MSM FAQs | Columbia Business School Academics

https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/programs/master-of-science/marketing-science/admissions-faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the MS programs STEM eligible?
Will I qualify for admission with a three-year undergraduate degree?
Does the program require work experience/internship experience?
Do I need to send official test scores for the GMAT, GRE, and/or TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE?
Do I need to take the TOEFL/IELTS?
Do you offer GMAT/GRE waivers?
Do you offer spring admission?
My transcript(s) and/or letter(s) of recommendation are not in English. What should I do? Do I need a WES evaluation?
Do you accept letters from dossier services, such as Interfolio, or university career services offices?
Can I apply to more than one program at Columbia?
What is the average GMAT or GRE score for a person accepted into the MS programs?
Are applications reviewed after the posted deadline, or are they evaluated after submission, regardless of date?
Do the MS programs prefer GMAT or GRE?
Do you offer a distance or part-time program?
I am in another Master's program, can I transfer into one of the MS programs?
Is there any financial aid available to students? What is the tuition rate?
May I apply to more than one program within the Business School?
Reapplying
Other questions

Are the MS programs STEM eligible?

All of our MS programs are STEM eligible.

Will I qualify for admission with a three-year undergraduate degree?

We do accept applications from candidates with three-year undergraduate degrees. We review such applications on a case-by-case basis. In some instances, applicants who hold three-year degrees demonstrate exceptional academic performance and strong professional promise may be offered admission.

Does the program require work experience/internship experience?

While it is not required for application or admission, we do find that some work or internship experience may prove valuable.

Do I need to send official test scores for GMAT, GRE, and/or TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE?

We require self reported, and/or scanned test scores from all applicants, which must be submitted with the completion of your online application. We do not require you to send in an official score report for application to the program. If offered admission, these documents will be required to validate the offer of admission. International students who do not have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution in which all instruction is conducted in English must take either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the PTE (Pearson Test of English), or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). You may be exempted only if you have earned a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction. We will not accept requests for exceptions to this policy. Your scores must be valid when you submit your application.

Do I need to take the TOEFL/IELTS?

International students who do not have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution in which all instruction is conducted in English must take either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the PTE (Pearson Test of English), or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). You may be exempted if you have or are currently enrolled in a degree program from an institution in which English is the language of instruction. We will not accept requests for exceptions to this policy.

The TOEFL, PTE, and IELTS scores are valid for two years. Your scores must be valid when you submit your application.

Be sure to self-report your TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS score when completing your application. If admitted, you must submit an official score report. For the TOEFL, Columbia’s ETS code is 2141, For the PTE and IELTS, select "Columbia Business School" from the list of schools provided. The Admissions Committee will consider only your highest score when reviewing your application.

Do you offer GMAT/GRE waivers?

In no circumstances are waivers offered for the GMAT/GRE requirement. We do not offer education or experience based waivers for this policy.

Do you offer spring admission?

The MS programs only have a fall admission cycle.

My transcript(s) and/or letter(s) of recommendation are not in English. What should I do? Do I need WES evaluation?

Materials that are not in English must be transcribed by an official and notarized transcription agency. Columbia Business School does not provide referrals to such agencies. A WES evaluation of your transcript is not required.

Do you accept letters from dossier services, such as Interfolio?

Our application system requires a letter writer's email address. You can input an Interfolio-generated email address in place of your letter writer’s email. This will allow Interfolio to upload the letter directly to the application, without bothering your letter writer. Interfolio refers to these as Online Application Deliveries.

1. Check the documents in your Interfolio Dossier to make sure your letter writer has uploaded a letter to your account. Letters that have not been received cannot be used in an online application delivery, so they won't have a Document Email address yet.

2. Locate the document you’d like to upload, and click the title to find the Document Email address.

3. Select and Copy the Document Email address.

4. In your online application, paste the document email address in place of your recommender's email to direct the letter request to Interfolio, rather than your letter writer.

