Columbia Business School - Class of 2013 Application Year https://www.totalgadha.com/gmat/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/columbia-business-school.png For Roll Call, see the following spreadsheet. Please use the following form to add your stats to the spreadsheet. Add your name to the list here Spreadsheet 0Ak2vFwPQcf2zdHhjcXN2bjk2MUZ4ZW1pYVJCTFU5NEE Add your name to the list here Prior Years Application Thread CBS F'10 thread: calling-all-2010-cbs-applicants-merged-78610.html CBS F'09 thread: calling-all-columbia-applicants-for-63151.html#p460533

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Calling All CBS 2011 Applicants!!

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jackhrobbins

Joined: 11 Mar 2010

Last visit: 13 Oct 2011

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Concentration: Investment Banking

Schools:Columbia 2013 (accepted)

WE 1: Marine Infantry Officer (4 yrs)

WE 2: Aerospace (2.5 yrs)

Posts: 81

Kudos: 16

19 Oct 2010, 15:30

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Thought I would point out a cause for optimism...

Of the 15 ED gmatclub candidates that have been interviewed and received a decision:

1 was denied
4 have been deferred
10 have been accepted

Pretty good performance by this board!

SaMoCU

Joined: 24 Aug 2010

Last visit: 06 Feb 2012

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Schools:CBS Class of 2013

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19 Oct 2010, 17:26

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jackhrobbins

That's fantastic. Please do not forget to the join the CBS Class of 2013 if you are admitted.
https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=1 ... 431&ref=ts

almostfamous

Joined: 16 Oct 2009

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Concentration: Strategy Consulting

Schools:HEC Paris, , Tepper

Posts: 195

Kudos: 129

20 Oct 2010, 00:09

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madmax

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Hi Guys,

Just received my TOEFL score and will be sending it to CBS to help complete my application. I am little disappointed with the score, which is 107.

Reading 26
Listening 29
Speaking 27
Writing 25

I am particularly unhappy about writing score. I have 6.0 in AWA in GMAT.

Do you think this score is good enough for CBS.

Sure!! Specially with the 6.0
Go for it

Btw, CBS says you must have taken the test prior to submitting your application. I saw in the sheet that you are an ED applicant, so I guess you were either pushed to RD or you have not submitted it yet.

https://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/learnmore/faqs#2

Cheers

Thanks that is encouraging.

CBS has a very specific TOEFL requirement, which has confused many including me.
My application at present is incomplete. Once they receive the score they will put it under review. I had communicated this before I applied and they agreed to allow me to submit the application as an ED candidate and mentioned that they will deem it complete only when I submit the score.

Just sent them the scores. Hope to see the app under review soon.

Hi,

Would you care to elaborate a little further, what you mean by "a very specific TOEFL requirement"? I thought that CBS requires a TOEFL score, without any further sub-requirement (e.g. minimum total score, or minimum score per section)?

Thanks!

adarbari

Joined: 13 Jun 2009

Last visit: 11 May 2011

Posts: 28

Given Kudos: 1

Location: Delhi, India

Concentration: Finance

Schools:CBS, Wharton, LBS, Kellogg

GPA: 1.5

Posts: 28

Kudos: 0

20 Oct 2010, 04:13

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madmax

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Hi Guys,

Sure!! Specially with the 6.0
Go for it

Btw, CBS says you must have taken the test prior to submitting your application. I saw in the sheet that you are an ED applicant, so I guess you were either pushed to RD or you have not submitted it yet.

https://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/learnmore/faqs#2

Cheers

Thanks that is encouraging.

At CBS, TOEFL should be valid at the time of joining. Usually, it is all right if the score is valid at the time of submitting the app (say Sept 2010) and it expires in June 2011. However, here, for a Sept 2011 admission, it needs to be valid till the day of joining..

(IMO .. from what I have been able to gather from the website.)

