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 Sample Essay is of a VP of Advertising of an Online Science publication. He shares an interesting encounter with an Uber driver who was a former proposal reader for an advertising firm. The insider perspective on how proposals from online publications are evaluated is used as a hook to demonstrate the value of NYC and the interesting personalities that reside in the city. 

Theme: Mentorship, M&A, STEM Education

Theme (Explained): Media has been undergoing a metamorphosis over the past decade. With the integration of AI, the disruption has reached a fever pitch. The applicant wants to leverage CBS and New York’s media and finance legacy to understand strategies and build skills to navigate an AI world.

Profile: Business Development

Industry: Media

MBA Essay Strategy: Rarely have I seen applicants reiterating the importance of networking. Almost everyone assumes that such themes are overused, but there are ways in which you can introduce networking and share the value of timely advice from the Executives in Residence. In creating optimal experiences at CBS, you should also highlight a cause that is closest to your identity. In this example, the applicant is highlighting his passion for STEM education and how he plans to start an Education Club at CBS.

Opener: Starting the essay with the problem statement is the best way to capture the core of your narrative in essays with less than 300 words.
 

Columbia MBA Optimal Experience Essay Example

Value from New York, EIR, and STEM Education (248 Words)

Having exhausted all options of finding an advertiser that matches our mission of ‘science education for all,’ I was tired on my way to the Park Lane Hotel when Usman – the Uber driver, noticed my frustration. He shared ..
 

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