{"id":32862,"date":"2016-04-24T10:40:47","date_gmt":"2016-04-24T17:40:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=32862"},"modified":"2023-10-30T06:55:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T13:55:00","slug":"columbia-business-school-2017-mba-essay-tips-deadlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/columbia-business-school-2017-mba-essay-tips-deadlines\/","title":{"rendered":"Columbia Business School 2017 MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Check<\/a><\/span>Columbia Business School tweaked last year's questions for this year.\u00a0The changes in wording are minor, and I discuss below.<\/p>\n

The most significant change is that CBS is bucking the bschool trend of the last five years and allowing you a little more room to tell your story and respond to their prompts. They are also providing word ranges instead of word limits so the more succinct among you don't feel compelled to fill space and get close to stated word\u00a0limits.<\/p>\n

My tips are in blue below.<\/p>\n

Columbia Business School MBA applicants must complete one short answer question and three essays<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Columbia MBA Short Answer Question:<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (51 characters maximum<\/em>)<\/p>\n

CBS gives you one more character this year.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude09\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note, it is a\u00a0character <\/strong>(not word)\u00a0<\/strong>limit. Your response must be less than a tweet. Actually it must be just about one third of a tweet. What do you want to do professionally and in which industry immediately after earning your MBA? \u00a0Here are CBS'\u00a0examples of possible responses<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWork in business development for a media company.\u201d<\/span>
\n\u201cJoin a strategy consulting firm.\u201d<\/span>
\n\u201cLaunch a data-management start-up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Warning: This question is not asking about intended area of study while in business school or a non-professional goal or even a long-term goal. And the subject in your response is assumed to be you. No need to waste characters by including \"I.\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Columbia MBA\u00a0Essays<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Essay 1:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals going forward, and how will the Columbia MBA help you achieve them? (100-750 words<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Last year this question had a 500-word maximum. As noted above, this year you have a guideline that lets you be more succinct or go longer. I never recommend \"hogging air time\" for the sake of hogging it. However for most of you, you should be able to use in a meaningful and informative way those additional 250 words that you are now allowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now let's look at the actual question, which is unchanged from last year.<\/span><\/p>\n

They already know what's in your resume<\/a>. Don't repeat \"your career path to date\" here. That's a waste of essay real estate and means you're not telling them anything new or answering their question.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do tell them what you want to do after your MBA as well as a few years into the future. Then discuss the aspects of the Columbia MBA experience that will\u00a0prepare you to reach these goals.\u00a0Keep in mind that the MBA is a bridge between your past and desired future. Show Columbia why its program is the right bridge for you and now is the right time for you to traverse this bridge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

To answer this question well,\u00a0\u00a0you will need to really know the Columbia program thoroughly\u00a0along with how\u00a0a CBS MBA will move your closer to your goals.\u00a0The essay that shines will do a great job of showing both fit and self-awareness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Essay 2:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Columbia Business School\u2019s students participate in industry focused New York immersion seminars; in project based Master Classes; and in school year internships. Most importantly, our students are taught by a combination of distinguished research faculty and accomplished practitioners. How will you take advantage of being \u201cat the very center of business\u201d? (100-500 words)<\/em><\/p>\n

Please watch this video before attempting to answer the question and then keep it in mind as you write.<\/span><\/p>\n