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djhouse81
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Columbia Business School 04 Aug 2008, 15:01
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leoneidas
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Hi

I am a Fall 2009 applicant. I will be applying to Columbia in the Early decision round. There are three questions which I would like to ask you

1. Some of the leading of schools like Stanford, Yale etc. are moving towards Integrated Curriculum. For e.g. Teaching marketing topics and simultaneously considering impact of marketing decisions on manufacturing operations.
How integrated is Columbia's curriculum?

2. How closely-knit is Columbia's Student Community (Considering columbia's reputation of being a commuter school)

3. Columbia and NYU Stern are the two leading B schools in New York. Both have a strong finance focused programs. What really differentiates these two B schools. ( I am not sure whether it would to right to put forward such a question to you. But I am just trying my luck :wink: )

1. Columbia just revised its core curriculum to make it more integrated and to prepare students earlier for the business fundamentals that are tested during internship recruiting. Check out this link for more information: https://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/academ ... curriculum

2. Columbia has a reputation for being a commuter school, but that is a bit of a misnomer. Students live near campus and have to commute to school somehow, but when they get on campus they are there all day. With that being said, staying on campus all day with your fellow classmates bodes well for bonding!

3. Columbia and Stern are very similar on the surface, but if you dig deeper you will see the differences. For example, departments and programs are run very differently, such as how they treat Entrepreneurship or Value Investing. Plus, the location of the campuses mak for a different experience. Have you visited yet either schools yet? If not, I recommend doing so; that will give you a solid view of the differences. Also, reasearch the websites of each, and compare their departments and the classes and opportunities associated with each. You can be successful graduating from either institution, but they believe in different means of getting there.


Thanks for your prompt reply....

Being an international applicant based in India, I dont think I would be able to presonally visit Columbia Campus. However I have registered for the Columbia Admissions Information Session and Reception organised in India. For me the main source for gathering information is the the CBS website, and various forums.

Your comments are definitely helpful.

BTW how much importance does the admissions committee place on Campus visit by the applicants.
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They place importance on how well you know the school and how strongly you want to attend. Usually, visiting the school helps demonstrate your interest, but for internationals it is never expected that you travel to the school. There are plenty of ways to learn about the school and to demonstrate your interest without visiting.
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Columbia Business School 04 Aug 2008, 15:25
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terp06
What is a good idea of a rough monthly student budget for a CBS student? I know that this will vary wildly - but it seems like the estimates on Columbia's website are extremely low.
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Columbia has on their website about $75k for 9 months, which is $8333 per month--this includes everything school-related and personal expenses. I have budgetd myself $1000 per month more than that. However, my budget includes some aspects that CBS leaves out, such as the purchase of new suits and travel. The school trips can run around $5000, and they do not include that in the $75k. Students have been known to take out additional loans to cover the travel costs. Otherwise, the budget on the website is spot on.
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Columbia Business School 04 Aug 2008, 19:21
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djhouse81
terp06
What is a good idea of a rough monthly student budget for a CBS student? I know that this will vary wildly - but it seems like the estimates on Columbia's website are extremely low.

Columbia has on their website about $75k for 9 months, which is $8333 per month--this includes everything school-related and personal expenses. I have budgetd myself $1000 per month more than that. However, my budget includes some aspects that CBS leaves out, such as the purchase of new suits and travel. The school trips can run around $5000, and they do not include that in the $75k. Students have been known to take out additional loans to cover the travel costs. Otherwise, the budget on the website is spot on.
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If you take out tuition, mandatory fees, health insurance, and books and supplies, you are left with $23670 for 9 months for your living expenses. This comes out to $2630/month.

I was predicting that it would cost approximately $1500/month for rent on the Upper West Side and between $1500-2000/month for food/going out/everything else (fairly generous, but I hear NYC is expensive and Columbia kids like to go out a lot). This would come out to about what you mentioned - not including suits or travel expenses.

