EssaySnark

  • about
  • contact
  • help
  • sign up
  • login
CLICK FOR MORE!
  • Essay Questions
    • Harvard
    • Stanford
    • Wharton
    • Chicago Booth
    • Kellogg
    • MIT Sloan
    • Tuck
    • NYU Stern
    • Columbia
    • Yale SOM
    • Berkeley Haas
    • UVA Darden
    • Duke Fuqua
    • Michigan Ross
    • UCLA Anderson
    • Cornell
  • Strategy Guides
    • MBA Interviewing Guide
    • Getting Off the Waitlist
    • Applying in Round 3 mini-guide
    • Applying to European Business Schools
    • School-Specific MBA Application Guides
      • Columbia 2020 MBA Strategy Guide
      • Harvard 2020 MBA Strategy Guide
      • Kellogg 2020 MBA Strategy Guide
      • MIT Sloan 2020 MBA Strategy Guide
      • Chicago Booth 2020 MBA Strategy Guide
      • *MORE SCHOOL-SPECIFIC GUIDES HERE*
  • MBA Consulting
    • Free essay reviews
    • What stage are you in?
    • Military MBA
    • BIPOC Program
    • Testimonials & Reviews
    • Guest Posts
  • My SnarkCenter
    • My Strategy Guides
    • My Favorite Posts
    • Discounts & Offers

Looking for something to do with your long weekend? Apply to bschool!

May 27, 2011 by EssaySnark - Discusses Columbia Leave a Comment

Two pretty decent schools have deadlines for some pretty decent MBA programs coming up next week. On Wednesday, May 1st, applications for both Columbia (EMBA Friday/Saturday) and Duke (Fuqua Cross-Continent MBA) are due.

Yes yes yes, we know that we’ve told you not to apply in the last round for a school. But these programs are exceptions. One is the original Columbia EMBA — they introduced a second EMBA track this year, the Saturday-only option, thereby increasing the capacity at the school (and making it harder to fill the entire EMBA class, we think). The other is a still fairly new MBA innovation at Duke, which combines both on-campus (in North Carolina and around the world) and virtual learning, designed for working professionals, but NOT an EMBA.

Whenever anyone talks about how competitive bschool admissions is, they’re typically referencing the standard full-time two-year programs at the best schools. Many of those good schools have these outlier programs that, well, just aren’t as competitive. When most people consider getting their MBA, they want the full monty, the whole enchilada, the immersive devote-my-life-to-it real-time experience. These other programs are often left scrambling to fill their entering classes. This definitely happens at schools when they expand into new territory — particularly the very innovative (as-yet-unproven) territory such as what Duke is doing with the x-con thing.

Don’t believe us? Look at the stats.

Exhibit A: In a BW online chat with Duke admissions director Megan Lynam this week, we were told that the demographics for the Cross-Continent student are similar to the full-time program (meaning age/gender/etc) and she also said that career tracks tend to be similar. This program is designed for those interested in an international career, and so we believe that it does attract a more diverse, non-US-weighted cohort (this is just EssaySnark’s guess; the rest of that was from Megan). But the most interesting part was when we asked Megan the average GMAT and she said the 80% range for the Cross-Continent program is only 540 (!!!) to 720. Wow on both sides!! The top end of the range is lower than some schools’ AVERAGE! That definitely tells you they’re willing to be flexible in order to fill the class.

Columbia doesn’t publish GMAT ranges for their EMBA programs that we’ve seen, however we know from firsthand experience (well, through a client) that they are most definitely flexible in considering motivated candidates with what would be subpar GMAT scores in the context of their full-time program.

For the Columbia EMBA Friday/Saturday, you obviously need to live in commuting distance of Manhattan to make this work. And you have to have employer sponsorship of time (not necessarily financial support, just authorization and permission to participate). Average age of EMBA students tends to be mid-30s (8 years work experience or more).

For Duke Cross-Continent, you need not be in the North Carolina area though you do need to get buy-in from your employer since there are multiple on-site residencies through the program that will take you away from your job for week(s) at a time. Many Cross-Continent students are in their late 20s.

These could be viable programs for the right candidate, and they’re definitely open! Of course, one weekend, even a long Memorial Day weekend, is not much time to put together really strong essays, but you could give it a shot…

Filed Under: Executive MBA/EMBA, GMAT/GRE, GPA and grades Tagged With: low GMAT Bschools: Columbia

« Previous: The globetrotting Wharton & HBS adcoms – on the road now!
Next: Welcome to Summer! »

So who the heck is EssaySnark, anyway?!

We're the snarky experts in MBA admissions!

Sometimes amused and often appalled by what candidates write in their MBA applications to top bschools, EssaySnark created this little blahg to share common mistakes. Learn from them and avoid making admissions directors laugh (or want to hurl) when they read your essays. If you are hoping to have your essay reviewed anonymously on the blahg for free, submit it for consideration.

Want EssaySnark's personal assistance with your MBA applications? Start with our menu of consulting services and please read the Help FAQ to learn how we operate. Still have questions after doing all that? Email Team EssaySnark at gethelpnow at essaysnark dot com.

