columbia mba essay samples

Which program are you applying to?

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

June 8, 2023

Columbia Business School MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2023-2024], Class Profile

Columbia Business School (CBS) has made some big changes for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle! CBS will now consider applications in three rounds, rather than on a rolling basis. In another move, CBS has ended its Early Decision program. Finally, CBS has changed two of its essay prompts to focus on inclusive leadership and how you will contribute to the CBS experience.

What do these changes mean for you? By moving to the rounds system, Columbia will no longer favor early birds in its historic “first come, first serve” rolling admissions process. Rounds will give the adcom a better chance to compare applicants in a big pool against one another. That’s why you’ll need to work even harder to justify why you deserve a place at CBS and explain what you will contribute to the MBA experience there.

Ready to get to work on your CBS application? Read on.

Columbia Business School application essay tips

Columbia business school application deadlines, columbia business school class profile.

Applicants must complete one short answer question and three essays (source: CBS website ).

Short Answer Question: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum) Examples of possible responses:

Work in business development for a media company
Join a strategy consulting firm
Launch a data-management start-up

Note that this has a CHARACTER (rather than word) limit. Your response must be significantly shorter than a tweet. What do you want to do professionally and in which industry immediately after earning your MBA?

Warning: This question is not asking about your intended area of study while in business school or about a nonprofessional goal or even about a long-term goal. And the subject in your response is assumed to be you, so you by including or starting with “I” or “I plan to….”

Succinctly define your goal in terms of function (what you want to do) and the industry (or type of company) in which you want to do it.

Columbia Business School 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)

Columbia adcom readers must really like the answers they get to this question, because it’s back this year and has been a part of CBS’ application for the last several years. CBS wants you to focus on your career goals not immediately after graduation, as in the short-answer question, but in the medium and long term. The adcom wants to see how you believe your career will develop after your first post-MBA job. Note that this question DOES NOT ask you how CBS will help you achieve your goals.

To respond to this essay question, realize that the . Don’t repeat “your professional path to date.” That would be a waste of valuable essay real estate and would mean you’d neither be telling the adcom anything new nor answering their question. Instead, describe what you want to do three to five years in the future, which should build on what you have stated for your first post-MBA job. Make sure to answer the long-term question and feel free to dream and aspire, but at the same time, reveal a feasible professional goal.

Let CBS see that you have a purposeful and exciting direction in mind for your future – a future that will transform you into a graduate they will be proud of.

Columbia Business School Essay #2

The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a co-curricular program designed to provide students with the skills and strategies needed to develop as inclusive leaders. Through various resources and programming, the goal is for students to explore and reflect during their educational journey on the following five inclusive leadership skills: Mitigating Bias and Prejudice; Managing Intercultural Dialogue; Addressing Systemic Inequity; Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking; and Creating an Inclusive Environment.

Describe a time or situation when you had the need to utilize one of more of these five skills, and tell us the actions you took and the outcome. (250 words)

For this essay, you’ll have just a few words with which to describe some big ideas. A superior result will come after you do your research and some deep thinking.

First, get to know the PPIL initiative . CBS describes the PPIL as “a one-of-a kind diversity, equity, and inclusion requirement.” It’s become a mandated part of the CBS experience.

Second, reflect on your personal experiences. You can write about a situation at work, during a volunteer stint, or in any other social situation where you acted with inclusive leadership.

The best examples will demonstrate how you were inquisitive, reflective, and if necessary, willing to create change within institutions or hierarchies for a more inclusive environment.

Columbia has offered five topics from which you can choose and must expand on in your essay. Because of the word limit, selecting just one or two is better than trying to address all five.

Third, organize your thoughts into a narrative. It’s useful to use the SOAR or SOAR + L framework to tell your story:

S = Situation. What was the situation you were presented with, and who were the people involved?

O = Obstacle. What was the obstacle or problem you faced?

A = Action. What considerations did you make, and how did you ultimately decide to act?

R = Result. What were the results of your actions?

+L = Learning. If you have space, you can summarize what you learned about the importance of acting as a leader on this issue.

Remember, don’t worry that the best essays will come from people who have started or joined formal diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in their workplace. Individual, one-on-one experiences outside of an institutional framework can be just as powerful, or even more so.

Columbia Business School Essay #3

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. (250 words)

This essay is your opportunity to prove to the adcom that you have done your research, and you’re convinced that CBS is THE best MBA program for you.

To prepare for this essay, think about your career goals. What do you need to learn to achieve them? Think about your learning style. Do you thrive in a lecture hall or in small groups? Finally, what do you like to do socially, and how do you best make friends?

Next, take time to review the curriculum – even go a step further and map out your ideal class schedule based on required core classes and possible electives . Consider also the Executives-in-Residence program, which offers one-of-a-kind access to C-suite mentors. What challenges do you anticipate you’ll encounter in the future that these classes and mentors will empower you to address? You could also consider how you would make the most of access to specialized centers focused on entrepreneurship , real estate , or investing at Columbia.

Finally, decide how you will contribute to the CBS student experience. Look through the clubs that are available, and come up with ideas about how you could have an impact in one or more of them. Do you want to have an international experience ? Mention skill sets you’ve developed in your past, and discuss how you could apply them at Columbia to help organize and enrich the campus experience for everyone.

Now that you’ve done your research, dive right in and get to the point. You only have 250 words! Give yourself loosely 75 words for each focus area: academic, social, and professional. This means you can’t cram in everything you’ve discovered, so be selective. Choose aspects of the CBS program that will have the most impact on your future and where you will have the most impact.

Columbia Business School optional essay

If you wish to provide further information or additional context around your application to the Admissions Committee, please upload a brief explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 Words)

The CBS optional essay is specifically for you to “address areas of concern.” If you don’t have areas of concern, don’t write an essay. However, if you had a dip in grades, a period of unemployment, or some other issue that you want to address, this is your opportunity to do so. You don’t want the admissions committee guessing as to why something is the way it is and coming to the wrong conclusion.

Don’t even think of using this essay as a grand finale or wrap-up. And definitely don’t use it to rehash your reasons for wanting to attend you’re your required essays should make those reasons perfectly clear.

For expert guidance on your CBS application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages that include advising, editing, interview coaching, and a resume edit for the CBS application. Looking to score some scholarship money while you’re at it? Explore our services for more information on how Accepted can help you get into Columbia.

Watch our webinar and learn how to Get Accepted to Columbia Business School!

Source: CBS website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with CBS directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

Here’s a look at the CBS MBA class entering 2022 from the Columbia Business School website:

Applications received: 6,177

Admissions: 1,363

Enrolled: 844, divided into 12 clusters

January entry class size: 215, divided into 3 clusters
August entry class size: 629, divided into 9 clusters

GMAT score (average): 729

GMAT scores (range): 550-780

GMAT scores (middle 80%): 700-760

Undergraduate GPA (average): 3.6

Undergraduate GPA (middle 80%): 3.1-3.9 Work experience (average): 5 years

Work experience (middle 80%): 3-8 years

At least one year of work experience: 99%

Average age: 28

Age range: 21-44

Age range (middle 80%): 25-31

Minority of U.S. origin: 42%

International citizens: 51%

Undergraduate major:

Business: 33%
Economics: 20%
Engineering: 16%
Social Sciences: 12%
Sciences: 8%
Humanities: 6%
Technology: 2%

Previous industries:

Financial Services: 29%
Consulting: 22%
Marketing/Media: 11%
Technology: 9%
Real Estate: 5%
Healthcare: 5%
Military/Government: 5%
Nonprofit 4%

Is CBS the right school for you? These resources can help you decide:

An MBA’s Perspective on Columbia Business School – podcast Episode 373
Which MBA Program is Right for Me? The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an MBA Program
M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2022
Deferred MBA Programs and Other Options for MBA Hopefuls With No Work Experience

Over 6,000 applications, and only 1,363 accepted at CBS last year. How can you ensure your application stands out from the crowd? Check out these resources for expert advice:

Get Accepted to CBS Webinar
AMA Session with Columbia Business School Director of Admissions Michael Robinson
Applicants that Stand Out at Columbia Business School
Columbia Executive MBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines

Getting into Columbia Business School takes a special combination of an outstanding application, an extraordinary essay, and an incredible interview. Check out our MBA Services Packages to work one-on-one with our expert admissions consultants. We can help you GET ACCEPTED!

Michelle Stockman is a professional journalist, former Columbia Business School admissions insider, and experienced MBA admissions consultant. Want Michelle to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

About Us Press Room Contact Us Podcast Accepted Blog Privacy Policy Website Terms of Use Disclaimer Client Terms of Service

We can improve your MBA profile and boost your candidacy. Gain insight into the review process and eliminate weaknesses from your MBA application.

Note: You must have javascript enabled to submit the form.

Tuesday Tips: Columbia MBA Essay Tips for 2023-2024

Columbia Business School (CBS) has released the application and essay questions for the MBA Class of 2026. CBS is a fast-paced program in a fast-paced city. The kind of student who is a good fit for the Columbia MBA program and its setting in New York City will be those who plan to take full advantage of the unique opportunities offered by that environment. Another aspect is having the academic background to handle the rigor of Columbia.

What is the AdCom looking for in Columbia MBA applicants?

One of SBC’s former CBS Admissions Officers shared, “With CBS, it really is a holistic approach, but the fit is VERY important. They want to know why CBS- that is a big part of their culture. They want to know you’re going to fit in.”

Therefore, this set of essays must show your strong desire to attend Columbia. Students at Columbia have big plans for their lives, MBA or not. To prepare, brainstorm your career objectives, strengths, and weaknesses. Also, think about your overall life dreams.

Admission options at Columbia are flexible. Including full-time MBA programs to a January entry without a summer internship. In addition, Columbia has an excellent executive MBA program. Columbia also offers an early decision option for candidates committed to Columbia.

The Columbia admissions cycle is rolling, so the earlier you submit your application, the sooner you will hear back. We recommend you try to submit your application as early as possible while maintaining high quality.

Feeling stumped by the Columbia MBA essays? Contact Stacy Blackman Consulting to learn how our expert team of former admissions officers can help.

Short Answer Question: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Examples of possible responses:

• “Work in business development for a media company.” • “Join a strategy consulting firm.” • “Launch a data-management start-up.”

This is a deceptively simple question. It requires you to condense your career goals into a short career vision statement. As part of the question, Columbia provides a few examples which are concise and to the point.

If your goal is to work at an investment bank after graduation, you could always just say: “Work in finance.” To add a bit more detail, consider adding a little more color. Something like: “Work in real estate finance for a private equity firm.” This tells the admissions committee far more about your interests and goals than just “work in finance.” It also sets the tone for the first essay.

Columbia MBA Essay 1

This question asks about your short- and long-term goals. We find that those who seek a top-tier MBA at a school like Columbia have Big Ideas. Also, the program will expose you to people and opportunities that will expand your horizons. Think about your true passions, and feel free to explore your biggest dreams.

As you talk about your future, you may need to refer to your past career and experiences. Also, think about the pivotal moments you can describe. In addition, use examples that support your future goals. In conclusion, your goals should have a logical progression, but you should show how you plan to adapt.

For example, perhaps you want to be a general manager of a company or division. But right now, you have been working primarily in marketing. Subsequently, you might take classes in finance and strategy and take part in consulting projects while interning at a start-up. All of these will provide experience for your general management path.

Most importantly, Columbia wants to know who you are and how you are different from other applicants. Don’t try to be an ideal applicant. Instead, reveal your genuine personality, motivations, and goals.

You might mix personal and professional interests to answer this prompt. In addition, you could focus on either of those angles, depending on the topics of your other essays. Finally, specifics will help you set yourself apart with this essay.

Columbia MBA Essay 2

The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a co-curricular program designed to ensure that every CBS student develops the skills to become an ethical and inclusive leader. Through PPIL, students attend programming focused on five essential diversity, equity, and inclusion skills: Creating an Inclusive Environment, Mitigating Bias and Prejudice, Managing Intercultural Dialogue, Addressing Systemic Inequity, and Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking.

Tell us about a time when you were challenged around one of these five skills. Describe the situation, the actions you took, and the outcome. (250 words)

This behavioral interview question focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion for the topic. Keep in mind that Columbia is also looking to understand your ability to fit in with the community and contribute.

As one of SBC’s Columbia insider consultants explains, “Columbia wants to know what the applicant is going to give back to the CBS community-they want people that will give as much as they will take away.”

For this essay, choose an example around one of the skills described. Behavioral essay questions can be approached with the STAR method. First, explain the Situation. Second, the Task that needed to be achieved for success in this situation. Third, the Action you took in this story. And finally, the Result of your actions. Each step should be specific and clear.

When choosing a topic in diversity, equity, and inclusion, you can focus on your own experiences or those you were part of. Make sure you are writing with empathy. For example, did you understand multiple perspectives and consider them? Also, can you understand the backgrounds and cultures of those around you? Demonstrated cultural awareness and a community mindset will go far in this essay.

Columbia MBA Essay 3

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. (250 words)

According to our expert consultants, Columbia wants to see your passion for the school. Otherwise, the admissions committee will wonder why you are applying.

First, take the time to learn as much about Columbia’s MBA program and culture as you can. For example, read the website, watch admissions sessions online or visit in person, and try to network with current and former students. As a result of this research, you will know the school well. As this essay prompt instructs, be specific. That means you should demonstrate your research and give examples in the essay.

Passion is Essential for Columbia MBA Applicants

Second, know yourself and why Columbia is a fit. Make sure to tailor your answer to your individual goals for learning and career. Also, keep in mind Columbia’s academic and professional opportunities.

Finally, make sure you will benefit the community. Think about the unique skills and experiences you will share. Columbia wants to meet students who have a strong desire to attend their program. In conclusion, show your passion for the school and make the case for your admission.

