Columbia Business School
What they weigh
- Finance and business orientation — CBS is a New York finance school through and through
- Clarity on why an MBA specifically closes the gap between your goals and where you are
- Community contribution, specifically from your undergrad years (not professional)
- Strong GPA, GMAT/GRE, and demonstrated quantitative ability
Essay prompts
“Applying to a deferred enrollment program suggests that your aspirations in the next 2–5 years will include an MBA. Why do you feel you need an MBA to achieve your long-term career goals, and why would you like to pursue your MBA at Columbia Business School?”
“Contributing to the community is an important part of the CBS experience. Discuss one experience or situation in your undergraduate or graduate career where you feel you contributed to your community and what you learned from the experience.”
“If you wish to provide further information or additional context around your application to the Admissions Committee.”
Oba’s take
CBS's first essay is a trap. "Why do you need an MBA" sounds like a generic question, but the answer most people give is generic — "to build skills and network." Reframe it: how does the MBA accelerate what you're already building, bigger, faster, more effectively than you could on your own? The question is really "why CBS, why now" — so make it specific. Columbia's network is NYC finance and private equity. If that's your path, that's your essay. The community essay asks about your undergrad community specifically — don't write about professional experience or vague leadership. Pick one actual moment from college, trace what you contributed, and what it changed. CBS also has one of the higher acceptance rates of the M7 deferred programs (~10%), which makes it a strong target for applicants who have a clear finance-oriented narrative.
11 modules covering narrative, essays, recommenders, school research, and the interview. Built specifically for deferred applicants.
Read the Playbook →One-on-one coaching on your essays and narrative. Small number of students per cycle. Junior program: $3,500/yr or $400/mo.
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