Changes to the Columbia Business School Application

This year, CBS made a significant change to its MBA application essays. In previous years, applicants were asked to respond to a prompt that required them to discuss their favorite book, movie, or song and explain why it resonated with them. However, this year, CBS decided to replace that essay with an optional essay from two years ago, which focuses on the Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL).

The decision to jettison the previous essay prompt indicates that CBS was not obtaining the desired insights from MBA candidates with the "fun" prompt. It seems that many applicants were overly focused on the book, movie, or song itself, rather than emphasizing the applicant's perspective and transferable skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and innovation. While we coached our clients to successfully connect their favorite cultural work to a pivotal personal moment that demonstrated leadership and community impact, it is clear that a significant number missed the mark.

This year, CBS is taking a more explicit approach and explicitly stating that they want applicants to share an experience that exemplifies the mission of the PPIL program, highlighting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). To craft a compelling essay, it is essential to reflect on a defining moment in your life that relates to DEI and showcases your leadership abilities. Describe the situation you encountered, the challenges or complications you faced, the actions you took to overcome those obstacles, and the outcomes you achieved. The outcomes should encompass both the practical results and your personal growth and development.

By following this simple approach, you can create an essay that resonates with the new prompt and effectively highlights your leadership and community impact. For more in-depth insights into the CBS essays and application process, as well as other MBA programs, I invite you to reach out and schedule a free initial consultation at https://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/contact. You can also contact me directly at drewhoff@gmail.com.

I am here to assist you and provide guidance throughout your application journey.