Columbia 2012 Applicants' Discussion Thread New! Columbia GSB Admissions Team Answers Questions on GMAT Club https://images.forbes.com/media/lists/95/2009/columbia-business-school.jpg Also, please see: Columbia GSB MBA Guide Columbia Applicant Summary (Real Time) Quick Glance: GMAT Club vs. Latest Intake (Class of 2013) Application Tracker Feed Detailed Applicant List: Add Yourself to This List (add Columbia GSB to your profile) GMAT Club's Real-time Admissions Statistics Add Your Profile to This List 2012 Roll Call (J-Term) Until the main roll call window hasn't added J Termers, I will manually update this. Please ping me to update your name and status here Even9net Tiggy - Accepted - 28th July, 2011 Submitted: 6/19, Review: , Invited to Interview: 7/12 Nimabi - Submitted: , Review: 6/1, Invited to Interview: 7/7 Miambaprosp - Accepted - 28th July, 2011 Submitted: 5/21, Review: 6/2 , Invited to Interview: 7/7 and Interviewed: 7/17 Mmbma - Submitted: 6/15, Review: , Invited to Interview: 7/20 Wishnuv - Submitted: 6/28, Review: , Invited to Interview: 7/19 NYYankees (R) - Submitted: 7/15, Review: 7/18, Invited to Interview: 7/28 (R) - Reapplicant Application Deadlines August 2012 Entry Early Decision: October 5, 2011 Merit Fellowship Consideration: January 4, 2012 Regular Decision: April 11, 2012 January 2012 Entry October 5, 2011 Essay Questions Applicants must complete one short answer question and three essays. Short Answer Question What is your post-MBA professional goal? (200 characters maximum) Essay 1 Considering your post-MBA and long term professional goals, why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career? Additionally, why is Columbia Business School a good fit for you? (750 words maximum) Essay 2 Describe a life experience that has shaped you. The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally. (500 words maximum) Essay 3 For the third essay, please choose one of the following three options: Option A The annual A. Lorne Weil Outrageous Business Plan Competition is a student initiative managed and run by the Columbia Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO). The competition encourages Columbia MBA students to explore creative, entrepreneurial ideas that are sufficiently ambitious in scope and scale to be considered “outrageous.” Students explore these ideas while learning firsthand what goes into the development and presentation of a solid business proposal. Develop your own outrageous business idea. In essay form, compose your elevator pitch. (250 words maximum) Option B Columbia deeply values its vibrant student community, the building of which begins at orientation when admitted students are assigned to clusters of 65 to 70 fellow students who take most of the first-year core classes together. During the first weeks of school, each cluster selects a cluster chair. Further strengthening the student community are the more than 100 active student organizations at Columbia Business School, ranging from cultural to professional to community service–oriented. Leadership positions within clusters and clubs offer hands-on management and networking opportunities for students as they interact with fellow students, administrators, faculty members, alumni, and practitioners. You are running for either cluster chair or a club leadership position of your choosing. Compose your campaign speech. (250 words maximum) Option C Founded nearly three decades ago, the Executives in Residence Program at Columbia Business School integrates senior executives into the life of the School. Current executives in residence include more than a dozen experts in areas ranging from media and investment banking to private equity and management. A hallmark of the program is one-on-one counseling sessions in which executives advise students about their prospective career choices. Select one of the current executives in residence with whom you would like to meet during your time at Columbia. Explain your selection and tell us how you would best utilize your half hour one-on-one session. (250 words maximum) CLASS PROFILE (Official Figures) MBA Student Profile — Class Entering 2011 (January and August) Applications Received 6692 Applicants Accepted 1062 Acceptance Rate 16% Class Size 751, divided into 11 clusters GMAT Scores (middle 80%) 680–760 Undergraduate GPA (middle 80%) 3.1–3.8 Work Experience (middle 80%) 3–7 years At Least One Year of Work Experience 100% Average age 28 Women 35% International Citizens 38% - 48% of the incoming class came with a background in Financial Services (28%) and Consulting (20%); Lowest percentages from Non Profit (4%), Manufacturing (3%) and Energy (2%) - Highest percentage of incoming students, by undergrad major, is from Social Sciences (35%) followed by Business (26%) External review of the Columbia Business School https://poetsandquants.com/2010/12/09/columbia-business-school/ Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQzdr1MFVFw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cD2mv8-_xA Admitted Students can join the facebook page set-up. https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/gr ... 096381155/

Not a standard response. They give this to a select number of people who they feel would be a better fit for the EMBA program. If you feel that the program is a good fit for you, I would suggest investigating this option. Not sure if anyone gets it right at admission (I didn't), but I do know there are some scholarships given out around this point in the timeline (I got word of some fellowship $$$ in Feb of last year), and then further $$$ is distributed in the March/April time-frame.

