Should I squeeze in the GMAT

[surfergreg6]

Hi Lisa/StacyBlackman Team,

Thanks for your posts. They're helping and making me nervous simultaneously. I submitted my app to Columbia's J-term program, and I'm wondering if I should take the GMAT again in the next two weeks and update them with the score. I scored a 710 the first time around but the breakdown was 89% V and 77% Q. I wouldn't be too worried about it except my undergrad gpa stunk (2.7 computer science), and yes the quant courses stunk too.

I worked in financial programming (fairly quant heavy) after college but have also started three companies, including one fairly successful that i work on full time now (quit my job for it). 5.5 yrs work exp total. The current company is in the media/entertainment software (games!) realm.

I took calculus and accounting at a local college to build an alternative transcript and got A's in both classes recently. Do you think another GMAT attempt is warranted? Realistically I don't see my score going up more than 20-30pts. Also does it help or hurt me that I did my undergrad at columbia as well? Also I fall into the South Asian male category...although I was born and raised in the states.

Thanks again,
Greg

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Greg,

If I were you, I would wait to see what your decision is before you spent the resources on a retake. It is possible you could be admitted based on what you put in your post. However, it is also possible you could be put on the waitlist. At that time, you should be able to gain an understanding on what you need to do to improve your application. In my opinion, your GMAT score is in the target range and will not be seen as a weakness---but that is just my two cents.

Good luck,
Lisa

[surfergreg6]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for your response. Waiting seems like the right thing to do.

I have another fairly general question for you. I've noticed in your posts to some other people you mention building rapport with the admissions office. I've met with students, attended info sessions and sat in classes. It was helpful and I learned a lot about the school and was able to incorporate a lot of good stuff in my essays. However, beyond this, I feel like in schools with fairly large class sizes (ie columbia) it's hard to get to know someone on the adcom who is part of the decision making process. For example, at the columbia info session there were at least 250-350 people. Is there another approach, that we should be looking at taking. Short of standing outside of their offices and "accidentally" bumping into them and starting a conversation, I can't think of any good way...

-Greg

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Greg,

Yes, building a rapport can be helpful--especially at schools with large applicant pools. It is not always easy, but can be beneficial. You are doing the right things by attending info sessions and the like, but you need to use those opportunities to introduce yourself to an admissions professional and ask thoughtful questions. Your attendance at any event is noted, by the way, however you need to try and put a person to the name on the application. Additionally, you can "continue the conversation" via email if you have a reasonable question or comment to email. There is a fine line of too much contact, but as long as your emails and questions are thoughtful (i.e., cannot be answered via the website), then you are on the right track.

Good luck,
Lisa

[surfergreg6]

Well Lisa, you were right. Waitlisted

I'm certain I was waitlisted due to my low gpa. It's kind of a bummer that those grades are still haunting me. It's confusing because the letter from the waitlist manager said they won't review the waitlist until after they've had an opportunity to see the whole pool ie after the jterm deadline, but the FAQ for columbia says to maintain contact w/ your waitlist manager every three weeks and 'check in.'

With the two classes already taken, is there anything else I can do other than wait til october?

[Lisa Anderson]

You need to check in with your waitlist manager and ask what you can do to strengthen your application. Based on what he/she says, then you will know what you can do, if anything, to improve your chances. Also, stay on top of it and make sure you check in regularly--each time reiterating your desire to go to Columbia.

Hang in there!
Lisa