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Columbia Business School has announced its MBA application deadlines for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, providing prospective students with a clear timeline to plan their application materials. Keep reading to find out the key dates and important details to ensure a smooth application process.
2024-2025 Application Deadlines
January 2025 Entry
Columbia Business School employs a rolling admissions process for January entry applications, ensuring that applications are evaluated and decisions are made in the order they are received. Thus, it is in your best interest to submit your application as early as possible.
Round 1
- Application Deadline: June 18, 2024
- Interview Decisions: Rolling
- Final Decisions: Ongoing, and no later than August 15
Round 2
- Application Deadline: August 15, 2024
- Interview Decisions: Rolling
- Final Decisions: Ongoing, and no later than October 15
August 2025 Entry
Round 1
- Application Deadline: September 10, 2024
- Interview Notifications: By November 15
- Decision Notifications: By December 20
Round 2
- Application Deadline: January 7, 2025
- Interview Notifications: By February 20
- Decision Notifications: By March 26
Round 3
- Application Deadline: April 1, 2025
- Interview Notifications: By May 1
- Decision Notifications: By May 15
Columbia Deferred MBA Deadline: April 15, 2025
Note that ALL application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST in order to qualify for that round. Furthermore, the January and August paths are nearly identical in setup and content; however, August-entry students have the advantage of being able to pursue a summer internship, while January-entry (J-Term) students will focus on completing their second-term coursework during the summer after finishing their first-term courses in the spring.
Which Application Round Should You Apply To?
Strategically timing your application round for the Columbia MBA program is crucial, considering the unique advantages and factors associated with each round. Opting for the first round showcases a strong interest in Columbia, but it also means competing against a highly competitive applicant pool. The second and third rounds offer more flexibility to refine your application and potentially access increased scholarship opportunities; although, it's worth noting that Round 3 typically has fewer available spots. Ultimately, selecting the right application round should align with your preparedness, timeline, and ability to highlight your exceptional qualifications, ensuring you stand out among fellow candidates vying for a coveted spot at Columbia.
Feeling uncertain about which application round suits you best? Read: An Overview of the MBA Admissions Rounds: When to Apply To Business School
MBA Coach Recommendations
To give yourself the best chance of admission to a top MBA program, we highly recommend working one-on-one with a coach. They’ll be able to provide personalized tips and guidance that are customized to your background and goals. Below are some of our top coaches, browse all of them here.
Columbia Application Overview (2024-2025)
In order to submit a successful application to Columbia, you will need to make sure to include the following materials:
- Transcripts
- Applicants are required to upload PDF copies of their transcripts from every college or university they have previously attended, both for their undergraduate and graduate studies.
- GPA
- It is important for applicants to accurately report their grade point average (GPA) exactly as it is stated on their official transcript.
- GMAT, Executive Assessment, or GRE Score
- Scores are deemed valid by Columbia Business School for a period of five years following the date of your test.
- Resume
- Essays
- 3 required essays, 1 optional essay (see more on Columbia's website here)
- Prompts:
- Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job? (500 words)
- Describe a time or situation when you had the need to utilize one of more of these five skills, and tell us the actions you took and the outcome. (250 words)
- Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you academically, culturally, and professionally? Please be specific. (250 words)
- Optional: If you wish to provide further information or additional context around your application to the Admissions Committee, please upload a brief explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 Words)
- Deferred Enrollment candidates will answer two short essay questions instead of the essays listed above.
- Why are you interested in obtaining a Columbia MBA in the future? (300 words maximum)
- Who is a leader you admire, and why? (300 words maximum)
- Read:
- Recommendation
- 1 LOR is required for first-time applicants; reapplicants must submit an additional LOR
- Read: How to Get the Perfect MBA Recommendation Letter
- Interview
- Application Fee
- $250
Delve deeper into the Columbia MBA program by exploring this informative article that covers additional aspects such as the business school’s curriculum, program structure, application requirements, class profile, and more: Columbia Business School – MBA Program and Application Overview
