Columbia MBA Essays

As we near round one MBA deadlines for the 2025-26 admissions cycle, top B-schools have released their essay questions. Today, we will discuss the essay questions released by Columbia Business School for this year’s admissions cycle. Understanding and effectively responding to these Columbia MBA essays prompts can significantly enhance your application and increase your chances of securing admission to this prestigious program.

But before that, let us take a look at the deadlines for each round:

Here is the table for the Columbia Business School MBA application deadlines for the 2025-2026 cycle:

Round	Application Deadline	Interview Notification	Decision Notification
Round 1	September 3, 2025	By November 13, 2025	By December 15, 2025
Round 2	January 6, 2026	By February 29, 2026	By March 31, 2026
Round 3	March 26, 2026	By May 1, 2026	By May 30, 2026

January 2026 Entry (Accelerated MBA/J-Term)

Round	Application Deadline (ET)	Final Decisions Released By
R1	June 17, 2025, 12:00 PM	By August 6, 2025
R2	August 13, 2025, 12:00 PM	By October 8, 2025

Tips for Writing Effective Essays

• Be Authentic: Let your true personality shine through in your writing.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Use vivid examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points.
• Proofread Carefully: Ensure your essays are free of grammatical errors and typos.
• Seek Feedback: Ask friends, family, or mentors to review your essays and provide constructive criticism.

Example Essay

Variation 1

Essay 1: Through your résumé and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

Breast cancer — a phrase that instills fear in women of all ages worldwide. Statistics reveal its huge impact, affecting one in four women globally. In a country like India, where merely 35% of households have health insurance and many insurers exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, women often forgo regular check-ups and necessary treatment due to financial constraints. Even those with insurance find themselves burdened by unanticipated expenses. It is crucial to develop a solution for these women. Thus, my long-term goal is to launch an insurance tech startup, empowering women in developing countries to confront health challenges with dignity and financial security. With this goal in mind, my plan for the next 3-5 years is to join a top management consulting firm, focusing on their healthcare practice to enhance my expertise in the sector. .

My interest in battling breast cancer was initially triggered xx years ago, when my XX discovered a lump in her left breast that led to the diagnosis of stage two breast cancer. What followed was a year-long process that included two surgeries and six rounds of chemotherapy, underscoring a tenacious battle not only against the disease but also against the complexities posed by insurance companies. Nevertheless, we navigated through this horrible challenge together.

During this period, I immersed myself in understanding the broader implications of breast cancer. Actively participating in breast cancer awareness initiatives and supporting different NGOs, I recognized the urgent need for a digital platform offering unrestricted access to timely diagnosis and subsequent treatment for women in emerging economies. I advocate for a specialized, affordable breast cancer insurance platform, encompassing annual tests and treatments for diagnosed women. This initiative, supported by NGO partnerships and featuring a support system with recovered patients, would guarantee financial relief and establish a robust support network for those undergoing treatment. 

I am well aware that embarking on this venture poses significant challenges, given the intricacies of the healthcare industry and the unique dynamics of emerging markets concerning insurance-tech products. This is precisely why I am seeking the comprehensive business knowledge that Columbia can provide to turn my dream of launching an insurance tech startup into a reality. I see CBS as the cornerstone of my career, envisioning an integration of my CBS education, my current experience in private equity, and my future aspirations in management consulting—all converging to propel me toward my long-term goals.

In conclusion, I am determined to make a significant impact on the Columbia MBA community by leveraging my academic, professional, and personal experiences. My commitment to active involvement in various clubs, combined with my diverse background and future aspirations, will not only enrich my own MBA journey but also positively influence the organizations and communities I plan to engage with. I am certain that the CBS curriculum, its academic excellence, the inclusive multicultural environment of the MBA, and undoubtedly the experience of the financial capital will cater to an unparalleled experience, inspiring me to achieve my goals and become a global leader.  

Essay 2:

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. (Maximum 250 Words)

I will leverage my knowledge of sustainable technologies, data science, and critical thinking skills acquired through my experience to contribute to classroom discussions, especially in courses such as Data Analytics and Climate Tech. I will use my interdisciplinary collaboration experience to initiate study sessions for complex case studies and courses to facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge exchange.

I aspire to drive sustainable technology development at CBS via the Green Business and Innovation Club. I believe that solving the climate problem requires the intersection of business and engineering, and will collaborate with clubs such as the Technology Club and other schools at Columbia, including Columbia Engineering, whose alumnus is my current manager at XYZ, to drive innovation to fight climate change. Furthermore, I will create awareness among the community by leveraging CBS’s strong alumni network to organize talks by experts such as the author of ‘How to Avoid a Climate Disaster’ Bill Gates and industry leaders from companies such as A, B and C.

