Ask Columbia GSB Admissions

Hi Matt,

Thanks for taking our questions! My recommender reached out to me today concerned about the correct length of the recommendation letter. He asked if it's appropriate for responses to be ~1 paragraph per question, or if letters are typically 1 page or so per question. I wanted to get your guidance and hopefully give him some helpful feedback to help him along!

Hi johnnymac - There is a specific deadline for RD admits. It will be in late February.

Good luck!

Matthew Moll
Assistant Director
MBA Admissions
Twitter: @ColumbiaMBA

Hi rsmba,

Recommendations do not have a required length. If your recommender wants to submit a paragraph per answer this is acceptable. Rarely do we see one page per question, but we do not have a required minimum or maximum length.

I hope this helps!


Matthew Moll
Assistant Director
MBA Admissions
Twitter: @ColumbiaMBA

Hi,
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question.
Columbia is my preferred MBA program and I would like to ensure my application is strong.
Given that, I wanted to check whether you have a certain knock-out level (didn’t find it on the program website) for the TOEFL? How will I know that the score I have received is competitive/sufficient and doesn’t jeopardize my application?
In addition, I've heard that Columbia accepts the higher score if I decide to re-take the exam.
Is that correct?

All the compliments for the great Q&A platform you provide
Thanks again

Hi visitor007

We do not have a minimum requirement for the TOEFL. The only advice I can give you is do the best you can! We will accept your highest TOEFL score no matter how many times you retake the TOEFL.

Good luck!


Matthew Moll
Assistant Director
MBA Admissions
Twitter: @ColumbiaMBA

Hi there,

I wanted to ask for advice regarding recommendation letters. Of the two letters of professional recommendations, how would the admissions committee feel if I were to use my graduate school supervisor as a referee? I worked closely with my grad supervisor on a research project and he is now one of my clients at my current work. My understanding is that academic referees are discouraged.

For a referee, would my grad supervisor be a good candidate compared to someone else from my current workplace (to complement the recommendation from my current work manager)?

Thanks for any suggestions you could provide,
Kay

Hi Kay,

Thank you for your question. We prefer professional recommendations, however it is up to you who you choose.

Good luck!


Matthew Moll
Assistant Director
MBA Admissions
Columbia Business School
Twitter: @ColumbiaMBA

Dear Matthew,

I've just submitted by Columbia application (minutes ago) and from previous posts, I take it that applications are not reviewed until December. Is it therefore, safe to say that I won't know my decision till February? I ask this because I don't want to be obsessing over my application and checking every day!

Also, how open is the GSB to candidates with relatively lesser work experience (in my case 25 months at the time of joining)? Also, will full-time work prior to graduation (with designated responsibilities/goals/targets) be counted? As per the application instructions I have not included it in my calculation of total months of experience, but have included a note in the 'Additional Information' section.

Thank you!
Rohan

Hi Rohan,

Congratulations on submitting your application. You should allow 12 weeks for the application to be reviewed once your application goes 'under review.'

Work experience is not a prerequisite for acceptance into the MBA program at Columbia, however the middle 80 % of admitted students have 3-7 years of prior professional experience. Prospective candidates with strong credentials have been accepted immediately from undergraduate study. In addition, we are not looking for a specific type of work experience, but rather aim to create a diverse class with different backgrounds and interests. Ideal applicants have demonstrated leadership, have the ability to work as members of a team, and can contribute to the academic experience of their peers. We will take into consideration all work experience that you put into the application.

Good luck!

Hi Matthew,

Could you please shed some light on the "Reconsider later" status. What are the chances of acceptance after being deferred (for ED applicants).

Many thanks for your time and contribution to this forum!

Hi ksk80,

Thank you for your question. These applicants will be considered again with the larger pool and are no longer bound to the ED requirements. Unfortunately we cannot speak to your "chances;" however we do admit students every year who are given this initial decision.

Good luck!

Dear Matthew,

Thank you for clearing that up. Considering I have 8 months of experience prior to graduation, should I have entered (25 + 8) = 33 months (instead of my current 25) in the online application, or is the note in the 'additional information' section sufficient. Is it worth writing an e-mail to the admissions committee to sort this out?

Thank you again,
Rohan

Hi Rohan - Your original entry is correct. The additional note is enough.

Thank you for your question.

Hi Matthew,

I have a question considering the salary info in the online application.
Am I required to share the gross salary info i.e with taxes included or the net pay from which taxes are deduced ?

Thank you

Best regards,

Hi amaterasu - You should include your salary before taxes.

Thank you!

Thank you Matthew for your quick reply and information.

Best regards,

Hi Matthew,

I'm applying for the January 4 deadline for the full time program. I am a US citizen and currently reside in NYC. However, I am going to Switzerland to study French for a month just after January 15. I understand from previous comments that the application review can take up to 12 weeks. Therefore, is it safe to assume that if I arrive back in NYC at the end of February that I won't miss any possible interview invitations?

How much notice is given prior to the proposed interview date?

Alternatively, if I am still in Switzerland for over a month, is it possible to rearrange the interview such that it takes place with an alumni or school representative near Geneva or Zurich?

Thank you very much.