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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants

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gmatstudy123

Joined: 27 Dec 2010

Last visit: 05 Jul 2012

Posts: 15

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02 Mar 2012, 09:25

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monaco

gmatstudy123

monaco

Got my acceptance call yesterday too, finally. Very happy indeed.
submit 12/28
under review 1/4
invite 2/8
interview 2/14
complete 2/17
offer 3/1

boom

When did you get the call?

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11.45 AM New York time.

Thanks and congratulations!

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Moss

Joined: 21 Dec 2008

Last visit: 23 Apr 2023

Posts: 370

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144

Given Kudos: 64

Affiliations: CFA

Location: United States (NY)

Schools: Columbia - Class of 2013

GMAT 1: 710 Q45 V43 Verified score

GMAT 2: 760 Q49 V45 Verified score

Schools: Columbia - Class of 2013

GMAT 2: 760 Q49 V45 Verified score

Posts: 370

Kudos: 144

02 Mar 2012, 10:03

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vulcan222

Sorry for the delay in replying! GREAT tip btw - you were right. The call ended up being an EMBA push, and for my profile it made sense (career switcher, tons of experience, high rank already @current firm), but it was horribly deflating to get to this point and get that call.

But I put together a strong argument for full time and hit all points of concerns and reached back out to admissions. THEN after the longest 11 days EVER I got my phone call EARLY THIS WEEK - I'm IN!!!

Timeline:

Applied: 12/18
Interview Invite: 1/17
Complete: 2/24
Phone Call EMBA 2/17
ACCEPTED Phone call 2/28!

Congrats man well done!!! Welcome to the class

jessikins231

Joined: 03 Oct 2011

Last visit: 11 Dec 2014

Posts: 37

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[1]

Location: United States

Concentration: Marketing

Schools: Booth '14 (A) Stern '14 (D) Kellogg 1YR '13 (D) Wharton '14 (WL) HBS '14 (D) Olin (A) CBS '14 (A)

GPA: 3.72

Schools: Booth '14 (A) Stern '14 (D) Kellogg 1YR '13 (D) Wharton '14 (WL) HBS '14 (D) Olin (A) CBS '14 (A)

Posts: 37

Kudos: 10

[1]

02 Mar 2012, 11:37

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I just got the call! I could not be more excited. I was actually freaking out on the phone.

Applied: 12/30
Invited to Interview: 1/20
Interview: 1/26
Complete: 1/31
Second Interview with Adcom: 2/29
ADMITTED: 3/2

halshibib

Joined: 11 Nov 2011

Last visit: 13 Dec 2012

Posts: 3

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GPA: 3.56

Posts: 3

Kudos: 5

02 Mar 2012, 11:46

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I've been bit of a silent follower of the board but thought I'd post info to help. Received a ding this afternoon.

Applied 1/29
Under Review 1/30
Denied 3/2

One question that I have seen before but wanted to get thoughts on again. The letter stated:

"However, based on the strength of your professional background, years of work experience and personal profile, the Committee thinks you might be a better fit for our Executive MBA (EMBA) program."

Is this a standard type response to try to fill up their EMBA program? Or should I strongly consider it? As I may be working in Europe I am considering applying to Columbia's Global EMBA in partnership with LBS.

Good luck to all still in the running.

albertgates

Joined: 05 Feb 2007

Last visit: 29 Jul 2012

Posts: 14

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Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship

Schools: Booth '14 (M)

GPA: 3.9

WE:Consulting (Consulting)

Schools: Booth '14 (M)

Posts: 14

Kudos: 6

02 Mar 2012, 11:52

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halshibib

Sorry to hear. What's your profile? WE, # yrs etc.

halshibib

Joined: 11 Nov 2011

Last visit: 13 Dec 2012

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GPA: 3.56

Posts: 3

Kudos: 5

02 Mar 2012, 12:00

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albertgates

halshibib

Sorry to hear. What's your profile? WE, # yrs etc.

6+ years of work experience in business development at boutique private equity firm. Have worked in Geneva, New York, and managed a company subsidiary(post-katrina redevelopment) in Mississippi. Turn 29 this month so think that I may be pushing limits on applying next year to FT at top 5-10 programs. 710 GMAT, 3.6 GPA.

