21 августа на нашем сайте прошел on-line чат с директором приемной комиссии Columbia Business School, Линдой Миан. Дискуссия получилась интересной, вопросы были акутальными, а ответы полными и познавательными. Предлагаем Вашему вниманию ознакомиться с самыми интересными моментами дискуссии. Читайте лог чата в этой статье.

16:49:39 [gridofilla] Dear all! Thank you for joining our chat! Hope this conversation would be usefull for you.
16:49:47 [gridofilla] Here are some rules of the chat that would make our conversation more efficient
16:49:55 [gridofilla] 1. You are not allowed to interrupt each other. 2. Answer your question only after the speaker will answer the previous 3. Off-topic posts are not allowed as well. 4. The plan for chat is next
16:50:06 [gridofilla] a. General admission process questions (30 min) b. Question about financing your MBA studying (15 min) c. Columbia Business School inside: questions about MBA programs, courses, career opportunities after graduating (15 min). I`m the main moderator of the chat, and amor is the tech moderator of it

16:55:17 [gridofilla] I would like to introduce you featured speaker of the chat: Linda B. Meehan (nick: Linda_Meehan), Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid for Columbia Business School.

16:56:24 [Linda_Meehan] Good morning....and good afternoon to you.

16:57:00 [gridofilla] Let`s get started!

16:57:48 [gridofilla] the first part of our discussion is about admission process in general

 16:59:17 [gridofilla] 18:27 [Vladimir] Hello!I would like to know what can I get from an MBA program as an IT specialist particularly in Columbia Business School. Thank you.
17:01:04 [Linda_Meehan] It depends on what is you would like to do. Columbia offers a program designed to educate, lead and develop your entreprenurial mind set.

 17:01:21 [CBSChesney » Linda_Meehan] Hi Linda, I understand that ED applicants who submitted within the first couple days of the review cycle last year actually got interview invites starting around Sep.10-15th. I know that invites can be issued at any time, but do you think that rough timeline will hold for this year?
17:03:14 [Linda_Meehan] Early Decision as you are aware is a binding agreement with you and Columbia that if admitted you will attend our program and withdraw any pending applications and turn down any offers for admission at other businesss schools. As a result we hope that you will have done your research well on other MBA Programs as well as ours so that you are convinced that this is the right choice for you!
17:05:04 [Linda_Meehan] Applying ED does indeed have the advantage that there are more spots available earlier than as the RD review period. Interviews are extended after the application has been reviewed and the timing may vary from year to year thus I can not predict.

 17:06:41 [gridofilla] 16:05 [elle84 » gridofilla] the questions are: What kind of experience should have a prospective candidate? Is it necessary to have a strong quantitative background and what can compensate for the lack of such background?
17:08:00 [Linda_Meehan] This is a very rigorious academic program however we do not require any specific background for admission to the program. As for experience our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds.

17:08:40 [andrey_karpov] Hello Linda, I`d like to find out what is Columbia`s attitude toward young applicants, is it possible for 23-year guy to be admitted?
 17:09:28 [Linda_Meehan] Well, we just brought in our Class for this September and we have several students who are 22 in the class.

17:10:09 [CBSChesney » Linda_Meehan] Hi Linda, on the application I indicated that I spoke to a CBS representative at an info session. If asked, I believe this person may not remember me as it was a brief 2-minute conversation a year ago... will this adversely affect the applicant`s candidacy?
17:11:11 [Linda_Meehan] No, as we all see so many applicants in our travels it would be impossible for us to remember them all. However, that you know who you spoke with does have value.

17:11:53 [evnica » Linda_Meehan] Hello, Linda. I have a Bachelor degree in Linguistics, but never worked as a linguist. I have 5-year experience in IT, quite a successful experience, and I am going to get MBA in IT. Could be my education a problem in case of applying to Columbia Business School?
17:13:12 [Linda_Meehan] Your education is not a problem as we accept students with diverse backgrounds and education. How your education relates to your skills and your focus is certainly taken into consideration as you apply.

17:21:18 [borsh4ik] What is the average level of proffessional experince of Columbia MBA students?
17:22:17 [Linda_Meehan] 4-6 years...

17:22:24 [pimvic » Linda_Meehan] What is the average age of students studying in Sep and Jan intakes? Does students’ background in Sep intake differ from Jan one?
17:24:38 [Linda_Meehan] 26 plus is the median January is designed for those who do not need or want an internship and therefore will go straight through the summer without an internship. Our January program is different from many European and Asian one year programs as it includes 4 full semesters and is indeed a full time program. Therefore the January Class is generally slightly older and more focused.

17:24:44 [CBSChesney » Linda_Meehan] Hi, Linda. As a career-switcher, I would like to enter a small, niche industry post-MBA. Is it enough for me to have a strong story/reason for wanting to switch? Or will the reality (odds) of trying to break into such a small field cast a negative light when evaluating my application?

