Ms. Clean Engineer

Hi Ms Clean Engineer, This is Emily, Master Consultant at The MBA Exchange. I was an Associate Director of Admissions at Columbia Business School and an application reader at Wharton and since that time have assisted many clients through the application process to CBS and Wharton successfully. From those experiences, I’d agree that you have a solid shot at CBS, but you really should apply Early Decision. That will help you gain the best advantage in the process and the summer is a great time to complete the application to submit in early fall for that deadline. You could also consider the J term if you don’t need or want an internship. Applicants who are going back to a prior industry and so don’t need the internship have excellent success getting into CBS during the J term–it’s a great option and the exact same program. You do need to carefully craft your story outlining which specific skills or perspective you don’t have now but you must gain for your future goals from the MBA experience. There were certainly times where I looked at an application and thought “this person does not NEED an MBA to reach their goals” and that hurt them in the process. Please feel free to reach out (emilyb@mbaexchange.com) if you want further guidance from us! Good luck.

Hi Ms. Clean Engineer,
This is Debbie Choy, Senior Consultant at mbaMission. We need more MBA grads in Clean Energy! I like that you have experience in an industry that’s traditionally not a big feeder in b-schools, and also don’t hire many MBA grads. Further, you have exhibited leadership qualities through leading the rollout of a tool at work. All these factors can help to differentiate you. That said, I think you also need to clearly explain to the Admissions Committee (AdCom) in your career goal essay (Essay 1 for CBS) why you need an MBA to achieve your long-term goals. What role would you aim to get after you graduate? The more research you can do about the potential jobs you’re interested in (including job titles), the more prepared and well-thought-out you will come across to AdCom. As for your GPA, it is below the average at CBS, so it may be a concern for AdCom. If there were any circumstances that affected your GPA, be sure to let AdCom know in the Optional Essay. Best of luck in your application!

Hi, it’s Jennifer Jackson from Stratus Admissions. Lots to like from what I see here! Your experience in the energy industry is a differentiator, and CBS will like your solid GMAT score. I think it will offset a softer GPA. But you went to a top undergrad and had a hard major so that’s all taken into consideration. It’s clear that communication is a strongsuit of yours between the training you delivered and the Toastmasters work. I’ve worked with several applicants who have been heavily involved in that organization, and it’s a great thing to emphasize. In business school you are learning a lot from your peers and when your peers are strong communicators, they are better teachers! So I recommend making sure you play those things up. You’ll want to make sure you tell a specific story about the ST and LT jobs you want and WHY the MBA is necessary to move into those. I think you’ve got a very solid chance at CBS — good luck!