BAMBAMBAM

Joined: 23 Nov 2011

Last visit: 26 Sep 2012

Posts: 47

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Posts: 47

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02 Mar 2012, 12:15

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Can anyone provide insight into the scholarship / fellowship offers made by CBS? Does one receive such offers upon admission, or must one accept the offer of admission without any assistance and then find out about $$ later?

sej616

Joined: 05 Dec 2011

Last visit: 09 Apr 2012

Posts: 74

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Location: United States

Schools: Haas '14 (A) McCombs '14 (A) CBS '14 (WL) HBS '14 (A) Stanford '14 (D) Wharton '14 (A) Anderson '14 (A)

GMAT 1: 700 Q46 V40 Verified score

GPA: 3.67

WE:Real Estate (Real Estate)

Schools: Haas '14 (A) McCombs '14 (A) CBS '14 (WL) HBS '14 (A) Stanford '14 (D) Wharton '14 (A) Anderson '14 (A)

GMAT 1: 700 Q46 V40 Verified score

Posts: 74

Kudos: 6

02 Mar 2012, 13:48

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I've only been complete for nine days and the wait is already killing me. I thought waiting for the interview was bad, but now I am just on pins and needles waiting for my phone to ring.

Moss

Joined: 21 Dec 2008

Last visit: 23 Apr 2023

Posts: 370

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144

Given Kudos: 64

Affiliations: CFA

Location: United States (NY)

Schools: Columbia - Class of 2013

GMAT 1: 710 Q45 V43 Verified score

GMAT 2: 760 Q49 V45 Verified score

Schools: Columbia - Class of 2013

GMAT 2: 760 Q49 V45 Verified score

Posts: 370

Kudos: 144

02 Mar 2012, 15:15

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halshibib

Not a standard response. They give this to a select number of people who they feel would be a better fit for the EMBA program. If you feel that the program is a good fit for you, I would suggest investigating this option.

BAMBAMBAM

Not sure if anyone gets it right at admission (I didn't), but I do know there are some scholarships given out around this point in the timeline (I got word of some fellowship $$$ in Feb of last year), and then further $$$ is distributed in the March/April time-frame.

Joined: 07 Feb 2012

Last visit: 08 Jul 2013

Posts: 3

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Location: Korea, Republic of

Concentration: Strategy, General Management

Schools: CBS '14 (S)

WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)

Schools: CBS '14 (S)

Posts: 3

Kudos: 5

03 Mar 2012, 04:57

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I was dinged w/o invite for interview.

Applied 1/4
Under review 1/13
Rejected 2/29

For your references,

* Country: Korea
* Company: IBM
* Job role: IT Specialist
* WE: 4 years
* Career switching to business consulting
* GMAT: 650
* GPA: 3.06

I thought my career goal and motivation were pretty clear and relatively unique. But, they didn't seem to be strong enough to cover my weaknesses in test scores. That's my root causes, I think. And since Columbia was the only school I applied for, I'm thinking to apply more schools including CBS this year with improved test scores.

Please advise if there is anything you want to tell me. My friend who is working for admission office in an international business school told me that since so many Asian apply for Columbia especially Korean, you have to be really unique not only in your career but also your interests out of work.

Good luck to all either admitted or trying again.

axolotl

Joined: 11 Jan 2012

Last visit: 27 Jun 2012

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Location: Netherlands

Concentration: Entrepreneurship

Schools: HBS '14 (D) CBS '14 (D) Stanford '14 (D) Wharton '14 (A)

GPA: 3.5

WE:Asset Management (Mutual Funds and Brokerage)

Schools: HBS '14 (D) CBS '14 (D) Stanford '14 (D) Wharton '14 (A)

Posts: 58

Kudos: 9

03 Mar 2012, 11:28

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Applied 1/17
Under Review 1/18
Denied 3/2

albertgates

Joined: 05 Feb 2007

Last visit: 29 Jul 2012

Posts: 14

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Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship

Schools: Booth '14 (M)

GPA: 3.9

WE:Consulting (Consulting)

Schools: Booth '14 (M)

Posts: 14

Kudos: 6

03 Mar 2012, 12:04

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Anyone else apply around 1/4 and still haven't heard back? Not sure why it's taking so long.

reachicarus

Joined: 07 Nov 2010

Last visit: 24 Mar 2012

Posts: 7

Location: India

Concentration: Consulting

Schools:CBS, Stern, UCLA, Kellogg

Posts: 7

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03 Mar 2012, 12:14

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Submitted 1/3...haven't heard anything as yet. Called CBS 3 days back and they said the standard wait period between submission and intv. invite is 8-12 weeks

kookie

Joined: 07 Feb 2011

Last visit: 07 Jan 2014

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Schools: CBS '16 (M) Stern '16 (S)

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05 Mar 2012, 12:24

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albertgates

Anyone else apply around 1/4 and still haven't heard back? Not sure why it's taking so long.

