{"id":24795,"date":"2014-07-14T09:04:00","date_gmt":"2014-07-14T16:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=24795"},"modified":"2014-07-16T12:20:31","modified_gmt":"2014-07-16T19:20:31","slug":"columbia-2015-executive-mba-essay-tips-deadlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/columbia-2015-executive-mba-essay-tips-deadlines\/","title":{"rendered":"Columbia 2015 Executive MBA Essay Tips &#038; Deadlines"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/info.accepted.com\/Ace-the-EMBA\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-24499\" alt=\"Columbia\" src=\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Columbia-2837-300x225.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" \/><\/a>These essay questions focus mostly on the present and future. There\u2019s a <em>little<\/em> room to discuss relevant past experiences, but not much, so don\u2019t expect to richly portray your personal and\/or professional development. Moreover, if the Columbia EMBA adcom wanted this information, they would ask for it. Rather, go with the flow, and give them what they <strong>do<\/strong> ask for, in aggregate: a vivid <strong>sense of engagement<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u2022 with your career<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u2022 with the resources of Manhattan<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u2022 with the program itself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Short Answer Question: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (100 characters maximum)<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Give the basic facts \u2013 position, company, or a specific industry, and a word about responsibilities and desired impacts. Don\u2019t repeat the question (it wastes space). <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www8.gsb.columbia.edu\/programs-admissions\/executive-mba\/admissions\/application-requirements#3\" target=\"_blank\">Essays<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1:<\/strong> Given your individual background, why are you pursuing a Columbia MBA at this time? <em> (Maximum 500 words)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The initial phrase invites you to present <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/goalsessay.aspx\">your goals<\/a> and your MBA plans<em> in the context of<\/em> <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">your past experience. Yet, with only 500 words overall, you can\u2019t give a comprehensive, <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">detailed delineation of your life or career to date. I suggest a simple basic structure, <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">which you can adapt:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1. Start with the key point or two from your past that really animates your goals. <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Make it straightforward and vivid; ideally including an anecdote.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2. Your career vision fleshed out \u2013 some practical discussion of how you\u2019ll achieve it <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">and what \u201csuccess\u201d will look like in terms of desired impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">3. Why these factors make now the right time to pursue the EMBA. Also include the <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">main reasons Columbia is the right program for you. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>2:<\/strong> Columbia Business School is located in the heart of the world's business capital- Manhattan. How do you anticipate that New York City will impact your experience at Columbia? <em>(Maximum 250 words)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Please view the videos below:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www4.gsb.columbia.edu\/mba\/video\/newyork?ref=mbahome\" target=\"_blank\">New York City - limitless possibilities<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www7.gsb.columbia.edu\/video\/v\/node\/946\" target=\"_blank\">New York City - fast paced and adaptable<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Your experience at Columbia will have numerous dimensions: academic, professional, <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">social, cultural. Try to address each of these dimensions in the proportion relevant to <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">you. Do <strong>not<\/strong> just do a travelogue of Manhattan (I\u2019ve already seen this in a draft or two). <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Rather discuss how the resources of Manhattan relevant to you will <strong>inform<\/strong> your time <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">at Columbia \u2013 say you have a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/2013\/03\/15\/what-is-passion-in-admissions-2\/\">passion<\/a> for jazz. Of course you can hear great jazz all over <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">town, but will you also look to share this passion with classmates? Start an informal jazz <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">appreciation group? Audit music courses at Columbia or nearby Manhattan School of <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Music?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>3:<\/strong> What will the people in your cluster be pleasantly surprised to learn about you? <em>(Maximum 250 words)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The key to answering this short essay effectively is to understand the phrase \u201cpleasantly <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">surprised.\u201d Let\u2019s break it down:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u2022 First, don\u2019t repeat a resume point \u2013 \u201csurprised\u201d means something not obvious <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">from the available information.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u2022 \u201cPleasantly\u201d means something that will generate positive interest. It doesn\u2019t have <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">to be directly applicable or \u201cuseful\u201d to your cluster mates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">It can be something from work or outside work. If it\u2019s far in the past, it should be <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">something of continuing relevance. DON\u2019T present a boring explanation. DO root your <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">response in actual experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Most important: DO select a topic that will add something to your profile, something <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">that lets the adcom know you better as a person.