How To Get Into Columbia Business School | CBS Admissions Tips

[@Shivam22able]

Great video. What do you think about Columbia MBA Essential (online) course, is it comparable to Harvard CORe?

[@mbaMission]

Thanks Shivam! As of now, HBS Online Core is a well understood benchmark, of sorts. It is seemingly more quantitatively driven, and is focused literally on MBA readiness, rather than managerial skills. So, it isn't as though the CBS program is without merit, but our bias, if you are looking for an indicator of MBA readiness, would be the HBS program for now.

[@juanignaciomurua1572]

Hi! I see that CBS has not posted an early decision window yet, is that correct?

[@mbaMission]

Yes, that's correct! As of this year, CBS has gotten rid of their early decision program!

[@keremsan801]

Can you elaborate on career goals being believable, reasonable and feasible? CBS both ask about short (in 3-5 years) careers goals as well a long-term dream job? So in this case, can the long-term dream job be an ambitious goal? I am someone who has a tech/data science background without any finance experience so would that make any short term goals in investment banking/private equity/venture capital not feasible/reasonable?

[@mbaMission]

Business schools expect many of their applicants to be career switchers, so it is perfectly fine to state a goal that is different than what you have done in the past. However, you must at least demonstrate that you have transferable skills and experiences that make it clear that you will be hired and succeed in your post-MBA role. For example, you can discuss an anecdote that highlights your quantitative ability, which could show that this would make you a fit for a role in investment banking. Many schools' applications ask about short-term and long-term goals, while in the case of CBS, this school asks about your dream job. For this answer, they certainly do want you to think bigger and more creatively. Therefore, your CBS answer should come across as more ambitious than describing the standard long-term goal.

[@jonathandsouza4474]

Can a low gpa be balanced by a high gmat , extracurriculars and work experience or 4 years?

[@jeremyshinewald4192]

Hi Jonathan - Low GPA is the "best" blemish to have. It is the easiest problem for the Adcom to overcome, because it is an indicator of the past, whereas the GMAT indicates your raw intellectual abilities now. if you have strong work experience and extra curriculars and a solid GMAT, you likely still have a shot. It really depends how low that low is!

[@titomukherjee7649]

I see that the age group for the class of 2023 is 28-31. Is 34 too old to apply at CBS?

[@mbaMission]

Hi Tito! Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGiViWSsg854Z9k Hope it helps! And if you'd like to discuss your particular situation with us, reach out for a free consultation!

[@jeremyshinewald4192]

If you are a strong applicant, you can get in at 34 years old! Generally, CBS pushes "older" applicants to the J-term, but if you can make a case for needing that summer internship and you are an excellent applicant, they won't ding you because of your birth certificate!

[@yourmsmeow]

IS WORK EXPERIENCE IMPORTANT?

[@mbaMission]

Indeed, if you are applying to the full-time program, the admissions committee will expect a strong track record of professional excellence. Even if you are applying to their deferred MBA program right out of college, they will expect that you have internships or significant leadership experiences as a proxy for more conventional experience.