Glenn Hubbard

What are the core values of CBS?

In terms of academic substance, our values are globalisation and entrepreneurial thinking. It comes from being in the crucible that is New York .

As an applicant, I think three kinds of networks are important. The questions that one needs to ask are:

-Faculty network: Do they have ideas that impact?
-Student network: Can we learn from each other?
-Aumni network: Is this network going to be a great brand for me?

What kind of work experience do you value the most?

It is not so much the company you work for as the role you played there and what you achieved.

How does Columbia view fresher applicants?

We do take in some freshers, as young as 22 years old. And we're trying to reduce the average age of the class consciously from 27-28 to about 25. The longer you (the applicant) wait, the more reluctant companies are to let you go to B-School.

Are you very strict about applicants having 16 years of education?

We're not looking at years but the BA degree. So if you have completed an undergraduate programme, you can apply.

Many international business schools are entering the EMBA or management training space in India . What are your plans in this regard?

EMBA is very important for us. One-third of our revenue comes from there. We've just begun to do things in India . At present, we're in talks with Hongkong University to start a pan-Asian EMBA in collaboration with them which is connected to London .

Is there any part of the application – essays, recommendations, resumes, or GMAT scores – that is given more weightage while evaluating international students?

Everybody at CBS has a good GMAT score. That is necessary but not sufficient. The real clincher has to be something more than that. The admissions people will see whether this person is a business leader? Does he know what he is looking for?