Optional Essay

Note that this question is entirely optional. You do not need to answer if there is nothing more to communicate.

Focus only on specific areas of concern. For example, you may need to address a lack of demonstrated quantitative abilities or the lack of a recommendation from a current supervisor. Or, you might have gaps in work experience or low grades.

In addition, Columbia has stated submitting bullet points is also fine. For example, if you only need to point out a grade in one class, that may only require a few lines.

Remember, it is best to explain the issue briefly. Then, show how you have addressed it. Finally, explain why this issue should not impact your admission to Columbia.

Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our All-In Partnership to hourly help reviewing your MBA resume. Contact us today for a free 15-minute advising session to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot of the caliber of Columbia Business School expertise on our SBC team.

SBC’s star-studded consultant team is unparalleled. Our clients benefit from current intelligence that we receive from the former MBA Admissions Officers from Wharton, Columbia CBS and every elite business program in the US and Europe. These MBA Admissions Officers have chosen to work exclusively with SBC.

Just two of the many superstars on the SBC team: Meet Anthony , who served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise.

Meet Erin , who has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Tap into this inside knowledge for your MBA applications by requesting a consultation .

MBA Programs in NYC

Face Off: Columbia vs NYU Stern

Columbia MBA Acceptance Rate, Deconstructed

B-Schooled Podcast Episode #149: Spotlight on CBS

Learn About Our All-In Service

Meet the sbc consulting team.

(323) 934-3936 info@StacyBlackman.com

Latest Blog Post

Tips for the older mba applicant applying to b-school.

The average age of business school applicants has been trending downward for more than a decade. With that, work experience expectations have shifted as well. But not everyone is ready or in a position ... →

Columbia Business School MBA Application Updates: 2023-2024

Columbia University Business School campus

It is time to get started on your Columbia Business School application as the Columbia MBA essay questions for class of 2026 business school hopefuls were just released.

Columbia Business School has made some big changes for 2023-2024 MBA Applicants (applying for August 2024 Entry), removing the rolling and binding early-decision process and moving to a more traditional rounds model.

Note: for candidates applying for January 2024 entry, the application process will continue to be rolling, with a deadline of 9/13/2023.

The 2023-2024 Columbia Business School MBA Application Deadlines are as follows:

Round 1: September 13, 2023

Round 2: January 5, 2024

Round 3: April 3, 2024

While submitting a round 1 application is non-binding, applicants will be required to submit a $6,000 deposit to accept their offer.

Read Personal MBA Coach’s Top Tips for Tackling Columbia Business School’s Essays Below!

The Columbia MBA essays changed for 2023-2024 applicants

Essay 1 remains unchanged
Essay 2 is new (though this question was an option for 2021-2022 applicants)
Last year’s essay 2 is now Essay 3, with a shorter 250-word limit.

Given Columbia Business School’s rolling admissions, getting an early start is particularly crucial.

The three questions together will prompt MBA candidates to cover a wide range of information about their professional goals, plans on campus, personal stories and leadership styles.

Avoid repeating yourself while ensuring that the three Columbia essays work together to paint an accurate and consistent picture of your candidacy.

Columbia MBA Essay Question 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 maximum)

Columbia specifically asks that candidates not repeat their resumes in this career goals question. While some mention of your professional past is still expected, it should be brief and used as context to further elaborate on why your goals are attainable. This question explicitly asks for both a short-term goal and a long-term dream job so be sure to include both.

According to Nicole Shay, former Columbia Business School Admissions Director: “Your goal should be pragmatic. The committee will be asking themselves: ‘Given the applicant’s work experience + the resources/opportunities at CBS, will this applicant be successful in achieving their short-term goal?’”

In addition, your goals should show a logical progression from your current experiences. If they do not, then a brief explanation is a good idea so that the admissions committee can understand how you will realistically attain your goals.

Discussing your long-term dream job is an opportunity to show the admissions committee your true ambitions and what really matters to you professionally. It is important that candidates have lofty goals here but ones that make sense for them and fit with both their short-term goals and overall story. This is a unique chance not only to show how you envision your career unfolding, but also to give the reader a little more insight into who you are by adding at least a brief mention of why this career interests you.

Finally, while not explicitly asked, a bit on how you will prepare for these goals while at Columbia would serve as a nice conclusion.

Columbia MBA Essay Question 2: The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a co-curricular program designed to ensure that every CBS student develops the skills to become an ethical and inclusive leader. Through PPIL, students attend programming focused on five essential diversity, equity, and inclusion skills: Creating an Inclusive Environment, Mitigating Bias and Prejudice, Managing Intercultural Dialogue, Addressing Systemic Inequity, and Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking.

Tell us about a time when you were challenged around one of these five skills. Describe the situation, the actions you took, and the outcome. (250 words)

This new second essay directly addresses a topic that continually is top of mind for nearly all top business schools. When it was asked during the 2021-2022 application cycle, it was not required for all candidates and we recognize that some applicants may struggle to answer this question.

With a very short word limit, it is crucial to be very direct in sharing the circumstances, your actions and the result. There is no room for fluff here. Similarly, do not force this essay and be sure your story is authentic. You may need to consider DEI a bit more broadly and that is ok.

Columbia MBA Essay Question 3: 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. (250 words)

This question takes a direct approach to addressing fit. During some previous cycles, CBS has asked candidates about their desire to be in New York City. While the current prompt addresses fit more broadly, mentioning how you plan to leverage the city would still be advised here.

With only 250 words and a lot to cover, it is important to be focused and specific. Show that you have done your research on what options are available on campus and which specifically interest you. Naturally, a tie should be made between these opportunities and your career goals.

According to Nicole: “In this essay, the committee is looking for which resources you are going to utilize to achieve your short-term goal and fulfill your social/cultural needs/interests. However, they are also looking at how you are going to contribute to the CBS community.”

This is the time to discuss the classes you hope to take, clubs you will join and other programs of interest to you, such as speaker series or immersion seminars. While we have always recommended that candidates consider culture as they answer this question (which, as we have shared in the past, is becoming increasingly important to many top business schools) this year CBS explicitly asks applicants to speak to why the CBS culture is a good fit. Be sure that you have done your research on CBS and its culture and community. Find out more about what sets CBS apart by visiting our CBS school guide. Plus, watch Personal MBA Coach’s Nicole Shay’s exclusive interview with former colleague and current CBS Adcom Director, Jordan Blitzer. Get insider information about CBS including what Jordan wishes applicants would do differently, what is new on campus and common misconceptions about CBS. This is a must see for prospective CBS students.

Finally, Columbia has an optional essay. As we advise for most schools, do not feel compelled to answer this unless you have something specific to explain in your background (e.g., a career gap, an unusual recommender, extreme personal circumstances, etc.) This is not the time to spend 500 words professing your love for Columbia.

Considering Columbia Business School? Find out how Personal MBA Coach’s clients are generally some of the first to get accepted into CBS (with leading scholarship $’s).

You also may like these other blog articles:

Find out why we are consistently ranked #1. Sign up for a 30-minute consultation today!

We have over 200 5 Star Reviews. Find out WHY!

schedule consultation

Stay on top of the latest insights.

Advice, tips and insights from the admissions dream team., table of contents, how to tackle the columbia mba essay questions.

By Karen Hamou

Columbia Business School requires three essays in its MBA application. For the 2023–2024 admissions cycle, they have changed one essay — or, rather, reverted back to one in use a few years ago.

CBS is once again asking applicants to describe a time when they were challenged around one of five skills essential to becoming an inclusive and ethical leader. That’s a question that should be confronted with courage and careful self-reflection. I have some advice on how to respond below, but first, let’s take the application questions from the top.

Short Answer Question:

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters)

The Admissions team wants you to be direct, succinct, and demonstrate direction (ambition is good, but be realistic). This is an opportunity to provide a clear, overarching headline that lays the groundwork for subsequent essays that cover your career goals and reasons for pursuing the Columbia MBA.

Note that the question asks about your goal; it’s subtly asking what you envision doing, rather than the position you hope to secure in a specific company. A strong answer will indicate what you hope to achieve in a sector, such as ‘consultant focusing on clean technology’ or ‘structure investment deals in real estate.’

There is no right answer here, but whatever you choose should be coherent and credible based on your past experience, bolstered by the Columbia MBA. Columbia is looking to see that you know what you want to do, have a general understanding of that role, and that you understand the paths that would be available to you coming out of Columbia.

Essay 1 Tips

Essay 1 remains the same:

My advice: be sure to focus on the future and how CBS will get you there. A common mistake here is to write about where you have been rather than where you are going. CBS specifically asks what your future career goals are, and so a substantial portion of the word count should specifically address short- and long-term goals (at least 250 words, if not more).

It often helps to start with a brief hook to show what inspires you to take the path that you will then lay out. It can be a brief anecdote, a quote, a reflection on something that happened in your past, and so on. Then, it helps to offer a (very brief) paragraph explaining what you have done on that career path to date, just to put a bit more context around the goals you will then introduce.

Short-term goals can be more specific than long-term goals. You certainly need to have a general idea of what you would like to do in the long term, but the admissions committee is not expecting the same level of detail about where you will be decades from now as they are for the immediate post-MBA goals. Again, CBS is looking to see that you have a clear understanding of where a CBS MBA can take you (and then essay 3 will show how the MBA will help you get there).

The New Essay 2

A question about your favorite book, movie, or song and why it resonates with you has been replaced with this question used a few years ago:

Tell us about a time when you were challenged around one of these five skills. Describe the situation, the actions you took, and the outcome. (250 words)

The switch seems to reflect the importance CBS places on its values of diversity, inclusion, and equity and the importance of explicitly cultivating the specific skills that ethical, inclusive leaders need.

Here, you have wide flexibility and latitude in your response. After all, there are five specific skills to choose from, and you can, of course, address several. That offers many ways to highlight ways you’ve engaged in one of five themes and how it impacted you and others. Your response should identify one meaningful example from your career or experiences, and then extract lessons learned that showcase the kind of person you are and leader you hope to be.

Implicit in this prompt is a question about your knowledge of and your commitment to CBS. Your answer should also communicate how you will develop and practice these skills at CBS. It’s important to show how you will engage with the very diverse and global community at CBS and how you will add value.

Channel your authenticity and courage to show how you have already engaged this capacity — and then make clear where you hope to let it shine at CBS.

I repeat: Show, don’t tell. Give us the scene, then tie the story to what the implications are for your future. Self-reflection is essential here: Remember that diversity and inclusion can be about race and ethnicity, but also gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or different viewpoints, ideas, or experiences. Show how are you questioning the status quo, inviting diverse perspectives, and cultivating awareness of the less visible forces that shape decision-making and group dynamics?

Essay 3 Tips

This prompt is the classic “why our MBA?” essay question, with a new, shorter word limit this year:

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, cocurricular initiatives like the Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership, which aims to equip students with the skills and strategies necessary to lead in an inclusive and ethical manner, 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? (250 words)

Here, you need to explain why CBS is uniquely positioned to help you achieve your goals. It is a great opportunity to demonstrate that you have done your homework, assessed your fit with the school, and are eager to attend Columbia. You should showcase your deep knowledge of the school and the engagement that you’ve had with members of the Columbia community.

The framing of the question once again encourages you to demonstrate your readiness to be an inclusive leader. Again, this will require some self-reflection and honesty, to authentically show how your experiences and strengths prepare you to connect to Columbia’s values related to collaboration, mentorship, and DEI. Be sure to explain how and where you will contribute to the CBS community.

Even though it isn’t directly in the essay prompt (as it has been in previous years), you should still explain not only why Columbia’s campus life and leadership culture is right for you, but also why want to pursue the MBA in New York City, because the city, as a global center of business, is such an integral part of the Columbia experience.

Additional Essay Advice

A few final details are worth noting.

CBS offers an optional essay as an opportunity to share any other information you wish with the Admissions Committee (maximum 500 words). This space could be used to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay.
Essay word limits are not absolute; since you upload essays as a .pdf file, the word count is not a hard cap. However, we advise you to stay within the recommendation.
Deferred admissions applicants answer two different essays: Why are you interested in obtaining a Columbia MBA in the future? (300 words maximum); and Who is a leader you admire, and why? (300 words maximum).
Reapplicants submit just one essay response to this question:

How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied and reiterate how you plan to achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA professional goals (maximum 500 words).

Want more advice?

For everything you need to know about how to get into the Columbia MBA program, from program basics and admissions requirements to our team’s insider tips for admission success, read my related blog: How to Get Into Columbia Business School: MBA Application Requirements . You can also view Fortuna’s Columbia MBA B-School Profile.

You can also view Fortuna’s M7 Admissions Masterclass below, which offers a deep dive on the Columbia MBA and how to position a standout application.

Let’s Get You In.

Fortuna Admissions is a dream team of former MBA Admissions Directors and Officers from the world’s most elite business schools, including the Columbia MBA program. With our unparalleled collective expertise, we are able to coach you to develop a clear vision of your goals for business school and beyond. We work closely with you throughout the application process and provide expert guidance at every stage to maximize your chances of admission to a top school.

Our free consultations are consistently rated as the best in the industry. To learn more about Fortuna and assess your chances of admission to CBS and other top programs, request a free consultation .

Updated May 30, 2022

Fortuna Admissions Expert Coach Karen Hamou is a Columbia MBA alum and former Deloitte Consulting recruiting lead, as well as well as #2 ranked consultant globally in Poets & Quants list of the Top 20 MBA Admissions Consultants of 2021. For more free advice and a personal, candid assessment of your chances, you can sign up now for a free consultation .

Posted on June 3, 2023

Share this article on social media

Sign up now for a free 30-minute discovery session to get personalized feedback on your profile and learn how Fortuna can help you secure admission to your dream school!

Sign up for a free consultation

Sign up for our free bi-weekly newsletter and get the best MBA admissions advice straight to your inbox.

