I attended Columbia Business School’s info session here in Delhi today. I generally like the professionalism in most Business school sessions and how the speakers market their business schools, I would give an A+ to Columbia’s session. I would state my reasons in a while but I think Linda Maheen, Assistant Dean for admissions, was one of the most honest speakers I have come across. She was honest about the information that she was giving. She didn’t try to hide or manipulate things. Last month I also attended the session by Rose Martinelli so I ended up making a clear distinction between the two admission directorss. Where you could have loads of fun talking to Rose Martenelli (Chicago), you could stare at Linda in awe with the amount of knowlege and grace she moves around with.
Following are some of the salient points that I gathered from Columbia Business School session.
1. Location- CBS is located in New York City, which gives you umpteen opportunities to explore. Starting from the number of multinational companies, stock exchanges, influential guest speakers ,real estate, fashion, media, marketing, restaurants, casinos, network, and what not. New York is surely an advantage.
2. They had around 400 speakers on campus last year.
3. CBS is mainly famous for finance but it can surely boast about its management, marketing, real estate and health care as well.
4. They have around 140 alumni in India. Very less. 5. Columbia January Intake (J Term) is a 16 month programme. It is best for people who are not looking for any career change or planning or start their own business or would be going back to their family business. The main difference between J term and the regular 2 year MBA is that the J term MBA does not include internships. 6, Early Decision deadline is those candidates who are absolutely sure about studying at Colmbia and are willing to sign the following Statement of Commitment:
As an Early Decision candidate to Columbia Business School, I understand that if I am admitted I will submit my nonrefundable $6,000 deposit to secure my place in the September entering class. I am committed to attending Columbia Business School and will withdraw all applications and decline all offers from other schools upon admission to Columbia Business School.
7. If have studied in an English Medium schools and colleges, TOEFL is optional.If you score low in GMAT Verbal (below raw score 30), Linda stressed that candidate must take TOEFL.
8. Answer to Essay 1 (What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? (Recommended 750 word limit) plays an important role in your admission. You need not be sure about your long term goals but you must have a clear idea about what you would bring to school. A realistic expectation about what you could do after school would play a significant role in your essay. Linda suggested that for the next few weeks you do some informational interviews with your family, friends, or relatives. This would help you do a through self assessment about yourself before you finally start writing your essays.
9. Interviews are important at CBS. Mostly interviews are conducted by an alumnus in your area. Linda suggested that you mail your CV to the alumnus a night before so that he has a rough idea about your background. Also, the alumnus would evaluate you on three basic points:
- Would he be willing to hire you? Would he want to work with you ? (can be a job kind of interview)
- Would he want to go to school with you? or What value would you add to the classroom? As they say in Business Schools, ” you learn more from your class mates than you learn from your teachers.”
- Would they want you to wear the Columbia Blue?
10. It is best to visit the school before you decide to submit your application. You would get an opportunity to sit in the class, and talk to current students- this would give a clear idea about the culture and the environment that you would be a part of for next two years. Don’t visit the school during Christmas Holidays, Jewish holidays or during the exam term.
11. You would be eligible for fellowships even if you are applying as a Early Decision Candidate but would not be notified until the 6 January, 2010 deadline. Regular candidates must also apply by 6th January deadline 2010 of they want to considered for the fellowship.
12. You cannot get a loan if you don’t have a US cosigner. Most international students rely on family funds, personal savings, government or company sponsorships and/or loans secured in their home countries.
13. The chances of getting scholarships or fellowships are bleak.
14. If you are married and planning to take your spouse along with you, CBS has just one club called Columbia Better Halves. Can’t say if it is a very active club but they do have one at their campus. If your spouse can get a work permit, New York provides you with umpteen opportunities.
15. There was only one alumni present at the session from the 71 batch. He had more to talk to talk about his varied work experience than what he gained from Columbia Business School or why should people go to CBS. He claimed that the 7 out of 9 companies that he had worked with, had alumni from CBS. One more alumnus joined in after the session ended.
16. CBS takes a lot of pride in its Executives in Residence programme. If you are a senior executive and are planning to go back to school, this one is for you. 
Overall it was good session. I gained a lot of insight about CBS. I have tried to cover almost all the points in my post but if you have some questions to ask, you can post them in the comments section. I will try to answer.
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