Live Chat October 29, 2009, 1:15PM EST

Chat Transcript: Columbia Admissions

(page 3 of 3)

Mary Miller
Columbia Business School

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GauravVerma: Rui, I would like to know about the clean energy opportunities at CBS and the focus on the social enterprise track. Do you know someone in your class who is pursuing this course?

CBSRuiFrancisco: Energy is one of the hot topics right now. From academics to recruiting, Columbia has many interesting options in this field. In terms of academics, there are classes such as New Developments in Energy Markets, which is taught by Jeff Heal (a world-renowned expert in energy).

In terms of recruiting, there are many energy companies recruiting at CBS. For instance, I had two friends from my cluster working in clean energy for the summer internship: one at a solar-power company and the other at a clean-energy research company.

In terms of social enterprise, the school also has a great offering. In fact, CBS even has an official Social Enterprise Program that allows you to focus your academics on social enterprise and gives you the opportunity to work in the area, too. For instance, one of my friends worked in Cambodia for the summer with a fellowship from the Social Enterprise Program.

pav_lov: How are students given individual attention? Are there any faculty advisers, or is it more about peer-to-peer feedback?

CBSRuiFrancisco: You can get individual attention and opportunities to improve yourself in many different ways. It starts with your learning team (the team with which you are assigned to do the core course assignments). This is a team that simulates a working environment, where feedback and coaching are essential. I would also mention that student clubs and leadership organizations are a great opportunity to get peer feedback and personal focus.

In addition, many of the courses have a strong individual focus. For instance Professor [Hitendra] Wadhwa's class, Personal Leadership and Success, is about learning to be a better you and gets excellent reviews every semester.

Last, I would also mention the program on Social Intelligence. I have benefited from the program as part of the peer advisers' team. In the program, I had access to a special class on leading teams and workshops (for example, how to effectively manage meetings).

RmitWadehra: I have been working on the business side of health care for several years. I have a business undergrad degree and little life-science education. When reading the profiles of the current students in the Health-Care and Pharmaceutical Management Program, I found it curious that a large majority of the students were not from a business background. Does this trend reflect the nature of students who are applying? Or do you tend to select those with a medical/science background over those with a traditional business work history?

CBSMaryMiller: The MBA is designed for individuals who do not necessarily have a business background, so that may explain why health-care professionals are pursuing an MBA degree. By having individuals with business experience and health-care backgrounds in the same classroom, students learn from each other. However, there are some useful resources you may want to explore. We recently hosted a health-care panel and that is available on our Web site. In addition, Columbia Business School hosts a health-care conference in November that you might consider attending.

GauravVerma: Mary, does the admissions committee entertain personal visits from prospective students when their application is under review?

CBSMaryMiller: We encourage prospective students and applicants to visit our campus. The best way to get to know about the school is to visit a class and talk to our students. You are making an important decision about your future, and you need to have as much information as possible.

prl: If a candidate is weaker on the academics portion of the application (lower-than-average GPA, lower end of 80% GMAT, how can he or she offset this weakness in the application?

CBSRuiFrancisco: From my perspective as a student, the admissions committee looks at you as a whole. If your academic credentials are not as strong, you can try to differentiate yourself with other things. For instance, have you ever done something unique and challenging in your life? Some of my classmates focused their applications on personal achievements. There was my friend who climbed Mount Everest, and some others participated in the Peace Corps in Africa. Try to find something unique in you, and communicate it in your application.

In terms of the GMAT, perhaps repeating it could also be an option. Low scores on the GMAT happen, and repeating the exam is usually a good option.