Columbia Business School

Columbia MBA Application Essay Questions: 2012

Short Answer

What is your post-MBA professional goal? (Maximum of 200 characters.)

Examples of possible responses:

“After my MBA I want to build my expertise in the energy sector and learn more about strategy and decision making by joining a consulting firm specializing in renewable energy and power companies.”

“After my MBA I hope to work in business development for a media company that is expanding its market share in Asia.”

“My short term goal is to work with an investment firm that utilizes public private partnerships to invest in community development projects.”

Essay 1

Considering your post-MBA and long term professional goals, why you are pursuing an MBA at this point in your career? Additionally, why is Columbia Business School a good fit for you? (Maximum 750 words)

Essay 2

Describe a life experience that has shaped you. The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally. (Maximum 500 words)

Essay 3

(Select and answer one of the below questions)

Business School
Columbia Business School

Columbia MBA Ranking, Class Profile and Employment Report: 51% Chose Financial Services

Except for Businessweek, all the other reputed MBA rankings have ranked Columbia Business School in the top 10 over the past 2 years. Businessweek in fact had ranked Columbia at 9th place last year, but 2012 saw the school slide down to 14. Financial Times and the Economist both gave identical ranks during 2012 and 2011 – 5 and 7 respectively.  US News saw the rise of ranking from 9 to 8 over the last one year. These results show that the Columbia MBA is on the upswing and we need to wait for next year to see if this New York based Business School can maintain the momentum.




Average Rank: 8

Columbia MBA Class Profile – Nationality




Columbia MBA Class Profile - Pre-MBA Experience

Columbia MBA Admissions Interview Guide

Get tips on preparing for Columbia Booth MBA Admissions with Expert Interview Guide

Columbia MBA values Entrepreneurial mindset and loves MBA candidates who can make things happen. You have to project these traits in your Interview. Stacy Blackman has written a comprehensive Interview Guide for Columbia MBA Aspirants.

What you can Expect in Columbia MBA Admissions Interview Guide?

Business School
Columbia Business School
MBA Admissions
MBA Admissions Interview

Columbia MBA Information Session (December and January)

Columbia MBA Information sessions offer prospective students the opportunity to learn more about Columbia Business School.

Key Features

1) Learn about Columbia MBA's competitive strengths and its personality
2) Application process best practices
3) Q&A Session with Admissions officers and Current students

December:  General information sessions will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the following days: 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, and 28.

January:  General information sessions will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the following days: 4, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 26 (at 6:00 p.m.), and 30.