August Entry
About 70 percent of Columbia MBA students begin their studies in the fall term. After mandatory orientation in the second half of August, regular classes begin in September. Most August-entry students complete a summer internship between their second and third terms.
The August entry has two review periods — early decision and regular decision. Because the School uses a rolling admissions process, it is always to your advantage to apply well before the deadline.*
Early Decision
Available for August entry applicants only
Application deadline in early October
Early decision applications are reviewed, and decisions rendered, before regular decision applications
Candidates have decided that Columbia is their first choice and must sign the following statement of commitment within their applications: I am committed to attending Columbia Business School and will withdraw all applications and decline all offers from other schools upon admission to Columbia Business School.
Applicants must submit a nonrefundable $6,000 tuition deposit within two weeks of admission
Regular Decision
Candidates may submit regular decision applications as soon as the application becomes available in the summer
Regular decision applications are reviewed after early decision applications
No statement of commitment required
To be considered for merit-based fellowships, applications must be submitted by the specified merit-based fellowship deadline in early January
Final application deadline in April
January Entry
Students who do not want or need an internship may consider beginning their MBA studies in January and completing their second semester of classes during the summer. A January start may be ideal for students who wish to remain in the same industry after graduation or pursue entrepreneurial interests. About 30 percent of students enter in January.
August 2013 Entry
Early Decision: October 3, 2012
Merit Fellowship Consideration: January 9, 2013
Regular Decision: April 10, 2013
January 2013 Entry
October 3, 2012