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MCE7
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 01 Oct 2011, 19:11
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johnnyGMAT2k10
Just hit Submit. Very nervous and anxious. I think given my profile the longer I end up waiting the better, if I get dinged it'll be quick.

For my own sanity I'm going to stay off of GMATClub for a while after this weekend, I'll update as soon as I hear back. ::fingers crossed::

Good luck all,
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Curious why you think it's better you wait given your profile?

Is anyone using any particular format on the essays?
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 01 Oct 2011, 20:07
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MCE7


Is anyone using any particular format on the essays?
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I obviously don't know about others, but I found it useful to start with essaysnark format (they break it down into 5-6 components). But, although I started with that format, my final piece was far from it. I find that it's very personal, but others may have better/more useful input.

My 2 cents would be to make sure you throw in a paragraph of how the student clubs will help you achieve your goals, and perhaps another paragraph on how you will contribute to Columbia. Remember, they want specificity. Which class, which club, why?

Hope this helps... at least somewhat.

If you don't know what essaysnark is - search for "essaysnark columbia" on amazon. I think they have an ebook for $15-$20. Disclaimer: I don't work for them!
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 05:42
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Eh I disagree with the above but that's only because I didn't do that and still got in :P. Outside mentioning 1 program at columbia that ties with a personal affinity of mine... i kept the essay more of why im ready for an mba, why i need it to do what i want to do, and how columbia will fit into that model.
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MCE7
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 06:59
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I agree that the more specific the better.

But anyway my question was way more stupid: What I really meant was: 12pt Times new roman? double spaced? Most schools have this requirement…. I didn't see any such requirement at CBS.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 07:08
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Eh I disagree with the above but that's only because I didn't do that and still got in :P. Outside mentioning 1 program at columbia that ties with a personal affinity of mine... i kept the essay more of why im ready for an mba, why i need it to do what i want to do, and how columbia will fit into that model.
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+1

I really think specificity in essay #1 is more important in terms of what you have done and what your goals are. I went to great lengths to show that my background + my passions + an MBA from CBS + my specific short term goals = my very specific LT goals. That took up most of my essay, but I saved the last 2 paragraphs to explicitly state 'why an MBA/why now' and then to briefly go through a list of programs at the school I wanted to get involved with and touch on some information that would show I'd clearly done my research.

MCE7
I agree that the more specific the better.

But anyway my question was way more stupid: What I really meant was: 12pt Times new roman? double spaced? Most schools have this requirement…. I didn't see any such requirement at CBS.
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Yeah, I don't think it does state format requirements. If it helps, I used Times New Roman 11.5pt, 1.5 spacing, 1" margins, with the questions restated in the headings. I did that for no specific reason except that's how I always write.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 07:36
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structure i used -> 12 times, 1.5 spacing, 1 inch margin, question at top, name in header.. that's my standard.

each has their own writing style clearly. my approach is this... im going to be successful with or without an mba. however i want an mba, let me tell you why i want an mba, and then explain briefly how your school is going to accent my candidacy and assist me in areas i have room to improve. to each their own... however i feel mentioning how 1 course or club is going to transform you into this incredible business individual who is going to take on the world.. that's foolish.. lets be serious. the mba is accenting an already successful applicant with a few skills/tools that may need further refinement or areas of learning to be ready for a new career or advancement in their existing career. my suggestion.. find one specific thing that the school has that accents your existing profile and leverage that. big ideas here would be bernstein leadership board and things like that.

again, approach it however you want and what you think is best. I simply think that if you waste so much space of your limited word count on specific courses and you aren't developing how these things are actually transforming you and highlighting why the mba is critical component.. you're failing to answer the question. the most important part of essay 1 is why are you pursuing an mba. why is this mba a necessity for your career. why now. how is columbia a good fit? you think a course is what makes it a good fit? i'd say it's not the course... it's the experience of nyc, alumni reach, educational pillars, cluster approach, diversity conferences, things like this... goodluck.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 07:56
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johnnyGMAT2k10
Just hit Submit. Very nervous and anxious. I think given my profile the longer I end up waiting the better, if I get dinged it'll be quick.

For my own sanity I'm going to stay off of GMATClub for a while after this weekend, I'll update as soon as I hear back. ::fingers crossed::

Good luck all,

Curious why you think it's better you wait given your profile?