First Name *

Last Name *

2023-2024 Columbia Business School MBA Essay Analysis: Crafting Winning Applications

Embarking on the journey of acquiring an MBA from Columbia Business School is a dream for many aspiring professionals. To turn this dream into reality, you need to ace the application process, which includes crafting compelling essays. In this article, we provide a thorough analysis of the Columbia Business School MBA essay requirements for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. This information will equip you with the knowledge and guidance needed to create a standout application.

Understanding Columbia Business School MBA Essays

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s understand what the Columbia Business School MBA essays are all about.

The Columbia Business School MBA essay is an integral part of the application process. Admissions committees use these essays to get to know applicants on a deeper level, beyond their academic and professional achievements. These essays offer candidates the opportunity to showcase their unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations.

What’s New in 2023-2024?

Each year, business schools update their essay requirements to align with their evolving values and goals. For the 2023-2024 application cycle, Columbia Business School has introduced some changes. It’s essential to stay updated with these alterations to ensure your application meets the current standards.

Tips for Crafting the Perfect Columbia Business School MBA Essay

Creating a compelling essay is an art. Here are some valuable tips to help you craft an outstanding Columbia Business School MBA essay:

Understand the Essay Prompts: Take time to comprehend the essay prompts thoroughly. This will enable you to tailor your responses effectively.
Show Your Authenticity: Be yourself. Authenticity is highly valued in MBA essays. Share your real experiences and aspirations.
Tell a Story: Essays that tell a compelling story tend to capture the reader’s attention. Use anecdotes and examples to illustrate your points.
Focus on Your Future: Columbia Business School is interested in your future goals and how their MBA program fits into them. Be clear about your aspirations.
Edit and Proofread: Ensure that your essay is well-written, free from errors, and easy to read. Edit and proofread meticulously.

Columbia Business School MBA Essay Analysis 2023-2024

Let’s delve into the specifics of the Columbia Business School MBA essay requirements for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle.

Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

This essay consists of two main components:

Your Short-term Career Goals (3-5 years): In this part, the admissions committee is interested in understanding what you aspire to achieve in the immediate future. They want to know about the specific career goals you have and how an MBA from Columbia Business School will help you achieve them. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your clarity and purpose in your post-MBA career plans. You should consider your industry, function, and potential employers you are targeting.
Your Long-term Dream Job: The second part of the essay prompt asks you to delve into your long-term aspirations. You’re encouraged to think big and imagine your ideal career beyond the next 3-5 years. This is where you can share your dreams, visions, and how you see your career evolving over a longer horizon. Explain what your dream job looks like and how you plan to get there. Make sure to connect your long-term aspirations to your short-term goals.

Tips for Approaching the Essay:

Reflect on Your Journey: Start by reviewing your resume and recommendations. Identify the key milestones and experiences that have shaped your career up to this point. This will provide a foundation for discussing your future goals.
Short-term Goals: Be specific and realistic about your short-term goals. Explain what role, industry, and responsibilities you aim for in the next 3-5 years. Discuss how your past experiences have prepared you for these goals.
Why Columbia: Clearly articulate why Columbia Business School is the right place for you to achieve your short-term goals. Highlight specific resources, courses, or aspects of the school that align with your career aspirations.
Long-term Dream Job: When discussing your long-term aspirations, be ambitious but also realistic. Describe your dream job and the impact you want to make. Explain how the skills, network, and knowledge gained at Columbia will help you work towards this long-term vision.
Link Short-term and Long-term Goals: Connect your short-term and long-term goals. Explain how your short-term goals are stepping stones toward your long-term dream job. This shows the admissions committee that you have a well-thought-out career plan.
Word Limit: Stay within the 500-word limit. Be concise and focus on the most important and relevant details. Use your words effectively.
Personalization: Make your essay personal and unique to your experiences and aspirations. Avoid generic or boilerplate responses.

Remember, the admissions committee is interested not just in your career goals but also in how an MBA from Columbia Business School fits into your overall career journey. Be sincere and passionate in your response, and demonstrate how their program can help you realize your aspirations.

Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 words)

This essay is essentially asking you to explain why you believe that Columbia Business School is the right place for you to pursue your MBA. In 250 words, you need to convey a compelling and concise argument for why you and the school are an ideal match. Here’s how you can approach this essay:

1. Research Columbia Business School: Start by researching the school thoroughly. Understand its programs, faculty, culture, values, and any unique features that make it stand out. Show that you’ve done your homework by mentioning specific aspects of CBS that appeal to you.

2. Highlight Your Personal Fit: Identify what makes CBS a good fit for your professional and personal goals. This might include its specific courses, extracurricular opportunities, geographic location, or any particular strengths that align with your aspirations. Explain how CBS can help you achieve your goals.

3. Connect with Your Background: Link your background, both professional and personal, to CBS. How does your past experience, skills, and values align with what CBS has to offer? Show how CBS can enhance your strengths and address your weaknesses.

4. Be Specific and Concise: Given the limited word count (250 words), every sentence must be purposeful. Avoid vague or generic statements. Instead, be specific and use examples to illustrate your points.

5. Reflect on Your Contribution: Don’t just focus on what CBS can offer you. Consider what you can bring to the CBS community. Highlight how your unique background, perspectives, and experiences can enrich the school and your fellow students’ experiences.

6. Proofread and Edit: Make sure your essay is well-written and free of grammatical and spelling errors. A concise essay requires precise language.

Here’s a possible structure for your 250-word essay:

Introduction (30-40 words): Express your enthusiasm for Columbia Business School.
Academic and Professional Fit (50-70 words): Discuss how CBS aligns with your educational and career goals.
Personal Connection (50-70 words): Explain your personal reasons for choosing CBS.
Contribution to CBS (40-50 words): Mention what you can bring to the CBS community.
Conclusion (30-40 words): Summarize your fit and enthusiasm for CBS.

Remember to personalize your essay to your unique experiences and aspirations. Show a genuine and thoughtful connection between you and Columbia Business School.

Tell us about your favorite book, movie or song and why it resonates with you. (250 words)

This essay prompt is a personal and reflective one. The admissions committee at Columbia Business School is asking you to share something about your preferences and why a particular book, movie, or song is meaningful to you. Here’s how you can structure your response:

Introduction (approximately 30-40 words): Begin with a brief introduction that mentions your chosen book, movie, or song, and why it is significant to you. You should pique the reader’s interest and make them want to learn more.

Body (approximately 160-180 words):

Provide Context: Explain the background or context of your choice. When and where did you first encounter it? What was your initial impression?
Artistic Elements: Discuss the specific elements that resonate with you. For a book, you could discuss the writing style, themes, or characters. For a movie, you could talk about the storyline, cinematography, or performances. In the case of a song, you can analyze the lyrics, melody, or emotional impact.
Personal Connection: Share why this book, movie, or song speaks to you on a personal level. Has it influenced your perspective or inspired you in any way? Does it relate to your values, aspirations, or experiences?
Impact on Your MBA Journey: If possible, relate your choice to your MBA journey and future career goals. How does your favorite book, movie, or song connect to your desire to pursue an MBA at Columbia Business School?

Conclusion (approximately 30-40 words): Summarize the key points you’ve made and reiterate why this book, movie, or song is important to you. Leave a memorable final thought for the reader.

Tips for Success:

Be genuine and sincere in your response. Choose a book, movie, or song that truly means something to you.
Keep it concise. The word limit is 250 words, so make every word count.
Highlight your personal growth and values. Show how your choice reflects your character and aspirations.
Make sure your essay is well-structured and flows smoothly.

Remember that this essay is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you on a more personal level. It’s a chance to showcase your individuality and the qualities that make you a strong candidate for their MBA program

Optional Essay:

Is there any further information that you wish to provide the Admissions Committee? If so, use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 Words)

Purpose of the Essay : The purpose of this essay is to provide you with an opportunity to address any concerns or gaps in your application, such as your academic record or personal history. It is not mandatory, but it allows you to provide context or explanations where necessary.
Content Flexibility : The prompt is intentionally open-ended, allowing you to address a wide range of topics. You can discuss academic concerns, personal challenges, career gaps, or any other relevant information that might not have been adequately covered elsewhere in your application.
Length Limit : The essay has a maximum word limit of 500 words, but it doesn’t need to be a formal essay. You can use bullet points if you prefer.
Why Use It : Use this space if you feel that there is important context or information that could strengthen your application or mitigate concerns. If your academic record has weaknesses, or if you’ve faced personal hardships that impacted your academic or professional journey, this is a chance to explain.

When responding to this essay prompt, consider the following:

Be Transparent : If you’re addressing an area of concern, be honest and forthright in your explanation. Admissions committees appreciate honesty.
Provide Context : Explain the circumstances surrounding the issue. If it’s an academic concern, was there a particular semester or year where your grades were impacted? If it’s a personal history concern, provide relevant details.
Demonstrate Growth : If you’ve faced challenges, discuss how you’ve grown or learned from the experience. What steps have you taken to address any issues or concerns?
Focus on Relevance : Ensure that the information you share is relevant to your MBA application. If possible, connect the explanation to how it has prepared you for success in business school.
Professionalism : Even though this essay doesn’t need to be formal, maintain a professional and respectful tone. Avoid being defensive or making excuses.

Sample Structure :

Introduction (Optional) : You can start with a brief introduction explaining the purpose of your essay and what you intend to address.
Academic Concerns: If addressing academic issues, discuss the specific challenges, why they occurred, and any actions taken to improve.
Personal History: If discussing personal history, explain the events or circumstances that you believe are relevant to your MBA application.
Conclusion (Optional) : Sum up your key points and express your eagerness to join Columbia Business School.

Crafting your Columbia Business School MBA essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle is a significant step towards realizing your educational and career goals. Follow the tips and guidelines in this article to create compelling essays that showcase your unique qualities and aspirations. Best of luck with your application!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I exceed the word limit for the essays? A: It’s advisable to adhere to the word limits. Admissions committees appreciate concise and focused responses.

Q: What should I include in my essay to stand out? A: To stand out, showcase your unique experiences, aspirations, and how Columbia Business School fits into your plans.

Q: Is there a preferred format for the essays? A: Columbia Business School doesn’t prescribe a specific format. Focus on clarity and substance.

Q: How important are the essays in the application process? A: Essays are a critical component of your application, providing insight into your personality and aspirations.

Q: Should I address any weaknesses in my application in the essays? A: If you have weaknesses, it’s advisable to address them in a constructive manner, showing how you’ve learned and grown.

Q: Are there any absolute “do nots” for the essays? A: Avoid clichés, overly technical language, or insincere flattery. Be genuine and concise.

Blog Categories:

Singapore and More
Study Abroad

WhatsApp us

Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar

Additional menu

MBA Admission Gurus

Millionaire MBA Makers

Columbia Business School – MBA Essay Samples

Mba essay sample 1: please tell us what you feel most passionate about in life.

Read More of this sample MBA essay on passion

Essay Sample 2: Please discuss a time in your own life when you have identified and captured an opportunity

Read More of this sample MBA essay on opportunity

ESSAY HELP'S HERE

Menlo Coaching
Top MBA Programs
Admissions Essays

Columbia MBA Essays Prompts: Tips for 2023-2024

This year’s MBA application prompts are out, which means it’s time to start brainstorming what your topics will be. Wondering where to start, what to write? No worries, we have all the tips you need to get a nice start on writing a quality essay for Columbia Business School.

At Menlo Coaching, we noticed that most MBA essays will fall into one of a number of categories: personal essays, career goals essays, behavioral essays, etc. Read ahead for our expert guide on approaching these essays for Columbia Business School.

Career Goals Essay

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters)
Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3 to 5 years and what is your long-term dream job? (500 words)

Why This School?

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 is a good fit for you academically, culturally, and professionally? (300 words)

The Columbia MBA Leadership Essay

Describe a time or situation when you had the need to utilize one or more of these five skills, and tell us the actions you took and the outcome. (250 words)

The Optional Essay

If you wish to provide further information or additional context around your application to the Admissions Committee, please upload a brief explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 Words)

If you are a reapplicant to Columbia Business School, you can also find a section on the reapplicant essay .

Applying to Columbia Business School

Conveniently located in New York City, CBS is committed to creating a learning sphere influenced by the current global business environment, which helps develop the students’ skill to create an opportunity in any situation. Through the story you relate in your essay, the admissions council is looking to see if you reflect the same values that the school does. CBS is looking for students who are inspiring leaders, entrepreneurial, and dedicated to creating an intellectual community. The best way to represent that you possess those qualities is through the type of essay you choose to write.

The Career Goals Essay

You’re not the only one hoping you’ll have a job after you’ve graduated with your MBA. Admissions committees are looking for students who are motivated and clear in their intentions so that when they get a job post-grad, they’ll be more willing to speak positively of their experience in the program. And, of course, in the hopes that their alumni will earn enough money to become a donor to the school one day.

There are three aspects to the career goals essay:

What you want your future profession to look like.
Why an MBA is necessary to advance your career.
Particularly, why a degree from CBS will be most beneficial to you and your job plan.

Your aspirations need to be convincing, ambitious, and realistic. Columbia Business School is looking for applicants who have meaningful goals grounded in their past experiences, and it’s important that you relate that notion in your essay, however it applies to your experience in life.

Now, here’s where all that practice stuffing extra-curriculars into your resume comes in handy. CBS is looking for applicants who are going to get involved on campus. Being an active participant in campus culture is essential to the experience of Columbia’s business program, and this university is looking for students who will not only enrich their own lives, but that of the school as well. Many of the programs on campus rely on students to run them, which is your golden ticket in.

When writing this kind of essay, it’s important to keep in mind what your specific interests are—which clubs do you want to join, which conferences do you wish to attend? Figuring out where you most want to be involved and writing how you will thus benefit the school in that position is the key to writing a strong participation essay. Spend some time researching and thinking through your options before diving into the writing process.

