Chances - Columbia EMBA
Hi everyone.
I am considering applying for the Columbia EMBA. Before I kill a ton of time pursuing this, just wanted to get a general sense of where my chances fall. Below are my stats.
- Top undergrad (ivy) with decent GPA (3.4 range) - business/finance major
- GMAT: expect 680-690 at best, but probably slightly lower realistically (didn't take it yet.. I generally have stronger quant scores as well)
- Solid work experience (3 years at top "brand name" Asset Management firm, 1 year at well known PE shop) -- all front office roles as analyst/associate
- zero extracurriculars (I spend most of my days working, unfortunately..)
- Age: 26
My biggest concern is my age/experience, given that EMBA generally caters towards more seasoned professionals who have management/leadership experience. If Columbia had a part-time MBA, I would go for that instead, but since they don't, EMBA is my only option at this point. In case unclear, I am not considering any full time MBA programs.
Any insight is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Your chances of admittance are good with those stats. You would be on the younger side, but you would likely not be the youngest in the program. Have a good story to tell and the reasons for pursuing executive education at this time. The good news is that you have a pretty big window over the next several years to pursue this path.
Columbia EMBA is a waste of money. Not only is it ridiculous expensive and you'll be easily in $200K+ debt, but people don't even respect EMBAs. It's not the same as a FT MBA. I'd save the money and go for the traditional option.
Any reason you're pursuing this now and not in 2-4 years?
Thanks all for your input.
js0919 - frankly, I have considered a FT MBA in the past but ultimately decided against it. Reason is simple -- I'm happy where I am and therefore cannot convince myself to leave it behind in order to go to school for two years with the hopes of coming out in a better position. Though I am curious to hear more about why some may think the EMBA is not as well respected as the FT MBA.
tds2006 - due to 1. the nature of my job (I usually work long hours but for next 2-3 years my hours will be more like a 9-5 job and so therefore I have the capacity to make the most of the MBA experience) and 2. my job requires many soft skills in order to move upthat I currently lack and I think an MBA will help me on that front
People generally don't respect EMBA degrees compared to a FT MBA because the caliber of students getting into EMBA programs are a step below and the EMBA programs are much easier to get into. EMBA are cash cow programs for the schools and people know this.
You are right that your age and experience are really the only things hindering your acceptance. It will not be enough to tell admission staff that you want an EMBA because you do not want to quit your job. People get an EMBA for networking, even more so than for FT programs, because the class is usually older and more experienced. You will have to convince the admissions committee that you bring something unique to the table that will benefit other students that have more experience.
its an EMBA, youre fine... the real question is why get an EMBA in the first place instead of just going for a 1 yr program somewhere else given the prestige with your undergrad already- and since you mentioned you liked the current place you're at, then you might not need one at all- in my experience everyone at the company I'm at who has one hasn't seemed to actually benefit from the process much at all...
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