Columbia Business School - Class of 2015 (Matriculating 2013) Official Columbia GSB Admissions Team on GMAT Club to Answer All Your Questions https://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/11/1112_best_business_schools/image/8-columbia.jpg Also, please see: Columbia GSB MBA Guide Columbia Applicant Summary (Real Time) Quick Glance: GMAT Club vs. Latest Intake (Class of 2014) Application Tracker Feed Detailed Applicant List: Add Yourself to This List (add Columbia GSB to your profile) GMAT Club's Real-time Admissions Statistics Add Your Profile to This List Questions about this Roll Call ? Application Dates for 2013 January 2013 October 3, 2012 August 2013 Early Decision October 3, 2012 August 2013 Merit Fellowship Consideration January 9, 2013 August 2013 Regular Decision April 10, 2013 Rankings (2012 GMAT Club Rankings Table) US News 2011 #8 Executive MBA #5 Finance #4 International #5 Management #10 Marketing #9 Nonprofit #8 Production/Operations #8 Bloomberg Businessweek #1 Financial Times #12 The Economist #2 Historical GMAT Club Applicant Threads Fall 2012 - Calling All CBS Applicants Fall 2011 - Calling All CBS Applicants Fall 2010 - Calling All CBS Applicants Fall 2009 - Calling All CBS Applicants Fall 2008 - Calling All CBS Applicants Fall 2007 - Calling All CBS Applicants Popular Links Programs Offered at CBS CBS Employment Reports Notable Alumni Essay Questions Short Answer Question: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (200 characters maximum) Essay 1: A. Why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career, and how do you plan to achieve your immediate and long term post-MBA professional goals? (Maximum 500 words) B. Please view this video , entitled Community at Columbia. Diverse, tight-knit clusters and carefully selected learning teams are defining features of the first year at Columbia Business School. Along with more than 100 student organizations and countless events each semester, the cluster system helps to create a supportive and devoted lifelong community . Describe why you are interested in becoming a part of the Columbia community. (Maximum 250 words) Essay 2: Describe a personal experience and how it has influenced who you are today. This essay should have a personal rather than a professional focus. (Maximum 500 words) Optional Essay An optional fourth essay will allow you to discuss any issues that do not fall within the purview of the required essays. Recommendations All applications require two recommendations. If you have been working full-time for at least six months, one recommendation should be from your current supervisor. The second recommendation should be from either a former direct supervisor or from another professional associate, senior to you, who can add personal insight into your candidacy. Recommendation questions include: What is your relationship to and how long have you known the applicant? Is he or she still employed by your organization? Please list three to five adjectives describing the applicant’s strengths. Please compare the applicant’s performance to that of his or her peers. What does the applicant do best? If you were giving feedback to the applicant regarding his or her professional performance and personal effectiveness, in what areas would you suggest he or she work to improve? How does the applicant accept constructive criticism or handle conflicts? How effective are the applicant’s interpersonal skills in the workplace? Please rate the applicant’s individual vs. team orientation (1 = most effective as an individual contributor; 5 = focused exclusively on the team) Please elaborate on your rating: Please give an example of how the applicant has demonstrated leadership. Is there anything else you feel we should know? Class Profile - Class entering 2011 (January and August) Applications Received -6669 Applicants Accepted -1062 Acceptance Rate - 16% Class Size - 751, divided into 11 clusters January Entry Class Size - 203, divided into 3 clusters August Entry Class Size - 548, divided into 8 clusters GMAT Scores (average) - 716 GMAT Scores (middle 80%) - 680–760 Undergraduate GPA (average) -3.5 Undergraduate GPA (middle 80%) - 3.1–3.8 Work Experience (average) - 5 years At Least One Year of Work Experience - 100% 28% Financial Services, 20% Consulting, 8% Marketing/Media, 8% Tech, 5% Military/Gov, 4% Healthcare, 4% Real Estate, 3% Non-Profit, 2% Energy, 1% Manufacturing, 11% Other 35% Social Sciences, 29% Business, 12% Engineering, 5% Sciences, 3% Technology, 1% Arts, 15% Other Re-Applicant Checklist (if applied last academic year) Submit a new application fee (US$250). Update the “Personal,” “Family,” “Employment,” “Education,” and “Extracurricular Activities” sections of the online application. Update the “How Will You Finance Your MBA?” section of the online application. Submit transcripts of any additional courses taken since your previous application. Submit one new, two-part essay: A. How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied, and address how you plan to achieve your post-MBA and long-term professional goals. (Maximum of 500 words) B. Please view this video , entitled Community at Columbia. Diverse, tight-knit clusters and carefully selected learning teams are defining features of the first year at Columbia Business School. Along with more than 100 student organizations and countless events each semester, the cluster system helps to create a supportive and devoted lifelong community . Describe why you are interested in becoming a part of the Columbia community. (Maximum 250 words) Submit one new recommendation letter, preferably from your current employer, but if not, another colleague in a supervisory role or a client will suffice. UPDATE: We have created a Facebook group for admitted students as well as a LinkedIn group. Join your fellow (soon-to-be) classmates online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cbs15/ https://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4686288

