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My GMAT score is 680-86% (Q: 49-87%, V: 35-73%). My previous GMAT score was 590-62% (Q: 48-83%, V:23-28%) so I think I made some improvements on verbal part. Although my score now falls in the range of 80% of admitted student to CBS, I am not really sure my score is enough to get into CBS. Please provide me some comments. Thanks!

My goal is to apply to Columbia Business School on the 16th of August for early admission because I really like the value investing program from CBS.

I will tell you a little bit of my background.
I was born and raised in Korea and obtained my bachelors of arts in Chinese from the university in Korea. Then I moved to the States to get my masters of science in Accountancy from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After that, I worked for Deloitte & Touche as an external auditor for three years and four months. Then I worked in a casino as an assistant corporate controller and worked there for a year. I came back to Korea last Saturday and started working for a family owned investment bank from Monday.

My goal after business school is to work for a renowned asset management company (i.e., Baupost Group, Southeastern Asset Management, etc.) that focuses on the value investing. After that, I would like to go back to Korea to help my family business (mutual savings bank) grow in its asset management function.

Thanks for your help and I really appreciate it.

Dongkim:

I think you do indeed have a shot at Columbia. Your GMAT is good, so don't worry about that, especially given that English is not your native language. You have a Master's degree from a good school in the US as well as an international undergraduate degree, which makes for a very nice broad background of academic achievement. Your story is very interesting, which believe it or not, goes a very long way in the application process. You have done some very interesting things, so if you can weave a thread throughout your essays which captivates the comittees attention, you will be on your way. Columbia likes finance and the casino experience will be very good to work in as well, since it's so unique. The key, once again, will be casting a compelling vision for what you will do with a Columbia MBA and why you are uniquely prepared to take a seat in the class. You have much to offer, so if you package it well, you should get in.