{"id":46884,"date":"2019-09-04T10:26:15","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T17:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=46884"},"modified":"2019-09-06T10:23:07","modified_gmt":"2019-09-06T17:23:07","slug":"columbia-business-school-essay-tips-deadlines-2019-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/columbia-business-school-essay-tips-deadlines-2019-20\/","title":{"rendered":"Columbia Business School Essay Tips & Deadlines- 2019-20"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Columbia business school has changed the questions for essay #2 and essay #3 this year, retaining its longstanding goals essay for the 2019-20 application season. The new questions about 'fit' with CBS and leadership have been introduced this year. The short-answer question and the optional essay remain unchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The admission deadlines and timeline are as under:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Application Deadlines:<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MBA<\/a>
\nEntry: August 2020<\/strong>
\nEarly: October 4, 2019
\nMerit Fellowship Deadline: January 3, 2020
\nFinal: April 10, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MBA<\/a>
\nEntry: January 2020<\/strong>
\nDeadline: October 4, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Columbia Business School is one of the first business schools to release its application essays every year. CBS makes its essays available early because it is one of the few programs to offer an early decision round. From CBS admission website<\/a>, \u201cColumbia Business School uses a rolling admissions process, which means applications are reviewed- and decisions rendered- as they are received.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essays:<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here is MER\u2019s analysis of CBS\u2019s essays:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short\nAnswer Question<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

This is a straightforward question about the candidates\u2019 career goal immediately after graduating from Columbia Business School. In a mere 50 characters, including space (approximately 8 words) you have to mention the job you wish to have after completing MBA. Please make sure that your post-MBA goal aligns with your long-term goal that you will discuss in essay #1. Since the character limit is so stringent, you may not stress yourself writing complete sentences. I would encourage you to look at the <\/strong>sample answers on the CBS website<\/a>. <\/strong>Please <\/strong>reveal your true goals, and not what CBS wants to hear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s\ntake a closer look at the essays now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essay 1: <\/strong>Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of\nyour professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5\nyears and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500\nwords)<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CBS is going with this prompt again this year and begins this essay prompt by clearly stating not to repeat the information already given in resume and recommendations. In other words, the Admission Committee is shoving you away from wasting their time in repeating your r\u00e9sum\u00e9! Though the question asks only about short-term and long-term goals, a bit of context about professional history is required to explain what has led you to your career goals. Now, if you must mention some of your achievements, it should be done only to carry your career path forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t\nforget to build your essay from the immediate post-MBA goal already stated in the\nshort answer question. Make sure to keep the short-term and long-term goals\naligned. Talk about your career goals over the next 3-5 years, sharing how you\nintend to progress from your short-term goals to the long-term dream job. Notice\nthe phrases in the essay question \u201cdream job\u201d and \u201cin your imagination\u201d; CBS is\nurging you to be creative, imaginative and think big, and craft this essay\nprompt using illustrative examples. CBS is interested to know your dreams- your long-term goals. You may not\nneed to conform to prescribed norms; after all, you could be the one who may\npave way for others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may tend to get a bit too carried away with \u201cdream job\u201d. But you should resist the temptation and be as realistic and grounded as possible while detailing out your goals. Try to highlight how things may change for the community or people around you when you will succeed in getting your dream job. Your plans could be ambitious, but they should be viable and realistic. You may have an out of this world goal or a dream job in mind, but CBS is also looking for the viability of your \u201cdream\u201d. So, you should also stress your ability to fulfil<\/g> your dream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although CBS does not ask how MBA from CBS will\nhelp you reach your goals, we believe that you can wrap up the essay with a\ncomment on (only one sentence) how CBS will open the doors to your dream career\npath. You don\u2019t want to go into details since you will talk about CBS in detail\nin the second question.