Columbia Business School

Essay Questions for 2025-2026 / Class of 2028

All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Round                 Application Deadline     Final Decisions Released

Round 1              September 3, 2025         By December 15

Round 2              January 6, 2026              By March 32

Round 3              May 1, 2025                     By May 20

The Essays

Columbia Business School Essay Topics

2025-2026 Columbia MBA Essay Prompts: 

Short Answer Question 1

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Short Answer Question 2 How do you plan to spend the summer after the first year of the MBA? If in an internship, please include target industry(ies) and/or function(s). If you plan to work on your own venture, please indicate a focus of business. (50 characters maximum)

Essay 1

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)

Essay 2 

Please share a specific example of how you made a team more collaborative, more inclusive or fostered a greater sense of community within an organization. (250 words)

Essay 3

We believe Columbia Business School is a special place with a collaborative learning environment in which students feel a sense of belonging, agency, and partnership–academically, culturally, and professionally.

How would you co-create your optimal MBA experience at CBS? Please be specific.  (250 words)

Optional Essay

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)

Reapplicant Essay

How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied and reiterate how you plan to achieve your immediate and long term post-MBA professional goals. (Maximum 500 words)

Visit the Columbia admissions website for more application information.