In December 2025, Columbia Business School will host 14 MBA events, comprising 11 virtual sessions and 3 in-person events, giving prospective applicants multiple opportunities to explore the MBA program, understand the admissions process, and engage with the CBS community.
Virtual Events
The virtual events include a mix of multi-school panels, program overviews, Consortium-focused conversations, and application-support sessions. On 3 December, CBS participates in Top Business Schools Present: Application Tip Webinar, a ten-school panel offering application guidance and Q&A. On 4, 11, and 18 December, the school hosts Consortium-Focused Virtual Conversations with the Engagement Team, where Assistant Dean Michael Robinson provides detailed guidance for Consortium applicants.
Essay Editing - Consult with Atul Jose (Essay Specialist, F1GMAT)
The skills that a writer/editor brings to the table are different from what a former admissions officer or a consultant who has limited writing skills brings
Review Skills # Writing Skills
Movie Critics # Movie Directors
For any questions about the service, email me, Atul Jose, at editor@f1gmat.com
As F1GMAT’s Lead Consultant and Essay Specialist, I will help you structure the essay by:
1) Incorporating your Personal Brand
I will help you find unique life experiences that would differentiate you from the highly competitive Columbia MBA application pool.
2) Including Storytelling elements
I have developed a keen sense of storytelling from over a decade and a half of editing essays and writing essay examples for F1GMAT’s Essay Guides.
The skills that a writer/editor brings to the table are different from what a former admissions officer or a consultant who has limited writing skills brings
Review Skills # Writing Skills
Movie Critics # Movie Directors
It is easy to comment, but it is tough to structure the essay from the perspective of the applicant and turn the essay into a winning application essay.
3) Aligning with the Culture of the School
A big part of editing and guiding applicants is in educating them about the culture of the school
Some schools have very ‘specific’ traits that they are looking for in an applicant.
If you don’t highlight them and lean towards general leadership or cultural narratives, the essay won’t work.
I will guide you through the writing process.
I will also iteratively edit the essays without losing your original voice.
Additional virtual programming includes the Virtual Forté MBA Forum on 5 December, the Deferred Enrollment Program Virtual Information Session on 11 December, and The CBS Experience: AI in Business Initiative on 16 December, highlighting CBS’s technology ecosystem. Applicants can also attend the Virtual MBA Information Session on 17 December, the Dual MBA/Executive MS Application Q&A on 18 December, the August Round 2 Application Q&A Webinar on 23 December, and the multi-school Top Business Schools Discuss: Application Advice for Deferred MBA Programs on 27 December.
In-Person Events
The in-person programming consists of three on-campus sessions of the MBA Admissions Overview and Student Chat, held on 4, 15, and 18 December at the Manhattanville campus. Each session includes an admissions presentation, conversations with current students, and a campus tour, giving attendees a direct look into the CBS environment and student experience.
Download F1GMAT's Columbia MBA Essay Guide
Short Answer Question 1: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)
Short Answer Question 2: 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)
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: Please share a specific example of how you made a team more collaborative, more inclusive or fostered a greater sense of community within an organization. (250 words)
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)
Related Download: F1GMAT's Columbia MBA Essay Guide
Related Read
| Date | Event | Description | Type of Event | Register |
03-Dec-25 | Top Business Schools Present: Application Tip Webinar | Prospective students can join this virtual session to hear representatives from ten leading business schools discuss their MBA programs and offer practical tips for building a competitive application. The event includes a moderated panel with admissions leaders from schools such as Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, and others, followed by a virtual networking session where attendees can ask questions and connect directly with panelists. | Virtual |
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04-Dec-25 | Consortium-Focused Virtual Conversations with Engagement Team | Prospective students can join this virtual session to hear the CBS Engagement Team provide an application overview for candidates applying through The Consortium. Assistant Dean Michael Robinson will share guidance on the process and answer attendee questions. | Virtual |
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04-Dec-25 | MBA Admissions Overview and Student Chat | Prospective students can join Columbia Business School on campus for an MBA Admissions Overview & Student Chat, featuring insights into the admissions process, conversations with current students, and a visit to the Manhattanville campus. | In-Person |
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05-Dec-25 | Virtual Forté MBA Forum | Prospective students can join this virtual Forté MBA Forum to learn about the value of an MBA and connect with admissions representatives from leading business schools. The session also features insights from MBA alumni who will share their experiences and offer guidance, alongside opportunities to expand their professional network. | Virtual |
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11-Dec-25 | Consortium-Focused Virtual Conversations with Engagement Team | Prospective students can join this virtual session to receive an application overview tailored for candidates applying to Columbia Business School through The Consortium. Assistant Dean Michael Robinson will share insights and answer questions about the process. | Virtual |
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11-Dec-25 | Deferred Enrollment Program Virtual Information Session | Prospective students can join this virtual information session to hear Columbia Business School admissions discuss the Deferred Enrollment Program and walk through the application process. | Virtual |
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15-Dec-25 | MBA Admissions Overview and Student Chat | Prospective students can join Columbia Business School on campus for an MBA Admissions Overview & Student Chat, featuring insights into the admissions process, conversations with current students, and a visit to the Manhattanville campus. | In-Person |
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16-Dec-25 | The CBS Experience: AI in Business Initiative | Prospective students can join this virtual session to learn about Columbia Business School’s AI in Business Initiative. The event highlights the school’s technology offerings and includes a live Q&A with admissions, students, and members of the initiative team. | Virtual |
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17-Dec-25 | Virtual MBA Information Session | This virtual session will be hosted by the admission representative from the Columbia MBA program who will explain the application process and give an overview of the program. | Virtual |
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18-Dec-25 | Consortium-Focused Virtual Conversations with Engagement Team | Prospective students can join this virtual session to receive an application overview tailored for candidates applying to Columbia Business School through The Consortium. Assistant Dean Michael Robinson will share insights and answer questions about the process. | Virtual |
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18-Dec-25 | Dual MBA/Executive MS: Engineering and Applied Science Round 2 Application Q&A Webinar | Prospective students can join this virtual Q&A session to learn more about the application process for Columbia’s Dual MBA/Executive MS in Engineering and Applied Science. The session offers quick guidance and answers to applicant questions. | Virtual |
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18-Dec-25 | MBA Admissions Overview and Student Chat | Prospective students can join Columbia Business School on campus for an MBA Admissions Overview & Student Chat, featuring insights into the admissions process, conversations with current students, and a visit to the Manhattanville campus. | In-Person |
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23-Dec-25 | August Round 2 Application Q&A Webinar | Prospective applicants can join this virtual session to get last-minute tips for the August 2026 Round 2 application. The Columbia Admissions team will answer questions and provide quick guidance before submission. | Virtual |
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27-Dec-25 | Top Business Schools Discuss: Application Advice for Deferred MBA Programs | Prospective students can join this virtual session to hear admissions officers from leading business schools discuss the value of deferred MBA programs and share guidance on preparing a strong application. Invitations to connect with individual schools will follow. | Virtual |
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