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Columbia 2013 (CBS) - Calling All Applicants

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mappleby

Joined: 04 Oct 2011

Last visit: 08 Nov 2018

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134

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Concentration: Finance

Schools: Booth '15 (II) CBS '15 (M$)

GMAT 1: 700 Q44 V41 Verified score

GMAT 2: 750 Q48 V46 Verified score

GPA: 3.03

WE:Project Management (Military & Defense)

Products:

Schools: Booth '15 (II) CBS '15 (M$)

GMAT 2: 750 Q48 V46 Verified score

Posts: 432

Kudos: 134

[1]

30 Jul 2012, 17:33

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KAS1

freetz

The problem is that my application is complete for more than a month now...

I would be freaking out if I got a response like that. What does it mean? Are you in? Did you get invited to interview?! YICKS!! Can't believe the application has been complete for more than a month!!!!!!

Complete simply means that the complete application has been submitted. It should go to "Application Under Review" or some such similar statement. The next step will either be interview invite, waitlist letter or ding letter. You won't be accepted to CBS without an interview so you can't be "in" without that step. It is very strange to sit at Complete for a month but only the Ad Com can shed light on why that would be happening.

KAS1

Joined: 22 Mar 2012

Last visit: 02 Jan 2016

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256

Given Kudos: 27

Location: United States (NY)

Concentration: General Management, Marketing

Schools: CBS '15 (D) Rutgers '15 (M) Stern PT '16 (D)

GPA: 3.1

WE:Accounting (Other)

Schools: CBS '15 (D) Rutgers '15 (M) Stern PT '16 (D)

Posts: 83

Kudos: 256

30 Jul 2012, 18:25

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OHH!! Thanks for explaining! I thought complete means ad coms have reviewed the file and have a decision. I didn't know that it only means they've received the completed application. Good to know.. Good luck Freetz!!!

Those of you who've already applied, did you use any professional services to help review your essays or for any part of your application? Some people are suggesting that it might be best to have a professional do a final review. I'm undecided whether to hire a professional or not.

mappleby

Joined: 04 Oct 2011

Last visit: 08 Nov 2018

Posts: 432

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134

Given Kudos: 150

Concentration: Finance

Schools: Booth '15 (II) CBS '15 (M$)

GMAT 1: 700 Q44 V41 Verified score

GMAT 2: 750 Q48 V46 Verified score

GPA: 3.03

WE:Project Management (Military & Defense)

Products:

Schools: Booth '15 (II) CBS '15 (M$)

