Calling all Columbia Applicants for 2009!

How will I know if the early decision application becomes available? I try to see by clicking on start an application, then a Spring 2009 button came up. I hope that doesn't lock me in for the Spring 2009 application. Anyone knows?

Has anyone started working on the J-Term essays with the thought (hope) that they will be the same as ED?

Yep - Me right here!! I have a feeling they will replace Essay 2 from J-term (theory vs practice) with something else though..

Oddly enough I was sort of thinking the same thing. Well, not that we would definitely repalce it but that if they did replace or change any that would be the one. What makes you think they will replace it?

I clicked on Spring 2009 application. Later I called the admission office and checked, and the lady there told me that I can start the fall term application once it goes live. She was very nice and went ahead to tell me that any information I fill in J-term app will not carry over and that I do not have to worry about starting more than one app.

Hmm..well here is my take on it. On every school's essay they usually try to cover three things,

1. Goals
2. Past accomplishment + Leader
3. Character essay/Ethics/Passion (the wildcard)

Looking at CBS, their essay 1 is a FORWARD-LOOKING goals essay, so there is not much room to squeeze in your past accomplishments in detail if you have to combine your goals +why mba? +why cbs? in 750 words. Their essay 2 also does not give a whole lot of leeway for past accomplisments + leadership although I can concieve people trying to FIT it in theory vs practice. The essay 3 is more of a place to discuss other aspects of the personality.

Note that some schools (like chicago) have a long enough essay 1 (1500 words) to cover both goals and past accomplishments

Thats why I think, no wait, i HOPE that they change essay 2 to something more generic like "greatest achievement", "what makes a good leader?" kind of essay. Its just wishful thinking though.. What about you?

did she happen to say when the '09 application would go live? what's the spring '09 application anyway?

Hey djhouse. Thanks man. You've been very helpful. Count me in as a Columbia Applicant!

Guys what is the acceptance rate for the ED round?

I'll apply just because it's close to home....
And I know the campus very well

My thinking was pretty similar. Basically, when I look at their set of essay questions I think "How can they decide which applicants they want based on this set of questions? They just don't seem to give many opportunities to discuss accomplishments, leadership, what you've done, etc. I also think essay 2 is a pretty poor question and its clear that its just a transparent attempt to advertise their master classes (I mean did you see that promo video they want us to watch!? It's like a five minute commercial for CBS!). Problem is.... that's also what makes me think they might keep the question.... the fact that they clearly want to advertise their master classes. I mean they can talk about stuff in brocures, website, adcom presentations, etc. But the one way to ensure every applicant knows about it is to put it in an essay question!

Right now I am attempting to force some of my accomplishments into the topics they gave us because I want the adcom to know about them. The but it's not easy....

It's the school's January-term program.




That's a great answer to "Fit question!"

Hey sterny, I've made the exact same point on the BW Columbia ED thread. I don't think it is a very comprehensive set of essays, when compared to Kellogg's or even Harvard's. It feels like we can't really tell our story.

But as, ChrisW noted, you can force feed your achievements in there - it just ain't very easy!

Good luck everyone
Andrea

For regular decision, I understand that admissions are conducted on a rolling basis, and the earlier you apply - the better.

However, considering that the AdCom technically reviews applications from January - April, are applications submitted in lets say October or November given priority over applications submitted in December or January?

For example, will people who submitted in October and November start getting interviews in January, whereas people who submit in December/January will only be interviewed in February or March?

They do give priority to people that submitted earlier, even though they don't start reviewing apps till January. They review apps in the order received, so if you submit in November they will review you before somebody that submits in December. They won't start till early January, but when they do start they will review Oct/Nov people first.

The review for RD is 12 weeks so if you submit the day after ED, then you'll have initial notification in 12 weeks, no 12 weeks from January. It's rolling and they continue reviewing applications, there is not break from Oct - Jan.

Thanks anadimisra, I guess I'll have to wait patiently for the application to become available.