"TOEFL scores are valid for two years. Your TOEFL score must be valid up through the start of your MBA studies at Columbia Business School. For example, for January 2011 entry, TOEFL scores must be dated January 9, 2009, or more recently. For September 2011 entry, TOEFL scores must be dated August 21, 2009, or more recently."

saahilsajnani

Joined: 17 Nov 2009

Last visit: 11 Aug 2011

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Schools:Stern

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20 Oct 2010, 13:32

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Just got dinged :-(

Please update the sheet - Saahil

kcw984

Joined: 14 Dec 2009

Last visit: 24 Mar 2014

Posts: 57

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Given Kudos: 8

Location: United States

Concentration: Finance, Accounting

Schools: Booth '15 (M) HBS '15 (D) Ross '15 (A$) Kellogg '15 (D) Sloan '15 (D)

GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V44 Verified score

GPA: 3.38

WE:Other (Other)

Schools: Booth '15 (M) HBS '15 (D) Ross '15 (A$) Kellogg '15 (D) Sloan '15 (D)

GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V44 Verified score

Posts: 57

Kudos: 19

20 Oct 2010, 18:33

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Hi all,

Just a quick question regarding recommendations. Is there any way to submit a general letter of recommendation instead of having recommenders answer Columbia's questions? I had my two recommenders write me general letters which cover CBS' topics, and was hoping to find a way to avoid more work for them.

Thanks,
kcw984

Randomness

Joined: 11 Feb 2010

Last visit: 02 Mar 2012

Posts: 85

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Schools:ISB(Waitlisted) INSEAD(interview) Kellogg(Re-applicant i/w last time) Johnson(Re-applicant i/w last time) IESE(Re-applicant i/w last time)

GPA: 3.3

WE 1: 4

Posts: 85

Kudos: 1

20 Oct 2010, 19:56

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rohitnathany

madmax

Randomness

Earliest available date is Nov 21, 2010 for me. I have emailed adcom on TOEFL waiver and still waiting for a reply (They had earlier sent me an email confirming that TOEFL is a mandatory component of my application and that I may officially request a waiver - "You may officially request a TOEFL waiver by e-mailing us at [email protected]".)

My app status is also changed to INCOMPLETE. Never went to 'UNDER REVIEW' for me

I received my score in only 7 days. Usually it takes about 2 weeks. So Just be hopeful and write TOEFL. There is nothing much we can do. Mine also never went under review. It was with status getting readied for review and then changed to incomplete.

Randomness

Joined: 11 Feb 2010

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Given Kudos: 5

Schools:ISB(Waitlisted) INSEAD(interview) Kellogg(Re-applicant i/w last time) Johnson(Re-applicant i/w last time) IESE(Re-applicant i/w last time)

GPA: 3.3

WE 1: 4

Posts: 85

Kudos: 1

20 Oct 2010, 20:01

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almostfamous

Sure.. I am talking about the second clause...

"You may be exempted from the TOEFL if you have earned a degree from an institution based in a country in which English is the primary official language and at which the official language of instruction is English. "

karth123

Joined: 29 Nov 2009

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20 Oct 2010, 20:09

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kcw984

Hi kcw984,

I think I can answer that. I was at one of their info sessions and one of us who attended that session asked the same question. That day, we had a few current students. One of them said that she, when she was in her application process, had her recommender submit a recommendation letter instead of the answers to the questions. The person who was conduction that session said that while that is acceptable, in the case of answering to the questions, they do not need to look for what they want when recommendations have answers to their questions. In the case of a generic recommendation, it takes them more time to look for what they want in the recommendation.

My impression is that while a general recommendation is OK, there might be a few -ve elements to it. I personally think that its better to answer to the questions but if you cannot do it, then a general recommendation letter may be the best alternative. (Hope I haven't left you at the same spot where you started)

kcw984

Joined: 14 Dec 2009

Last visit: 24 Mar 2014

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Given Kudos: 8

Location: United States

Concentration: Finance, Accounting

Schools: Booth '15 (M) HBS '15 (D) Ross '15 (A$) Kellogg '15 (D) Sloan '15 (D)

GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V44 Verified score

GPA: 3.38

WE:Other (Other)

Schools: Booth '15 (M) HBS '15 (D) Ross '15 (A$) Kellogg '15 (D) Sloan '15 (D)

GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V44 Verified score

Posts: 57

Kudos: 19

20 Oct 2010, 20:13

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Hi Karth123,

Thanks for your response; that definitely answers my question. Just out of curiosity, do recommenders have an option in the CBS online form to post a letter instead of the individual responses?

karth123

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20 Oct 2010, 20:14

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I have a feeling that tomorrow or Friday, a few people are going to post that they received interviews...
..
..
..

am I just stating the obvious? On what days of the week have all the interviewed lucky ones posted that they received the interview so far this season?

karth123

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20 Oct 2010, 20:25

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kcw984

My recommender, after filling out my recommendation, said that there was also an option to upload a document instead of copy/pasting them one by one.. Not sure whether he used that option though..

