Calling Columbia applicants for 2008

Columbia essay topic analysis from clear admit

Essay 1: What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? (Recommended 750 word limit)

Because Columbia is very sensitive to the fact that it is often treated as a backup for Wharton and other leading programs, it’s especially important to convince the adcom of your interest in the program by packing your essay full of school-specific details about classes and clubs.

Essay 2: In a recent speech delivered to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Dean Glenn Hubbard discussed the new, essential elements of the 21st century MBA. How will your MBA prepare you for a rapidly changing business environment? (Recommended 500 word limit)

In a way, this question is similar to last year’s Harvard question about the sorts of ethical dilemmas that the applicant would face in the future; both invite reflection on future considerations and challenges. Though not explicitly stated in Columbia’s question, it would make sense to personalize your response by touching upon some of the points raised in Dean Hubbard’s speech and commenting on how an MBA education would come to bear in one’s future career as set forth in the first essay. While you’ll want to show that you’ve read the dean’s comments (Columbia provides that URL for a reason), don’t be afraid to introduce some ideas of your own as well. This essay could also be a great place to name some courses or curricular features that apply to one’s goals and/or anticipated changes in the global business landscape.

Essay 3: The entrepreneurial mindset is an integral component of the Columbia Business School MBA. Please discuss a time in your own life when you have identified and captured an opportunity (Recommended 500 word limit).

The adcom is obviously looking for a success story here, but this is a bit more nuanced - in responding to this question, it’s important that applicants highlight their initiative and resourcefulness in identifying and capitalizing on an opportunity that others missed. You might also need to explain the process of getting those others behind your plan (a great way to highlight your interpersonal skills). Remember that specific anecdotes will make a stronger impression on the reader than generalizations, and that an account of the steps you took to implement your idea is just as interesting as the results. While it’s a great idea to write about a positive impact you made in the workplace, you need not limit yourself to a discussion of your professional accomplishments. Think broadly about your activities and experiences to date in order to arrive at an example of a time when your entrepreneurial spirit really came through.

Essay 4: Please tell us about what you feel most passionate in life (Recommended 250 word limit).

This question is nothing new for Columbia, though in the past applicants have had the option to answer a question about how they would spend a free day instead. Both questions provide the chance for the candidate to share information about his or her interests and priorities, but this one is notably narrower, requesting a discussion of the applicant’s greatest passion. It’s possible that a dual focus could be introduced, but this could prove difficult given the 250 word limit.

While it’s important to write about something that you are truly passionate about, it’s also important to approach this essay from a strategic standpoint and write about something that is relevant to your business school candidacy. While your hobbies and interests are certainly of interest to the adcom, it’s important to avoid getting too personal. For instance, writing about one’s family can make an applicant sound immature (as though he or she hasn’t fully left the nest), and it’s difficult to predict how a reader will react to comments on potentially sensitive topics like politics or religion.

The best topics for this essay are activities and interests that you can connect to some contribution you would make to the school community, ideally those in which you are currently active and to which you have a long-standing commitment. Although it is good to keep in mind that more unusual activities are advantageous, you don’t need to have something that is really rare for this essay to succeed. It is more important to discuss what you do in a compelling and personal manner that conveys the depth of your enthusiasm for your topic by exploring your individual experiences. Finally, remember that specific anecdotes will make a greater impression on your reader than a broad discussion.