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GMAT
The school encourages taking GMAT multiple times to attain highest score in order to be optimally prepared for first year study and post-grad job.
In the recent years, no admission of any students with 790 or 800 GMAT score. Conclusion: overall suitability is more important than a single element
Work Experience
Work experience is generally required. Usually only dual-degree applicants have no or little work experience. Ideally, candidates will have at least two years of work experience, unless the student has unique circumstances and can demonstrate unique abilities through internships and student/community activities.
Essays
Emphasize interests other than finance, or if you have proven interests in other fields prior to business school, don’t hesitate highlighting them even if it involves changing a prior career to one in finance. Extracurricular activities and interests are important. The length of the service could be less important than the extent of active involvement.
Show your willingness and proven success at working with others.
Highlight, if it is a true interest of yours, your entrepreneurial efforts.
Show that Columbia specifically is where you want to be. This can be done by noting specific Columbia programs that interest you in your essays or interviews.
Diversity is strongly emphasized at Columbia. CBS strives to create a balance of students based on background, ethnicity and gender.
CBS also has a preference for students who can demonstrate that they will integrate some degree of social enterprise in their short and long term career goals.
Interviews
A non-mandatory informal interview is part of CBS’s application process. Usually conducted by alumni knowledgeable about CBS culture without knowledge of the applicant. This is an important opportunity to learn about the school and what it is looking for in a candidate. About 65% of applicants are invited to go through this process. some students get admitted without being interviewed.
Committee Review Process
Three separate reviews in total for each application with the last one often being the committee review; the committee is consisted of 5-10 members; any reviewer can request an interview during the process.
Waitlist - The numbers can rise and throughout the year based on withdrawals and admissions.
- A waitlist manager tracks all waitlist students' information and profiles.
- The school’s ultimate goal is to accept waitlist students and ensure diversity of the student body.
Early Decision applicants
They are typically more determined to study at CBS; if no decision is made, then the ED applicant gets rolled into the regular applicant pool. These students typically are able to demonstrate a strong interest in CBS.
For expert help with your application, check out our MBA Admissions Consulting.
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