I actually asked him to fill out recommendations for other schools as well such as MIT, Wharton to which I am going to apply by Jan 4th, their next deadline, in case the worst happens. So, I am only 98% sure that this option also applies to Columbia.

My recommendation strategy was to prepare a single document with consolidated list of questions from all the schools. I got a dozen of them. I made them as generic as possible. I asked my recommender to fill out those answers. I setup some time with him and went over each question and reminded him of a few key points about me for those questions. I asked him to copy/paste the answers even though they are not 100% aligned with the questions.

Personally, I feel this is one of the best recommendation strategies out there and I feel good about myself for coming up with this

The only disadvantage is that one cannot use the recommendation space to support the essays (this is also a strategy widely used) but my argument will be that how can one be sure that the recommender will allow you to support your essay?

adarbari

Joined: 13 Jun 2009

Last visit: 11 May 2011

Posts: 28

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Location: Delhi, India

Concentration: Finance

Schools:CBS, Wharton, LBS, Kellogg

GPA: 1.5

Posts: 28

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20 Oct 2010, 20:27

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Ave GMAT of ED Dings so far - 738
Max - 780 (2)
Min - 700 (2)

Whoa!

karth123

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20 Oct 2010, 20:32

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I don't think GMAT matters that much. We are in the process of waiting for interviews/applying. We should forget about GMATs by this time.

GMAT may be treated as a job interviewer treats the undergrad GPA.. It can cover for any lows in your resume, but if it is good, it is good.. and that's it. It doesn't serve as a major plus.. i may be wrong .. but thats how I see it..

adarbari

Joined: 13 Jun 2009

Last visit: 11 May 2011

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Location: Delhi, India

Concentration: Finance

Schools:CBS, Wharton, LBS, Kellogg

GPA: 1.5

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20 Oct 2010, 20:50

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karth123

Agree with you completely on that. But still .. that's some pretty darn good students there!

(Just an observation - not trying to make any point here.)

Moss

Joined: 21 Dec 2008

Last visit: 23 Apr 2023

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144

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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

20 Oct 2010, 20:58

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idk man everyone talks so much trash about how the GMAT doesn't matter -- but the simple fact remains that you can do a pretty much exact correlation between avg GMAT and ranking. If it was so unimportant don't you think there would be at least a few top 15 schools with an avg GMAT higher than some top 5 schools? You literally never see that. GMAT isn't everything, and perhaps those with high GMATs are also usually go-getters with good GPAs and careers, but I think it matters more than many would like to admit.

cricketbeatsrugby

Joined: 26 Jan 2010

Last visit: 27 Mar 2012

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Status:Awesome

Location: United States (CA)

Concentration: Real Estate, International Business

Schools: CBS '14 (M) Wharton '14 (D) LBS '14 (WL)

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20 Oct 2010, 23:12

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Moss

The GMAC loves to quote how your GMAT score is representative of your future performance in business school. It's complete BS as anyone with basic knowledge of statistics can break that argument apart in seconds (i.e. correlation does not equal causation).

With that said, some b-schools are very much interested in your GMAT score, but I suppose if the rest of your profile is awesome then a low GMAT shouldn't really matter.

madmax

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21 Oct 2010, 04:33

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karth123

kcw984

Dear kcw,

I agree with karth123, but would like to add another point. Just in case CBS is your priority (which may or may not be, given that you didn't apply ED), I believe it is worth to bother your recommender to answer the questions in a way that it becomes clear to the AdCom that he/she (the recommender) knows how important Columbia is for you.
I believe the message "good recommendation" + "special attention was given to CBS" is what will make the letter stand out.

Cheers,

co2012

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21 Oct 2010, 05:05

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Just received an interview invite. ED Applicant (added my profile to the spreadsheet). I'm currently visiting the Middle East and will be interviewing in Dubai.

Good luck all!

cricketbeatsrugby

Joined: 26 Jan 2010

Last visit: 27 Mar 2012

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Status:Awesome

Location: United States (CA)

Concentration: Real Estate, International Business

Schools: CBS '14 (M) Wharton '14 (D) LBS '14 (WL)

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21 Oct 2010, 05:40

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co2012

Just received an interview invite. ED Applicant (added my profile to the spreadsheet). I'm currently visiting the Middle East and will be interviewing in Dubai.

Good luck all!

That's awesome dude! I work in the Middle East (Qatar).