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Columbia: Calling all applicants - Class of 2016

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essaysnark

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27 Aug 2013, 07:03

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Swoosh617

So after a pretty insightful back-and-forth convo that I had with EssaySnark through PM, here's some takeaways that I think could help some of you applying:

Most of the convo was about that first essay involving your post-MBA goal. I made the mistake of assuming that since the short-response question was asking about the short-term goal, that I would spend the entire essay talking about my long-term goal. The advice I had gotten previously was to talk about where I wanted to be at the peak of my career. The problem was that adcom generally looks for applicants that have a realistic idea of where they want to be 5-8 years from now and how an MBA will take them there. My essay must have been confusing because I spent too much time talking about where I wanted to be 15-20 years from now, without ever stating that that's the time frame i was speaking towards. It made it sound as if I would be running my own investment management fund before I was 30, which painted a pretty unrealistic picture in the eyes of adcom.

If anything, I should have at least built a clear roadmap between where I am now and where I will be at my peak, but the majority of the essay should have been about where I see myself in those middle years.

Hey Swoosh617 - just to clarify:
The majority of Columbia essay 1 should actually be focusing on the immediate post-MBA goal, how you'll get there, why you're qualified for it, how Columbia will help you. Maybe that's what you meant by "those middle years" since we're talking 2016 (grad date) and onwards, which seems like a really long time from now, but just wanted that to be crystal clear for everyone.

Don't go too far out with goals and ambition with Columbia. Be anchored in the practical and realistic, and show how you're going to get where you say you want to go.

We're always bummed when we hear stories like yours, Swoosh617. You're an uber-qualified candidate who had a misstep on the essays. It's great that you shared your experience openly here, so that others may benefit. It's also great that you applied to Columbia super early since now you can correct course and tackle those other excellent MBA programs. We're convinced you'll see a different outcome with your Round 1 apps.

Good luck to everyone going for Columbia and remember, those goals are important!! Here and other schools too, but definitely here.

EssaySnark

kdhpolo

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27 Aug 2013, 08:53

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I've received an invitation this morning. I'm an ED applicant in Asia.

kdhpolo

Has any of international applicants here received an interview invitation already?

In CBS's rolling-basis system, when would I expect to hear the interview invitation?
BTW, I submitted my app two weeks ago.

qshdz

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27 Aug 2013, 10:30

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kdhpolo

I've received an invitation this morning. I'm an ED applicant in Asia.

when did you submit your app?

kdhpolo

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27 Aug 2013, 17:00

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qshdz

kdhpolo

I've received an invitation this morning. I'm an ED applicant in Asia.

when did you submit your app?

The application was submitted on 7/28 and my last rec letter was on 8/3

liquidsnake

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27 Aug 2013, 18:06

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Sup guys? Anyone getting their hearts racing at the thought that some of us are already getting interview invitations? I sure am.

So for now, 2 in, 1 ding, and some interviews but only for those who applied in June/July. Is that right?

Solonos

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Schools: Booth '16 (A) Tuck '16 (WL) Wharton '16 (WL)

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28 Aug 2013, 05:42

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Applied on July 31, still waiting to hear back

hailmary

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28 Aug 2013, 06:17

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liquidsnake

I have been told my numerous sources that you should hear back between 3-4 weeks; looking at this thread, people have mostly heard back in 20-22 days, so I would start refreshing my emails around that timeline.

I applied on 26th Aug.

marekskom

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28 Aug 2013, 08:11

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I'm slowly flipping out with the wait. I've submitted on August the 12th and each day I feel more convinced that I won't be accepted to Columbia or any other school I apply to :/

j0ey

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28 Aug 2013, 10:34

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If I submit the RD decision app right now, will there be no benefit as it will just be deferred until all ED decisions are rendered?

hailmary

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28 Aug 2013, 10:49

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j0ey

If I submit the RD decision app right now, will there be no benefit as it will just be deferred until all ED decisions are rendered?

True. they won't start reading RD apps until December, so no point submitting right now; in fact it would scream that CBS is not your first choice - imagine telling a gal/guy that you are not my first choice, but I will still ask you out on a date

TrueMorgan

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Updated on: 28 Aug 2013, 11:49

Originally posted by TrueMorgan on 28 Aug 2013, 11:47.
Last edited by TrueMorgan on 28 Aug 2013, 11:49, edited 1 time in total.

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marekskom

I'm slowly flipping out with the wait. I've submitted on August the 12th and each day I feel more convinced that I won't be accepted to Columbia or any other school I apply to :/

Looks like you may hear back as early as later this week / early next week. Good luck!! I submitted on 8/16.

mapenar

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Location: Colombia

Concentration: Finance, General Management

Schools: CBS '16 (M)

GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V39 Verified score

GPA: 3.4

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Schools: CBS '16 (M)

GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V39 Verified score

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28 Aug 2013, 11:48

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Hopes it helps!!

Background:

Country: Colombia
Undergrad: Industrial Engineering
GPA: 3.4
GMAT: 720
WE: 4+ years in Consulting
Age: 27

Timeline:

Submited: 7/16
Invited to interview: 8/7
Interview: 8/16
Interview report completed: 8/20
Accepted: 8/27

lamba2016

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28 Aug 2013, 12:07

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Here's more on the timeline:

Applied: 7/10
Interview invitation: 8/1
Interviewed: 8/14
Interview feedback sumbitted: 8/14
Accepted: 8/27

polarbear25

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[3]

28 Aug 2013, 13:11

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Just got the call, very happy.

Applied: 7/19
Interview invitation: 8/12
Interviewed: 8/20
Interview feedback submitted: 8/21
Accepted: 8/28

essaysnark

MBA Admissions Consultant

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28 Aug 2013, 13:13

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polarbear25

Just got the call, very happy.

Applied: 7/19
Interview invitation: 8/12
Interviewed: 8/20
Interview feedback submitted: 8/21
Accepted: 8/28

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

"Very happy" being understatement of the year? 8-)

insufficientdata

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29 Aug 2013, 06:47

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Accepted this morning!
Early Decision
Applied: 7/26
Interview Invite: 8/15
Interview Report Submitted: 8/23
Accepted: morning of 8/29
GMAT: 720 (low quant, high verbal)
GPA: 3.5
WE: 5 years political consulting

masterg

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29 Aug 2013, 06:52

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Have any early decision applicants been rejected yet? Please share your stats. Thank you.

zurichs

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29 Aug 2013, 07:02

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curious if anyone submitted in August has received an interview invite.

I submitted on August 7, according to the data points here if I can get an interview it should be this week.

mbahelp

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29 Aug 2013, 08:13

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does anyone have information on protocol for re-applicants? if they have already been interviewed in a previous round, do they get interviewed again or are there instances when you don't go through the interview process and can still be accepted. Thanks!

essaysnark

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29 Aug 2013, 08:29

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zurichs

curious if anyone submitted in August has received an interview invite.

I submitted on August 7, according to the data points here if I can get an interview it should be this week.

Just a warning: There are few "shoulds" with the Columbia process in terms of timing of the steps. The variability is really wide. It's easy to get very stressed out in this process (one of the downsides of Columbia's rolling system - though the benefits outweigh it). There are common patterns but just be careful about tagging expectations for when you'll hear back onto what others have reported, it can drive you crazy.