Calling all Columbia (CBS) MBA Applicants: (2019 Intake) Class of 2021

Welcome all CBS MBA applicants. Let's use this platform to get to know each other and exchange ideas and information through the application process!

Columbia Decision Tracker & Historical Admit Data | Add CBS to your profile | J-Term Discussion Thread

Columbia 2019-2021 Deadlines
	Early Decision	Merit Based Fellowship Deadline	Regular Decision	J-Term
Application Deadline	Oct 3, 18	Jan 4, 19	Apr 10, 19	Oct 3, 18
Interview Decision Notification	-	-	-	-
Final Decision Notification	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling

• CBS Essay Analysis by: Expartus, MBAPrepSchool, Accepted, mbaMission, Admissionado, PersonalMBACoach
• Need a CBS profile Evaluation? Post it here >
• CBS Adcoms explain admission decision process
• Insights from Columbia Admission Event
• Actual cost of a Columbia MBA
• Admission Trends at CBS: Analysis of GMATClub Applicant Data
• CBS Success Stories: NoggieViking - Class of 2014 | Mappleby - Class of 2015

Creating Standout CBS Application Essays

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Essay 3 seems difficult, especially for those of us with fewer years of WE than average.
Any suggestions on how to handle this question?

Anybody submitted application in the ED round for class of 2021?

MBAHanover2018: Thanks for starting this topic. Let's make it official CBS discussion for 2019 intake. Who all are applying in ED round?
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I submitted mine a week back, haven't heard anything back. Was wondering if anyone knows this - what (if any) are the status changes that happen on the application? As an example, will I get a notification when my application goes under review? So far I haven't got any update from CBS's side

I am not applying ED.

I do want to apply to Columbia, and I know they review applications as they come in. What’s the optimal time to apply after ED deadline?

I don’t want them to think I’m not committed enough to Columbia if I apply close to the ED, but I also can’t make that sort of commitment (ED)

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Dual degrees at CBS

Not satisfied with getting just one degree while at CBS? Check out one of their dual degree programs (where you earn two degrees at an accelerated pace). I've pulled together a complete list here:

• MS Urban Planning
• DDS
• MS Engineering and Applied Science
• MA International and Public Affairs
• MS Journalism
• JD
• MS Nursing
• MD
• MPH
• MS in Social Work
• MA in Private School Leadership

You can apply to these programs here. For more information about other concurrent degree programs at other business schools, be sure to check out this post here. Happy to help and best of luck!
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I will be applying in Round 2. I have started working on my application though. Will give GMAT in November. So, can't apply in Round 1.

You should apply as soon as your materials are ready -- ideally still in the Round 1 timeframe (per other schools' deadlines). The reason why is because CBS fills up much of its class through the ED round and earlier applicants. It definitely gets tougher the longer you wait to hit submit. I've had STELLAR applicants who were simply shut out by the time December and January rolled around. Don't let that be you!


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My STRONG suggestion is to have all the rest of your materials, take your GMAT and then submit shortly after in November. As I just mentioned in another comment, the CBS class will fill up sooner rather than later due to the ED class and its rolling admissions process, and waiting to apply until the December/January timeframe is risky. You have more than enough time to perfect the rest of your materials between now and November and then be ready to submit after your scores are in.

Best of luck!


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Thank you Erika. I plan to start working on my application soon.

I have a question, however. Even if I apply in November after I have my GMAT result, won't it still be Round 2?

CBS is not like other MBA programs in that it has "rolling admissions." Meaning that there ARE no "rounds" for CBS, aside from the Early Decision round (with a deadline in early October).

After the adcom reviews and decides upon all of its Early Decision applicants, they start taking applications in the order received and making decisions as they go. That is why it is advantageous to apply in November because the class won't be as full as it will in, say, January. Very different from all other MBA programs in this respect.

Hope that helps!

Erika


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It does help. Thank you. So, what I will do is, work on my applications alongside my preparation for GMAT, and, as soon as I have the scores, I will submit my application.

...

It's generally 2-3 weeks to get interview decision and 2 weeks for the final decision earlier in the summer. Around November and December, it can take up to 6 weeks to get interview decision.
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To be clear, however, if you submit for Regular Decision (NOT Early Decision) you will still not hear until likely the end of November. They review all Early Decision applicants' files first, and that usually takes them from early October well into November, and THEN they begin Regular Decision on a rolling basis after that point.

And then as Narenn says below, once they've gotten into the swing of things the timeframes are about 6 weeks total after submission.

So I am not sure if it really makes sense for you to submit in early mid-August unless you think there is ZERO chance of anything else happening in your career that you might want to add onto your resume between that point and October, which is when I think is a good timeframe to shoot for if you are Regular Decision, so that you'll be one of the first applicants they review after they're done with the Early Decision applicants.

Hope that all makes sense!


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This is very helpful. Thank you! Do you know when they start reviewing J-Term applications?

I submitted my complete application on June 11. Nervously excited; waiting to hear from them!

Where are you getting this data from? Terribly curious!

best of luck!!