Columbia Business School Application Deadlines
Jan. '09 Accelerated Program: October 8, 2008
Sep. '09 Class, Early Decision: October 8, 2008
Sep. '09 Class, International Applicants: March 4, 2009
Sep. '09 Class, U.S. Applicants: April 15, 2009
(Remember that Columbia uses a rolling admissions process. No need to get your application in before it's ready, but don't wait until the last minute, either. As you should with other schools, you should assume that Columbia's class starts to fill up as you approach the deadline, making it that much harder to get in.)
Columbia Business School Application Essays
- What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? (Recommended 750 word limit)
- Essay 2: Master Classes are the epitome of bridging the gap between theory and practice at Columbia Business School. View the link below. Please provide an example from your own life in which practical experience taught you more than theory alone. (Recommended 500 word limit)
Columbia Application Video
(This is new, and replaces last year's question that had applicants read a speech by Dean Glenn Hubbard and write a reaction. Columbia's emphasis on its Master Classes is clear -- the admissions committee seeks applicants who have rolled up their sleeves and made thing happen, rather than pure theorists. They'll also looking for introspection -- ideally you can illustrate what you learned, the impact it had on you, and how it made you a better business manager or leader. - Essay 3: Please provide an example of a team failure of which you’ve been a part. If given a second chance, what would you do differently? (Recommended 500 word limit)
(This is also new this year, replacing last year's "entrepreneurial mindset" and "passion" questions. We the fact that Columbia made this a required question -- every year we talk to many clients who ask, "Are you sure I should discuss any failures in my application?" Yes, you definitely should, as long as you can show how you grew from the experience. In this way, your answer could end up overlapping with your answer to #2. So, it's best to not use a failure story for #2, and to save your failure story for this question.)
For more advice on applying to Columbia, visit the Veritas Prep Columbia Business School information page. And for more information on MBA application deadlines, visit our business school application deadlines page.
