Columbia MBA Essay Question

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) (Common for both January and August entering class)
 

Background Information: The essay example is of an applicant from Germany whose family business is undergoing a significant transformation after a slow M&A in the automotive industry in 2024.

Theme: Global Partnership, Creative Problem Solving, Strategy

Theme (Explained): With electrification, trade wars between the US and China, and slowdown in M&A, the applicant is at a crossroads in leading his family business to newer challenges of a world beyond 2030. A regrouping of his skills – particularly with a strategic insight developed collaborating with diverse peers at CBS MBA is quoted to illustrate his motivation.

Profile: Operations Manager, Executive, Family Business

Industry: Manufacturing

MBA Essay Strategy: This strategy will only work if you have a strong connection with New York or one of the Alumni/EIR/professors and the interaction/advice influenced a professional milestone.

A professor's advice to acquire competitors to reduce cost is cited to demonstrate creative problem solving as a CBS ethos.

Opener: Starting the essay with the CBS influence is an aggressive form of narrative style, but it will work when you have many contexts to cover within 250 words.
 

Columbia MBA Optimal Experience Essay Example

Family Business – Value from CBS peers, professors, and alumni (248 Words)

In 2019, when we were at the New York International Auto Show, I met Professor <H>, who advised us to reduce costs with strategic acquisition. In 2020, the right moment arrived when prices became attractive. We acquired our ..

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