Select Questions and Answers from todays live chat. Thank you all for participating.
Q: Would love some insight into the weight of the interview process. Heard several stories where the interviewer provides extremely enthusiastic feedback and says that the candidate will be highly recommended, but then the candidate gets rejected anyway. Assuming the interviewer was being honest, what is typically the reason behind those rejections?
A: great question. The interview is never "make or break". It is one piece of the puzzle. After a student interviews, they go to committee. Committee consists of 4-8 team members, including myself, that re-read the entire application all over again as a group. A vote takes place which determines the final result.
Adding to that, sometimes there are wonderful interview reports that come in though as a group, we feel that the student is not a fit for the school. We never use metrics or quotas. Our decisions are based on discussions.
Logistically, luck plays a factor. The later and later a student applies, the less seats we have.
Q: Do you allocate a certain number seats to certain countries? for dual-citizenship applicant is there any preference which citizenship to "use" for an application?
A: Absolutely not. We do have any quotas for countries, industries, etc., The dual citizenship is a great question. If a student identifies with a particular citizenship over the other, list that first. There’s no hard and fast rule. It’s personal preference.
Q: J term students do not do an intern. Are they at disadvantage while recruiting? Do you have different criterion for J term admits?
A: I would like to make a slight correction. Jterm students do not do summer internships. That said, half of the class (200 students total, so 100 students) complete in-semester internships. Those students who are in family businesses, are returning to their current employer, are starting or managing their own businesses, or are only making a slight transition (as opposed to a leap across industries) are all great fits for J-term. If a student wants to make a big transition into ibanking or consulting, they will miss the recruiting season (early Fall to early Winter) for those industries. Those industries to not lend themselves to J-term.
Q: For ED applicants, are they at a significant disadvantage for a fellowship? Given that you already have them locked in and don’t need to incentive them.
A: That’s not necessarily true. This year, we’ve given out fellowships to ED applicants. Beyond that, we also give out need-based scholarships. Students apply to need-based aid after they are admitted. We give out just as much need-based as we do merit-based, to ensure that students who want to pursue their MBA at CBS can financially afford to do so! And, just because a student applies Early Decision, that doesn’t mean they’re any less meritorious!
Q: Any impact of proposed changes in H1B visa policy by President Trump’s administration you see on number of international applications in next application cycle?
A: Our International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO -
https://isso.columbia.edu/) is working to provide additional information to those with visa-related questions. Practically speaking, the potential scope of this Order and how it could affect visa applications is yet to be determined for the next class. The Order’s legal status is evolving. Should there be any new developments, we’ll share those with prospectives. Schools all over the country are waiting to see what, if any, policy changes are enacted.
21 Feb 2017, 09:50
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