Mr. CPA

I agree with Sandy and Alex here but want to toss out the possibility of applying for the January cohort at Columbia. The admit rate for that cohort is substantially higher than the 19.1% acceptance rate for the fall cohort. In fact, the last time we reversed engineered the numbers (two years ago), we found that CBS admitted 232 of the 562 applicants who applied under that January option for an acceptance rate of 41.3% versus what was then a 14% rate for admits to its full two-year program when the number of applications at CBS was higher.

GPA and GMAT Stats for Columbia are at their averages –and they really care about GMAT so your 720 is good. The issue becomes are you the type of Big 4 guy schools like or do they like other Big 4 applicants more. I think you are real solid —they will appreciate the CPA (to explain that stuff to your classmate Poets after class) and real estate expertise is also on the rare and welcome side. Your age at 29 could be a slight issue. You need to assure them that given your goals, you will be employed after the first year and especially after graduation.

You wrote as to goals:
“Transition from public accounting into a real estate finance/development role.”

You really need to make it clear to them how that will happen. Name target employers, name people you know who have done that with an MBA and say you want to use them as role models.

Your professional profile is respectable but won’t make the Columbia adcom’s heart beat faster. “Audit” backgrounds are challenging since auditors don’t drive a company’s growth. However, you can help compensate for that by adding some powerful leadership roles in the community — e.g., instead of just running marathons, why don’t you partner with a high-profile non-profit and launch your own marathon? Academically, a 720 GMAT and 3.5 GPA from Bama (Roll Tide!) are about average for Columbia so this profile doesn’t make you a “must admit.” How about trying again for a 740+? Your fascination with improving urban environments could work well in your essays and potential interview.

Hello Mr. CPA! Thanks for posting. Krista Nannery from mbaMission here.
I will try to build on what John, Sandy, and Alex have already put out there.
I’ve worked with quite a few auditors over the years and you have to be able to differentiate yourself. My guy this year — with very similar stats — had significant international experience and C-suite exposure and I think that really set him apart. He also was able to position his goals really well because one of his audit assignments introduced him to something new and interesting, helping him shape what he wants to do for the rest of his life. So those are the sorts of things I’d encourage you to look for.

It seems like you are maybe a bit light on extracurriculars today, so my advice would be to look for things you can do at work to close this gap. Are there internal initiatives you can lead? CSR projects? Diversity and inclusion projects? Recruiting and training? Once your busy season is over, start to raise your hand for this sort of thing. You don’t need to do 12 things…pick one and focus on it and do it well.

Lastly…because your demographic can be quite competitive, for the best shot at the top schools, it can be helpful to get yourself out of the 720 bucket. Could you invest in the exam a bit and up your score? If you can get yourself to 740 with that 3.5, CBS is more likely to go for you. I think you’ll do well at UNC and Stern today, but if CBS is your dream, I’d love to see you invest in that dream a bit…

Hope that helps!
Krista

Hi Mr. CPA, Melisa from Stratus Admissions. Lots of great thoughts here. I love your stated interest in cities and improvements – and New York is an amazing place to dig deep here. Wherever you are located now, can you get involved in the local real estate scene to beef up your extracurriculars? Are there real estate conferences you could attend and get involved by leading a panel? Look for opportunities to take a leadership role. If you are planning on R1, and Columbia is truly your top choice – apply Early Decision and apply early. With Columbia’s rolling admissions, they will review applications as they are received – the earlier they receive it, the earlier they will review it. If R2 is your target, I like John’s idea of the January cohort. As mentioned, your stats are slightly below the average, so anything you can do to boost your GMAT score will help push you above that average. Stern and UNC look good for you. Best of luck!