P.S. How many suits are you planning to buy? I was hoping to get by with buying 2 suits before school starts and maybe 1 more before my internship. Will I need more with all of the recruiting events for something like investment banking?
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Columbia Business School 05 Aug 2008, 07:56
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Dont forget to include trips into your budget. It seems pretty common for students these days to not only go on a class consulting trip overseas but also to go on a few vacations a year. Its amazing how fast expenses add up...I know Evanston is a very expensive suburb of Chicago and its depressing to see what stuff costs. Its not as cheap and easy to go to a grocery store like it was back home, and I would imagine NYC would be even worse. I think in cities people tend to eat out much more, and related entertainment costs are much higher. I mean just think if you go out once or two a week with friends and hang out its going to add up fast.
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Columbia Business School 05 Aug 2008, 08:38
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I didn't think $1500 a month in rent was going to cut it unless you're sharing a place with 2 other students. Or living north of 125th. You'll want to live semi-decently.
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I thought you can find plenty of nice room shares in 2BR type apartments for $1500 on the Upper West Side? Am I wrong? If I am, I have no problem going up to like 1800-1900-ish.
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Columbia Business School 05 Aug 2008, 10:03
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Do most CBS students find a roomate to split a place with? dj, did you? Is there some way to get in touch with new classmtes that are potential roomates. I know that most schools use facebook, and I'm guessing they also give you some contact info for your classmates? Maybe they even have something set up to help new students find roomates?
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Columbia Business School 05 Aug 2008, 10:08
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I believe dj mentioned a few months ago that they have a Yahoo group set up for admitted students, and it is generally buzzing with activity as far as the housing search/roommate matches. There is no way I could afford to live as a student in NYC without a roommate - and I would guess that 75% of the class is in the same boat.
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Columbia Business School 05 Aug 2008, 10:15
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solaris1
I didn't think $1500 a month in rent was going to cut it unless you're sharing a place with 2 other students. Or living north of 125th. You'll want to live semi-decently.
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UAH apartments will run you probably 1K/month, but those are scarce.
Regular NYC apt will run at $1500 for share, I think.
Also, 125th street is considered the border between safety and not so safe anymore... usually.
Though Harlem really isn't that bad if you know where not to go at night.
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Columbia Business School 05 Aug 2008, 10:24
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solaris1
I didn't think $1500 a month in rent was going to cut it unless you're sharing a place with 2 other students. Or living north of 125th. You'll want to live semi-decently.

I thought you can find plenty of nice room shares in 2BR type apartments for $1500 on the Upper West Side? Am I wrong? If I am, I have no problem going up to like 1800-1900-ish.
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You can definitely find a good place for $1500 in the UWS, as long as you have a roommate. I am in Midtown West now, and I am paying $1325, true 3BR.
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Columbia Business School 05 Aug 2008, 10:25
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IHateTheGMAT
Do most CBS students find a roomate to split a place with? dj, did you? Is there some way to get in touch with new classmtes that are potential roomates. I know that most schools use facebook, and I'm guessing they also give you some contact info for your classmates? Maybe they even have something set up to help new students find roomates?
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There's Facebook, our Yahoo group, the Open Houses, basically plenty of opportunities to find a classmate to be your roommate. Just take the initiative early on so you are not left hanging in July.
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Columbia Business School 06 Aug 2008, 14:14
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P.S. How many suits are you planning to buy? I was hoping to get by with buying 2 suits before school starts and maybe 1 more before my internship. Will I need more with all of the recruiting events for something like investment banking?
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I forgot to answer this. I bought two suits, so that makes three including the that I already have. I think 3 should be good, and I'm willing to guess that two can cut it if you have plenty of dress shirts and ties.
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Columbia Business School 12 Aug 2008, 14:03
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Hi Djhouse,

