Columbia MBA Application Analysis
Short Answer Question
What is your post-MBA professional goal? (200 characters maximum)
Analysis: short and sweet (or sour), talk about your overall career goals. This is the tagline of your profile and you can decide if you want to focus on your short term goals or overall direction of your career.
Essay Questions
- Considering your post-MBA and long term professional goals, why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career? Additionally, why is Columbia Business School a good fit for you? (750 words maximum)
Analysis: classic MBA career goals questions + why MBA + why Columbia business school. Do your research before writing this section and avoid repeating the marketing material that you’ve read online or heard at the information session. React to this information and connect the “why Columbia MBA” to your specific career goals.
- Describe a life experience that has shaped you. The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally. (500 words maximum)
Analysis: love this question – pick something significant, and since we are talking about a life experience it could be a recent event or something from your childhood. When you write this essay think – “why should Columbia MBA care about this?” the answer has to do with your values, leadership, people skills, motivation and your added value to the class.
- For the third essay, please choose one of the following three options:
Option A: Develop your own outrageous business idea. In essay form, compose your elevator pitch. (250 words maximum)
Analysis: don’t be lazy, follow the link, read about the Columbia Entrepreneurs Organization, watch the video with the elevator pitch of current Columbia MBA students and smile (they are named outrageous for a reason!). You can write an essay with your elevator pitch but you can also submit a video, audio or a power point. For the aspiring entrepreneur – you couldn’t have a better question to show your skills, passions and more. Maybe you can film yours in the Columbia MBA building after you’re done visit the Columbia campus.
Option B: You are running for either cluster chair or a club leadership position of your choosing. Compose your campaign speech. (250 words maximum)
Analysis: not a trivial question and one that’s difficult to answer. Select this option if you can’t answer Option A or C, or you are planning to take a significant leadership role at Columbia MBA. You have to show that you know what’s available at Columbia MBA, what’s working and what could be improved. Make sure you have a lot of inside information and research before suggesting clubs, treks and other projects that might already exist.
Option C: Select one of the current executives in residence with whom you would like to meet during your time at Columbia. Explain your selection and tell us how you would best utilize your half hour one-on-one session. (250 words maximum)
Analysis: download the pdf with all of Columbia MBA executive in residence (what a shame there’s only 1 women out of 14) and understand the program. You can select an individual based on their industry, specific roles, challenges or just personality. You want to be prepared for the question as you should be for the one-on-one session – research relevant issues and be familiar with the important players and personalities. Columbia MBA admissions want to be confident you can have an intelligent discussion with such senior managers.
Start your application today! Email yael@admit1mba.com to receive a free evaluation of your chances or essay review. Coupon code COLUMBIA12 must be included in the email.
Read the full article: Columbia MBA Application 2011-2012