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Im not basing this off of anything but my own rationale but as for my profile I'm a bit behind on the hard numbers portion of the application, <700 GMAT, low gpa, but stronger on the more subjective portions of the application; Tough major at notoriously tough school, work experience, background, alternate transcript, ECs, etc. I think my essays are very good, though I'm sure everyone who hits submit feels the same way, but I think mine are very compelling and tell "my story" really well.

If I do get dinged I think it'll be because my stats are simply too low for CBS to swallow, and it'll be a fairly quick decision. However if it drags out longer I think it may be because someone saw something in my story they want to know more about and want to bring me in for an interview. But honestly I don't know.

Could I be dead wrong? Certainly. Am I wrong? More than likely. Am I overthinking the whole thing? Absolutely. But that's just whats going through my head right now.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 08:04
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Johnny... 690 gmat 49Q.. you're not going to get too beat up on that. While it's sub-700 it's not horrible. Shows you can handle the quantitative rigor of the first semester (corp finance courses, etc). Not sure your UG or GPA but if it's within the range and you have a solid story and clearly defined goals you aren't out of the running. CBS median is 710 I believe... the general rule is within 20 points is usually fine (there's 20 point standard deviation for gmat anyway).. so whlie it's not doing you favors... it's not a "killer" either.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 08:32
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lost, youre right, the 690 49Q def isnt going to be the killer, but my gpa is below the range, and I dont think the GMAT is high enough to offset that. I do think I explain it pretty well, while not making excuses for it, in my essays and have tried my best to mitigate it with strong work exp, recs, ECs and an alt transcript, but I think that if I get dinged itll be because that gpa "pill" it too tough for them to swallow, but if it isn't I do think I have a punchers chance.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 08:41
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Well, best of luck. In the optional essay (not sure how you addressed it) I would draw attention to the GPA and as you mentioned, no excuses just an explanation. What I encouraged a colleague to do was to demonstrate lack of maturity during undergrad. Use the argument I was right out of high school, first time with independence, didn't understand the full implications of my undergrad performance until entering the career world. Since entering, you have put forth a strong foot and now realize the importance of the education and want to use that found awakening to capitalize on the opportunities at xyz school. Think of that.. and all the best
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 09:33
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Any suggestion on whether it's better to apply late ED (deadline in a couple days) or early RD? (I'm assuming October is still considered early).
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 09:37
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General guidance is earlier is better than later. If you want to attend CBS go ED... if not sure, go regular RD
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 10:32
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As a follow up to the essay discussion--did you all stick to the word count limits exactly (ie 750 words absolute max for #1)? Or have you gone a few words over in any case?

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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 10:52
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I somehow got to exactly the word count on all 3 essays.. have no idea how. On my other essays that I wrote for schools I was within 4% of the limit. They're not going to sit there and manually count your words... but if a 750 word essay is 1 page and you're at a page and more.. it's pretty obvious you blew the limit. The general guidance is +/- 10%... i personally think +/- 5% is better with these larger ones.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 11:17
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losttraveler
Well, best of luck. In the optional essay (not sure how you addressed it) I would draw attention to the GPA and as you mentioned, no excuses just an explanation. What I encouraged a colleague to do was to demonstrate lack of maturity during undergrad. Use the argument I was right out of high school, first time with independence, didn't understand the full implications of my undergrad performance until entering the career world. Since entering, you have put forth a strong foot and now realize the importance of the education and want to use that found awakening to capitalize on the opportunities at xyz school. Think of that.. and all the best
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Thanks, and thats what I did. Though my situation was a bit different i simply explained it, highlighted my professional success and other indicators of my professional potential, and stated that it doesn't tell the whole story of my academic ability.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 11:19
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bh2011
As a follow up to the essay discussion--did you all stick to the word count limits exactly (ie 750 words absolute max for #1)? Or have you gone a few words over in any case?

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I was about 4% over on essay 1, exactly at 500 on essay 2, and about 8% over on essay 3
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 11:29
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I was 5-10% over on most of the essays I wrote.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 12:39
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Gotcha, that's helpful. Was just curious because the way Columbia puts it (750 MAX) is a little different than most others that to me seem to give "softer" guidelines. Anyway, thanks for the answers.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 12:57
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Ah that's great insight. I'm at about 800 words on essay 1 and struggling to cut words out. So if we're saying +5% is fine then I guess I won't worry too much about it.
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Columbia 2012 - Calling All Applicants 02 Oct 2011, 14:36
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If you have a very low GPA it's very useful to form an alternate transcript with quant/biz classes on it to submit. I went ahead and did this and seems to have worked well for me

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