{"id":37536,"date":"2017-06-05T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2017-06-05T14:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=37536"},"modified":"2017-06-05T02:45:58","modified_gmt":"2017-06-05T09:45:58","slug":"columbia-business-school-mba-essay-tips-deadlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/columbia-business-school-mba-essay-tips-deadlines\/","title":{"rendered":"Columbia Business School MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Watch<\/a><\/p>\n

Columbia slightly changed its first short answer question and materially changed all its essay questions. CBS also re-instituted word limits as opposed to the somewhat flexible ranges it gave last year. Overall, the word limits are less than the maximums were last year. Apparently the CBS staff<\/a> didn't find that they learned more from the longer essays that applicants submitted last year. Regardless you are going to have fewer words available to you. The word limits are tight.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Essays:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goal:<\/strong> What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters)<\/em><\/p>\n

This is one character less than last year, when they gave you 51 characters. Not a big deal. Note, it is a character <\/strong>(not word) 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? Here are CBS\u2019 <\/span>examples of possible responses<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWork in business development for a media company.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoin a strategy consulting firm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\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 \u201cI.\u201d<\/span><\/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 over the next 3 - 5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words<\/em>)<\/p>\n

CBS this year wants you to focus on your career goals<\/a> not immediately after graduation, as in the short-answer question, but in the longer-term. They want to see how you believe your career will develop after that immediate post-MBA job. This year, unlike last year, this question does not<\/strong> ask you how CBS will help you achieve your goals. (See Essay 2)<\/span><\/p>\n

To answer this question realize that the readers already know what\u2019s in your resume<\/a>. Don\u2019t repeat \u201cyour career path to date\u201d here. That\u2019s a waste of essay real estate and means you\u2019re not telling them anything new or answering their question.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Do tell them what you want to do 3-5 years into the future, which should build on your first post-MBA job. Make sure to answer the long-term question and feel free to dream and aspire, but at the same reveal an ambitious, but feasible professional goal. <\/span><\/p>\n

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

The full-time MBA experience includes academics, recruiting and networking. What are your personal priorities and how do you anticipate allocating your time at Columbia Business School? (250 words max)<\/em><\/p>\n

Last year's question was more specific and talked about some of the special programs and strengths at CBS. This one assume you will do your research and know about those programs. If you don't do your research, you will not be able to answer this question well.<\/span><\/p>\n

You don't have a lot of space -- only 250 words. Think about the aspects of CBS that will really prepare you to go down the path<\/a> outlined in Essay 1. What are going to be your priorities when you are not in class? What classes and academic programs will you be the ones you gravitate towards? What co-curricular opportunities to do you intend to take advantage of? <\/span><\/p>\n