GMAT 2: 750 Q48 V46 Verified score

Posts: 432

Kudos: 134

30 Jul 2012, 20:10

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KAS1

What is your background and how familiar are you with the application process for business schools? I don't want to be debby-downer here but a 600 GMAT and 3.1 GPA is definitely on the low end for Columbia. If it is truly the only school you are applying to as your profile currently says I would suggest you apply Early Decision. I also think unless you are very well versed in MBA admissions process a consultant might be helpful in your case. Everybody is different, some say they are worthless, some say they were the key to getting into school. Either way given your paper stats I think any edge you can give yourself is going to help. Try the free, 30 minute consultations many companies offer. Getting your whole picture together and building a truly cohesive application is more important than simple essay critiquing. You can have friends/family/coworkers proof-read your essays for flow and grammar. The benefit of professional help I think is to provide a sounding board that helps you form exactly how you want to tell your story and clarify the message you want to present to the admissions committee. This is just my $0.02 and I haven't been accepted to any MBA program so take it for what you will.

ahsiao0208

Joined: 02 Oct 2011

Last visit: 16 Dec 2012

Posts: 6

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Location: United States

Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship

Schools: CBS '15

GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V710 Verified score

GPA: 2.86

WE:Education (Education)

Schools: CBS '15

GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V710 Verified score

Posts: 6

Kudos: 7

30 Jul 2012, 21:00

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Submitted on July 22nd for J-term, still on "submitted". Anyone progressed past this stage?

akinakbiyik

Joined: 28 Apr 2011

Last visit: 12 Dec 2012

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30 Jul 2012, 23:46

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freetz

This is the official answer that I received:

Thank you for your email. Your application has been submitted and is complete. Please login to your applicant status page to see any updates.

The School works to release decisions in a timely manner and decisions can be rendered at any time. Our goal is to get applicants a decision within 12 weeks from the date that your application went “under review by the Admissions Committee”. Please note that if you were invited to interview, an additional 2 weeks will be added to the review process.

The problem is that my application is complete for more than a month now...

I just received the same e-mail, an my application also complete more than 5 weeks now... but for the last 5 days I also could not connect my preview page...

jay4den

Joined: 26 Jun 2010

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31 Jul 2012, 13:40

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Where can one view the status updates? Is it under that section that says "Recent Activities" ? I also see another section (called Application Checklist) with a bunch of checklists.

Turbonash6

Joined: 10 May 2009

Last visit: 25 Feb 2021

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Given Kudos: 1

Status:Applying

Affiliations: None

Location: United States (NY)

Concentration: Finance

Schools: CBS '15 (D) Duke '15 (D) Tuck '15 (I) Johnson '15 Darden '16 (A)

GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V40 Verified score

WE:Corporate Finance (Computer Software)

Schools: CBS '15 (D) Duke '15 (D) Tuck '15 (I) Johnson '15 Darden '16 (A)

GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V40 Verified score

Posts: 56

Kudos: 6

01 Aug 2012, 06:57

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In for ED....will be crossing the hell outta my fingers for the next couple of months

jay4den

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01 Aug 2012, 09:11

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sting

DING with interview! international j-term reapplicant here. and i didn't even get a courtesy e-mail notifying me of the decision; i had to log in to my account to find the decision update, so be sure to check your app status regularly.

application process debrief and thoughts for what it's worth:

- at the time of submission (early july), there wasn't an application preview option before submission and i inadvertently clicked submit thinking that there would surely be a proof preview option before paying the application fee. there wasn't. but fortunately a frantic call to the adcom was all it took to have them reset my application to “not submitted”, giving me the opportunity to proof check before submitting.

- nevertheless, after submission and once the preview option became available a few days later, my application still looked crummy. text in certain sections was truncated, test scores for V/AWA sections were reversed, resume was missing etc. boggles the mind how a supposed top tier school cannot work out the bugs in their app system before releasing the app - unnecessary cause for apprehension to already stressed out applicants!

- as bad as it looked, i still received an interview invite within 1 day of submission. goes to show how fast adcom can move if they really want!

- before i freak people out, the quick processing was only because i requested an expedited review at the time of submission. i told them that i was considering some fall options as well and therefore need a decision in 3 weeks.