17:26:27 [Linda_Meehan] I always feel that one needs to shoot for the stars in terms of their careers, however it is important that one is realistic about what one can actually achieve post MBA. You awareness and insights into who you are and what you may achieve are key to your success. Our essay one will give you the opportunity to explore and discuss this for us.

17:29:36 [CBSChesney » Linda_Meehan] I have heard that the J-Term class may be reduced from 200 to 100 soon. If true, when would this happen? Would the Fall Term class be increased from 500 to 600 as a result?
17:30:47 [Linda_Meehan] Currently my target for the January Class is 180-185. Since we are currently in the review process I am certain that this is the correct number for this year!

17:28:08 [Linda_Meehan] If you are intersted in visiting us on the road, please visit the following site to learn where we will be. Also know that I will be traveling to Eastern Europe.

17:29:06 [Linda_Meehan] http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/learnmore/ontheroad/upcoming

17:32:19 [gridofilla] So let`s go to the second part - the financial side of getting the MBA

17:33:06 [Linda_Meehan] I would like to introduce you to Marilena Botoulas, Director for Financial Aid at Columbia Business School

17:34:06 [Linda_Meehan] hello all

17:34:13 [gridofilla » Linda_Meehan] I would like to ask, if there are some special scholarships for prospective candidates from CIS countries?
17:35:30 [Linda_Meehan] Columbia Business School offers a number of merit-based fellowships to both domestic and international students. For the September entry you need to apply to the admissions office before the fellowship consideration deadline of January 7th to be considered. There is no separate application to be considered for fellowship.

17:36:34 [pimvic » Linda_Meehan] What is the average total budget for 1 person per 1 year (incl. tuition etc..)?
17:37:31 [Linda_Meehan] This year`s cost of attendance (or budget) is $75,589 for an incoming student. This includes tuition and all fees as well as a moderate living expense allotment.

17:38:42 [study] Has the financial crisis in the USA influenced somehow th school: the number of students applied this term, crediting opportunities etc.?
17:40:31 [Linda_Meehan] I think it has had an effect as currently our January applications have increased greatly. Our students have been able to secure their loans and placements is looking good so far.

17:41:17 [pimvic » Linda_Meehan] Do you have credit programs with bank-partners?

17:42:34 [Linda_Meehan] We have a variety of lenders that are willing to offer loans to our students currently. Many require a U.S. cosigner, however, we also currently have a program that allows those without a cosigner to borrow at a higher interest rate
17:44:32 [pimvic » Linda_Meehan] And what is the average interest rate (without cosigners)?
17:45:30 [Linda_Meehan] The current interest rate on this no-cosigner loan is Prime + 3.25% with no origination fee. We don`t know at this point if there will be changes to the rate going forward, however.

17:46:10 [gridofilla] Dear All! Let`s continue the discussion. We have one topic remained. So, let`s talk about the Columbia Business School life, studying and career opportunities after grduating CBS

17:48:05 [CBSChesney » Linda_Meehan] I`m inquiring about the status of the Manhattanville move. Will the fall 2009 class be studying at the new campus at any point before they gradutae?

17:48:18 [Linda_Meehan] Well, we will be moving for sure however, the move is probably 7-10 years out. there is always a possibility that it could happen sooner.

17:51:32 [CBSChesney » Linda_Meehan] Are the 4-5 person study teams (within each Cluster) randomly assigned? or are assignments designed to ensure team diversity? (e.g. not all 5 team members came from same industry)
17:52:00 [Linda_Meehan] Let me start with the social aspects of the school. columbia as you all are aware is located in one of the greatest international cities of the world. Our campus on Morningside Heights neighbood is one of the most beautiful colllege campus in the world. This fosters a wonderful community spirit. Our stunts utilize our extended campus in the City for both academic enrichment and fun! Our schoo

17:53:06 [Linda_Meehan] Our school suports over 100 clubs and organizations some social and some professional. Most of our students live within a 10 block radius of campus.
17:54:35 [Linda_Meehan] As part of the curriculum our program is designed to teach students the functional skills as well as the hard business skills through our Program on Social Intelligence.
17:55:37 [gridofilla] What the functional skills? Could you name the desciplines?

17:57:06 [Linda_Meehan] What I am referring to is the ability to make decisions, analyze situations and to lead teams. This education is delivered through programing, experiential leading and coaching.

17:58:42 [gridofilla] I think it`s time to end our discussion.

17:58:53 [gridofilla] Dear Linda and Marilena, thank you for your participating the chat and interesting answers!

17:59:02 [gridofilla] Dear all the participants! Thank you for your intereset to Columbia Business school, you interesting questions which made the discussion efficient anf fruitfull!

17:59:28 [Linda_Meehan] It has been a pleasure and I look forward to seeing you all at our information sessions in September. Many thanks for your interest. Linda

17:59:58 [gridofilla] Thanks to everybody!

18:00:28 [gridofilla] Good luck with you preparation and getting into the world-class business schools!