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">If your answer puts a smile on the reader\u2019s face, or even better elicits a happy, surprised <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">laugh, <em>high five!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Optional Essay<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An optional fourth essay will allow you to discuss any issues that do not fall within the purview of the required essays.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">This question invites you to present new material that will enhance your application, <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">as well as to explain anything that needs explaining (e.g., gap in employment, choice of <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">recommender if not using a direct supervisor, etc.). As far as non-necessary points, since <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">you are making the adcom read more than is required, there should be a clear value to <\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">the information you\u2019re sharing. Finally, keep it short.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www8.gsb.columbia.edu\/programs-admissions\/executive-mba\/admissions\/application-deadlines\" target=\"_blank\">Columbia EMBA 2015 Application Deadlines<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">EMBA-Americas: January 2015 Entry<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Regular Decision: October 29, 2014<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">EMBA-NY Saturday: May 2015 Entry<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Early Decision: January 15, 2015<\/p>\n<p>Regular Decision: March 2, 2015<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">EMBA-NY Friday\/Saturday: August 2015 Entry<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Early Decision: March 18, 2015<\/p>\n<p>Regular Decision: June 3, 2015<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/info.accepted.com\/Ace-the-EMBA\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6346\" alt=\"Download your free copy of Ace the EMBA!\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/ace-the-emba.jpg\" width=\"350\" height=\"130\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/aboutus\/CindyTokumitsu\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-8104\" title=\"Cindy Tokumitsu\" alt=\"Cindy Tokumitsu\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/cindy.jpg\" width=\"70\" height=\"70\" \/><\/a> By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/aboutus\/editors.aspx?editorid=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"author\">Cindy Tokumitsu<\/a>, co-author of <\/em><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/Ecommerce\/mba\/EMBAEssay.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">The EMBA Edge<\/a><em><em>, and author of the free special report, <\/em><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/info.accepted.com\/Ace-the-EMBA\" target=\"_blank\">Ace the EMBA<\/a><em><em>. Cindy has helped MBA applicants get accepted to top EMBA programs around the world. She is delighted to help you too! <\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Accepted.com's <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/aboutus\/AboutUs.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">experienced admissions consultants<\/a> can help you create the most impressive application possible with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/Services\/MBAProgramServices.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">comprehensive packages<\/a>,<b><i> <\/i><\/b>or provide targeted assistance from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/services\/mba\/admissionsconsulting.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">picking perfect programs<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/admissionsresume.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">designing a dazzling resume<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/essayediting.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">constructing engaging essays<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/interviewservices.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">preparing for intense interview<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/mba\/interviewservices.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">s<\/a>\u2026and more! Accepted.com has guided thousands of applicants to acceptances at top MBA programs since 1994 \u2013 we know what works and what doesn't, so <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accepted.com\/contactus.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">contact us<\/a> to get started now!<\/p>\n<p><em>This article originally appeared on the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/2014\/07\/14\/columbia-2015-executive-mba-essay-tips-deadlines\/\" target=\"_blank\">Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog<\/a>, the official blog of Accepted.com.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These essay questions focus mostly on the present and future. There\u2019s a little room to discuss relevant past experiences, but not much, so don\u2019t expect to richly portray your personal&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,6,1,939,775,113,243],"tags":[812,1048,844,90,621,132,918,821,1197,1195,1199,1576,134,822,1196,1208,133,267,1046,262,811,1280,1313,784,370,998,887,325,282,934,599,1145,877,883,600],"class_list":["post-24795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mba","category-current-events","category-uncategorized","category-accepted","category-admission-consultants","category-applications","category-blog","tag-advice","tag-advice-for-mba-applicants","tag-application-deadlines","tag-application-essay","tag-application-essays","tag-columbia","tag-columbia-business-school","tag-columbia-business-school-advice","tag-columbia-business-school-application","tag-columbia-business-school-deadlines","tag-columbia-business-school-essays","tag-columbia-business-schools","tag-columbia-emba","tag-columbia-essay-tips","tag-columbia-gsb","tag-columbia-gsb-application","tag-columbia-university","tag-deadlines","tag-essay-advice","tag-essay-questions","tag-essay-tips","tag-how-to-write-an-applications-essay","tag-mba-admissions-deadlines","tag-mba-admissions-essay","tag-mba-advice","tag-mba-application-advice","tag-mba-application-deadlines","tag-mba-application-essay","tag-mba-application-essays","tag-mba-deadlines","tag-mba-essay","tag-mba-essay-advice","tag-mba-essay-questions","tag-mba-essay-tips","tag-mba-essays","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24795"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24833,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24795\/revisions\/24833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}