2022/2023 Columbia Business School MBA Essay Breakdown and Analysis
In this blog post, we will look at the MBA essays and short answers required for the Columbia Business School admissions cycle 2022-2023. In comparison to last year, the admissions committee has preserved their long-standing goals essay and added a DEI option. Given the variety of topics, these essays allow you to cover a good amount of ground and give a well-rounded picture of their your candidacy. Let's look more closely:
Short Answer Question
What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters)
This question prompts you to speak about your career and your goals after graduating from b-school. The admissions committee provides numerous sample responses that demonstrate the type of direct response they are searching for. CBS has set a stringent character limit of 50 characters, so define your short-term goal clearly and concisely. Also, ensure that this answer relates to what you write in Essay 1.
Columbia MBA Essay Question 1
Through your résumé 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)
Your response to this essay question should almost exclusively be about your career goals. By "almost exclusively," we imply that you must always give some background context. You may, for instance, talk about how your prior professional experiences have shaped your interest in your post-MBA path. You might want to mention how the transferrable skills you acquired at a prior job will be useful to you in the future. Do not simply restate what the admissions committee can discover on your résumé or recommendations; instead, make sure that your statements build upon one another.
Additionally, in this question, the term "dream job" stands out. Given this terminology, you should create aspirational long-term goals because prestigious programs seek to enroll applicants who will have a significant impact in the world. That being stated, your goals must be realistic in light of your short-term goals, your MBA at CBS, and your career to date.
Columbia MBA Essay Question 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)
Aim to build a very thorough response that explains why the highlighted offerings resonate with you in order to gain the most out of this essay. Explaining how you would add to at least one of the examples offered would help your case. The admissions committee is especially interested in learning how you envision yourself contributing to the community and improving the experience of other students. You should mention why it's a fantastic fit for you in terms of how CBS, which is based in NYC, views it as an extension of their campus.
It will be difficult to discuss all of this in a 300 word essay, so concentrate on how these aspects of the CBS MBA program complement your academic, cultural, and professional goals. This will be crucial in creating a powerful response. Additionally, be sure to read the information the admissions committee has included in the question before reflecting on the connections that particularly appeal to you. What aspect of the cluster experience are you most eagerly awaiting? How would your involvement in work team projects translate to your learning team? What diversity-related experiences do you have, and why are you looking forward to taking part in the PPIL? What do you hope to gain from a pioneer in your potential field? Think about these concepts as you start to write your essay.
Columbia MBA Essay Question 3
Tell us about your favorite book, movie or song and why it resonates with you. (250 words)
This essay question wants to learn more about you as a person. You can choose a book, movie, or song from a wide range of options. But the most important part of this answer is to show how self-aware you are by explaining in just 250 words why you connect with the content. Keep in mind that going for something that isn't quite mainstream at the moment can set you apart from the competition and demonstrate your willingness to venture out on your own. But if you choose something too unusual, you might miss a chance to connect with the admissions reader over a favorite book you both like. We suggest choosing a book, movie, or song that at least some of your friends or family have heard of. But if you think a song by a local artist they've never heard of is the best and most honest answer to this question, go for it. You might find a new fan for them. Also, don't pick something too cliche, like "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra.
No matter which one you choose, don't assume that the reader will know it. When you answer this question, you should talk about specific parts of the piece and explain why they fit with your own character or personality. Remember that the selection is a way to tell the admissions committee about yourself and give hints that you'd be a good fit at CBS.
As a last point, you should look at the whole book, movie, or song again to make sure that the message you want to send is supported. It would also be smart to think about a writer's or creator's whole body of work and public image. Also, avoid anything controversial or already well-known.
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)
As usual, only utilize this section if it is absolutely necessary. If you require an explanation for employment gaps or a poor quantitative record, use this essay as an opportunity. Your remarks should be succinct and direct. Always provide explanations rather than excuses, and respectfully bring up the mitigating circumstances.
It's also possible that you have more background information that would be relevant but isn't mentioned elsewhere in your application. For instance, a future promotion or a characteristic of your personality not expressed in the program's data forms. There is some room for brief explanations, but you should try to thoroughly represent your candidacy within the allotted field.