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Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School Admissions Consulting

Columbia Business School received 7,477 applications for the class entering in 2025 and enrolled 982 students across two start dates: August and January. Its application asks for more writing than most top MBAs, and a Round 1 application comes with a non-refundable USD 6,000 deposit if you are admitted. MBA Center has helped candidates into Columbia’s MBA and its Global Executive MBA with London Business School, including one with a full scholarship. Our founder, Dr Hubert Silly, was himself admitted to Columbia.

Book a free Columbia profile review See key MBA deadlines
Class Profile

Columbia MBA class profile (class entering 2025)

MeasureClass entering 2025
Applications / enrolled7,477 applications; 982 students (758 August entry, 224 January entry)
Women / international46% / 41% (72 countries)
Work experience5 years on average
Undergraduate GPA3.6 average
GMAT Focus Edition690 average (range 615–805)
GMAT 10th edition (classic)734 average (range 610–780)
GRE163 Verbal, 163 Quant (averages)
Largest pre-MBA industriesFinancial services 30%, consulting 23%, technology 12%, marketing/media 10%

Source: Columbia MBA class profile. Columbia sets no minimum score and accepts the GMAT (Focus or 10th edition), the Executive Assessment or the GRE, considering only your highest score.

Two Paths

August entry or J-Term?

Columbia’s MBA has two paths that merge in the autumn of the second year. About 70% of students start in August and complete a summer internship. About 30% start in January (J-Term), study through the summer instead of interning and graduate in about 16 months. J-Term suits candidates who plan to stay in their industry, return to a sponsor or launch a venture.

August entryJanuary entry (J-Term)
Share of classAbout 70%About 30%
Summer internshipYes, after the first yearNo; second-term courses over the summer
ReviewThree rounds, decisions on set datesRolling review within each round
Second short answerYour plans for the summer after year oneWhy you prefer January entry
Key Dates

Columbia MBA deadlines (August 2027 entry)

RoundDeadline (12:00 noon ET)Interview decisionsFinal decisions
Round 19 September 2026By 2 November 202614 December 2026
Round 25 January 2027By 17 February 202724 March 2027
Round 329 March 2027By 30 April 202712 May 2027

Round 1 has closed. An incomplete application rolls into the next round, and your recommendation and fee count towards completeness. Apply in Round 1 or 2 for priority consideration for Columbia’s fellowships. Admitted Round 1 applicants pay a non-refundable USD 6,000 deposit, which replaced Early Decision. The January 2027 entry closed after its third deadline on 1 September 2026. Source: Columbia options and deadlines. College seniors can apply to Columbia’s Deferred Enrollment Program with no application fee and defer for two to five years. Read about deferred MBA programmes.

Requirements

What the Columbia application asks for

ComponentRequirementHow we help
Short answersTwo answers of 50 characters each: your immediate post-MBA goal, and your summer plans (August) or why January (J-Term)We make every character specific: title, function, industry
Essay 1Your career goals over the next three to five years and your long-term dream job (500 words)We build a credible goals story that ties your past to your plan. Essay review →
Essay 2A specific example of making a team more collaborative or inclusive, or building community (250 words)We find the example that shows impact on others, not just on results
Essay 3How you would co-create your optimal MBA experience at Columbia (250 words)We research courses, clubs and New York links so your answer is specific to CBS
Optional essayUp to 500 words on areas of concern; bullet points are fineWe help you address gaps briefly and factually
RecommendationOne, ideally from your current supervisor (two questions, around 1,000 words)We help you choose and brief your recommender. Recommendation counselling →
TestGMAT (Focus or 10th edition), Executive Assessment or GRE, within five yearsGMAT preparation · GRE preparation
English testNot required; your GMAT/GRE verbal score is enough–
Resume and feeResume, ideally one page; USD 250 feeCV improvement →

Columbia allows generative AI for brainstorming and editing but not for writing complete answers. Source: Columbia application requirements.

Interview

The Columbia interview

Interviews are by invitation only and cannot be requested. Invited candidates are usually interviewed by a Columbia graduate who has seen only their resume, so you need to tell your story from scratch: why an MBA, why now, why Columbia and why New York.

• Mock interviews in the same resume-only format. Interview preparation →
• Waitlist strategy if you are placed on Columbia’s waitlist. Waitlist strategy →

Our Results

MBA Center candidates admitted to Columbia

N
Nathaniel · Columbia MBA (2015)
A mechanical and robotics engineer from the Université libre de Bruxelles, admitted to the Columbia MBA.
Read Nathaniel’s story →
C
Claudia · Columbia–LBS Global EMBA (2017)
An applied science and supply-chain background, admitted to the Columbia–LBS Global Executive MBA.
Read Claudia’s story →
N
Nicolas · Columbia (full scholarship)
Admitted to Columbia with a full scholarship, as well as Wharton, Kellogg, INSEAD, LBS and MIT.
Read Nicolas’s story →
A
Aymeric · Columbia offer
Admitted to Columbia, NYU Stern and MIT Sloan and chose MIT.
Read Aymeric’s story →
A
Aida · Columbia offer
Admitted to INSEAD, LBS, Columbia, Yale and MIT.
Read Aida’s story →

Thinking about the Executive MBA? See EMBA admissions consulting.

See all success stories →
Comparing Schools

Columbia, Wharton or HBS?

ColumbiaWhartonHarvard Business School
Location and lengthNew York; two years or about 16 months (J-Term)Philadelphia; two yearsBoston; two years
WritingTwo short answers and three essays (500/250/250)Two essays (50/150 and 350 words)Three essays (300/250/250)
RecommendationsOneOneTwo
Tests acceptedGMAT, EA or GREGMAT or GREGMAT or GRE
Round 1 commitmentUSD 6,000 non-refundable deposit if admittedNoneNone

Read our Wharton, Harvard Business School and NYU Stern guides, or start with MBA admissions consulting.

Our Process

How we prepare your Columbia application

Entry and round

August or J-Term, and whether you are ready to commit to Round 1. Plan ahead →

Test plan

GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment or GRE, timed so your score is ready before your deadline.

Goals and essays

A 500-word goals essay and two 250-word essays that do not repeat each other.

Resume and recommendation

A one-page resume and a well-briefed supervisor. Final review →

Interview

Resume-only mock interviews.

Our all-in On the Road to a Top MBA package covers Columbia and five other schools. Read more about how we work.

FAQ

Columbia Business School admissions: frequently asked questions

What are the Columbia MBA deadlines for 2026–27?

For August 2027 entry, Round 1 closed on 9 September 2026. Round 2 closes on 5 January 2027 and Round 3 on 29 March 2027, each at 12:00 noon ET. January 2027 (J-Term) applications are closed.

What is Columbia’s J-Term?

J-Term is Columbia’s January-entry MBA. About 30% of students start in January, take courses over the summer instead of an internship and join the August class in the autumn of their second year.

Is Round 1 at Columbia binding?

Columbia no longer has Early Decision, but admitted Round 1 applicants must pay a non-refundable USD 6,000 deposit, so apply in Round 1 only if Columbia is your first choice.

Does Columbia require the TOEFL?

No. International applicants do not need to submit an English test such as the TOEFL; Columbia relies on your GMAT or GRE verbal score and your interview, which is conducted in English.

What GMAT score do I need for Columbia?

Columbia has no minimum score. The class entering in 2025 averaged 690 on the GMAT Focus Edition and 734 on the 10th edition GMAT. Columbia also accepts the GRE and the Executive Assessment.

Let's Talk

Start your Columbia application with an honest profile review

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