Ask Columbia GSB Admissions

You are welcome!

Hi Jack,

Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately I am not able to evaluate your chances for Columbia or speak to other schools. Keep in mind that the application process at Columbia is holistic and will take into consideration the entire application. I encourage you to learn more about Columbia at our website (the class profile is posted here https://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/admiss ... assprofile) as well as visit campus if you have the chance.

Best of luck!

Matthew - thanks for the honest revert. One more thing - it seems the definition posted on the Columbia website is a bit ambiguous. I applied in Sep last year - I am assuming I am a reapplicant if I choose to apply at any time this application season? Or is that dependent on the exact number of months since you last submitted an application i.e. you could be a reapplicant in Sep but maybe not in Feb.

Hence, I only have the option of submitting the one, two part, essay alongwith one new LOR. Is that correct? Or can I submit an optional essay as well?

Regards

Hi str1der - It is not the exact date you applied but rather the term of entry that decides if you are a reapplicant. If for example you applied for August 2012 you would be considered a reapplicant if you apply for January 2013 or August 2013, in this example. if you apply after the August 2013 start date you would complete an entirely new application.

I hope this helps. Best of luck.

Hi Columbia Team,

I will be applying for 2013 Sept batch and hope to send my best application.

I would like to know if someone with strong undergrad and a tough post grad clubbed with unique experiences of investment banking and micro-finance/social impact funding but an average GMAT score of say 650 will be looked down upon?

Does coming from an over represented pool of Indians but no engineering and IT background help? I have a BA in Economics from one of India's oldest economics colleges and a masters from a top British university along with the work experience mentioned above. I have significant experience in front end M&A and private equity advisory and managerial experience as a principal manager of strategy and new initiatives with a big Indian micro-finance firm.

I think Columbia is a good fit for me with its recent focus on social entrepreneurship (my long term future goal). Hoping to get your views on my profile and the hurdles i might face.'

Thank you for taking the time out to reply. Appreciate it.

Regards
sarveshmehta

Hello Team,

The requirement for a reapplicant case with respect to the recommendation letters, is to get one from a immediate supervisor. I was wondering if i can goahead and get one from a person who has contributed to an NGO which i have set up, or a board member of my NGO who is a CFO of a Microfinance company, with whom i have been working very closely.

Will either of them qualify to be a recommender in case of a reapplicant.

Kindly advise.

Hi sarveshmehta,

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately I cannot give you direct feedback on your background and chances of being admitted. Please keep in mind however that the GMAT is just one aspect of a holistic application process. Additionally, the middle 80 percent of admitted students scored between a 680-760; however we do not have a minimum requirement for the GMAT.

Best of luck!

Hi siddharth123,

Thank you for your question. We prefer that reapplicants submit a new professional recommendation. If you are not using current employers as recommenders please explain this in the recommender section of the application and then you may choose a new recommender. It is up to you who you choose to be your recommender, but be sure to select someone who will be able to speak to your professional experience and potential.

Best of luck,

Hello Matthew

Thank you very much for participating on this forum. Can you please tell me what should the expected word-limit for the Optional Essay?

Many thanks
q

Hi qtrip,

Thank you for your question. The Optional Essay does not have a word limit; however I suggest being as brief as possible. Also keep in mind that the Optional Essay should be used to explain parts of the application that may need further clarification.

Best of luck!

Hi Matthew,
Thank you for your participation on this forum! Has the admissions committee begun reviewing early decision applications? If not, when will the review process begin?
Sincerely,
Rob

Hi Rob,

Thank you for your question. We are reviewing applications for Early Decision and the January Program.

Best of luck!

Hi, if I apply during regular decision in end Oct, when will the interview be scheduled (assuming an invitation to interview is issued) and around when will I be notified about the admission decision? Thanks!

Hi silentemotion4,

We will most likely begin reviewing applications for Regular Decision in early December. You can expect to receive an invitation to interview or a decision between 8 and 12 weeks from when your application goes under review.

Best of luck!

Dear Matthew

This is about the optional essay and your answer to qtrip that the Optional Essay should be used to explain parts of the application that may need further clarification.

However, do you think it is fine to use optional essay to provide additional information. I want to mention that my wife and I are both applying to CBS and was thinking of using optional essay for the same.

Please suggest.

Thanks
R

Hi R,

Thank you for your question. You can mention this in the Optional Essay, but there is a section where we ask you if a "relative or partner" is applying. If you mention it there you wouldn't necessarily need to mention it in the optional essay.

Best of luck!

Hello,

I am currently a NJ resident attending an online business school (Jones International University) while working to help pay for it. I am a third-year student entering my fourth year in the Spring of 2013, as I had already completed my Associate's Degree from a local Community College. I spent 5-years working self-employed and decided to finish my degree (I am now 25, and will be 27 upon graduation). I am currently earning a 4.0 GPA making Dean's List after the first semester. I am also currently studying for my GMAT, scoring 700+ on every practice exam I have taken so far.

My academic pedigree is realistically, putting it lightly, less than stellar. Community College and then an Online Business School is far from impressive compared to many applicants to top MBA programs. Even having a 4.0 GPA, is this still frowned upon for admissions? Will it negatively affect my chances of being accepted?

Thank you for your time.

Best regards,

Steve Hunter