Columbia: Calling all applicants - Class of 2016

#1, I applied ED this year instead of RD.

My goal coming out of school is buyside investing, which is why I was so focused on Columbia and the Value Investing Program. I resigned from my investment banking job and spent a summer working unpaid for a buyside investment firm. I also submitted an entry into an investment competition (essentially pitching a long or short idea) and received recognition there as well. So my story from last year to this year changed pretty drastically and adcom was able to see that I was taking tangible steps to position myself for IM. I also developed a strong relationship with the managing principal at the firm and he wrote me a really great recommendation, which certainly helped.

Can you tell us what it is like working in investment banking? It would help a lot for career switchers thinking about investment banking. Also, why does everyone want to move to buyside? Congratulations on the acceptance!

Congratulations, you must be thrilled!

Judging from the timelines, 3 weeks is the minimum amount of time one can expect a response.

Got my first rejection letter from CBS. Actually didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. Onward and Upward!

Submitted 9/11
Rejected 10/9

Profile?

Sorry to hear, good luck with the other applications.

GMAT 680
GPA not so great (went to college at 16)
5 years non profit experience, including 3 years international

I think investment banking is an excellent training ground for finance. You get great training in financial modeling, putting together presentations, attention to detail, working towards deadlines, etc. Hours are terrible, but everyone knows that. I worked at a boutique in Chicago so it wasn't even as bad as it could have been. I'm looking forward to the buyside because I like the job description more (I want to evaluate stocks and make investment recommendations), hours are better, and I think it's a more sustainable career for me, personally.

Submitted for RD! Goodluck to those waiting for ED decisions!

Just received my admissions acceptance from CBS, what a great feeling! My background and application timeline are below, in case it helps anyone.

Background: 5+ years WE in Military, 3.2 GPA from service academy, 730 GMAT (49Q/40V).

Submitted - 9/13
Interview Invite - 9/27
Interview - 10/3
Interview Report Submitted - 10/5
Acceptance - 10/10

Feel free to PM me with any questions!

Posted from my mobile device

Congrats!! That's a really fast turnaround!

Nice EPlax! And thanks for the back ground, it's very helpful!!

Congrats buddy! That really is super quick turnaround.. I haven't heard anything from them and I applied only 3 days after you lol.. Good Luck @ Columbia..

The posts from other people on this board have been instrumental to my sanity especially when I was counting the number of "ideal" days after an interview before a decision would come out. Thought I would contribute back by sharing my time line as well.

Background: international male, 25 years old, ~4 years WE in research/consulting, 3.4 GPA from international school, 760 GMAT (50Q/44V)

Submitted - 9/15
Interview Invite - 9/30
Interview - 10/3
Interview Report Submitted - 10/3
Acceptance - 10/10

Hi all, just had my interview today. Really laid back and informal. Asked the basic questions. Tell me about yourself, goals, why MBA, why CBS, questions for the interviewer etc. Only one I didn't expect was do you have any reservations about CBS, but I think I handled it fine. Interviewer put in the feedback later today and now the wait begins! Best of luck to you all and I hope I'll be joining all of you admits soon!

And Congrats Eplax and Bleep!

Let us know when you get that acceptance Any idea why you didn't have more success last cycle with that 760 GMAT and 3.5 GPA?

Oh yea. I did a big post-mortem on my apps last year and found a number of reasons.

I applied to most schools later in the game at the early January deadlines, and didn't end up getting my 760 until late December (UT and MIT never even accepted that score). My essays were not nearly as good as they could have been, since I really didn't give them 100% attention until after I finished the GMAT, and only had ~ a week to work on them (for all 7 schools) at that point.

WE wasn't as strong. The extra year will put me at 51 months vs. 39, so closer to the median for most schools. I also made an unexpected career transition right after I submitted, which I don't think I sold as well as I could have in my CBS interview last year, but has been a great move and was an easy sell this time. I've also made a MUCH stronger effort this time around to network with CBS alums, students and admissions office members, and I visited campus, sat in on a class, went to admissions events and made sure to follow every one of these things up with a thank you note.

Basically, beyond the stats, I just put a much stronger and more calculated product in front of the admissions committee and demonstrated much more interest in the program than last year. I hope this all pays off, but I guess we will find out in the next two weeks! Hope my mistakes from last year can help you guys!

Wow, really appreciate the level of detail Chains, very helpful! Best of luck, I think you've put yourself in a winning position and I bet good news is heading your way