Introduced in the 2023-2024 application cycle, Columbia’s Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) essay aims to evaluate candidate’s based on their track record surrounding inclusive leadership.

In this essay, CBS wants to understand your values as a leader and get to know how your leadership style and background will add to the Columbia Business School MBA class.

It’s important, in this essay, to clearly describe a specific situation, the actions you took, and the results of these actions—as well as what you learned from the experience. Were there setbacks or challenges? Were your team all willing and able to facilitate your vision? How did management feel about your actions?

You can also use this essay to highlight aspects of your profile that you haven’t gotten to mention before—if you’re a passionate and talented rower, for example, maybe you could speak about a time when you steered your team to victory by making sure everyone felt included.

Early Birds Toolkit

Learn 3 Steps You Should Take NOW to Improve Your Profile for R1 2024

In MBA admissions, starting early can significantly boost your chances.

But there are no shortcuts, and while R1 2024 deadlines might seem far off, building your profile takes time.

Our Early Birds Toolkit has everything you need to get started right now —leave your name and email, and we’ll send you three actionable steps to elevate your profile, plus time-saving tools for faster progress.

Optional Essay

In addition to these essay types, Columbia Business School also offers applicants the opportunity to write an optional essay to expand on gaps in your resume or other potential weaknesses in your record. Keep in mind that this essay is meant as an addition, so try to keep it short and concise.

The Reapplicant Essay

For reapplicants, Columbia Business School requires a specific essay in which you can address how your application has improved since your last application. In this essay, you can address any improvements to your test scores, promotions at work, additional volunteer or community work, or any significant professional development that you have undertaken since you last applied to the program.

Timing is key for reapplicants, and when you’re applying for an MBA program a second time around, you want to be sure that you are a more qualified and desirable client than you were a year ago—even if your application was stellar the first time.

Writing strong, coherent, genuine stories is an essential part of your MBA application. These essays are meant to help you stand out among many other applicants, so it is worth your time to do the work and write about situations unique to your life and that you truly learned from. Working with an MBA consultant can help you improve your MBA essays for Columbia Business School.

Columbia MBA Program Overview
How to Get Into Columbia Business School – Best Tips
MBA Essay Tips From 3 Top Admissions Consultants
How to Get Into MBA Programs at Top Business Schools

MBA Admission Consultants

Schedule a call.

Thanks for submitting!

Aug 11, 2023

MBA Sample Essays: Columbia MBA

Updated: Oct 8, 2023

Columbia MBA application requires four to five essay responses. Below is a compilation of MBA sample essays for Columbia MBA 2023 application cycle.

Columbia MBA Deadlines

2024 intake.

13 September, 2023 (Jan & Aug 2024 Intake)

3 January 2024 (Aug 2024 Intake)

03 Apr 2024 (Aug 2024 Intake)

Columbia MBA Short Answer Question:

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal?

MBA Sample Essay:

My immediate post-MBA professional goal is to secure a position as a management consultant at a top-tier consulting firm. I am particularly interested in working at a firm that has a strong focus on strategy and business transformation, as I believe that these areas are where I can make the greatest impact and utilize my skills and expertise to the fullest extent. I am drawn to a career in management consulting because I believe that it offers a unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients and industries and to be a part of a team that is dedicated to solving complex business challenges and driving positive change. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry, and I am confident that the skills and knowledge I will gain as an MBA student will prepare me to be a valuable contributor to a consulting team. Overall, I believe that a career in management consulting will provide me with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the business world and to continue learning and growing as a professional. I am excited to pursue this career path and to use my skills and expertise to drive positive change for my clients and organizations.

MBA Sample Essays:

Essay 1 Columbia MBA : 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?

As a current marketing manager at a Fortune 500 company, my short-term career goals over the next three to five years include continuing to advance within my current organization and expanding my skills and responsibilities. I am particularly interested in exploring new areas of marketing, such as digital and social media marketing, and want to take on more leadership roles within the company. In the long term, my dream job is to become a Chief Marketing Officer at a multinational corporation. I am also committed to staying up-to-date with the latest marketing trends and technologies and believe that an MBA will provide me with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this role. To achieve these goals, I am seeking an MBA from a top-tier business school like [Name of School]. I believe that the program's focus on experiential learning and real-world case studies will provide me with the practical skills and knowledge needed to excel in my career. Additionally, the program's strong alumni network and access to industry leaders will be invaluable in helping me to achieve my long-term career goals.

Essay 2 Columbia MBA:

Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you academically, culturally, and professionally?

MBA Essay sample:

There are several reasons why I feel that Columbia Business School would be an ideal fit for me in terms of academics, culture, and professional development. Specifically, I am particularly attracted to the school's emphasis on experiential learning and the use of real-world case studies as part of its curriculum. I believe that this approach will provide me with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in my career. I am also attracted to the school's diverse course offerings and the opportunity to customize my MBA through the elective curriculum. Culturally, I appreciate the school's diverse and international community. As someone who has lived and worked in several different countries, I value the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with individuals from different backgrounds and cultures. I also believe that the school's location in the heart of New York City, one of the world's leading financial and business hubs, will provide endless opportunities for networking and professional development. I believe that the connections and mentorship opportunities offered by the school will be invaluable in helping me to achieve my long-term career goals. I am also drawn to the school's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, values that align with my own personal and professional goals. I am confident that the school's rigorous and immersive MBA program will provide me with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in my career.

Essay 3 Columbia MBA:

Tell us about your favorite book, movie, or song and why it resonates with you.

MBA Essay Sample:

My favorite book is "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. What I love about this book is that it encourages the reader to follow their dreams and pursue their passions no matter what obstacles may come their way. It also emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the power of positive thinking. These are lessons that I try to apply in my own life, and reading "The Alchemist" always serves as a reminder to stay true to myself and never give up on my dreams. Another reason that this book resonates with me is because it explores themes of self-discovery and personal growth. Santiago's journey is not just about achieving his external goals, but also about learning more about himself and his own capabilities. This is something that I believe is important for everyone, and reading "The Alchemist" helps me to reflect on my own personal growth and development. Overall, "The Alchemist" is a powerful and inspiring story that has had a lasting impact on me and continues to resonate with me to this day.

Deferred Enrollment Program Columbia MBA:

Essay Question 1

Why are you interested in obtaining a Columbia MBA in the future?

As a dedicated and ambitious professional, I have always been driven to excel in my career and make a meaningful impact in the business world. Over the past several years, I have gained valuable experience in my field, but I have also come to realize that there is always more to learn and ways to improve. The prestige and reputation of Columbia Business School make it a top choice for those seeking to further their education and career prospects. The world-class faculty, diverse student body, and rigorous curriculum all offer unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth. The various experiential learning programs, such as the Value Investing Program and the Global Business Experience, provide hands-on opportunities to apply what is learned in the classroom to real business challenges. This practical approach is exactly what I am seeking in an MBA program, as it will allow me to immediately apply my newfound knowledge and skills to my career. Furthermore, the strong alumni network and wide range of partnerships with leading companies make Columbia an ideal place to build my professional network and secure the right opportunities for my future. Overall, I am confident that a Columbia MBA will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and network needed to take my career to the next level and make a meaningful impact in the business world. I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that the program will bring, and I am eager to be a part of the Columbia community."

Question 2 Deferred Enrollment Program Columbia Essay

Who is a leader you admire, and why?

One leader that I admire is Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. I have long been impressed by Nadella's ability to navigate the constantly evolving technology industry and drive innovation at a company as large and established as Microsoft. He has actively worked to foster a culture of diversity and inclusivity at Microsoft, recognizing that these values are essential to the company's success. He has also been vocal about the importance of empathy in leadership, believing that it helps leaders understand and connect with their teams and customers. In addition to his focus on empathy and inclusivity, Nadella is also known for his strategic vision and ability to adapt to change. Under his leadership, Microsoft has made significant shifts in its business model, including the transition to a cloud-first, mobile-first focus and the acquisition of LinkedIn. Overall, I admire Nadella's ability to lead with empathy and adaptability, and I believe these qualities make him a valuable role model for any leader.

Contact an admission consultant at GOALisB for assistance with your MBA essay. Whatsapp us at +91 7719497187 or email at [email protected].

Columbia Business School #ColumbiaMBA Written Application

Information is subject to change. Please verify all data with the schools.

Goal short answer

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters or less)

Columbia Essay #1

Columbia Essay #2

Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 words)

Columbia Essay #3

Tell us about your favorite book, movie or song and why it resonates with you. (250 words)

Columbia Optional Essay

Short Answer Question: post-MBA goal

THE QUESTION

Questions behind the Questions

What job do you hope to have when you graduate?

This is your short-term goal (STG)

Most goals fit into one or more of these three categories: vertical move (CEO), horizontal move (career changer), start-up (entrepreneur)

My assumption: Admissions Committee readers prefer goals that are both realistic and ambitious

Are you trying to use your MBA to change careers, or advance your current career?

My assumption: Most short term goals fit into one or more of these three categories

1. Are you trying to move up in your current industry? (vertical move)

Move towards a C-suite office (CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CIO, etc.)

2. Are you trying to change your career? (horizontal move)

Go into financial services

Go into consulting

Go into consumer goods / marketing

Go into technology

Go into media / entertainment

Go into non-profit / social ventures

3. Are you trying to join or launch a start-up? (entrepreneur)

Are you thinking of joining a startup?

Are you thinking of creating a new business by yourself or with others?

Which of these three are you pursuing?

Are you ambitious yet realistic?

If you are seen as a "triple jumper," you might be too ambitious

A triple jumper expects to change country, industry and function

Meanwhile, if you are writing that you plan to return to your current job, then you are probably too realistic

THE QUESTION BEHIND THE QUESTION

Can you get a job?

Are you a double switcher or a triple jumper?

A double switcher is an applicant who seeks to change two of three variables post-MBA. And a triple jumper seeks to change all three

The three variables are

Admissions Committees might be concerned if you are a double switcher or a triple jumper if you appear to have unrealistic career expectations

Concision is critical

If you know your plan, you can express it concisely

If you can express your short-term goals concisely, you are more likely to achieve them

Questions behind the question

Long term career goal

What job do you want in ten or more years?

A good long-term goal represents the next logical step after you achieve your short-term goals. For instance, if you plan to spend a few years in management consulting, then it might make sense to move into a management role at a leading company in your coverage area. Doing so would allow you to utilize the expert knowledge and skills, as well as the professional relationships that you established during your consulting career.

Most long-term goals can be simplified to fit one of two paths

1. The CEO Path

Lead an existing organization as a C-level executive role such as CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CIO, etc.

2. The Entrepreneur Path

Join or create a new organization as an entrepreneur

How does an MBA best prepare you to transition from your short-term goal to your C-level executive role?

A future CEO might be trying to use an MBA to help transition

from specialist to generalist

from tactician to strategist

from problem solver to problem finder

If you plan to lead a large organization, you need to know how to

scale a business

hire the right people

drive growth to match market conditions

How does an MBA best prepare you to start a company?

If you plan to create a company, you should know how to

identify and capture opportunities

create products and services that reflect market conditions and excite customers

Perhaps you could reach a C-suite office or create a company without business school. Still, earning your Columbia MBA accelerates your progress and maximizes your potential.

More tips on how to write the " goals / why MBA" essay ,

Why Columbia?

Why is Columbia a good match for you? What will you gain from the program?

Think about the three P's:

What professors or programs best prepare you to achieve your short and long term goals?

Can you define Columbia's unique student culture in your own words?

Can you mention the names of students and alumni? Who do you know?

Cite your sources. Include quotes from current students and alumni who can verify and elaborate on your reasons for choosing Columbia

What did you discuss with them? How did those discussions confirm and deepen your insights into the Columbia MBA experience?

How do the people you know embody Columbia MBA? Can you find something in their personality that matches yours?

Perhaps it is something about their sense of humor

Or their way of solving problems

Or their way of communicating and collaborating with teams

How did Columbia MBA change them?

Why do you want to experience a similar transformation?

THE QUESTIONS BEHIND THE QUESTION

Will you attend CBS if we admit you?

What business opportunities have you identified that you can best capture by studying at CBS?

What academic and social opportunities have you identified that you can best capture by studying at CBS?

MY ASSUMPTIONS

Those who prioritize studying in an urban location will prioritize CBS.

STORY PATTERN ONE

NYC as business incubator

STORY PATTERN TWO

NYC as academic and cultural community

limitless possibilities

fast paced and adaptable

QUESTION BEHIND THE QUESTION

Why do you fit Columbia's student culture?

What can you contribute to that culture?

What community and social opportunities have you identified that you can best capture by studying at Columbia Business School?

Do you understand the Columbia Business School community?

Please start by learning as much as you can about life at Columbia.

Develop your hypothesis about why Columbia best prepares you to accomplish your post-MBA goals.

Then, contact current students to confirm your hypothesis.

QUESTIONS BEHIND THE QUESTION

What aspects of your academic record might concern Admissions Committee readers?

What aspects of your personal history might interest Admissions Committee readers?

Please see Is the MBA admissions Optional Essay truly optional?

Short answer questions

①Add Employer （Duties/Responsibilities）

(###/500 incl. spaces)

②Please provide an explanation for any gaps in your employment history: 1000 characters

③Extracurricular Activities

Instructions: List up to 3 collegiate extracurricular activities and up to 3 post-collegiate extracurricular activities in order of importance.

