The MBA Gatekeepers At Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School

Anne Carnahan, associate director of admissions: Having direction and goals, especially . . . being in New York City. Students can’t possibly do everything, so it’s really important for students to know what they want to do before they come in.

Michael Robinson, senior associate director of admissions: I like folks who do the most with a given resource set. So, they’re promoted faster. They’re the ones chosen by senior management to work on important projects. They tend to make their team better. On the application they come off as stars but they’re humble at the same time, and that’s really hard to do.

Susan Sullivan, associate director of admissions: Being a realist is something we really look for . . . a realistic view of their goals.

Robert Shea, admissions director: We see someone that has an average GMAT but they’ve taken the GMAT six times to get there. That tells you something about that person. They’re persistent. They’re going to do what it takes. The person who does it over and over and over in order to get there, that’s positive.

In an admissions interview, should an applicant address weaknesses in their qualifications, and if so, how?

Anne Carnahan, associate director of admissions: In terms of any perceived weakness in the application, it should be addressed before the interview stage. Use the optional essay to do that. If there are any gaps, don’t leave it to us to make up that answer – tell us if there’s something we will have a question about.

Susan Sullivan, associate director of admissions: Acknowledging a weakness can be a positive. It’s self awareness. How are you going to deal with that (weakness)?

Does the cost of living in New York City deter applicants? Do they worry about it?

Robert Shea, admissions director: New York City is a magnetic draw for a lot of people, but by the same token, for some people, it’s like it’s too big and crazy. Money is part of that but I don’t think money is the driving factor. All of the schools are so expensive that by the time you’ve made the decision to apply to one of these schools, you’ve already passed that hurdle.

What are the best things an applicant can do before applying?

Eileen Menis, admissions assistant: We encourage people to visit, go to events. We show them how they can actually reach out to current students. On our website there’s a ‘contact-a-student’ portal where they can select students in their area of professional interest, and in their club interest, which spans both recreational and professional areas.

Natasha Stanislas, admissions assistant: There are lots of ways to learn more about this program. Events . . . students. It’s good to see, ‘I could actually be in class with that person.’ They can really start to envision what it’s like to be here. Get the basic information from the website.

Michael Robinson, senior associate director of admissions: (The admissions department’s) industry-focused webinars. You hear from a leading faculty member from that industry, and you hear from current students . . . and alumni. That’s the quickest way to learn about the program. It’s something more people should watch before they apply.