Columbia Business School - 11-13-2025

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November 12, 2025 9:02pm ET

Applying: Columbia, INSEAD, London Business School, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2026

Pre-MBA Career: Payments Consulting

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting Companies: AT Kearney , Bain , BCG , McKinsey , Other

GMAT: 645

GPA: 3.7

Years of Work Experience: 3

Location: Lisbon

Post MBA Location: US/Canada/Middle East

Notes:

MSc in Finance (17/20) and BSc in Management (15/20) from Nova SBE in Portugal

Case Club President, Students Union experience

Yale SOM Aug 2026 entry, Columbia J-Term 2027

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Show Comments (3) Last: November 14, 2025

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1830 Curious why you’re targeting Columbia J term, rather than Round 2? Do you think 645 is your best GMAT score, or is there some scope for improvement?

Showing impact and growth at work will be very important, supported by strong recommendations. Are you also now involved in any activities outside of work? Any hobbies and interests?

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afonsogbernardo Likes Earned: 0 Well since my GMAT is not super competitive and on the lower end of the 80% range, I imagine I would get better chances of getting in in the J term. I would be willing to apply anyway for Fall but a bit less confident. Think my GMAT is a at a ceiling at the moment unfortunately, at least in time for applications. Maybe for Jan 2027 I could improve slightly. In terms of impact and growth, I have been promoted at work and also lead a global initiative in my company across 60+ offices. Confident I can get very good recommendations. Main hobby/interest is soccer, co-founded a sunday league team with my friends. Played in uni and school days. (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1830 there does appear to be a lot to like about your overall profile. I am assuming you are from Portugal (not sure what happened with Ronaldo, yesterday...) Interesting thought about J Term, would it harm you by forgoing a more traditional 2 year MBA experience? If there's any chance of pushing the GMAT up just a few points, it may well make an impact. (0)