I applied 1/4 and still no word from CBS. Here's to hoping.

atayl0r

GMAT Club team member

Joined: 27 Dec 2011

Last visit: 01 May 2013

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05 Mar 2012, 12:29

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Hi All:
You already know this but this post is to reiterate: The statistics at the top of the "Calling all Columbia Applicants" thread is driven entirely by the GMAT Club community. The level of detail regarding GMAT tests and school status in a GMAT Club member's profile populates those statistics. So, if you know your GMAT or school status and don't mind sharing, please remember to update your profile. It's easy: at the very top-right of this page, click on "My Profile”. A big preemptive "Thanks!" from everyone that finds these statistics valuable!

jtkcbs

Joined: 31 Jan 2012

Last visit: 01 Apr 2013

Posts: 24

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Given Kudos: 1

Affiliations: CPA

Location: United States

Concentration: Finance, Finance

Schools: CBS '14 (D)

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

WE:Accounting (Consulting)

Schools: CBS '14 (D)

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

Posts: 24

Kudos: 6

Updated on: 05 Mar 2012, 15:16

Originally posted by jtkcbs on 05 Mar 2012, 14:25.
Last edited by jtkcbs on 05 Mar 2012, 15:16, edited 1 time in total.

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My interview report was just submitted and my status is complete.

App submitted: 1/3/12
Invited for interview: 2/21/12
Interviewed: 2/26/12

Good luck to everyone who's still waiting to hear back.

mbamilitary

Joined: 27 Feb 2011

Last visit: 21 Dec 2012

Posts: 42

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Schools: Columbia - Class of 2014

GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42 Verified score

GPA: 3.27

WE:Other (Military & Defense)

Schools: Columbia - Class of 2014

GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42 Verified score

Posts: 42

Kudos: 8

05 Mar 2012, 14:26

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Had a dream last night - received a rejection email that encouraged me to apply for the January intake. Not quite an option for me, since I'll definitely need the summer internship experience. But I could tell that the admissions process is torturing me even when I'm sleeping. What a nightmare.

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mbamilitary

Joined: 27 Feb 2011

Last visit: 21 Dec 2012

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Schools: Columbia - Class of 2014

GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42 Verified score

GPA: 3.27

WE:Other (Military & Defense)

Schools: Columbia - Class of 2014

GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42 Verified score

Posts: 42

Kudos: 8

05 Mar 2012, 14:43

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jtkcbs

My interview report was just submitted and my status is complete.

App submitted: 1/3/12
Invited for interview: 1/21/12
Interviewed: 1/26/12

Good luck to everyone who's still waiting to hear back.

Did it take more than a month to get the interviewer to submit his report?

Posted from my mobile device

jtkcbs

Joined: 31 Jan 2012

Last visit: 01 Apr 2013

Posts: 24

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[1]

Given Kudos: 1

Affiliations: CPA

Location: United States

Concentration: Finance, Finance

Schools: CBS '14 (D)

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

WE:Accounting (Consulting)

Schools: CBS '14 (D)

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

Posts: 24

Kudos: 6

[1]

05 Mar 2012, 15:17

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mbamilitary

jtkcbs

My interview report was just submitted and my status is complete.

App submitted: 1/3/12
Invited for interview: 1/21/12
Interviewed: 1/26/12

Good luck to everyone who's still waiting to hear back.

Did it take more than a month to get the interviewer to submit his report?

Posted from my mobile device

Oops sorry...meant invited for Interview of 2/21/12, and interviewed on 2/26/12...not January.

Phoebrooks415

Joined: 10 Jan 2012

Last visit: 02 Apr 2012

Posts: 8

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Given Kudos: 3

Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing

GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V41 Verified score

GPA: 3.41

WE:Consulting (Consumer Packaged Goods)

GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V41 Verified score

Posts: 8

Kudos: 6

05 Mar 2012, 19:16

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just had my interview today with an alum in my area (fairfield county, ct). interview lasted 90 minutes, interviewer was incredibly nice and friendly, but also very thorough and directed in his questions. i don't think there's a real formula since each interviewer focuses on different componenets of the application, but mine (for what it's worth) wanted to know a lot more ab leadership.

submitted: 1.5
complete: 1.9
invited to interview: last monday (feb 27?)

fingers crossed!