■During College

- Order of Importance : 1

- Type : During College

- Organization Name :

- Country :

- Dates of Participation :

- Frequency of Participation :

- Description of Participation

- Order of Importance : 2

- Organization Name :

-Dates of Participation :

-Frequency of Participation :

-Description of Participation

- Order of Importance : 3

- State :

- Dates of Participation :

- Frequency of Participation :

- Description of Participation

■Post College

- Description of Participation

- Type : Post College

- City :

Please list other activities or interests that you regularly engage in

Letters of Recommendation (LoRs)

All first-time applications require two recommendations. Reapplicants are required to submit one new recommendation. If you have been working full-time for at least six months, one recommendation should be from your current supervisor. The second recommendation should be from either a former direct supervisor or from another professional associate, senior to you, who can share their insights on your candidacy.

If you are a college senior or have worked full-time for fewer than six months, at least one, but preferably both, of your recommendations should be from a person who can comment on your managerial abilities. You may ask a summer employer or another person whom you feel can objectively assess your professional promise. The second recommendation may be from a college professor.

We ask recommenders to consider the following guidelines when writing their recommendations:

How do the candidate's performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples.

Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant's response.

Please be aware: The Admissions Committee requires that all application materials be submitted online, including recommendations.

Please limit your recommendation to 1,000 words.

(found at http://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/programs-admissions/mba/admissions/application-requirements#5; accessed 2014/05)

International Applicants

International students who do not have a degree from an institution in which all instruction is conducted in English must take either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the PTE (Pearson Test of English). You may be exempted from the TOEFL or the PTE only if you have earned a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction. We will not accept requests for exceptions to this policy.

The TOEFL and PTE scores are valid for two years. Your TOEFL or PTE score must be valid when you submit your application.

Be sure to self-report your TOEFL or PTE score when completing your application. If admitted, you must submit an official score report. For the TOEFL, Columbia’s ETS code is 2174, MBA department code 02. For the PTE select "Columbia Business School" from the list of schools provided by Pearson. The Admissions Committee will consider only your highest score when reviewing your application.

for reference

Columbia Business School 2016 MBA (Class of 2018) Essays

Instructions: In addition to learning about your professional aspirations, the Admissions Committee hopes to gain an understanding of your interests, values and motivations through these essays. There are no right or wrong answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully. The “What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal?” question, Essay

VINCE SUMMARY

Goal short answer (50 chars) Essay 1 (500 words), Essay 2 (250 words) and Essay 3 (250 words) are all required.

Please watch these videos, and then read the tips below.

Student Organizations

There are more than 100 active student organizations at Columbia Business School, ranging from cultural to professional to athletic tocommunity service–oriented. Together, they host more than 100 events every week, with many held during the School’s dedicated “Club Time” from 12:30 to 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. These organizations provide a valuable and stimulating complement to the academic curriculum and social environment. Leadership positions within the clubs also offer hands-on management and networking opportunities for students, and faculty members and alumni frequently get involved as advisers, event moderators, or panelists, while corporations often generously sponsor events.

See the list below for a sampling of some of the more popular student organizations at Columbia Business School.

Affinity | Community Service | Career and Professional

Social and Athletic | Student Government and Leadership

Affinity Clubs

Asian Business Association

Black Business Students Association

Columbia Women in Business

Greater China Society

Latin American Business Association

South Asian Business Association

Community Service Organizations

Community Action Rewards Everyone

Financial Education Society

Harlem Tutorial Program

Career and Professional Clubs

Columbia Investment Management Association

Green Business Club

Healthcare Industry Association

Investment Banking Club

Management Consulting Association

Marketing Association of Columbia

Private Equity and Venture Capital Club

Real Estate Association

Retail and Luxury Goods Club

Social Enterprise Club

Social and Athletic Groups

Gourmet Club

Military in Business Association

Outdoor Adventure Club

Rugby Football Club

Wine Society

Women’s Touch Rugby

World Tour Club

Student Government and Leadership

Bernstein Leadership and Ethics Board

Graduate Business Association

Honor Board

International Student Advisory Board

(found at http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/life/organizations; accessed 2013/06)

Speakers and Conferences

The convenience of Columbia Business School’s New York location and its close ties to the business, nonprofit, and government communities means that students are constantly afforded the opportunity to hear from the very leaders who are actively shaping the business landscape.

Many professors invite practitioners to guest-teach a class session, while other leaders address larger groups of students at on-campus events organized by student clubs, research centers, and regular speaker series such as the Silfen Leadership Series, the Nand and Jeet Khemka Distinguished Speaker Forum, the Sir Gordon Wu Distinguished Speaker Forum, the Montrone Seminar Series on Ethics, and more.

Conferences led by student clubs also attract well-known guest speakers, participants, and alumni from across industries and around the world, providing students with greater insights into the current business environment. These conferences are entirely student run and give club members the opportunity to build industry connections while applying the management skills they learn in the classroom.

Some of the larger student conferences include:

Black Business Student Association Conference

Columbia Investment Management Association Conference

Columbia Women in Business Conference

Healthcare Conference

India Business Conference

Marketing Association of Columbia Conference

Media Management Association Conference

Private Equity and Venture Capital Conference

Retail and Luxury Goods Conference

Social Enterprise Conference

(found at http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/life/speakers; accessed 2013/06)

Diversity at Columbia

Student collaboration that brings together a variety of perspectives and experiences leads to truly effective learning and leadership development. With this in mind, Columbia Business School is committed to promoting diversity in all its forms by recruiting students from an array of professional backgrounds, socioeconomic upbringings, racial and ethnic identities, and geographic locations. Nowhere is this commitment more apparent than in MBA clusters and learning teams, which are designed to bring together students from a range of backgrounds to help them learn together, both about the material and one another.

Student Initiatives

The School is constantly finding ways to further promote diversity, particularly through its more than 100 student organizations. These student-led groups provide opportunities throughout the semester for all students to celebrate the many different cultures present at Columbia Business School, and many are also involved in the career recruiting process and student-run conferences. The goal behind clubs affiliated with particular affinity groups is not only to provide a network of support for those students, but also to promote collaboration among clubs across the School.

Affiliations

In addition to the fellowships and scholarships designed to foster diversity in the full-time MBA program, the School is also closely affiliated with several national organizations that work to improve the diversity of leaders in the business world.

Management Leadership for Tomorrow

National Black MBA Association

National Society for Hispanic MBAs

Riordan Fellows Program

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity

Ten School Diversity Alliance

On-Campus Diversity Events

Throughout the year, the Admissions Office hosts recruiting events for underrepresented minorities. These events, which include Spotlight On: Diversity and Diversity Connect at Columbia, immerse prospective students in the Columbia Business School community, imparting a holistic understanding of the dynamic academic and social environments that exist on campus.

(found at http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/life/diversity; accessed 2013/06)

Women at Columbia

Columbia Business School strives to lead top MBA programs in reflecting a more equitable gender balance among its population by actively recruiting talented and accomplished female students and faculty members, sponsoring events that address issues relevant to women in business, and providing on-campus support for recent mothers.

Columbia Women in Business (CWIB) is one of the most popular and successful student organizations on campus. CWIB hosts a series of events each semester specifically geared toward further strengthening the role of women in the business world, building connections with female alumni, and facilitating career recruiting in a range of industries. The annual Columbia Women in Business Conference, run entirely by students, attracts high-profile women speakers and industry insiders to discuss the various paths to success taken by women business leaders.

Columbia Business School is proud to partner with organizations both on and off campus that are devoted to supporting women in business.

Forté Foundation

10,000 Women Initiative

Office of Work/Life

On-Campus Events

The Admissions Office hosts two annual recruiting events designed for female applicants, Spotlight On: Women and Women Connect at Columbia, where prospective students have the chance to visit campus to meet current women students, alumni, and faculty members, discuss issues unique to women in business, and learn more about the experience for women at Columbia Business School.

(found at http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/life/women; accessed 2013/06)

LGBT at Columbia

Located in the heart of New York City, Columbia Business School prides itself on being an open and welcoming community for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students, faculty members, and administrators. The School’s population of LGBT students cuts across geography, experience, ethnicity, and gender to create one of the largest and most diverse LGBT groups among the world’s top business schools. In addition, Columbia Business School has the largest representation of straight allies among all business schools, and the School’s relationship with New York City affords LGBT students powerful networking opportunities and an extensive LGBT community.

Cluster Q, Columbia Business School’s LGBT student organization, has grown in membership for four consecutive years. The club provides a strong network for LGBT students within the School, as well as with alumni, recruiters, and students from across Columbia University. Cluster Q organizes a variety of social and career-oriented events throughout the year, helping to foster the LGBT community on campus and develop relationships with recruiters.

Cluster Q maintains relationships with many top firms – from finance to consulting to brand management – who actively recruit members of the Columbia Business School LGBT community .

Columbia Business School encourages students to network with their peers from other business schools. Each year, Cluster Q sends a large cohort of students to Reaching Out MBA, an LGBT-specific MBA career and networking conference.

The Admissions Office also actively participates in CHecK uS Out, a multi-school admissions event for LGBT prospective students organized by Columbia, Harvard, Kellogg, and Stanford that takes place in New York City and San Francisco each fall.

Each year the Admissions Office hosts LGBT Connect, an on-campus admissions event geared towards prospective LGBT students. This event gives prospective students the opportunity to visit campus and meet admissions officers, current LGBT students, and LGBT alumni.

(found at http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/life/lgbt; accessed 2013/06)

Veterans at Columbia

The Military in Business Association (MIBA), Columbia Business School’s veteran student organization, has continually grown in membership as the veteran presence within the School community has increased. MIBA provides an incredibly strong network for veteran students within Columbia Business School, as well as with alumni, recruiters, and students from across the University.

Members come from all branches of the armed forces within the United States and internationally. By leveraging the experiences of current and former members, MIBA seeks — through camaraderie, support, and networking — to enhance the career success of all those with a connection to the Columbia Business School military community.

MIBA organizes a variety of social and career-oriented events throughout the year, strengthening the veteran community on campus and cultivating relationships with recruiters. MIBA also organizes events with current and former high-ranking military leaders such as former US Army Chief of Staff General George Casey and former Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman Jr.

In addition, MIBA has also sponsored student-wide happy hours, raised over $6,500 for Survivor Joe (an organization that supports currently deployed service members), and co-sponsored a successful social event with Cluster Q (Columbia Business School’s LGBT student organization) that raised over $3,000 in donations for The Trevor Project and Team RWB.

MIBA also maintains close relationships with many recruiters from top firms — from finance to consulting to brand management — who actively recruit MIBA members of the Columbia Business School veteran community.

The Admissions Office actively participates in several organizations related to veteran recruitment, including the Yellow Ribbon Program. In addition, a MIBA member attends the annual Service Academy Career Conference in Washington DC in order to speak with prospective students about Columbia Business School.

MIBA and the Admissions Office host an annual Fleet Week event for prospective students who have served in the armed forces. This event is held during Fleet Week and is open to Fleet Week participants as well as other active or former member of the military.

(found at http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/life/veterans; accessed 2013/06)

Spouses, Partners, and Families

Starting graduate school can be a big adjustment for anyone, and that includes a student’s spouse, partner, or children — particularly when moving to a new city. While the transition can seem daunting, the Office of Student Affairs is committed to helping students and their families alike become part of the Columbia Business School community. In addition to online resources for you and your family, a student-led interest group, Columbia Better Halves, creates venues for significant others and families of students to meet. Activities include family-friendly events such as Halloween Family Day, playground activities, dinners, cultural excursions, and an important initiative during orientation to better prepare partners for the demands of an MBA education.

New York is an exciting place, and it offers plenty to do. Visit the University’s Exploring New York City for a resource listing to give you a head start on some aspects of life in New York, including museums, neighborhoods, transportation, and more.

(found at http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/life/families; accessed 2013/06)

Reapplications to Columbia Business School

Those reapplying more than one year after their previous application should adhere to all the requirements of new applicants. Those reapplying one year or less from the date of their previous application need only do the following:

Submit a new application fee (US$250).

Update the “Personal,” “Family,” “Employment,” “Education,” and “Extracurricular Activities” sections of the online application.

Update the “How Will You Finance Your MBA?” section of the online application.

Submit transcripts of any additional courses taken since your previous application.

Submit one new, two-part essay:

A. How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied, and address how you plan to achieve your post-MBA and long-term professional goals. (Maximum of 500 words)

B. Please view this video , entitled Community at Columbia. Diverse, tight-knit clusters and carefully selected learning teams are defining features of the first year at Columbia Business School. Along with more than 100 student organizations and countless events each semester, the cluster system helps to create a supportive and devoted lifelong community . Describe why you are interested in becoming a part of the Columbia community. (Maximum 250 words)

Submit one new recommendation letter, preferably from your current employer, but if not, another colleague in a supervisory role or a client will suffice.

Reapplicants with questions should contact the Admissions Office at [email protected] or 212-854-1961.

Please note that candidates may only apply once to a given term of entry.

(found at http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/admissions/applynow ; accessed 2012/07)

NOTE: Columbia does not specifically ask why you want an MBA, but I encourage you to think about it

First, why are you NOT pursuing a specialized masters (Masters in Finance, Master in Technology) or a Ph.D.?

Most importantly, how does an MBA best prepare you to build the skills you need? For example, you might need:

technical knowledge of finance and accounting

analytical skills, including corporate strategy, strategic planning (long-term thinking)

interpersonal skills to motivate experts in finance, accounting, sales, marketing, engineering, and operations

Clients sometimes ask me to explain the difference between technical skills and analytical skills. Here is my answer: Technical knowledge and skills is the type of knowledge you need to understand a task. For instance, the accounting knowledge you need to understand what auditors do.

According to NYTimes columnist David Brooks, "Technical knowledge is like the recipes in a cookbook. It is formulas telling you roughly what is to be done. It is reducible to rules and directions. It's the sort of knowledge that can be captured in lectures and bullet points and memorized by rote." (found at http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/opinion/Brooks-The-Practical-University.xml?f=76; accessed 2013/04)

Analytical skills sometimes involve technical knowledge (finance and and accounting knowledge) but they are often more complex and more sophisticated than technical skills. Sometimes, they require creativity and intuition. For example, strategy consultants display analytical skills when they form (and test) a business hypothesis. Business schools teach technical skills like finance and accounting so that students can apply these skills when analyzing business cases.

