Columbia University MBA Essays for 2024-25
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)
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, the goal is for students to explore and reflect during their educational journey 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 more of these five skills, and tell us the actions you took and the outcome. (250 words)
Columbia MBA Essay 3
We believe Columbia Business School is a special place. CBS proudly fosters a collaborative learning environment through curricular experiences like our clusters and learning teams, co-curricular initiatives like the Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership, which aims to equip students with the skills and strategies necessary to lead in an inclusive and ethical manner, and career mentorship opportunities like our Executives-in-Residence program.
Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you academically, culturally, and professionally? (300 words)
Columbia MBA 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)
Columbia MBA Reapplicant Essay
How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied, and reiterate how you plan to achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA professional goals. (Maximum 500 words)
Columbia University MBA Essays for 2022-2023
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)
Essay 2:
We believe Columbia Business School is a special place. CBS proudly fosters a collaborative learning environment through curricular experiences like our clusters and learning teams, co-curricular initiatives like the Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership, which aims to equip students with the skills and strategies necessary to lead in an inclusive and ethical manner, and career mentorship opportunities like our Executives-in-Residence program.
Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you academically, culturally, and professionally? (300 words)
Essay 3:
Tell us about your favorite book, movie, or song and why it resonates with you. (250 words)
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)
Reapplicant Essay How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied, and reiterate how you plan to achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA professional goals. (Maximum 500 words)
FAQs on Columbia MBA Application
Q. What is avg GMAT Score required for Columbia MBA?
A. For the 2018 intake to Columbia MBA program, the average GMAT score was 732. The GMAT score range was from 530-790 with the middle 80% range from 700-760.
Q. What is acceptance rate for Columbia MBA?
A. In 2018, 6029 aspirants applied to the Columbia MBA program, out of which 1028 students were admitted. 756 students then enrolled, divided into 11 clusters. Hence, the acceptance rate for 2018 was approximately 17%.
Q. Does a Columbia MBA require work experience?
A. There is no specific requirement for work experience, however, for the 2018 intake to Columbia MBA program, the average work experience was 5 years with the middle 80% between 3-7 years range. The average age of the incoming class was 28 years.
Q. How much does the Columbia MBA cost?
A. As of 2019, the tuition fees for the Columbia MBA program is $77,376. The total first-year cost estimated on the official website is $114,309.
Q. How to make Columbia MBA application outstanding?
A. Columbia Business School MBA candidates have a record of outstanding academic and professional achievement, clearly outlined on their resumes. Columbia looks for students who are inquisitive and informed. It tends to favor applicants who are proficient in a language other than English. Columbia also prefers students who embody leadership. General Education’s consulting panel of top B-School Alumni and Admission Experts can help evaluate your chances and address your application and essays in a way which highlight your strengths and overcome your shortcomings.