Candidate:

Mr. CPA

About Me:

Big 4 Assurance Manager with real estate expertise. Fascinated with cities & interested in how we improve places.

Schools:

Target School: Columbia

Considering: NYU Stern, London Business School, Kenan-Flagler

See More Profiles For: Columbia

Application Status: Open

Details:

Undergrad School: University of Alabama

Undergrad Major: Accountancy/Economics

GPA: 3.5

GMAT: 720

Age: 29,  Ethnicity: White

Other Degree/Certification: CPA

School Name: N/A

Extracurriculars: Marathon running

Work History:

Title: Audit Manager

Industry: Accounting

Company: Global

Length of Employment: 5 yrs

Big Life Wins:

+Community Servant of the Year (university)

Post MBA Goal:

Transition from public accounting into a real estate finance/development role.

Odds:

Join in! Click here to assess the odds of Mr. CPA

The Experts Rate The Odds At: 31%

See what the industry experts have to say:

  • John A. Byrne, P&Q Founder & Editor-In-Chief | Odds Assessment: 35%

    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.

    4 years ago
  • Sandy Kreisberg, The HBS Guru Odds Assessment: 40%

    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 …

    4 years ago Read the full review
  • Odds Assessment: 30%

    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.

    4 years ago
  • mbaMission Odds Assessment: 25%

    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 …

    4 years ago Read the full review
  • Stratus Admissions Counseling Odds Assessment: 25%

    Hi Mr. CPA, Melisa from Stratus Admissions. Lots of great thoughts here. I love your stated interest in cities and improvements ā€“ 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 ā€“ apply Early Decision and apply early. With Columbiaā€™s rolling admissions, they will review applications as they are received ā€“ the earlier they receive it, the earlier they will review it. If R2 is your …

    4 years ago Read the full review

The Community Currently Rates The Odds At: 29%

  • 40% | 4 years ago

    You have a real shot at Columbia.
  • 35% | 4 years ago

  • 30% | 4 years ago

  • 40% | 4 years ago

    Competitive GMAT and GPA. Question why your only extra curricular is marathon running if you were community servant of the year in university.

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