Embracing the cultural diversity at CBS, I will engage in events organized by the Japan Business Association and French Connection Club to experience their rich cultures and share my cultural learnings. This enriching experience will broaden my perspective and allow me to network with brilliant minds from different parts of the world. As a fan of Japanese anime, I am keen to learn Japanese and share with my peers my insights from exploring uncharted territories and the diverse cultures of India through my motorcycling expeditions.

Essay 3: 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. (Maximum 250 words) (REQD)

Variation 2

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, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

Over the next 3-5 years, I aspire to expand ST’s services, transitioning from zero-code algorithmic investing to inclusive investment avenues that resonate with a global audience. I intend to use the foundational business knowledge and leadership skills acquired at CBS to effectively manage global operations, overcome challenges, and expand ST’s reach, scaling from 2 million users to the next 100 million. 

Growing up in a family with limited means, I saw firsthand how financial exclusion and a lack of access to opportunities can contribute to social inequality. This experience motivated me to co-found ST, where our goal was to democratize the realm of financial investments and make investing accessible to ordinary people. Through ST, my team and I were able to open doors for everyday traders with as little as $XX to invest, aiming to dismantle barriers that reserved algorithmic investing only for the elite. So far, we’ve empowered over two million individual investors in India, enabling transactions exceeding $XX billion in volume.

As a tech-oriented individual, my passion lies in creating niche innovative products. However, while working to set up ST’s XX subsidiary operations, I came to understand that specific gaps in my knowledge on topics, such as global operations management and corporate finance, and my limited network restricted my potential for global impact. This realization drove me to recognize the significance and the absolute need to acquire a robust business foundation and cultivate a strong global network. Being at CBS, amidst the financial pulse of XY, offers an unparalleled advantage in this regard. Furthermore, esteemed courses like FinTech by Professor Zeldes and International Finance by Professor Veldkamp will be pivotal for my growth. 

My goal with ST is not just innovation but empowerment. I want to contribute to developing a society where financial constraints no longer stifle aspirations. My long-term goals, however, surpass the scope of ST. Quantum computing is an exciting new frontier projected to exceed a market size of $1.3 trillion by 20XX. My long-term dream is to leverage my experience from scaling ST to establish a quantum computation venture in collaboration with my brother, a prospective Ph.D. graduate from MNO in QRS. Our combined expertise – my business insight and his knowledge of quantum physics – will focus on creating algorithms that elevate the efficacy of quantum computations. As this technology matures over the next decade, our goal is to harness its power for monumental challenges such as climate change, drug discovery, and more.

In essence, the blend of academic rigor, the multicultural milieu of CBS, and the electric pace of New York City will be instrumental in shaping my journey. An education at CBS will be critical in helping me realize my ambitions to drive meaningful transformations in the realms of finance and technology. Whether it’s bridging financial divides or pioneering quantum solutions, it will prepare me to lead, innovate, and impact billions globally.

ESSAY 2: 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. (Maximum 250 Words)

I will leverage my knowledge of sustainable technologies, data science, and critical thinking skills acquired through my experience to contribute to classroom discussions, especially in courses such as Data Analytics and Climate Tech. I will use my interdisciplinary collaboration experience to initiate study sessions for complex case studies and courses to facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge exchange.

I aspire to drive sustainable technology development at CBS via the Green Business and Innovation Club. I believe that solving the climate problem requires the intersection of business and engineering, and will collaborate with clubs such as the Technology Club and other schools at Columbia, including Columbia Engineering, whose alumnus is my current manager at XYZ, to drive innovation to fight climate change. Furthermore, I will create awareness among the community by leveraging CBS’s strong alumni network to organize talks by experts such as the author of ‘How to Avoid a Climate Disaster’ Bill Gates and industry leaders from companies such as A, B and C.

Embracing the cultural diversity at CBS, I will engage in events organized by the Japan Business Association and French Connection Club to experience their rich cultures and share my cultural learnings. This enriching experience will broaden my perspective and allow me to network with brilliant minds from different parts of the world. As a fan of Japanese anime, I am keen to learn Japanese and share with my peers my insights from exploring uncharted territories and the diverse cultures of India through my motorcycling expeditions.

Conclusion

Crafting compelling Columbia MBA essays requires careful thought, planning, and self-reflection. By understanding Columbia’s focus, addressing the key essay components, and following the tips provided, you can increase your chances of gaining admission to this prestigious program. Remember, the goal is to present a well-rounded picture of yourself that showcases your potential as a future leader.