Last visit was: 21 Apr 2026, 19:16 It is currently 21 Apr 2026, 19:16
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
liftoff
User avatar
Joined: 27 May 2010
Last visit: 27 Sep 2012
Posts: 59
Own Kudos:
16
Given Kudos: 8
Status:Essaying
Location: Ghana
Concentration: Finance, Finance
Schools: Cambridge
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V37
GPA: 3.9
WE:Accounting (Education)
Schools: Cambridge
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V37
Posts: 59
Kudos: 16
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 01:38
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I went with 3b. I have never run for any office before and I feel this is the best time to.
User avatar
fudgebrownie
User avatar
Joined: 16 Aug 2011
Last visit: 14 May 2012
Posts: 101
Own Kudos:
17
Given Kudos: 7
Status:CBS Class of 2014
Concentration: General Management
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
WE:Investment Banking (Finance: Investment Banking)
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Posts: 101
Kudos: 17
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 04:56
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I went with 3c since I was able to find someone on the list aligned with my background and goals. A good non-empirical gauge would be which one immediately gets your juices flowing, I guess? I find I always write better about topics I'm very keen on :)
avatar
shorttheworld
avatar
Joined: 10 Aug 2011
Last visit: 24 Jan 2014
Posts: 187
Own Kudos:
21
Given Kudos: 2
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, Economics
GMAT 1: 700 Q48 V38
GPA: 3.4
WE:Securities Sales and Trading (Mutual Funds and Brokerage)
GMAT 1: 700 Q48 V38
Posts: 187
Kudos: 21
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 05:12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I personally went with the first because there has been an idea I've had for a long time that I haven't started on yet but I really think you need a legit idea and can't just come up with any baseless plan for that. I think #2 is gonna be the most common or the third one since they're the easiest to flow into rest of app.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
Moss
User avatar
Joined: 21 Dec 2008
Last visit: 23 Apr 2023
Posts: 370
Own Kudos:
144
 [3]
Given Kudos: 64
Affiliations: CFA
Location: United States (NY)
Schools: Columbia - Class of 2013
GMAT 1: 710 Q45 V43
GMAT 2: 760 Q49 V45
Schools: Columbia - Class of 2013
GMAT 2: 760 Q49 V45
Posts: 370
Kudos: 144
 [3]
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 05:16
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Here is my own analysis of the 3 optional essays. I preface this by saying I have no inside info on how the adcoms look at these essays, this is just my personal opinion.

Option A: If you're entrepreneurial and have a clearly amazing idea go for it. That said, its only 250 words, so I think even if you don't have some amazing idea its still OK to try this essay out. What you'd want to do is show what your priorities in life are. Whatever your business does should reflect your values. In this way, you can sort of communicate to the adcoms your personality and values system based on what your business will do.

Option B: This is a great way of showing a particular passion you have, or even of touting your existing EC credentials and how you're going to translate that energy into leadership and community building at CBS. I'm almost positive that the adcoms have focused on people who make involvement and community a priority for them, and it has definitely transformed the culture at CBS for the positive. If you can communicate energy, positiveness, and passion about an issue or community and show how that will translate into you being active at CBS, go for this option.

Option C: This is another way of communicating your maturity and depth over your career goals. If you can ask an insightful, cutting question to these EIRs that shows you not only have knowledge about your career but wisdom behind both the challenges and opportunities in it and how they will affect your career search, you will probably hit home. I would also try and ask some questions that speak to your personal situation -- use this as a tool to further let the adcoms into your world to figure out who you are, what drives you, and why your background and experience set will translate to success in your career. If you can do this Jeopardy style (in the form of a question), then I think you'll be successful with this.




The key theme is that not only should you answer each question directly, but remember what the goals of these essays are. They're not angel investors or VCs and they probably can't assess a great business idea communicated in 250 words. They're looking for what that business says about you and your aspirations. The adcoms are probably only a little curious what leadership positions you'll take, what they really want to know is what values and personal experiences have you had that make you want to lead and lead in the specific way you'll discuss. The adcoms don't want to know if you'll ask the Execs-In-Residence if you should do "banking or consulting?" They want to know what issues are facing your personal career journey, and what that says about who you are and what your core goals and values are.