Information is subject to change. Please, verify all data with the schools.

MBA Admissions
ISB Admissions
MBA Application Tips
MBA Essay Tips
Business Schools

Columbia MBA essay 2023 – Analysis and Tips

Admit expert.

July 6, 2023

The application and essay questions for the 2023 MBA program at Columbia Business School have been made available. The questions are similar to those from previous years, however, they have been revised to emphasize career objectives and fit.

Columbia University offers a fast-paced program in a fast-paced city. MBA students who aim to take full use of the unique resources given by Columbia and its surroundings in New York City will be a strong fit for the program. Another consideration is having the academic credentials to endure the rigors of Columbia.

Columbia Business School (CBS) asks its applicants to write a 50-word “short answer” about their goals and three essays that aren’t too long.

The first essay question from CBS is about candidates’ long-term career goals, just like the goal statement, but in much more depth (at 500 words).

The second essay asks applicants to explain why they want an MBA from CBS.

The third essay asks candidates to talk about a favorite book, movie, or song.

Read on for our full analysis of the questions for the Columbia MBA program in 2023.

Columbia MBA essays

Short answer question, optional essay, let us help you get into columbia business school.

Applicants must complete one short answer question and three essays.

Short Answer Question: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Examples of possible responses:

“Work in business development for a media company.”

“Join a strategy consulting firm.”

“Launch a data-management start-up.”

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, co-curricular initiatives like the Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership, which aims to equip students with the skills and strategies necessary to lead in an inclusive and ethical manner, 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? (300 words)

Tell us about your favorite book, movie, or song and why it resonates with you. (250 words)

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

The important point to note here is that there is an upper limit of 50 characters and not words. The space between words will also be counted towards this limit.

Therefore, get straight to the point and answer this question with the job and industry. Don’t even waste the character limit for words like ‘I want to.’

So think about what you really want to do with your career in the near future and say it out loud. Don’t forget that the rest of your application needs to show that your stated goal fits with your current skills and deep interests, especially after you’ve gotten your MBA. This will show that your stated goal is attainable and give your claim more weight. If you can do this in 50 characters (not words! ), you will have done what the school wants you to do and answered their question well.

As with any goals essay, it’s critical to bear in mind that this is not a theatrical retelling of your resume. However, you should include a few lines of background information to enable the reader subsequently comprehend that you have the abilities and drive required to achieve your objectives.

In short, make sure that your comments build on what the admissions committee can find in your recommendations or resume, rather than repeating it.

This question asks about your short- and long-term goals. In contrast to long-term goals, short-term goals might be more specific. The admissions committee expects you to have a general idea of what you want to achieve in the future, but they don’t require the same amount of detail as they do for the immediate post-MBA aspirations. Columbia wants to know that you have a clear idea of where an MBA from Columbia can take you.

For example, maybe you want to run a company or division as its general manager. But for the most part, you have been working in marketing right now. After that, you could take classes in finance and strategy and do consulting projects while working as an intern at a start-up. All of these will help you get the required experience on your way to becoming a general manager.

Also, the part about a “dream job” really stands out. In light of this, your long-term goals should be ambitious, since top programs want to accept people who will change the world. Still, they should be based on your short-term goals, your MBA, and your career so far.

Remember, Columbia wants to know who you are and what makes you different from everyone else who has applied. Don’t try to be the perfect candidate. Instead, show your real personality, goals, and what drives you.

To learn more about what Columbia Business School is looking for and how to make your application stand out, get in touch with us at [email protected]

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 , co-curricular initiatives like the Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership , which aims to equip students with the skills and strategies necessary to lead in an inclusive and ethical manner, 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? (300 words)

This essay question wants you to say why CBS is the best place to help you reach your goals. It’s a great chance to show that you’ve done your research and are really interested in going to Columbia.

In the prompt, the admissions committee mentions three major parts of the CBS program and gives links to more information about them. This is a good place to start (or, ideally, continue) your research, even if you don’t think any of the three immediately applies to you.

In your essay, you need to show a clear plan of action and show how CBS’s services fit directly with your interests, personality, and needs.

Note that the “academically, culturally, and professionally” part of the prompt does not have a “and/or” option. This means that you must make sure to talk about all three things in your essay, and you should do so thoroughly and about equally.

This will show the admissions committee that you are a good fit for and excited about the whole CBS MBA experience, not just a few key resources or parts.

Even though it isn’t directly in the essay prompt (like it was in years past), you should still explain not only why Columbia’s campus life and leadership culture are right for you, but also why you want to get your MBA in New York City, since NYC is such a big part of the Columbia experience.

Do you want to impress Columbia’s Adcom?

At Admit Expert, we have helped hundreds of students get into top MBA programs around the world. We would be happy to help you too. Schedule a free call with us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your goals.

Schedule a free call

This question shows that the Columbia adcom wants to learn more about you on a personal level. You can talk about a book, movie, or song of your choice, but the most important part of your answer is to show how self-aware you are by explaining in just 250 words why you connect with the content.

A favorite childhood book, for example, could be a good choice if you’re a reader. Did the story inspire you to become a lifelong reader?

Movies, on the other hand, may have evoked strong feelings. Take a moment to reflect on your favorite parts of the film and how they made you feel. You may have a strong connection to certain music because of a personal connection. The song had a profound effect on my life.

It doesn’t matter what kind of art medium you choose; it should reflect who you are as a person. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your thoughts and feelings to the reader. Finally, your essay should give an insight into your character and motivations.

While essay 1 demonstrates the professional path you wish to pursue in life, essay 3 might provide extra insight into the type of person and company leader you aspire to be.

You should therefore dare to get personal and avoid getting stuck attempting to choose the ideal, most spectacular work of art, whether it be an indisputable classic, political satire, or a spiritual saga. The WHY behind your choice, how it speaks to you, and its impact or influence on you is far more crucial in this situation.

The admissions committee makes it pretty clear that you need to talk about any problems with your application, such as gaps in employment, bad grades, etc.

In these situations, applicants should keep their answers short and to the point, explaining what happened without making excuses and bringing up mitigating factors in a humble way.

Still, it’s possible that there are other parts of your background that would be relevant but aren’t covered anywhere else in your application, like an upcoming promotion or a part of your identity that isn’t covered by the program’s data forms.

Even though applicants should try to show everything about themselves in the required parts of the application, there is still some room for short exceptions.

We will help you write essays that portray your unique strengths and experiences in the most favorable light so that your application shines above the rest. We have helped hundreds of students get into top US business schools. Let us help you too.

Do you want to get into your dream business school?

Take the first step towards your MBA dream and schedule a free 1 on 1 application strategy call with us.

Round 3 MBA Admissions: Apply or Wait?

Contemplating whether to apply for MBA Round 3 undoubtedly presents a unique dilemma for candidates. Although uncertainty surrounds the decision, a definitive “no” is rarely the conclusion. It’s true that as the rounds progress, the chance of getting an admit also goes down. This means that acceptance rates at R3

Best Business Schools for Marketing Careers

Embarking on a career in marketing requires not only passion and creativity but also a solid foundation in business fundamentals. Choosing the right business school can make all the difference in shaping your trajectory towards a successful marketing career. In this article, we delve into the realm of business education

Best Business Schools for a career in Technology

Best Business Schools for Technology Careers

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the intersection of business and technology has become increasingly vital. As technology continues to shape industries worldwide, the demand for skilled professionals adept at navigating this evolving terrain has never been higher. Business schools play a pivotal role in preparing individuals for successful careers in

What are Deferred MBA Programs? Top Deferred MBA Programs 2024

Want to pursue an MBA but don’t have the required 2-3 years of work experience? If you are in the final/senior year of your undergraduate or master’s degree and are committed to pursuing an MBA, the deferred MBA program could be an excellent choice for you. So, what are deferred

How to Write a Powerful MBA Essay—With Examples

The MBA essay is critical to your business school application. Read our guide to writing the perfect MBA essay, with successful admit examples.

Posted April 4, 2024

Featuring Karla M.

From Waitlisted to Admitted: Insider Tips for MBA Admissions

Tuesday, april 9.

6:00 PM UTC · 60 minutes

What is the MBA Essay?

The MBA admissions essay.

Those words alone are enough to make most MBA candidates run screaming. Writing in general is hard enough. Writing about why you want an MBA? Your short-term goals and career aspirations? What matters to you most, and why? Forget it.

Of course, you still have to write these essays.

The MBA essay is perhaps the most important part of the business school application. (It's also getting more and more important by the day, with some business schools moving away from traditional, quantitative measuring sticks, like the GMAT and the GRE.) Every other part of the application — your GPA, your test scores, your letters of recommendation — are quantified, cut and dried, or out of your control. The essay is your chance to show up as a fully realized MBA candidate, with hopes, dreams, and vulnerabilities. Admissions committees are not simply assessing your candidacy as a future leader — they're looking to admit human beings. That's where the MBA applicant essays come in.

That being the case, rather than being intimidated by it, treat the essay like the opportunity that it is — the chance for you to highlight your unique, iridescent self; the only moment in the MBA admissions process (prior to the interview) when you can speak directly to the admissions officers; the time when you'll show them who you really are. It's not easy to write something that will do that, of course, but with the tips and tricks in this guide, and some help from one of Leland's vetted, world-class admissions coaches, we know you can do it. Give the essay the time, attention, and respect it deserves, and you'll be on your way to an offer of admission at your dream school.

Without further ado, let's dive in!

Ultimate MBA Essay Guide

See the MBA essay prompts, top tips from experts, and real examples from admits with this comprehensive guide.

How Long Will My MBA Essay Take?

First thing's first: let's talk about timing.

The MBA application is a behemoth; between exams, resumes, gathering your official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and the applications themselves, there's a lot to juggle. That being the case, we suggest you give yourself ample time to draft, write, and revise your essays. The last thing you want is to be rushed to the finish line.

So, give yourself at least three months to write your MBA essays. That should allow you ample time to draft, write, and edit. For more information on timing your entire b-school application, click here for A Comprehensive MBA Application Timeline--With Chart .

Now, on to the critical question:

Free trial!

From 91 top coaches

Access a library of videos, templates, and examples curated by Leland's top coaches.

Example essays.

Example Resumes

Application Prep

Video Courses

What Makes a Great MBA Essay?

At the highest level, the answer is the one that is truest to you. The whole point of these essays is to shine through as an authentic, vibrant human being, so the best essays are the ones that cut through the clutter, and allow you do to that.

Which begs the question — how do you cut through the clutter and shine through as a vibrant human being? Here are four critical tips to follow as you begin thinking about your essays.

1. Answer the Question

This one sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many applicants launch into their story, get carried away, and forget to answer the question. Follow the prompt, and answer the question the admissions committee has asked you. Those prompts can actually be very useful when writing your essays — it's a great deal harder to write when you have no guidance or guardrails. With the MBA essays, you have a very specific question you need to answer. So answer it!

2. Be Specific

Another mistake some MBA applicants make is to stay at a high level in their essays, keeping their writing abstract and therefore inaccessible to the admissions committee. If at any point, an admissions officer could replace your name with the name of another applicant, then your essay isn't getting deep enough. It's not enough, for instance, to say that you suffered adversity in high school, or that you really, really want a Wharton MBA. You need to explain, in detail, the adversity you faced, and give concrete and unique reasons why you think Wharton is the right program for you. The best essays offer hyper-specific examples and anecdotes, with details and anecdotes that no other candidate could bring to the table. To get those anecdotes, we recommend using the STAR template, as explained below:

Situation : What was the situation you were facing? Where were you? How old were you? If you were in a professional role during this anecdote, what was the role, and how long had you been in it? If you were volunteering, at what organization? How long had you been volunteering there? Why did you start? Offer all the relevant information that the admissions readers will need to understand your story.
Task : What was the task at hand? What went wrong? In your professional role, what was the challenge you faced? In that volunteering experience, what were the hurdles you had to overcome? You can't have a good story without conflict or tension, so after you set up the anecdote, explain what that conflict or tension was (and remember, be specific!).
Action : What was the action you took to resolve the problem? What did you have to do to fix that issue at work? How did you clear that hurdle in your volunteer experience? Again, be specific about how you came through on the other side of that conflict/tension — and while you're doing it, highlight your leadership capabilities as much as possible! Remember that top MBA programs are looking for future leaders who can assess a situation and decisively take action. (We'll say a bit more about this below, in the Personal Statement section.
Result : What was the result of your action? If you were facing a growth problem at work, were you able to increase sales? If so, by what percentage? If you were advocating for diversity and inclusion at your local charity, what new programs did you implement to help with that effort, and what was the enrollment like in those new programs? Detail what happened in your anecdote with as much specificity as possible — and quantify, quantify, quantify!

3. Get Vulnerable

Most MBA admissions essay prompts are written with the goal of getting to know as much about you as possible in the shortest number of words. To do that, you're going to have to share real things from your life — to get personal, intimate, and vulnerable. Do not shy away from this. If you're starting to get emotional during the reflection, drafting, and writing process, good — that means you're on the right track. Keep going. Pro tip: If it’s making you cry, it will make them cry. Another good rule of thumb is to put something real and true on the table. Admissions officers have to read literally thousands of applications from thoroughly qualified individuals, some of whom might come from similar roles to yours, with letters of recommendation from equally impressive supervisors. In order to cut through that noise, you'll have to share something honest. If you're doing it right, this can feel risky. At some point, you’ll likely think to yourself: “Can I say that?” The answer is: “Yes.” Of course, there is a line, you don’t want to be crass or offensive but err on the side of being open and authentic. The very worst thing you can do is be overly cautious, and write something you think will please the admissions committee. These poor people have to read thousands of essays. If yours is just like everyone else’s, they’ll fall asleep. Don’t let that happen. Wake them up by putting yourself —your true, bright, vibrant, quirky self—on the page.