Good luck on your apps, Brave Supplicant!

Tell us what you think. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up for the 'Snark via email

Enter your address to get weekday blahg posts by email.

UPCOMING MBA APP DEADLINES

  • INSEAD Jan '22 intake Rd 1
    in 0 weeks, 2 days, 16 hours
  • INSEAD Jan '22 Intake Rd 2
    in 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 16 hours
  • (expected) HBS Class of 2024 app requirements released
    in 2 months, 0 weeks, 3 days, 17 hours
  • (expected) Columbia J-Term/ED app to open
    in 3 months, 0 weeks, 1 day, 17 hours
  • INSEAD Jan '22 Intake Rd 3
    in 3 months, 2 weeks, 1 day, 16 hours
   
From a BSer January 2020:
"love the guide books!"


CLASS OF 2023 MBA APPLICATION STRATEGY GUIDES

     
    The 2020 Berkeley-Haas MBA Application Guide - updated for the Class of 2023 application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Berkeley Haas - refreshed and updated, with brainstorming exercises and structured maps to help you focus your stories!
   
    The 2020-2021 NYU Stern MBA Application Guide that covers the main essay, the EQ Endorsement and Pick Six!
SnarkStrategies Guide for NYU - discusses your requirements for the Class of 2023 essays!
   
    The 2020-2021 Columbia MBA Application Guide
SnarkStrategies Guide for Columbia Business School for 2020-2021 applications
   
    The 2020 Harvard MBA Application Guide - completely overhauled and updated for the coronavirus era!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Harvard Business School!
   
    The 2020-2021 Duke Essay Guide - covers the 25 Random Things essay and all the rest too!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Duke Fuqua - up to date for the current season!
   
    The 2020-2021 MIT Essay Guide covers the org chart, the contacts for two references, and additional tips for the cover letter and 'introduce yourself' video -- and everything else you need to know!
SnarkStrategies Guide for MIT Sloan MBA - totally revised for the Class of 2023!
   
    The 2020-2021 Tuck Essay Guide has been refreshed with latest insights and advice for your essays about "investing generously" and "why Tuck"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for the Dartmouth Tuck MBA - completely overhauled for 2020, to help you demonstrate how you are nice, aware, etc stuff!
   
    The Yale SOM MBA Application Guide for Class of 2023 candidates!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Yale SOM - updated for 2020-2021
   
    The 2020-2021 Chicago Booth MBA Application Guide - ready to go to support your Class of 2023 essay strategy!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Chicago Booth for this year's MBA app!
   
    The 2020 Wharton MBA Application Guide - even more advice on how to get to a win with those essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for The Wharton School - with new tips for 2020!
   
    The 2020 Kellogg Essay Guide - with a full methodology to identify your 'lasting impact' and your 'values' -- plus tips on 2020 world events and applicability to your essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Kellogg MBA - updated and revised for the new realities of 2020!    
      The 2020 Stanford MBA Application Guide - for "what matters most" in your MBA application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Stanford GSB for the Class of 2023
   
    The 2020-2021 UCLA Anderson MBA Application Guide - updated for Class of 2023 on "impact"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for 
UCLA
   
   

Brave Supplicants' latest reviews on The 'Snark


Feb 11, 2021
by hopeful on MBA Interview Prep: Custom Practice Questions
Helpful

Just wanted to say thank you for these questions! A lot of them were really tailored to my profile, ... Read more

Apr 10, 2020
by George on EssaySnark
Great Starting Point

I thought getting over the GRE/GMAT hurdle was fairly straightforward--disciplined study then test execution... Read more

Apr 10, 2020
by George on Single Shot Express MBA Essay Review
Worth Every Penny

I used the Single Shot Express to decimate essay #1 at my first-choice school. Paired with the school... Read more






Not sure where to begin with EssaySnark?
Our Snark Selector
will tell you!



What were we snarking about at this time in past years?

  • 2020: What did the Fed do with interest rates today, and why?
  • 2020: ($) "Will applying in Round 3 weaken my application next season?"
  • 2017: Success Story! Research and the right school targets bring results!
  • 2016: What ethics is not
  • 2016: ($) Why telling the truth in your apps is important.
  • 2015: Quiz Leaderboard
  • 2015: ($) Do bschools have quotas in admissions?
  • 2014: Extracurriculars and military applicants
  • 2012: "School X, or School Y with $$$?" (Part 1.5)
  • 2011: More reasons why a Round 3 application is not a good idea
My Tweets

See the Top U.S. Business Schools on a Map!


EssaySnark is currently available! We're accepting new clients! Standard turnarounds apply. If you're in a hurry, Speedy Review is available!

EssaySnark® is a registered trademark. All content copyright © 2010–2021 Snarkolicious Press · Privacy Policy

Where should you start with EssaySnark?

Which EssaySnark service is right for you? Answer a few questions to find out!

This field must be set to Everyone - then in the Settings -> HTML -> After Fields screen there's JavaScript to hide it.
Sending