Another great opportunity for applicants to highlight in the essay is the Executive in Residence at Columbia MBA. Each year close to 10-15% of the EIR mentors’ change. Be mindful of this when you are quoting the EIR.
One EIR vs. Multiple EIR
Even in the brochure of EIR at Columbia MBA, the quotes are from students who got value from multiple EIRs. Some took guidance about career transition, some about choosing a growing function or industry, while many leveraged the networks EIR had but most tried to gain a first-hand understanding of the industry or function the EIR managed or manages now.
The challenge here is the 250-word limit.
If you look at the Question
“Columbia MBA 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, an extremely active co-curricular and student life environment, 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? Please be specific. (Maximum 250 Words)”
The admissions team specifically asks why you feel you are a good fit. That is a hint on using a backstory.
So close to 100 words should be about your backstory – a life event, a value or a combination of both that will convince the admissions team that you are the best candidates to gain value from Learning Clusters, a diverse peer group and EIRs.
The specific value proposition will demonstrate the research you did and the motivation to join Columbia MBA program. Be Specific. Use a backstory that connects.
In one of our Columbia MBA Sample Essays, we used a specific value that the candidate wanted to gain. By leveraging the EIR’s expertise in Pension funds, he wanted to transform his real-estate product into an investor-friendly product.
Download Sample Fit, Goals and PPIL Essays with F1GMAT's Columbia MBA Essay Guide
