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Columbia Essay Analysis: 2020-2021
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08 Jul 2020, 09:08
Short Answer Question
What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters)
Given the very limited limit of characters allocated you will have to be as concise yet as specific as possible and drill down to a specific position. AdComs offer a list of examples of possible responses here:
“Work in business development for a media company.”
“Join a strategy consulting firm.”
“Launch a data-management start-up.”
Essay #1: 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)
Heed the advice in this prompt and be sure not to repeat information already included in your resume and remember to include both your short- and long-term career goals.
The key to ace this essay is to make sure your past experiences tie to your future goals. In other words, you should demonstrate how your career path has informed your choice to pursue and MBA how you are planning to use your degree. If you are planning to completely switch careers upon completing your MBA you need to address it in this essay.
AdComs want to understand how an MBA is going to help you achieve your career goals, make sure they are ambitious yet realistic given your academic and professional path so far. Remember that top programs wants to bring applicants that will have a measurable impact and contribute to the school’s reputation!
Wrap up this first essay with a Segway into essay#2 by briefly describing how Columbia will help you achieve your goals.
Essay #2: Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 Words)
This question is aimed at assessing whether you are a good fit for the school and whether you can meet each other’s expectations!
Research thoroughly Columbia’s offerings in terms of courses; clubs; seminars; speaker series and select those that make the most sense considering your career plans. Make sure you also mention how these opportunities will help you take your career and skills to the next level.
In addition, although the prompt doesn't mention anything about New York City, it might be a good idea to mention how you are planning to leverage the schools location.
Essay #3: Tell us about your favorite book, movie or song and why it resonates with you. (250 Words)
The goal of this essay is to allow AdComs to know you on a personal level. One way to approach this essay question is to look into some of the most impactful experiences or encounters in your life and link them to either a book, a movie or a song.
If you cannot decide on any specific formative past experience, think about a personality trait that you developed and identify a piece of art that relates to it.
Keep in mind that the goal here is not to impress the AdCom with an outstanding book or movie choice, but to help them understand who your are as a person and what you stand for…As a former AdCom, I could always tell when someone’s answer to this question is not genuine and only aims at impressing the reader.
Optional Essay
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)
This optional essay allows you to address anything that you didn’t get a chance to discuss in your application. Given the very specific prompt of this essay, only submit this section if you have something in your personal history or academic background that you feel need to be addressed, that includes for example a low GPA, gap in employment, or low quant scores. In any case, make sure your keep your response brief and straight to the point, be genuine and don’t make any excuses.
Need assistance with your essay? The Admission Concierge is a one-on-one approach consulting service, founded by a former director of admissions with extensive experience in guiding applicants through the application process including interview prep and post admission support.