Calling all Columbia MBA Applicants: 2020 Intake (Class of 2022)!

Thank you for your response MBAPrepCoach. A number of universities have moved their deadline. I am just wondering why they would do so if the chances of acceptance aren't great/ they already have filled their class? Is it a contingency plan sort of situation or does it have something to do with statistics of number of applicants?

Thank you.

Colombia is quite special in that like almost the bulk of the people that go there apply in EA. your odds are significantly better the earlier you apply for Columbia specifically. This is not *as much* the case for many other schools quite as much but overall, round three definitely has fewer applicants, higher standards, requires much more diversity.

However you have an amazing GMAT; there is an offhand chance they will want to top off their class average GMAT score and that will come in handy for them but it's a risky move; I would not recommend playing your hand as an Indian this late in the cycle.

They do not offer merit awards at CBS after Jan 5th; given your GMAT I think you could get a scholarship.

Regarding your question, a lot of schools are postponing things because ppl have not been able to do their tests or had time to work on applications, I believe.

I see you will be going for J-term and that's what I would recommend if you are dead set on CBS this year and dont need an internship (however, no merit awards for J-term)

770GMAT

This is a great question, as applicants are noticing the extended deadline, and wondering if it means there is suddenly actually space in the class (despite that CBS has signaled that the class was quite full by about January).

We are seeing a pattern across most top programs, that they are trying to cover their bases to ensure they will have a full class next year, in light of current events. There is nervousness that things could continue and visas will not be able to be processed on time, meaning that some internationals might have to defer their enrollment (HBS published a statement on this recently). Some programs seem to be, as my colleague Judith would say, "fattening up their waitlists," taking more applicants on the waitlist than they typically would, in order to have a substantial supply of strong candidates.

Right now, I believe they are looking for a) particularly standout candidates and b) US citizens. Even if you fall into these categories, success could really depend on how things pan out with the pandemic. So, long story short, your chances are really out of your control at this point in time, and will be very much in your control if you hold off and apply ED next cycle, and really give yourself sufficient time to craft a great story.

There is a lot of helpful info on the webinar we did yesterday, which is available here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp_brkY ... e=youtu.be

Are people even applying this late? June is a long time away! Does it mean they actually have enough spots?
And normally are applications even submitted this time of the year?

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I think it signals that Columbia has no idea how the pandemic will influence visas and enrollment, so they are looking to bulk up reserves that they may have not built in their rd1 and rd2. Disaster planning, nothing more. They probably are not going to admit any more in rd3 than they would in previous years but are more likely to interview / keep on waitlist. Separate, but possibly related datapoint is that Columbia Law School created a reserve list, a tier below their waitlist, so as a university they're being vigilant in planning for unexpected yield.

Agree with this - "fat waitlist" strategy

I have changed my answer on this - however, I still don't think Indians could get in there with a GMAT less than the class average; even being female.

I was on a webinar with Michael Robinson today for CBS and he said that usually they accept a "handful" of applicants at this stage, but they are now looking to fill 100 seats!!

This is kind of major; it's quite an opportunity if you are willing to bet on the Covid situation being sorted by September, which I think it must. So this is totally unprecedented. They are still sticking to their standards but it's obvious they are trying to drum up applications and they will be going deep into the waitlist.

If you need an internship I would recommend putting in an application ASAP but before the deadline of June 1; usually the deadline is in April.

If you don't need an internship, you might apply to January term, that application opens in June. The acceptance rate is usually higher for J-term but given the Covid situation that might not be the case this time around.

I could tell they were anxious for the GMAC to get the virtual show on the virtual road, mid-April, but keep in mind you can do the Executive Assessment ie GMAT light. Maximum of 2 attempts but still it's a good option.

This is going to be the situation for a lot of top business schools so Round 3 is going to be more viable than ever.

Thank you @MBAPrepCoach- this is positive news in a not so positive situation.

I just did my interview for Columbia and got notified that the feedback was submitted. Does anyone know how long it usually takes to hear the final decision?

MBAPrepCoach, for applicants that have been outright rejected for fall admission without waitlist, do you think there is any chance of them "reevaluating" us if we can show that we are guaranteed to attend if admitted? I know Columbia's normal cohort has a heavy international component that may be affected by potential travel bans. I'm debating applying for J term as well, but don't know how this will be seen.

Hey! When did you submit the application? How long did it take for the interview invite!?

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cametolearn

I request you to post your interview experience in the following link. Thanks.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/columbia-190 ... brief.html

You know what, normally I would say ha that's nuts but hell, I think you should just email Michael Robinson, to gain some feedback on your application and maybe do this under the guise of wanting to be more successful with your J-term app. And then mention it's your #1 choice. Why not?
lz2313

The current students at CBS have made a change.org petition asking for Tuition refunds. You can find the petition here https://www.change.org/p/petition-for-t ... topic_page

More such petitions from other schools are here https://gmatclub.com/forum/mba-students ... 21086.html

Of course, people apply well into April.