5. Repeat the same process for each letter you would like uploaded.

6. When Interfolio is contacted by the institution, Interfolio will create a new Pending Delivery for each letter requested by the application.

7. You’ll receive an email from Interfolio to alert you of your new delivery requests.

8. Navigate to your Deliveries page on Interfolio to submit your pending deliveries.

It takes 1-3 business days for Interfolio to upload your documents to the online application system after you check out. If you’re worried about missing your application deadline, email [email protected] or call 877-997-8807 to expedite your delivery upload.

Note: Some applications require additional information (performance ratings, rankings, etc.) that Interfolio cannot provide on behalf of your writer. Interfolio will cancel your deliveries and contact you if Interfolio encounters any application questions that Intefolio cannot answer or bypass.

Why hasn't my Online Application Delivery been created as a Pending Delivery?

Occasionally, online application requests from third-party application systems do not reach Interfolio.

This can happen for a few reasons:

The application hasn't processed your letter writer data yet, and therefore hasn't sent Interfolio a request yet
The document email address was entered incorrectly
A special character (like an accent) is preventing Interfolio from processing the email request correctly
An error occurred within the third-party application

What you should do:

1.Contact Interfolio immediately at [email protected]. Interfolio may be able to match an orphan request received by its server to your account

2.If Interfolio can't match your request with your account, Interfolio will ask you to try to re-request the letter on the application system

3.If you can't re-request a letter, Interfolio will need to contact the receiving institution to figure out the best way to resolve the situation

Note: Please monitor your pending deliveries closely and let Interfolio know if you’re expecting a delivery that hasn’t come in yet.

Can I apply to more than one program at Columbia?

Applicants are permitted to apply to more than one program at the Business School during the same admission cycle. Furthermore, you are welcome to apply to other Programs outside the Business School within Columbia University. Please understand that each Program will have a separate application, fee, and review committee.

What is the average GMAT or GRE score for a person accepted into the MS programs?

The exact numbers for this year's entering class can be found for each MS program here: Accounting and Fundamental Analysis, Financial Economics, and Marketing Science.

Are applications reviewed after the posted deadline, or are they evaluated after submission, regardless of date?

All applications for the MS in Accounting and Fundamental Analysis program are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that a decision will hopefully be rendered six weeks after your completed application has been received.

Do the MS programs prefer GMAT or GRE?

The GRE or the GMAT will be accepted for application to both the MS in Marketing Science and the MS in Financial Economics. There is not a specific preference to which exam you take.

Do you offer a distance-learning or part-time program?

The Columbia Business School's MS programs do not offer a distance-learning, or part-time study program. Our program requires a full-time, in-residence commitment.

I am in another Master's program; can I transfer into one of the School's MS programs?

The MS programs do not allow for transfer students from other Master's or Bachelor's degree programs.

Is there any financial aid available to students? What is the tuition rate?

The Financial Aid Office publishes information on the tuition rate and available loans here.

May I apply to more than one program within the Business School?

You may apply to multiple programs at the Business School. Please be advised that each program is separate and requires its own application for admission. You are welcome to apply to other programs at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the larger University as well. Applicants must complete the application requirements for each school.

Reapplying

Prior to reapplying, we urge candidates to seek to strengthen their applications in any way possible.

If you are considering a reapplication, please consider the ways in which you might strengthen your candidacy. Consider the following:

Improved GMAT, GRE and/or TOEFL scores
Refinement of your professional and research goals
New essay
New letters of recommendations

Please be aware that you must file a new application, in addition to paying the current application fee. Your previous transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other information will be available to you through our online application.

From a previous application, we will allow re-applicants to use the following towards their new application: transcripts, test scores, and recommendation letters are all transferable towards your new application.

All students reapplying are required to provide a new statement of purpose.

When reapplying, please use a new application form with the same login credentials from your previous application. The School's online technology will allow users to import the already mentioned pieces of a given application.