- surprisingly, they were very accommodating and in the interest of time even offered to do a skype interview with adcom instead of the usual alumni interview.

- i did the skype interview with one of the junior assistant directors 1 week later. the guy seemed decent enough but the video was turned off on the his end, so it was a bit awkward in the sense that i was staring at a blank screen unable to gauge his expressions/reactions.

- interesting interview - it was not blind like the traditional alumni interview (he had already read my app and had it in front of him) and i didn't get most of the standard CBS interview questions that you find on the clear admit website (you know those pesky "tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership/integrity" type bs questions). instead he asked me to walk him through my resume and then seemed to delve deeper into whatever areas of my application he felt needed more clarity.

some examples: i see that comp at your old firm was flat, so did you leave because you felt that you couldn't advance (clearly they use the compensation/bonus numbers as an indicator of your performance/advancement in a role); if you had the option to advance in pe, why did you leave to join your family business; a whole slew of questions about the family business - sales, number of employees, regional operations, managerial dynamics, etc.; a whole slew of questions about my post-MBA plans for the business - it doesn't appear that you have much managerial experience to date, so how do you think you'd be able to achieve your goals to manage what you project to be a growing and much larger organization in the future; it seems that you struggled in certain semesters in college (i had a gpa towards the low end of their admitted candidate range) so how do you expect to manage your priorities at CBS; how do you expect to contribute to CBS.

- on balance, i thought that his line of questioning was fair as it gave me an opportunity to address some of the weaker areas of my app. i just wished i had known what to expect ahead of time, so i could have prepared and articulated my responses more coherently.

- i received a final decision about 2 weeks after the interview.

- in conclusion, here's my overall sense about cbs: (i) they are really really stats focused (despite solid ib/pe work ex and a mid-700 gmat, they didn't blink at the low gpa. furthermore, a 70-point score improvement was the only material change since my previous app and this time around i made the interview cut). for applicants from well represented demographics, the stats carry far more weight than adcoms would care to disclose and while they won't guarantee you get in, low stats will definitely keep you out despite quality work experience, essays etc. so in the event that your stats are low, you are better off cranking on the gmat to get it over the 7 hurdle or taking the time to create an alternative transcript instead of wasting time polishing essays; (ii) they really want to know that you will be employable upon graduation; (iii) for j-term applicants, they want to be dead certain that you don't need the internship and want to see evidence that your goals are realistically attainable; (iv) if you have entrepreneurial goals, including family business, scale seems to matter (i would reckon revenues of $25M+ to carry some weight and get them comfortable); (v) for fall term applicants, i cannot emphasize enough how greatly you improve your odds if you apply ED as CBS uses it as an effective yield management tool.

@sting How did you request expedited review ? I didn't see any space for any extra comments on submission page . Also do you think you'd have preferred an alumi interview vs adcom interview?

icaniwill

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02 Aug 2012, 08:35

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mappleby

KAS1

freetz

The problem is that my application is complete for more than a month now...

I agree.

Turbonash6

Joined: 10 May 2009

Last visit: 25 Feb 2021

Posts: 56

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Status:Applying

Affiliations: None

Location: United States (NY)

Concentration: Finance

Schools: CBS '15 (D) Duke '15 (D) Tuck '15 (I) Johnson '15 Darden '16 (A)

GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V40 Verified score

WE:Corporate Finance (Computer Software)

Schools: CBS '15 (D) Duke '15 (D) Tuck '15 (I) Johnson '15 Darden '16 (A)

GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V40 Verified score

Posts: 56

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02 Aug 2012, 10:42

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For those of you who are saying your applications are complete and submitted, is that for Jterm or August 2013 ED?

freetz

Joined: 29 Jun 2012

Last visit: 26 Jan 2016

Posts: 57

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Concentration: Finance, Strategy

Schools: NYU (Stern) - Class of 2015

GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

GPA: 3.5

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Schools: NYU (Stern) - Class of 2015

GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

Posts: 57

Kudos: 11

Updated on: 01 Nov 2014, 07:23

Originally posted by freetz on 03 Aug 2012, 07:37.
Last edited by freetz on 01 Nov 2014, 07:23, edited 1 time in total.