So make sure with each one of these that in addition to answering the question, you let the adcoms know more about you, who you are, what makes you tick, what your goals are, and everything else that down deep is the core driver of how you are answering the question.
User avatar
fudgebrownie
User avatar
Joined: 16 Aug 2011
Last visit: 14 May 2012
Posts: 101
Own Kudos:
17
Given Kudos: 7
Status:CBS Class of 2014
Concentration: General Management
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
WE:Investment Banking (Finance: Investment Banking)
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Posts: 101
Kudos: 17
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 05:18
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thanks Moss, that's a great take on the essays topics :)

How's orientation been so far?
User avatar
losttraveler
User avatar
Joined: 07 May 2011
Last visit: 16 Oct 2014
Posts: 389
Own Kudos:
21
Given Kudos: 8
Affiliations: CBS Class of 2014
Concentration: Finance
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Posts: 389
Kudos: 21
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 05:47
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Went with 3B personally. I am a sound public speaker and very persuasive so figured I'd leverage that strength and touch on a few areas that I wanted to emphasize about my general "personality".

On a side note, with reference to working the weekend... I would bet they had already planned to admit the person at the Diversity event but figured they'd wait until the event (weekend) to do so. However, I'm still holding firm that I want those of us who have been complete for nearly 3 weeks to get a call early this week!
User avatar
NoggieViking
User avatar
Joined: 24 Aug 2011
Last visit: 12 Oct 2012
Posts: 187
Own Kudos:
34
Given Kudos: 9
Affiliations: Phi Beta Kappa
Concentration: International Business, Other
Schools: Columbia - Class of 2014
Schools: Columbia - Class of 2014
Posts: 187
Kudos: 34
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 06:07
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Anyone here applying to the Diversity Connect here? They said they'd reply w/in 10 business days, and today is the 10th day and I still haven't heard back...
User avatar
cheetarah1980
User avatar
Joined: 24 Aug 2010
Last visit: 06 Jan 2020
Posts: 1,332
Own Kudos:
450
Given Kudos: 74
Status:Current Student
Location: United States
Schools: Kellogg '14 (A) Booth '14 (M) Wharton '14 (A) Stanford '14 (D)
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40
WE:Sales (Consumer Packaged Goods)
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Kellogg '14 (A) Booth '14 (M) Wharton '14 (A) Stanford '14 (D)
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40
Posts: 1,332
Kudos: 450
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 06:12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
NoggieViking
Anyone here applying to the Diversity Connect here? They said they'd reply w/in 10 business days, and today is the 10th day and I still haven't heard back...
Show more

I'm sure you'll hear something very soon. I think all the notifications go out on the same day. I'm not applying to Diversity Connect so I won't be there. If you attend, please do let us know how it was.
avatar
pedrosilva
avatar
Joined: 08 Apr 2011
Last visit: 30 Jul 2012
Posts: 48
Own Kudos:
6
Given Kudos: 3
Concentration: Finance, International Business
Schools: CBS '14 (A) Yale '14 (M$)
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
WE:Business Development (Journalism and Publishing)
Schools: CBS '14 (A) Yale '14 (M$)
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
Posts: 48
Kudos: 6
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 06:14
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
NoggieViking
Anyone here applying to the Diversity Connect here? They said they'd reply w/in 10 business days, and today is the 10th day and I still haven't heard back...
Show more

