consulting firm, so I have demonstrated quant skills at work, but otherwise my undergrad quant scores are low too.

Again, I realize that the overall application is considered, but does that score history sound like a big deal-breaker?

Regards
A.

Hi Dina,

We are still accepting and reviewing applications for the August entry. We are admitting applicants on a rolling basis so there are fewer spots available than there were earlier in the cycle, however applicants can still be admitted if they apply up until the deadline.

Good luck!

Hi Matt,

Can an applicant who has been denied admission for Fall 2012 apply for J-Term for the term starting January 2013?

Thanks.

Hi CBSCBSCBS,

Yes applicants who applied for the August 2012 can reapply for January 2013. Please visit https://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/admiss ... plications for information on the reapplication process.

Good luck!

Hi Matt!

Just wanted to check when would the application for Jan 13 intake start? Is it going to be 1st May, or later part of the month. Also, are the essay and recommendation questions expected to change from the current application?

Thanks

Greetings CBS!

I am planning on applying to CBS this fall for a 2013 matriculation, but before I do I was hoping to garner some info regarding non-traditional applicants. My narrative is a strange and circuitous one. At 40, and as an actor here in NYC and LA, I feel a little trepidatious applying for business school since I come from such a different background compared with most applicants.

A brief synopsis then: I graduated from The Juilliard School ten years ago and have been a professional actor ever since - meaning I have not had any other jobs. I have done everything from Shakespeare in the Park to Broadway to television and film and even commercials and voice overs, and am looking to enter into the business side of the Media/Entertainment industry post b-school. What advice in general would you have for someone like me when applying? For instance, what should I do with regards to my resume and letters of recommendation on my application, etc?

Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

All the best,
Charles

Hi Charles,

Thank you for your question. We are not looking for a specific type of work experience for the MBA program. We have had actors and artists in the past apply and be admitted. You will need to submit a resume, but we do not have specific requirements for this. As far as recommendations we want professional recommendations so choose two recommenders who know you well and can speak to your skills and potential as a professional. This is really no different than any other applicant; however if there is anything in your work experience you feel needs to be explained further you can give us more information in the optional essay.

Best of luck,

Hello, there are a few of us who applied before the merit deadline (Jan 4) but have not heard anything back, including interview invites or rejections. I understand CBS follows a rolling admissions process, but could you provide any clarity on when we can expect to hear a response considering it has been roughly 3 months since submission? Many thanks for your time.