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essay\n2: Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 words)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously, CBS\u2019s\nsecond essay talked about the school\u2019s New York City location and the benefits\nthat it conferred, but the admissions committee has now amplified the scope of\nthe prompt to encompass everything the program offers. The best way to write an effective response is to do thorough research about Columbia\u2019s intellectually driven alumni\nfrom varied backgrounds, curriculum, experienced faculty, clubs, extracurricular\nactivities, strategic location, and recruiting strengths. Discuss your plan of action,\nhow you intend to use the CBS MBA program to reach your short term and long-term goals already\nmentioned in short answer question and essay 1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a good idea to highlight strengths listed on the CBS website<\/a>, \u201cOnly Columbia Business School gives you the opportunity to shape your career in the very centre<\/g> of business. There\u2019s something about being positioned in New York City, where access to leaders across industry<\/g> is truly advantageous\u201d. <\/em>CBS takes great pride in its strategic location i.e. New York, I suggest you put across your plan to make the best use of CBS being at \u201cthe very centre<\/g> of business\". Having access to the leaders across the world is emphasized by CBS as it is one of the key benefits of the program. You may indicate how you can make use of CBS\u2019s close ties to the business, non-profit, and government communities to succeed in the fast-moving competitive environment. Make a list of the opportunities you hope to get at CBS and in the New York City and then link each of these to your goals. Reviewing CBS website, conversing with the alumni, attending CBS events for prospective students, and campus visits could all work to your advantage by setting your case apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing an impactful essay, highlighting how the\nstrategic location and resources at the CBS can be a great choice for\naccomplishing your short-term and long-term goals in mere 250 words is not an\neasy task. To meet the\nstringent word limits, you need to be extremely precise in presenting your case\nand make every word count.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essay\n3: Who is a leader you admire, and why? (250\nwords)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This question is brand new for 2019-20, replacing last year\u2019s question about a team failure. Despite being very short, this question asks you to cover a lot of information. This essay prompt is a window to your thought process. Here is your opportunity to show the admission committee your idea of leadership style. Value-based essays like this one are extremely important to make your case to the admission committee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a leader you admire. Here, \u201cwhy\u201d becomes more important than \u201cwho\u201d. You can watch this video<\/a> by CBS which discusses business leadership worldwide. Of course, it is a lot easier to pick popular leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi or Bill Gates, but if you want your essay to stand out, you may not choose the world figures. Also, avoid using parents as your favorite leaders. Instead, choose a leader who is innovative and entrepreneurial. This way, you will be able to draw parallels with your life. You can choose your teacher, mentor, or boss, or anyone in the community you admire. For instance, if you want to lead in the field of environment management, talk about a person who either has innovative mechanisms to his credit or has made an immense contribution in this field. Dwell on his specific traits and leadership style and how you have imbibed these values yourself. While explaining why you admire that leader, you are in fact sharing your own leadership styles and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These 250 words essay should not only focus on that\nleader; it should reflect on your own leadership style as well. I would say the\nfirst two paragraphs will be about the qualities of a leader (1 quality each\nparagraph with reasons why you like this quality).  Provide examples of his\/her personal and\nprofessional achievements owing to the leadership style. The third paragraph\nshould be about how you feel that the leader\u2019s qualities and leadership style\nresonate with you. Make sure to focus on why the qualities of the\nleader you have chosen are inspiring for you and try to build some connection\nto your profile or background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optional Essay:<\/strong>

Is there any further information that you wish to provide the Admissions Committee? If so, use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 Words)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An optional essay<\/a>\u00a0is an opportunity for you to give relevant information to the Ad Com that you could not provide in other parts of your application, essays, and resume. For example, if you have a lower than average GMAT score, any grades below a C on your transcript, academic probation or a significant employment gap, you can explain in this essay. To provide a context for a weakness in your profile, make sure your reason is genuine to convince the Ad Com that your low grades or employment gap occurred due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control. Your response should be positive, straightforward, and fact-focused and should not sound like you are making excuses for a weakness in your profile. Also, if you cannot get your recommendation letter from your current supervisor, please explain that in the optional statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do not have any weakness in your profile but think that you\ndidn\u2019t get a chance to throw a spotlight on a significant professional\naccomplishment, extra-curricular accomplishments or community involvement, you\nmay sure use this essay  to share that key aspect of your candidacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2011, MER (myEssayReview<\/em><\/a>)  has helped many\napplicants get accepted into top 20 MBA programs including Columbia Business\nSchool. (Poonam is  one of the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For \nfurther assistance in developing your application essays, you may review the general Essay Tips<\/em><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For essay analysis  of other\nschools by MER, click here<\/a>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may e-mail Poonam at poonam@myessayreview.com<\/em><\/a>  with questions about your CBS application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a> This article<\/a> first appeared in myEssayReview<\/a> blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Web<\/em><\/a> \/<\/strong>Blog<\/em><\/a>\/ <\/strong>Free resources<\/em><\/a>\/<\/em>LinkedIn<\/em><\/a>\/<\/strong> Facebook<\/em><\/a>\/<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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