I will be in attendance for Diversity Connect. I applied almost a month ago but heard back about 2 weeks after application. Let me know if you get the good news.
User avatar
NoggieViking
User avatar
Joined: 24 Aug 2011
Last visit: 12 Oct 2012
Posts: 187
Own Kudos:
34
Given Kudos: 9
Affiliations: Phi Beta Kappa
Concentration: International Business, Other
Schools: Columbia - Class of 2014
Schools: Columbia - Class of 2014
Posts: 187
Kudos: 34
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 06:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Duly noted, will let you know if I am invited to attend. Do you guys upload .doc's or .pdf for your essays? What line spacing do you have? Tuck told me double spaced but I have 1.5 for Columbia, should I amend?
User avatar
losttraveler
User avatar
Joined: 07 May 2011
Last visit: 16 Oct 2014
Posts: 389
Own Kudos:
21
Given Kudos: 8
Affiliations: CBS Class of 2014
Concentration: Finance
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Posts: 389
Kudos: 21
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 06:41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
You upload a doc and it changes it to pdf ... either is.. the only thing is size limits which don't really matter w/ the essays since they fit. I used 1.5 spacing with question posted on top and name in header... no real format guidelines so that's what made sense to me
User avatar
str1der
User avatar
Joined: 02 Feb 2009
Last visit: 27 Apr 2015
Posts: 371
Own Kudos:
168
Given Kudos: 27
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) Tuck '15 (M) Kellogg '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (D) Johnson '15 (A) Owen '15 (A$)
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V35
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V42
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) Tuck '15 (M) Kellogg '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (D) Johnson '15 (A) Owen '15 (A$)
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V42
Posts: 371
Kudos: 168
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 07:41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Guys just submitted ED. The wait begins. I reallly wanna go to Columbia so hope this goes through. now on with other apps!
avatar
Pagalguy873
avatar
Joined: 14 Feb 2011
Last visit: 23 May 2012
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
3
Posts: 9
Kudos: 3
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 12:40
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hey Guys!! I have applied in the ED round. My application went complete on 24 Aug. Have any of you heard back from Columbia about your final decision
User avatar
losttraveler
User avatar
Joined: 07 May 2011
Last visit: 16 Oct 2014
Posts: 389
Own Kudos:
21
Given Kudos: 8
Affiliations: CBS Class of 2014
Concentration: Finance
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Posts: 389
Kudos: 21
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 12:46
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I don't believe any of us have gotten an admit call yet... and there's a few of us who went complete on the 24th... so will let you konw if that changes :)
avatar
pedrosilva
avatar
Joined: 08 Apr 2011
Last visit: 30 Jul 2012
Posts: 48
Own Kudos:
6
Given Kudos: 3
Concentration: Finance, International Business
Schools: CBS '14 (A) Yale '14 (M$)
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
WE:Business Development (Journalism and Publishing)
Schools: CBS '14 (A) Yale '14 (M$)
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
Posts: 48
Kudos: 6
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 12:56
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
losttraveler
I don't believe any of us have gotten an admit call yet... and there's a few of us who went complete on the 24th... so will let you konw if that changes :)
Show more

Losttraveler - are you JTerm or ED? Apologies for not knowing this already!
User avatar
losttraveler
User avatar
Joined: 07 May 2011
Last visit: 16 Oct 2014
Posts: 389
Own Kudos:
21
Given Kudos: 8
Affiliations: CBS Class of 2014
Concentration: Finance
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Posts: 389
Kudos: 21
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 12:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ED fall 2012
avatar
cunit2k5
avatar
Joined: 18 Oct 2010
Last visit: 08 Dec 2013
Posts: 114
Own Kudos:
15
Given Kudos: 9
GPA: 2.86
Posts: 114
Kudos: 15
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 12:59
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
No news today for me as well. Seems there are a bunch of us who went complete between the 22nd-24th.
User avatar
Moss
User avatar
Joined: 21 Dec 2008
Last visit: 23 Apr 2023
Posts: 370
Own Kudos:
144
Given Kudos: 64
Affiliations: CFA
Location: United States (NY)
Schools: Columbia - Class of 2013
GMAT 1: 710 Q45 V43
GMAT 2: 760 Q49 V45
Schools: Columbia - Class of 2013
GMAT 2: 760 Q49 V45
Posts: 370
Kudos: 144
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 13:24
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
fudgebrownie
Thanks Moss, that's a great take on the essays topics :)

How's orientation been so far?
Show more
Thanks! Orientation ended a couple weeks back and it was a blast! The experienced surpassed even my most optimistic expectations. Really happy to be both here in NYC and at Columbia.

Posted from my mobile device
avatar
trikstr
avatar
Joined: 08 May 2010
Last visit: 13 Mar 2012
Posts: 90
Own Kudos:
3
Given Kudos: 1
WE 1: Energy
Posts: 90
Kudos: 3
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 14:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Another quiet day from the adcom...

Posted from my mobile device
avatar
ldnnyk
avatar
Joined: 25 Aug 2011
Last visit: 09 Jul 2014
Posts: 55
Own Kudos:
5
Given Kudos: 3
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
Schools: Haas '16 (S) Booth '16 (S) LBS '16 (A)
GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V39
Schools: Haas '16 (S) Booth '16 (S) LBS '16 (A)
GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V39
Posts: 55
Kudos: 5
Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 12 Sep 2011, 14:20
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
My app went "Under Review" on Aug 25th. So waiting for further updates too.
   1  ...  22   23   24   25   26  ...  171   
Moderator:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7391 posts