Curious, when you say that most students live on the Upper West Side, do you mean Morningside Heights specifically? Or are you talking about all of the Upper West Side (from 59th street all the way up to Columbia)? I'm just trying to clarify semantics :)

I guess I was surprised that you mentioned most people live on the UWS cuz I would've imagined that students would want to be as close to campus as possible, and thus stay in Morningside Heights. Admittedly, it's only slightly closer but still... Thanks!
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Columbia Business School 12 Aug 2008, 14:05
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TienyChesney
Hi Djhouse,

Curious, when you say that most students live on the Upper West Side, do you mean Morningside Heights specifically? Or are you talking about all of the Upper West Side (from 59th street all the way up to Columbia)? I'm just trying to clarify semantics :)

I guess I was surprised that you mentioned most people live on the UWS cuz I would've imagined that students would want to be as close to campus as possible, and thus stay in Morningside Heights. Admittedly, it's only slightly closer but still... Thanks!
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I would also love to hear about this, as well as the smaller nuances/differences between UWS and Morningside Heights. I've heard that UWS in the 70s and 80s is a great spot to live and that a lot of CBS students live there.
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Columbia Business School 12 Aug 2008, 14:19
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The 3 alums I spoke to said most CBS folks they knew lived on the UWS or around Lincoln Center.
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Columbia Business School 12 Aug 2008, 15:57
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TienyChesney
Hi Djhouse,

Curious, when you say that most students live on the Upper West Side, do you mean Morningside Heights specifically? Or are you talking about all of the Upper West Side (from 59th street all the way up to Columbia)? I'm just trying to clarify semantics :)

I guess I was surprised that you mentioned most people live on the UWS cuz I would've imagined that students would want to be as close to campus as possible, and thus stay in Morningside Heights. Admittedly, it's only slightly closer but still... Thanks!
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Most live in the UWS because it is very residential, easy access to other areas of Manhattan, and and a sort commute to Columbia. There are people who live above and below that for whatever reason. Someone might live above because they prefer to walk to campus, and someone might live below because they prefer the downtown neighborhoods. It's all preference and what you can tolerate as a commute. If you live in the 70's or 80's you get the best of both worlds, in my opinion (short commute and great neighborhood). Wherever you live, you won't be the lone CBS student...and that includes New Jersey (although I don't recommend it)!
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Columbia Business School 18 Aug 2008, 23:07
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Are there students who live in 40s (i.e. midtown)? Or is it just not worth the commute?
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Columbia Business School 19 Aug 2008, 20:48
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rigger
Are there students who live in 40s (i.e. midtown)? Or is it just not worth the commute?
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There's students everywhere. There's one guy who lives in Gramercy, which is a 45 minute commute. It all depends on your priorities, but you will not be alone anywhere.
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Columbia Business School 19 Aug 2008, 20:49
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I have started Orienttion, and here are three adjectives that describe it: Amazing! Busy! Exhausting!

If I do not reply to questions, I apologize in advance, but I do not have a lot of time. I will try my best.
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Columbia Business School 19 Sep 2008, 03:49
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Hi Buddy,

Must be a great feeling once u graduate. To brief about me, i am a chartered accountant from India (equivalent to CPA in US). Of late i have been doing a lot of research on US Bschools. i m more inclined towards PE post MBA. my hunch is Columbia is strongly focussed towards finance and private equity. Just want to know whether my assessment is coorect. May i know what percentage of your batch got into PE post MBA and whther it was through internship there or some other way and what is the typical profile of a person who gets into PE. Thanks

djhouse81
I have started Orienttion, and here are three adjectives that describe it: Amazing! Busy! Exhausting!

If I do not reply to questions, I apologize in advance, but I do not have a lot of time. I will try my best.
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Columbia Business School 21 Sep 2008, 22:24
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Does columbia offer any student housing for b-school students? Or are you pretty much on your own for finding a place? (I think I looked into this before but am getting my schools mixed up :oops: )
thanks,
ac.
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