4. Don't Exaggerate

Finally, do not exaggerate, over-inflate, or lie. This goes without saying, but admissions committees are looking for honest candidates. The surest way to get rejected is to lie about something. (Business schools do a background check on you before you're properly admitted, so they will find out.) Don't be the person who over-inflates on their essays, then has their offer letter rescinded.

The Types of MBA Essays

All right — since we've covered high-level approaches to the MBA essays, it's time to dig into the various types.

There are three general categories of MBA essays you'll see across the board.

1. Personal Statement

These questions ask you to offer up something sincere about yourself. They'll often touch on such things as your values and your character. In these, you'll want to be as authentic as possible, while also highlighting attributes like leadership, intellectual vitality, and teamwork, that business schools are looking for. Here are a few examples of personal statement essays:

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (HBS)
What matters most to you, and why? (Stanford GSB)

2. Why an MBA/Why This School

The next category of essays is the "Why an MBA" / "Why This School" set.

In these, schools first want to hear about how an MBA will fit into your career, both short and long term. Top MBA programs are looking for candidates who will: first of all, be gainfully employed upon graduating, second of all, have an illustrious career that will make their institution look good and encourage future generations of applicants to apply, and third, be consistent and generous donors. That being the case, they want to know about your career trajectory, and how an MBA will fit into it.

Pro tip: Here, you want to be ambitious and inspiring in laying out your future career, but not naïve. Walk the line between shooting for the stars and sounding dreamlike and uninformed.

In this set of questions, you'll also encounter questions geared at figuring out why you would want to attend a specific school. MBA programs want to know that you're serious about attending their school — yield, or the percentage of admitted candidates who accept their offers of admission, is an important metric for them — but they also want to envision how you'll contribute to their admitted class. What will you uniquely bring to the table, the things that you'll do that the other candidates wouldn’t be able to offer?

We've heard former deans of business schools say that, in choosing a class, they're curating a world-class dinner party, and that each person invited to the dinner party has to bring something different. What will you bring to the dinner party?

Pro tip: To demonstrate that you've done your research, and to help the admissions committee envision you in their program, indicate which classes you might take when earning your MBA and why, which professors you might hope to study with, and in which clubs you might participate.

Here are a few examples of "why MBA / why this school" essays:

How is a Columbia MBA going to help you? (Columbia)
What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (Wharton)
Why Stanford? Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. (Stanford GSB)

3. Behavioral/Other

Finally, most other essays will either be behavioral, asking you about experiences, traits, strengths, weaknesses, and achievements. There's a wide variety of topics here, but all the guidelines from above apply, with the final note to always prioritize authenticity (as mentioned in the Personal Statement section) and leadership ability (remember, business schools are choosing future leaders). Here are a few examples of behavioral/other essays:

Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (Yale SOM)
Tell us about your favorite book, movie, or song and why it resonates with you. (Columbia)
Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? (Stanford GSB)

Top MBA Program Essay Prompts (Updated 2022)

To help you get started, we've compiled the required prompts from a few top MBA programs below:

1. Harvard Business School (HBS)

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (900 words)

For more information, visit A Guide to the HBS Essay .

2. Stanford Graduate School of Business

What matters to you most, and why? (650 words)

Why Stanford? (400 words)

Read What Matters Most When Writing the GSB Essays.

How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words)

For Wharton-specific advice, visit A Guide to the Wharton Essays .

4. Columbia Business School

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, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

Essay 2: The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a new co-curricular program designed to ensure that every CBS student develops the skills to become an ethical and inclusive leader. Through PPIL, students attend programming focused on five essential diversity, equity, and inclusion skills: Creating an Inclusive Environment, Mitigating Bias, Communicating Across Identities, Addressing Systemic Inequity, and Managing Difficult Conversations. Tell us about a time you were challenged around one of these five skills. Describe the situation, the actions you took, and the outcome. (250 words)

Essay 3: 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. (250 words)

5. Chicago Booth

How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250-word minimum)

An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of your career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (250-word minimum)

Read more at A Guide to the Booth Essays .

6. Kellogg Northwestern

Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)

Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)

Read How to Nail Your Kellogg MBA Application Essays

7. MIT Sloan

MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity, respect, and passion.

Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation)

Applicants are required to upload a 1 minute (60 seconds) video as part of their application. In your video, you should introduce yourself to your future classmates, tell us about your past experiences, and touch on why MIT Sloan is the best place for you to pursue your degree.

How to Start Your MBA Essay

So you've read about the types of essays, and seen some of the prompts from top MBA programs. Now it's time to actually start diving into the essay.

The very first thing to do, before putting pen to paper, is to look inward.

Why do you want an MBA? What role will this degree play in your professional growth? How do you imagine it will shape your life? What do you want out of your career? What is the most important thing in the world to you?

Yes, these are life’s deep-end questions, but you’ll need to tackle them in these essays, so before you start writing, take the time to think through them. Go for a run, swim some laps, bake a cake—however you get into the flow — and start a dialogue with yourself. Put down your work, turn your phone off, and give your mind permission to go to the places it usually avoids. That’s a good place to start. That’s where the answers are.

Pro tip: The first sentence is the hardest one to write. When you're starting out if it can intimidating and anxiety-producing. The trick is to simply put anything down — and don't look back. Keep putting one sentence after the other. You can edit later: let whatever comes to you out onto the page. If you’re struggling with self-critique, dim your computer screen until you can’t even see the words you’re typing. Then keep going.

Additional Tips & Tricks

Once you've started your essay, it's a matter of persistence: keep writing, then keep drafting and editing until you have something you're really proud of.

To help you with that process, here are a few more tips and tricks:

Take Breaks

When you hit the wall — you will hit the wall — stop. This is your brain telling you it needs to do something else. Walk your dog. Take a lap around your room. Eat some cheese. Your body needs sleep every night to function; your mind is the same way. That next leap of inspiration will come exactly at the moment when you’re least expecting it.

Read it Out Loud

When you finally have a draft, print it and read it out loud to yourself. Your ear will catch things your eyes miss. Reading out loud is the best way to pick up on spelling errors, clunky transitions, and paragraphs that still need ironing out. It’s also a good way to envision how the admissions committee will experience your essay.

Don’t be precious with your essay. Send it to anyone willing to read it. Solicit as much feedback as you can. If you don’t like what people have to say, you don’t have to incorporate it, but you need an impartial third party to give notes on what they’re seeing, thinking, and feeling. (You’re too close to things to do it for yourself.) This is where a Leland coach comes very much in handy!

Complete Everything Early

This is more of a timing consideration, but you do not want to trip at the finish line because your internet went down the night before the deadline, or your credit card was denied when paying your application fee (it's happened before). Don't let that be you!

Here is another article to get you started, written by an expert essays coach: 7 MBA Essay Tips to Make You Stand Out in 2022 .

Example MBA Essays

Finally, here are two essays to help inspire you. The first, a personal statement essay, was submitted by an admit to Berkeley Haas' Executive MBA program; the second, a career goals / why MBA essay, was submitted by an admit to Chicago Booth's deferred MBA program.

Haas Admit:

A person’s identity is shaped by many different aspects, including family, culture, personal interests, and surrounding environments. Please share a facet of your identity or story that is essential to who you are. (300 words) My upbringing in India, filled with countless myths and legends, had a profound influence on me. The most formative tale was about a sage who prays for years to the goddess of knowledge, but in vain. In the end, the goddess didn’t appear for the sage because he was turning his prayer beads the wrong way! As a child, this story upset me: the sage worked so hard and had the right intentions. As an adult, though, I’ve come to realize that the goddess of knowledge was right: you can’t succeed unless you do things the right way. Seven years ago, two friends and I started a company, XXXX: a digital health platform that would allow patients to store medical records online and consult doctors remotely. We had early success—we brought on 2,000 patients at XXXX, a gynecology clinic in XXXX—but ultimately we didn’t have the resources to properly scale, and had to shut the company down. Among the many lessons I learned, the most valuable was that ideas and hard work are common; businesses succeed or fail based on execution—on doing things the right way. Two years ago, I relearned this lesson in the most painful way possible: when my marriage ended. My wife and I loved each other, but we weren’t there for each other when it mattered most. Our feelings weren’t enough—we had to back them up with the right actions. It’s disheartening when you have good intentions but still fall short. When this happens, though, you have to keep trying—because eventually you will do things the right way. I carry the story of the sage with me always, not as a harsh lesson, but as a motivating goal: one that keeps me striving towards doing things the right way.

Booth Admit:

How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 word minimum)

I want to start a geothermal company that will help lead the energy transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy—by targeting existing oil wells as sites for geothermal plants. Oil fields are close to electric grids and have high nearby subsurface temperatures, making them ideal sites for geothermal plants. By building geothermal infrastructure nearby, my company will produce cleaner, cheaper energy, making it more profitable for operators to switch from oil to geothermal. As oil companies decommission their wells, I’ll negotiate for their land rights, so I can use their existing wells for new geothermal vents. I want my company to prove the case for economically viable, carbon neutral energy production. After getting an MBA I want to start a geothermal company which will help me lead the energy transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. I plan to target developed oil fields in Texas, where, in many places, producing wells are flowing enough hot fluid to generate clean energy. Using this geothermal heat, the carbon footprint of oil and gas extraction will decrease as fewer fossil fuels are utilized to power surrounding infrastructure. As the wells approach their economic life, I will negotiate the lease from various operators, saving them millions in plug and abandonment costs, and retrofit the wells for direct geothermal energy production via closed loop binary fluid systems, bringing emissions to zero. To accomplish this goal, I need to shore up my knowledge of energy economics and entrepreneurial finance, develop a strong sense of leadership, and build a network of like minded individuals that will help me lead the transition and I believe I can get those things at Chicago Booth. My immediate career goal is to develop my first co-production site in Shelby County, Texas at the Blanton well site, which produces abnormally heated fluid from the flanks of an active salt dome. Before investing in capital expenditures, developing a strong sense of energy economics and broader markets is necessary to verify financial feasibility. University of Chicago, through the Graduate-Student-At-Large: Business program, is already allowing me to accomplish this goal with my enrollment in “Microeconomics” with Professor Andrew McClellan. His instruction helped me understand the impact taxes and subsidies have on market equilibrium, an important aspect of renewable energy as green energy tax incentives continue to change on a yearly basis. As my company continues to grow, having a strong finance and accounting foundation is imperative to building and sustaining a healthy company. Electives such as “Accounting for Entrepreneurship: From Start-Up through IPO” will provide the skills I need to be successful by following the life-cycle of a business that originates as a start-up, and covers topics such as building an initial accounting infrastructure. I understand that execution of the business is as important as developing the idea and proof of concept, and Booth is the best place for me to develop financial fluency. Leading the energy transition will require a strong sense of leadership. Not only will I need to lead those I get to work with over my career, but to lead the energy transition, and reverse the impact fossil fuels have had thus far, I must have the emotional intelligence to inspire others to join me in my journey. The “Interpersonal Dynamics” course at Booth will allow me to develop my communication skills and better understand the emotions and perceptions of my colleagues. These skills, synthesized with leadership development acquired in “Leadership Practicum” will prepare me to act as a relational leader, who understands the needs of others. As a relational leader I hope to foster an environment which promotes happiness, and maximizes efficiency, not only to make our efforts in changing the world more successful, but to excite other people to join our cause.

To find the greatest chance of success in leading the energy transition, I will need a network of like-minded individuals who can provide a diversity of thought. Chicago Booth provides the opportunity to develop that network through different community experiences. The Energy Club’s “Energy Forward” conference, which designates time to topics in oil and gas and renewable energy will allow me to hear from industry leaders, build meaningful relationships with peers and contribute my sector experience to the public forum as I learn from those around me. Opportunities through the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Group such as “SeedCon” will help me connect with successful entrepreneurs and early-stage investors whose ideas and funding might change the course of my venture’s trajectory. Even in the GSALB program I have had the opportunity to connect with other students in various sectors, including the energy industry. I hope to continue to strengthen those connections and continue building new ones with matriculation into the full time program.

Here are several other articles that you may find helpful as you put together your MBA application:

The Most Frequently Asked Questions on MBA Applications
How to Answer the "Why an MBA?" Essay Question
My Top Piece of Advice for MBA Applicants
How I Nailed My MBA Interview and Gained Admission to Top 10 Business Schools
4 Expert Tips on Paying for Business School

Browse hundreds of expert coaches

Leland coaches have helped thousands of people achieve their goals. A dedicated mentor can make all the difference.

Browse Related Articles

January 9, 2024

How to Nail Your Kellogg MBA Application Essays

Tips and tricks that will help you craft the best application essays possible and get admitted into Kellogg.

January 28, 2024

How to Nail Your Stanford GSB Short Answer Questions

Learn how to stand out with your Stanford GSB short answer questions.

January 4, 2024

HBS 2+2 Deferred MBA Essay Prompts & Tips (2024)

As of 2024, HBS has changed its deferred MBA essay prompts away from the traditional, "What else should we know about you?" to three smaller essays. Read more and nail your HBS 2+2 application here.

January 10, 2024

How to Ace Your HBS MBA Interview

Interviewing for the deferred program at Harvard Business School? Ace your interview with these helpful tips and tricks, including sample questions from actual interviews—only on Leland.

March 12, 2024

An Overview of the HBS 2+2 Program—and How to Kick Off Your Application

HBS 2+2 is one of the most prestigious deferred MBA programs in the country. Here's an overview, with some tips on how to start your application.

How to Get the Perfect MBA Letter of Recommendation—With Examples

The ultimate guide to the MBA recommendation letter, including examples of letters that helped applicants earn admission to top 10 MBA programs.

