Columbia MBA ED, yes or no?
Some basic stats:
Male, 25 (International, with both Chinese and Hong Kong passport)
Work Experience: 2 Years at Big Four Specialty Tax (3 years at the time of enrollment)
GMAT: 760 (Q:51; V:42; IR:7; AW:6)
Undergrad: Econ major (3.75 GPA) at Semi-target liberal arts school in the Northeast
Post-MBA goal: BB/EB in NYC
As the title suggests, I have been thinking about applying ED to CBS for Fall 2024 enrollment because I heard that it would significantly boost my odds. My top choice is clearly Wharton and I'm also very interested in Booth, but I am scared that if I didn't apply ED to CBS, then I'd end up getting into nowhere.
Columbia is a fantastic school, and I’d be a happy man if I got an offer today. But here are a few things holding me back:
- Location: I’ve been living in the city since I graduated from college and I see myself in NYC for a while post-MBA. It would be fun to experience living somewhere else for 2 years during my 20s
- Student Body: I heard rumors that people tend to live all over the city and there isn’t a tight bond between classmates. I also heard that the culture is a little nerdy (Not throwing shades at all. CBS alums plz chime in if I am wrong). Not a deal breaker but my college was very “work hard play hard” like Tuck and I enjoyed that
- This one is more personal. Throughout my whole life I've always taken the first opportunity I was given (went to the first college I got into and took the first job offer out of college) and I'd love to for once have options and not regret anything. The CBS ED is binding.
Let me know what you guys think and if there are other things I should take into consideration. My current list of schools: Wharton, Booth, CBS, Tuck, Stern, Johnson, and Darden. It’d be helpful if you could help assess my chances at these schools and suggest if there are other schools I should be looking at. Thanks for your time!
Why would you ED anywhere other than your top choice? You have the profile and stats to get in at most of the schools on your list - I wouldn't concern myself with ED unless Columbia suddenly vaulted to the top of the list.
Well said
That's a very valid point. My biggest concern is that if I didn't apply ED to Columbia then I'd basically be throwing away my only chance at getting into a M7 school
Apply and get the offers first
lol true too many hypotheticals and haven't even applied
There is no way you can hold both Chinese and HK passport lol
Yeah that's the thing -- It's not exactly allowed so I'll have to give up one of them soon (will most likely keep the one that gives me a better chance at getting a green card and use that one for my B-school F1 visa). My current OPT is tied to the F-1 visa on my Chinese passport but when I travel, I use my HK passport since I don't need a visa for most places
Green card is based on place of birth not citizenship. Definitely go with HK if you can as it saves more than 3-5 years when you queue for GC
What do you do outside of work? Nice stats but seems frankly like any other profile.
If you are not passionate about CBS then try to make your profile stand out and do something big outside of work. I know many people who rushed to get an MBA and went to their 3rd choice and regret it. Best to have a stronger application and actually go to your dream school. Now if you are rushing because of a personal circumstance then totally ED but you have to make your profile more unique.
Thanks for the response. I agree that I have pretty uninteresting work experience and that I am in an overrepresented group, both of which work against my candidacy.
Outside of work, I don't have anything extraordinary that would make me stand out. Like lots of typical guys, I like working out and play in some rec basketball leagues. I am passionate about playing the guitar and hosted an open mic night for my apartment complex with the aim of bringing the community together. I was able to connect with sponsors and get cocktails for the event. The event was a success and I plan to host it more regularly. It's a good experience but nothing like some exciting venture or crazy volunteering experience with that "wow" factor.
If I had the chance, I would love to enrich my work experience to improve my candidacy. However, due to my visa constraints, I am pretty set on applying in the upcoming cycle. My current work authorization ends in July 2024 and I'm not interested in working anywhere else, so I'll have to go to B-school next year.
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