Hi maolivie,

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. That is definitely an upsetting event. I'm not entirely sure it would be an appropriate optional essay however. I would probably wait to apply until you have retaken the GMAT, because a 560 is going to be a liability for Columbia, even in the ED round.

Good luck!

Amy

thanks for responding,

yeah it was upsetting. what made it worse was that I was expecting a higher score because I was scoring pretty high on practice tests. What is funny is that I actually thought that I was doing pretty decent because the questions I was getting were harder than most I have seen. So it was either ironic, test got harder, or the events of the day took its toll.

Anyway, the only reason why I would still send the application in is because I want Columbia badly and I want to get everything in on time for ED, yet now because of the score it will be tough to say. Anyway, that is why I figured the optional essay might be useful, to explain the circumstance, let them know i will retake asap, and keep them aware that I want columbia badly and don't make a rejection decision till I resend the scores. Obviously i will communicate my desires in a more appropriate way.

Or should I just not even bother with ED anymore?

Hi maolivie,

If Columbia is your first choice and you're ready for the ED deadline, you may as well apply with the plan of sending in your new scores when you have them. I would be careful with the optional essay, you can explain the circumstances but just make sure it sounds like more of an explanation with a plan to do better rather than an excuse. Tone is very important to those type of essays.

As long as you are realistic about the chances you have with the score as is, and you are planning to retake with a higher score, and Columbia is your top choice - go ahead.

Good luck!

Amy