Tuesday Tips: Columbia MBA Essay Tips for 2024-2025

Columbia Business School (CBS) has released the application and essay questions for the MBA Class of 2027. CBS is a fast-paced program in a fast-paced city. The kind of student who is a good fit for the Columbia MBA program and its setting in New York City will be those who plan to take full advantage of the unique opportunities offered by that environment. Another aspect is having the academic background to handle the rigor of Columbia.

What is the AdCom looking for in Columbia MBA applicants?

One of SBC’s former CBS Admissions Officers shared, “With CBS, it really is a holistic approach, but the fit is VERY important. They want to know why CBS- that is a big part of their culture. They want to know you’re going to fit in.”

Therefore, this set of essays must show your strong desire to attend Columbia. Students at Columbia have big plans for their lives, MBA or not. To prepare, brainstorm your career objectives, strengths, and weaknesses. Also, think about your overall life dreams.

Columbia’s admission options are flexible. They include a full-time MBA program with an August entry, as well as a January entry for those applicants who don’t want or need a summer internship. In addition, Columbia has an excellent executive MBA program.

The admissions cycle for the January entry is rolling, so the earlier you submit your application, the sooner you will hear back. We recommend submitting your application as early as possible while maintaining high quality if the J-term option interests you.

Feeling stumped by the Columbia MBA essays? Contact Stacy Blackman Consulting to learn how our expert team of former admissions officers can help.

Short Answer Question: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Examples of possible responses:

• “Work in business development for a media company.”
• “Join a strategy consulting firm.”
• “Launch a data-management start-up.”

This is a deceptively simple question. It requires you to condense your career goals into a short career vision statement. If your goal is to work at an investment bank after graduation, you could always just say: “Work in finance.” To add a bit more detail, consider adding a little more color.

Something like: “Work in real estate finance for a private equity firm.” This tells the admissions committee far more about your interests and goals than just “work in finance.” It also sets the tone for the first essay.

January Short Answer Question: Why do you prefer the January entry term? (50 characters maximum)

Applicants to the January entry for Columbia Business School should answer this question. The focus is to describe why you are applying for January entry. Typically, J-term applicants are returning to the same firm or the same industry post-MBA. This means the full two year MBA experience with an internship is less important, and the additional time working is more important.

If you are pursuing the J-term option, consider why this timing is best for you. Especially if you have atypical reasons, make sure you can explain why an internship is not necessary for you.

August Short Answer Question: How do you plan to spend the summer after the first year of the MBA? If in an internship, please include target industry(ies) and/or function(s). If you plan to work on your own venture, please indicate a focus of business. (50 characters maximum)

If you are planning to enter Columbia for the August start term, you should answer this question. If you plan to change careers post-MBA an internship will be important for you. What internship will you pursue, and how you plan to use the time to leverage an offer or crucial work experience? If you want to use the summer to start or continue your own business, make sure you are clear about what you will do. In either circumstance, you should explain why your summer experience will help your achieve your post-MBA goals.

Columbia MBA Essay 1

Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job? (500 words)

This question asks about your short- and long-term goals. We find that those who seek a top-tier MBA at a school like Columbia have Big Ideas. Also, the program will expose you to people and opportunities that will expand your horizons. Think about your true passions, and feel free to explore your biggest dreams.

As you talk about your future, you may need to refer to your past career and experiences. Also, think about the pivotal moments you can describe. In addition, use examples that support your future goals. In conclusion, your goals should have a logical progression, but you should show how you plan to adapt.

For example, perhaps you want to be a general manager of a company or division. But right now, you have been working primarily in marketing. Subsequently, you might take classes in finance and strategy and take part in consulting projects while interning at a start-up. All of these will provide experience for your general management path.

Q&A with Columbia’s Director of MBA Admissions

Most importantly, Columbia wants to know who you are and how you are different from other applicants. Don’t try to be an ideal applicant. Instead, reveal your genuine personality, motivations, and goals.

You might mix personal and professional interests to answer this prompt. In addition, you could focus on either of those angles, depending on the topics of your other essays. Finally, specifics will help you set yourself apart with this essay.

Columbia MBA Essay 2

The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a co-curricular program designed to provide students with the skills and strategies needed to develop as inclusive leaders. Through various resources and programming, students explore and reflect on the following five inclusive leadership skills: Mitigating Bias and Prejudice; Managing Intercultural Dialogue; Addressing Systemic Inequity; Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking; and Creating an Inclusive Environment.

Describe a time or situation when you had the need to utilize one of these five skills, and tell us the actions you took and the outcome.

Alternatively, please share a specific example of how you made a team more collaborative or fostered a greater sense of community within an organization. (250 words)

This behavioral interview question has two options, but each focuses on how you enhanced a community. Keep in mind that Columbia is also looking to understand your ability to fit in with the community and contribute.

As one of SBC’s Columbia insider consultants explains, “Columbia wants to know what the applicant is going to give back to the CBS community-they want people that will give as much as they will take away.”

For this essay, either choose an example around one of the five inclusive leadership skills described or think of an example that shows how you enhance a community. Behavioral essay questions can be approached with the STAR method. First, explain the Situation and then discuss the Task needed to achieve success in this situation. Third, describe the Action you took in this story. And finally, what was the Result of your actions? Each step should be specific and clear.

For this essay you can focus on your own experiences or those you were part of. Make sure you are writing with empathy. For example, did you understand multiple perspectives and consider them? Also, can you understand the backgrounds and cultures of those around you? Demonstrated cultural awareness and a community mindset will go far in this essay.

Columbia MBA Essay 3

We believe Columbia Business School is a special place with a collaborative learning environment in which students feel a sense of belonging, agency, and partnership—academically, culturally, and professionally.

How would you co-create your optimal MBA experience at CBS? Please be specific. (250 words)

According to our expert consultants, Columbia wants to see your passion for the school. Otherwise, the admissions committee will wonder why you are applying.

First, take the time to learn as much about Columbia’s MBA program and culture as you can. For example, read the website, watch admissions sessions online or visit in person, and try to network with current and former students. As a result of this research, you will know the school well. As this essay prompt instructs, be specific. That means you should demonstrate your research and give examples in the essay.

Passion is Essential for Columbia MBA Applicants

Second, know yourself and why Columbia is a fit. Make sure to tailor your answer to your individual learning and career goals. Also, keep in mind Columbia’s academic and professional opportunities.

Finally, make sure you will benefit the community. As this essay specifies, you are the co-creator of your MBA experience. Think about the unique skills and experiences you might share with the community. For example, you could bring your industry experience to the classroom and contacts to help your classmates’ career research.

Or, you might take a leadership position for a conference or club to continue to develop and improve it. Columbia wants to meet students who have a strong desire to attend their program and participate in the community. In conclusion, show your passion for the school and make the case for your admission.

Optional Essay

If you wish to provide further information or additional context around your application to the Admissions Committee, please upload a brief explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 Words)

Note that this question is entirely optional. You do not need to answer if there is nothing more to communicate.

Focus only on specific areas of concern. For example, you may need to address a lack of demonstrated quantitative abilities or the lack of a recommendation from a current supervisor. Or, you might have gaps in work experience or low grades.

In addition, Columbia has stated submitting bullet points is also fine. For example, if you only need to point out a grade in one class, that may only require a few lines.

Remember, it is best to explain the issue briefly. Then, show how you have addressed it. Finally, explain why this issue should not impact your admission to Columbia.

***

Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our All-In Partnership to hourly help reviewing your MBA resume. Contact us today for a free 15-minute advising session to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant.

Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.

The All-in Package

The Wire

Tuesday Tips: Columbia MBA Essay Tips for 2024-2025