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How strict is Columbia Early Decision timeline?

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How strict is Columbia Early Decision timeline?

by hmklinger » Sat Nov 09, 2013 4:37 pm
Hello,

I have a question regarding CBS's ED timeline. I'm hoping you can point me to an article on the matter.

I applied to HBS, CBS and Yale SOM and got interviews for all three. I believe my interview with HBS and CBS went well, but I'm facing a dilemma.

CBS promises they'll let me know the decision by 11/18, and i'll have to weeks to decide. That means I'll have until 12/2 to make a decision and make a $6k deposit. Meanwhile, I won't hear from HBS until 12/11.

I prefer HBS, but CBS is a great option, and a clear second choice over my other schools. I'm worried that if I decline CBS, then HBS dings me, then I'll be stuck with Yale. Listen, this isn't a terrible option, but I'd prefer CBS.

I understand CBS's ED timeline is designed to force applicants to make a decision before HBS decisions are rendered because they know they can't compete with HBS and they're trying to increase their yield. I'm wondering...

How strict is Columbia Business School's ED deadline?

Secondly, if they're incredibly strict, and I have to decline by 12/2 (which I will). I might decide to ask them to move my application to Regular Decision instead of ED. Do you know if that's possible?

Thanks so much for your insight here!

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by MBAApply » Wed Nov 13, 2013 2:13 pm
That's the whole reason for the ED -- to prevent folks from applying to HBS and Wharton (and now Booth), which are the schools they lose more students to than any other.

The deadline is strict. And chances are they won't move it to RD (or out of a bout of insecurity, they may even rescind your offer if they feel you're looking to go elsewhere).

What you need to do is to pay the $6K. If you get into HBS and decide to go there, then CBS keeps your $6K.
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by CriticalSquareMBA » Thu Nov 14, 2013 1:16 pm
Alex is spot on. Also, you did make a gentleman's promise. They ask you sign on the application with honest intentions. Yes, you can walk away from you $6K (and others have done it in the past) but make sure you're ok with it. Also, if you're from a company that places a lot of students into MBA programs (e.g. consulting, banking, etc.) it could have potential ripple effects. No way of knowing the magnitude of them but it's possible.

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by MBAPrepAdvantage » Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:58 am
What you wish to do is your choice, but you should have complete information. I would not anticipate negative ripple effects if you walked away from the deposit as school admissions committees do not discuss this with one another.

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by CriticalSquareMBA » Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:56 am
Sorry, let me clarify. Michael is absolutely correct in that schools generally do not speak about applicants to other school. However, I was speaking specifically if you're coming from a company that has strong relationships with top MBA programs. Recruiters and Admissions Directors most definitely DO speak to one another. It's no different than if you got into an MBA program, took a job with a strategic employer, and then pulled out. That company would most assuredly tell you school. In a similar vein, it is likely a school would bring it up in passing to a company's representative that they had applicants pull out. If you're not sponsored, this is unlikely to have tangible impacts but just something to keep in mind.
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