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deleted

jay4den

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03 Aug 2012, 07:45

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freetz

Any news? status updates?

I'm still marked as submitted...

Is "submitted" a valid status ? On their website I don't see submitted on the list of possible stages ones application can go through. I have not been too impressed with the application process so far. Hopefully they fix any issues they are having.

Your online application will go through several stages:

In Process | Received | Incomplete | Application Under Review
Invited to Interview | Complete | Final Decision Is Rendered

HeFe

Joined: 24 Oct 2011

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03 Aug 2012, 07:53

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freetz

Any news? status updates?

I'm still marked as submitted...

Same thing to me... now I can logging in to check my application status again, but even though they told me that my application was in review I'm also still marked as submitted (or received) ...

Bananas

Joined: 24 Jun 2012

Last visit: 30 Apr 2013

Posts: 56

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Given Kudos: 4

Status:Applying

Concentration: Finance, Economics

Schools: Wharton '15 (D) Sloan '15 (D) Kellogg 1YR '14 (I) CBS '15 (D) Tuck '15 (D)

GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40 Verified score

GPA: 3.5

WE:Asset Management (Finance: Venture Capital)

Schools: Wharton '15 (D) Sloan '15 (D) Kellogg 1YR '14 (I) CBS '15 (D) Tuck '15 (D)

GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40 Verified score

Posts: 56

Kudos: 12

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03 Aug 2012, 07:57

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freetz

Any news? status updates?

I'm still marked as submitted...

I actually just called admissions. I told them I had submitted 4+ weeks ago and wanted to make sure that I have all materials submitted correctly as my status hasn't changed. She asked for my name, looked me up, and told me that my application was in fact under review (and not just "submitted" as it says on the website).

She mentioned that they are still working through some bugs so she couldn't tell me when exactly I went under review. Also, she told me the website isn't necessarily accurate yet.

Hang in there folks!

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

freetz

Joined: 29 Jun 2012

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Concentration: Finance, Strategy

Schools: NYU (Stern) - Class of 2015

GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

GPA: 3.5

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Schools: NYU (Stern) - Class of 2015

GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

Posts: 57

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Updated on: 01 Nov 2014, 07:23

Originally posted by freetz on 03 Aug 2012, 08:05.
Last edited by freetz on 01 Nov 2014, 07:23, edited 1 time in total.

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Reno

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Concentration: Finance, General Management

Schools: ESSEC '15 (A)

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07 Aug 2012, 23:42

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Hey guys! On september 8th I was planning to take the GMAT exam and after complete my application (essays etc.). My question is, will the time to 3th of October (the early decision deadline) be enough for the GMAT results to come in and I will be able to post them with my application? Thanks for your help.

ahsiao0208

Joined: 02 Oct 2011

Last visit: 16 Dec 2012

Posts: 6

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[1]

Location: United States

Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship

Schools: CBS '15

GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V710 Verified score

GPA: 2.86

WE:Education (Education)

Schools: CBS '15

GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V710 Verified score

Posts: 6

Kudos: 7

[1]

08 Aug 2012, 00:20

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You will receive an unofficial GMAT score immediately after taking your test, and if I'm not mistaken, you can use that unofficial transcript to submit. If and when you are admitted, you will be required to send the official scores, but of course by then you will already have received them.

Reno

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08 Aug 2012, 00:32

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ahsiao0208

Thank you for a quick answer! Yes, that's exactly what I am thinking. I read somewhere on the Columbia admission webpage it is possible to post the unofficial results and submit "the real deal" when and if you are admitted. It would be nice though if someone else can confirm this as well. When the admission office gives me an official answer I will post that as well.