Calling All 2010 CBS Applicants (MERGED)

I can tell you about how I tried to find interviewers in different states around the US. I was in your same boat and was unsure about my travel plans. I did my first search query and the system outputted names of alumni. I did a second search query for a totally different location and more names were added to the list but the old names weren't deleted. I continued to search for alumni in potential places I would be in the next few weeks. After the system gave me 9 names in various locations, it wouldn't add additional names, even if I gave it a totally different location. So, when you do your search query for alumni, be aware that the system will only show 9 names and it won't delete the names that it's already shown you (even if you're not interested in them). Does that make sense? Luckily, things worked out for me so that I didn't have to call admissions office and ask them to reset my alumni searches.

Don't know about commitment deposit for RD.

Very useful info. Thanks a lot.

A question in CBS application which says have you ever spoken to a columbia representative or attended an information session. I have marked no. Is there anyone who got an admit with this answer?

This is not a significant question or anything, don't worry. There are plenty of candidates/admits who never visited CBS and/or were unable to attend an info session just for simple reason there was no info session in their area. Just be honest about what you write, that's good enough.

I feel like CBS must read the apps in an order that is somewhat diff than just First In First Out. My thinking is since they get the bulk of their apps in the first few days of January, how could they already be past Jan 6th. If they are getting thousands of applications btwn jan1 - jan6 is it possible that they get through them that quickly, I don't think so. There must be some sort of filter, like Highest Gmat Scores first or specific ethnicities first, I wouldn't be surprised if they had some sort of statistical program which they used to determine which apps to read next to weight out the class... just my two cents... I applied on the 6th and have not heard anything yet..

I agree with you that there must be "a method to the madness." However, while I speculate that a person's GMAT score might be the reason why applications are initially (relative to submission) reviewed in a particular order, past that point I feel like some apps are under review longer because they are placed into pools of similar applications. In other words, even though Columbia is "rolling" admissions, I honestly don't believe the adcom's at Columbia review each case individually, but rather how the application is relative to others. Thus, depending on the pool an application is placed in, I speculate that as the adcom gets a better idea of the caliber of students who continue to apply, and the decreasing number of seats open, only then will a decision be made. In my case, because my stat's aren't "Wow!" I will more than likely wait longer for a decision (unless my app just sucks) because I'm on the bubble/low-end, and I assume a decision will be made after they receive the status of those who they gave invitations to prior.

I just got an email from Columbia saying that my application status had changed. When I logged in, there was no change in the status! Did this happen to anyone else?

I think once your application is submitted, it is categorized based on your nationality. So if you are Indian or Chinese, you are kinda screwed. But I dont think the apps are categorized based on GMAT score IMO.

I might be missing something here but how exactly do they know what your nationality is? I don't think the application provided boxes for Indian, Chinese, etc. but only had one box for 'Asian'.

The personal info section asks for the country of primary citizenship.

I honestly doubt there is any transparent method to the madness. Nothing we're going to be able to perceive from the outside, anyway, with GMAT Club as a limited sample size.

For example, I have a high GMAT score, am a very non-traditional applicant, live in NYC, am female, have visited Columbia a couple of times, and attended prestigious undergrad. I even applied a couple of days early and went "Under Review" on 1/8. Any of those things, you might conjecture, could kick me to the front of the queue or into a certain bucket or however you want to phrase it. Fact is, I haven't heard a peep in weeks. So maybe that's it -- I'm not getting in at all, they've already made up their minds, they just want to torture me a while longer. Or maybe I am not thinking creatively enough and there is some other method of differentiation. Or maybe they've read my app and are arguing about it; or maybe they tossed it in the loo; or maybe someone spilled coffee on it and they have to reprint; or maybe they found out about that time I pocketed a scented bath bead from Pier 1 Imports when I was six; or maybe (probably!) there are already too many scifi nerds at Columbia and they just don't need another one; or maybe; or maybe; or maybe.

As long as it is fun to conjecture, carry on. But as soon as you start to find yourself freaking out, remember: this ish is crazy. There may be no rhyme or reason. There is a definite date by which we will all know. Until then: we wait.

Be easy.

I think they do it based on the quotas they need to fill.... X amount of this Y amount of that and they read and make decisions on keeping that balanced. Otherwise it would be impossible to consistently have X% of each group year after year. I'm not sure being "different" really matters. I think everybody thinks they are different, unless you have literally done something that .0000000000000000001% of the population has(think parachute into a war zone and single handledly pull 1000 people out to safety) and it is positive, I think everybody including myself are much more similar than we think. Despite what all the admissions offices state, I think this is largely a numbers game. Theres really no other way it can be done, theres just too many applicants to really contemplate...

this is sound advice. remember, we're all in this together, so while it may be fun to conjecture as a means to pass the time, the downside is others might stop by, read our conjectures, and take them to heart thinking it is fact (when in reality none of us really knows how the adcom comes to their decisions).

Pls count me in. App. sumbit on 01/21. thanks

anyone on ED deferral list got a decision yet?

does anyone know what the process is once you've completed your interview. does the interviewer submit a written or on-line form? thx.

I believe they do it via online form. When you get an interview invite, once you've set up your interview via email with an alum, you have to enter it in the system with the date & time, which sends the interviewer an email to a link to the feedback form.