MBA Essay Too Long? Here's How to Fix It

The word count of most MBA application essays is very limited. This article by an expert Leland MBA coach will give you 8 tips to help you keep your essays under the limit while still maintaining a compelling story.

January 31, 2024

How to Nail the "Why Wharton" MBA Essay

Learn how to craft a compelling 'Why Wharton' MBA essay that sets you apart from the competition. Elevate your application to stand out.

May 4, 2023

Why ChatGPT Can’t Write Your Personal Statement

While ChatGPT is multifaceted, there is a compelling argument against using AI for your personal statements. Here is one expert's take on the revolutionary technology and application essays.

March 27, 2024

Top 10 Deferred MBA Programs in the US—and How to Get In

Aiming for an MBA, even while you're still in college? Perfect—learn all about deferred admission MBA program and receive key insights into the DMBA application process.

February 27, 2023

Craft a Powerful Essay for Stanford GSB: What Matters Most & Why?

Ben L., a GSB MBA, expert coach, and pro writer, outlines his top advice for nailing the challenging and broad Stanford essay prompt, to help you get into one of the most prestigious MBA programs in the world.

A Guide to the Columbia Business School Essays (2023-2024)

Coach Melanie E. walks you through each Columbia Business School essay prompt for the 2023-2024 cycle, breaking down what adcoms are looking for and offering expert advice on how to nail your responses.

Online Course

20 Great MBA Application Essay Samples (With Links)

Want to ace your MBA application? A stellar essay can be your golden ticket.

With elite business schools like Harvard and Stanford boasting acceptance rates as low as 10% and 6% respectively, every aspect of your application counts. While GPA and GMAT scores matter, your essay can be a game-changer. Recognizing its weight, we’ve gathered top-notch MBA essay samples, endorsed by admission committees from premier institutions. Dive in and let’s craft that standout application!

What is an MBA Application Essay?

An MBA application essay is a detailed write-up about your personal and professional goals and aspirations. It also explains how the MBA program will help you attain your objectives for the future. Your essay is your one shot to convince the admission committee to consider you for the initial interview.

professor reading an essay of MBA applicant

What Admission Committee Look for in an MBA Essay?

Academic ability
Impressive work experience
Career Course
Authenticity of goals
Competencies, leadership , dedication, challenges, and growth
The right reason for pursuing an MBA
Your compatibility with the culture in which the program is being offered

If you want to learn more, here is the complete guide on how admission committees process MBA applications.

20 Great MBA Applications Essays Samples

Now you have known that what makes a great MBA admission essay, the next step is to write one for yourself. Before writing, check out this list of expert-vetted MBA application essays that secured admissions to top-rated business schools in the world. Admission consultants have shared these samples and they can be helpful if you read and analyze them carefully. If you’re completely unsure about how to get started, there are also custom essay writing services that can help you structure your essay with the help of professional editors.

Sample 1: Leadership-focused MBA application essay

This sample is particularly focused on leadership traits. If your essay is about explaining your leadership quality experience, this sample is right up your alley. The best thing about the essay is that it is written in a simple, engaging, and humorous style. It defines a great experience in a very conversational style.

Sample 2: Self-focused MBA application essay

If you are asked to write about your strengths, weaknesses, aims, and goals in your application essay, this sample will help you. The applicant who wrote this got accepted to the INSEAD business school. It doesn’t merely describe her strengths and weaknesses, but it presents a complete picture of herself as a person. It highlighted the events and incidents that shaped her personality.

Sample 3: Life-hardships-focused MBA application essay

If you want to explain your life’s hardships and the events that turned you into an ambitious person, this sample is for you. In this application essay, the candidate has defined three phases of his life and how he survived through each adversity. He beautifully explained why the MBA program is important to his future.

Sample 4: Continuous growth and learning-focused MBA application essay

This essay was submitted to Harvard Business School. The best thing about this piece is that the writer has explained her learning and professional development journey in a very sequential and engaging manner, which is truly admirable. A useful thing to remember about the MBA essays included in this list is that you can merge them into a single printable and perfectly formatted file with Sodapdf or another PDF editor. Having all of them stored in a single PDF is going to be quite helpful when it’s time to write your piece. But guess what? There are more examples to explore below, so let’s keep going…

Sample 5: Best MBA application essay for low scorers

Have a low GPA? What would you write about academics in an MBA essay to convince the admission committee? Do not overthink! MBA essay is not all about high achievements and sterling background. It is also an opportunity to atone for your past mistakes. This MBA essay was written by a student who obtained very low academic grades, yet got admitted to her desired business school. Her turning point? A powerful application essay.

Sample 6: A guitarist’s application essay for the MBA program

Suppose you are ambitious in a skill or profession that has nothing to do with the MBA program, yet you need the degree for certain reasons. How would you showcase that irrelevant skill in your MBA application essay? This sample essay will show how you how. A guitarist who got selected for the MBA program wrote this one. The applicant has intelligently defined his passion for guitar as a way of developing discipline, determination, leadership, and success. He explained how his passion affected his academics and how the guitar helped him cope with the challenges.

Sample 7: An engineer’s essay for MBA application

If you come from a technical or engineering background and have the ambition to pursue an MBA degree to boost your engineering career, this sample essay will help pave the way for you. This essay was submitted by a mechanical engineer to Harvard Business School. The writer explained how his engineering experience motivated him to pursue an MBA and how the program is important to his long-term goals.

Sample 8: Harvard Business School MBA essay

This essay was written by a candidate who got accepted to Harvard Business School. Check it out to know what the prestigious academic institution looks for in your essay.

Sample 9: Wharton Business School MBA essay

This essay has been honored as one of the best MBA essays ever received by the Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania. Check out the structure, organization, and flow, and adapt the same to your essay.

Sample 10: Columbia Business School MBA essay

The Columbia Business School’s admission committee shared this MBA essay. They explained why the applicant who wrote this was instantly accepted to the program and why they appreciated its content.

Sample 11: Stanford Graduate School of Business MBA essay

This essay was written by a candidate who got accepted to Stanford Business School for an MBA. If you are aiming to get your MBA at Stanford, this sample will give you a deep understanding of what convinces the esteemed school’s admission committee to accept applicants into their fold.

Sample 12: University of California Business School MBA essay

This sample was taken from a pool of successful MBA application essays submitted to the University of California business school. Read it carefully and analyze its structure, words, and substance before you compose your own fantastic MBA essay.

Sample 13: University of OXFORD business school MBA essay

If Oxford Business School is your target destiny for earning your MBA, then check out this outstanding application essay. The person who wrote it managed to grab the admission committee member’s attention.

Sample 14: London Business School MBA essay

This essay was written by a candidate who got accepted to the London Business School. The school’s admission consultant shared this sample as a reference to other MBA aspirants. This piece will specifically help you understand the tone, writing style, formatting, and overall flow of the MBA application essay that meets the school’s standards.

Sample 15: A goal-oriented MBA application essay

Sometimes the MBA admission portal may demand an essay specifically focused on your future goals. In such a case, you must be very sure about yourself and must convey your goals and future directions based on your experiences and planning. Check out this sample to get an idea of how a successful candidate writes about personal goals.

Sample 16: Executive MBA essay

This successful MBA application essay was submitted to the MIT Sloan Executive MBA Program. EMBA essay requires you to show strong potential, impact, leadership, and the ultimate need for the program. Read this essay if EMBA is on your horizon.

Sample 17: MBA video essay

Many business schools are turning to video-based essays for MBA applications. A video-based essay is a better option to express yourself directly to the admission committee. A successful candidate for the Kellogg School of Management submitted this sample. Listen to the video and appreciate how beautifully the applicant has explained his journey from beginning to end. Want to learn more about video MBA essays? Here is a complete guide.

Sample 18: Short-answer-based MBA application essay

Some business schools require candidates to respond to short questions to get insights into their personalities and suitability for the MBA program. More or less, most of the questions revolve around the same theme. The key to success is to grasp the intention of the admission committee behind the questions and to stick to your identity . These successful answers submitted to the Tepper School of Business will help you in formulating your answers.

Sample 19: MIT Sloan School of Management

This essay was submitted by a successful candidate for the MIT Sloan School of Management MBA program. See how this applicant smartly answered the essay questions.

Sample 20: Michigan Ross School of Business MBA program

The Michigan Ross Business School asks a diverse range of questions from candidates to analyze their competencies from multiple perspectives. If Michigan Ross is where you intend to get your MBA, this essay submitted by a candidate who got admitted to the school’s MBA program will help keep you on track.

What Should be Included in the MBA Application Essay?

Your background: What shaped you into what you are now? Including ethnicity, obstacles, and struggles.
Self-reflection: Your values, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses.
Your goals : How do you envision your future?
Aspirations: Why MBA is important to you and how this program will help you in shaping your future?
Justification: If you have low academic grades, explain the reasons you did not do well and what you learned from it.
Experience and achievements: What have you achieved so far?

These are the significant components of an MBA essay. Just adjust the sequence, play with words, and come up with a persuasive yet realistic picture of yourself.

mba applicant thinking what to write in her essay

What Makes a Great MBA Application Essay?

Be school-specific. Explain why you are passionate about the MBA program of the school to which you’re applying.
Avoid edition. Write simply and engagingly. Let the reader read a meaningful story about you.
Make it 100% typo-free. Grammatical errors and typos will ruin your essay. Apply standard essay format and structure guidelines , scan your piece several times for errors, get it reviewed by an expert, and present a very professional piece to the admission committee.
Be original. Do not copy-paste from any source. Strictly follow plagiarism guidelines.
Write an overwhelming introduction to urge the reader to keep reading and conclude your essay with a strong declaration.
Be authentic. Write what you are, not what the committee wants to read.
Be concise, as many schools impose a limit on the essay word count .

Do you want more tips? Here is a complete guide to writing a compelling MBA application essay.

The application essay is a core part of the admission process in the increasingly competitive MBA program. If you do not want to miss the chance of getting selected, you need to know what will make your essay stand out . The expert-vetted list of MBA application essay samples we cited here worked for the top business schools. Learn them by heart, and who knows, it may work for you too. Put your other activities aside, read and analyze the list carefully, and start writing your MBA essay to land in your dream business school.

Digital marketing course: Join my full AI Marketing course, with over 6h and 30 minutes of video lessons and 5 bonuses and learn the skills necessary to thrive as a marketer in the digital era.

Rafal Reyzer

Hey there, welcome to my blog! I'm a full-time entrepreneur building two companies, a digital marketer, and a content creator with 10+ years of experience. I started RafalReyzer.com to provide you with great tools and strategies you can use to become a proficient digital marketer and achieve freedom through online creativity. My site is a one-stop shop for digital marketers, and content enthusiasts who want to be independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things. Explore my journey here , and don't miss out on my AI Marketing Mastery online course.

E-mail & Password
Notification Settings
Global Settings
Applicant profile
Update status
My GMAT info
--> My Education -->

Which program are you applying to?

Columbia Business School MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2023-2024], Class Profile

Columbia Business School application essay tips

Columbia Business School Essay #1

Columbia Business School Essay #2

Columbia Business School Essay #3

Columbia Business School optional essay

Tuesday Tips: Columbia MBA Essay Tips for 2023-2024

What is the AdCom looking for in Columbia MBA applicants?

Short Answer Question: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Columbia MBA Essay 1

Columbia MBA Essay 2

Columbia MBA Essay 3

Passion is Essential for Columbia MBA Applicants

Optional Essay

You May Also Like

MBA Programs in NYC

Face Off: Columbia vs NYU Stern

Columbia MBA Acceptance Rate, Deconstructed

B-Schooled Podcast Episode #149: Spotlight on CBS

Learn About Our All-In Service

Latest Blog Post

Columbia Business School MBA Application Updates: 2023-2024

The 2023-2024 Columbia Business School MBA Application Deadlines are as follows:

Read Personal MBA Coach’s Top Tips for Tackling Columbia Business School’s Essays Below!

You also may like these other blog articles:

Stay on top of the latest insights.

Short Answer Question:

Essay 1 Tips

The New Essay 2

Essay 3 Tips

Additional Essay Advice

Want more advice?

Let’s Get You In.

Share this article on social media

Sign up for a free consultation

Sign up for our free bi-weekly newsletter and get the best MBA admissions advice straight to your inbox.

2023-2024 Columbia Business School MBA Essay Analysis: Crafting Winning Applications

Understanding Columbia Business School MBA Essays

Columbia Business School MBA Essay Analysis 2023-2024

Optional Essay:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Blog Categories:

Additional menu

Columbia Business School – MBA Essay Samples

Essay Sample 2: Please discuss a time in your own life when you have identified and captured an opportunity

ESSAY HELP'S HERE

Columbia MBA Essays Prompts: Tips for 2023-2024

Career Goals Essay

Why This School?

The Columbia MBA Leadership Essay

The Optional Essay

Applying to Columbia Business School

The Career Goals Essay

Learn 3 Steps You Should Take NOW to Improve Your Profile for R1 2024

Optional Essay

The Reapplicant Essay

Related Articles

MBA Admission Consultants

MBA Sample Essays: Columbia MBA

Columbia MBA Deadlines

Columbia MBA Short Answer Question:

MBA Sample Essay:

MBA Sample Essays:

Essay 2 Columbia MBA:

MBA Essay sample:

Essay 3 Columbia MBA:

MBA Essay Sample:

Deferred Enrollment Program Columbia MBA:

Question 2 Deferred Enrollment Program Columbia Essay

Recent Posts

Columbia Business School #ColumbiaMBA Written Application

Goal short answer

Columbia Essay #1

Columbia Essay #2

Columbia Essay #3

Columbia Optional Essay

Short Answer Question: post-MBA goal

Questions behind the Questions

Questions behind the question