Columbia Published Essays and Deadlines for 2013

Columbia published updated essay questions and deadlines for its January and September 2013 programs:

Applicants must complete one short answer question and two essays.

Short Answer Question

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (200 characters maximum)

Examples of possible responses:

“After my MBA I want to build my expertise in the energy sector and learn more about strategy and decision making by joining a consulting firm specializing in renewable energy and power companies.”

“After my MBA I hope to work in business development for a media company that is expanding its market share in Asia.”

“My short term goal is to work with an investment firm that utilizes public private partnerships to invest in community development projects.”

Essay 1:

A. Why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career, and how do plan to achieve your immediate and long term post-MBA professional goals? (Maximum 500 words)

B. Please view this video, entitled Community at Columbia. Diverse, tight-knit clusters and carefully selected learning teams are defining features of the first year at Columbia Business School. Along with more than 100 student organizations and countless events each semester, the cluster system helps to create a supportive and devoted lifelong community. Describe why you are interested in becoming a part of the Columbia community. (Maximum 250 words)

Essay 2:

Describe a personal experience and how it has influenced who you are today. This essay should have a personal rather than a professional focus. (Maximum 500 words)

Optional Essay

An optional fourth essay will allow you to discuss any issues that do not fall within the purview of the required essays.

Deadlines:
January 2013 Entry - October 3, 2012
August 2013 Entry - Early Decision -  October 3, 2012
August 2013 Entry - Regular Decision - April 10, 2013

See here some application tips and useful information for Columbia: www.aringo.com/columbia_mba.htm
See here some Columbia MBA essay samples: http://www.aringo.com/Columbia_MBA_Essay_Examples.htm

Put Me in Business (applying in less than a year)
Put Me in Business (applying in more than a year)

Meet top Business Schools in New York City

Employment Prospects Brighten for MBA Graduates

 
The Access MBA Tour in New York City matches MBA candidates with the best business schools

 
The prestigious business education event will take place in New York City on June 18^th, offering an opportunity to evaluate the current situation of the MBA degree. An elite selection of international business schools will meet One-to-One with highly qualified candidates in the US. 

 
Recruiters hire increasing numbers of MBA graduates

As many companies struggle to rebuild and expand their activity after the economic crisis, an increasing number have shifted their hiring focus and are now recruiting qualified MBA graduates. Two-thirds of companies participating in the latest Graduate Management Admission Council’s Corporate Recruiter’s Survey planned to hire MBA graduates for mid-level positions. This is in great contrast to corporate recruitment in 2009, when companies reduced the number of available positions by half. Experts indicate that companies are in need of dynamic MBA-educated executives to help them to build and strengthen their business for the future.

The general consensus is that MBA graduates are more qualified to take on business-building tasks than employees without such experience. In the past, individuals with BAs were frequently on equal footing with MBA graduates. An MBA degree is a major asset and now almost a mandatory condition for a management position.

An event that helps candidates select the right MBA programme

The Access MBA Tour will return to New York City with international business schools that wish to recruit local MBA candidates. The event’s One-to-One format is a unique and effective way to match candidates who meet schools’ admissions criteria. When registering online, candidates provide information about their personal and professional profile. Before the event, Access MBA matches the candidates with the MBA programmes that meet their needs and criteria, and at the event the candidates meet with MBA Admission Directors in 20-minute intervals. Event participants can also benefit from free orientation sessions with Access MBA’s professional consultants and GMAT test preparation advisors.

 “The MBA One-to-One format that we created 8 years ago has become the new standard of graduate recruitments amongst top international business schools” says Christophe Coutat, founder and CEO of Advent Group, the media agency that organizes the Access MBA Tour.

Participating international business schools

The Access MBA Tour features top ranked universities at each event, including HEC Paris, London Business School, Cass, ESADE, IE Business School, INSEAD, Kellogg-WHU, Manchester Business School, University of Chicago – Booth, SDA Bocconi, Vlerick Leuven Gent, IESE, UCD Smurfit School of Business, IMD, Durham Business School, Duke, University of Monaco, Audencia Nantes School of Management, Hult International Business School, and many more!

About the Access MBA Tour

The Tour holds 55 MBA events annually in over 40 cities worldwide. Access MBA is a project of Advent Group, a Paris-based media agency that coordinates educational and recruiting events throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. More information can be found on www.accessmba.com.

Warwick New York Hotel, June 18^th, 4:00pm – 9:30pm

What Lies Behind the Changes at HBS?

Last week HBS published its 2013 application that included a significant modification from previous years’ applications- only two essays with an overall word limit of 800 words compared with four essays and a total word limit of 2000 words. Another interesting change for candidates invited for an interview is an additional essay about the essay experience (and what they wish they had said in the interview…) they are required to submit through the online system within 24 hours post-interview.

In addition, Harvard pulled up the Round 1 deadline to 9.24.12, what apparently testifies to their expectation of more applications this year due to the decrease in essays. In an interview with Poets & Quants, Dee Leopold, Director of Admissions at Harvard explained the reasons for the change. According to Leopold, the change stems from improvements in the program of study at HBS, which now requires more introspection from the students. The change also matches her belief that the essays have become too significant in the application process and that it is not meant to be a writing contest. While in the past there were no interviews and essays were the sole means to get to know the applicant and his or her personality, today every admitted applicant has undergone an interview and therefore the interview plays a greater role at the expense of the essays. Leopold insists that candidates should be thrilled with the changes in that they are given the last word following the interview and have the opportunity to write what they wish they had said. On the other hand, the short window of time candidates are given to submit the essay after the interview may be stressful. In terms of interviews, last year 9,060 people submitted applications to Harvard, about 2,200 were invited to interview, and 1,100 were accepted to the program (acceptance rate of 12%).

The reduction in number of essays at Harvard stands out among the other top programs that still require 3-4 essays with an overall word limit of 1,500-2,000.  According to Leopold, the change is experimental and they are always changing and improving the process in order to closely match the application process to the program of study. She adds that the change is not connected to the decrease in applications HBS has reported in the last two years. Last year showed a decrease of 4% and only 9,331 applications were submitted, and this year showed an additional 4% decrease with only 8,963 submitted applications.

Put Me in Business (applying in less than a year)
Put Me in Business (applying in more than a year)

Here we go! Harvard Released Essays and Deadlines for 2013

Harvard published updated essay questions and deadlines for its September 2013 MBA program.
In contrast to previous years, this year’s candidates are required to write only two essays. Another addition is a post interview reflection each candidate will be required to submit through the online application system within 24 hours of being interviewed (additional details will be sent to candidates invited for an interview).

Here are the essay questions for 2013:

1. Tell us about something you did well. (400 words)

2. Tell us about something you wish you had done better. (400 words)

Deadlines:
Round 1 - September 24, 2012
Round 2 - January 7, 2013
Round 3 - April 8, 2013

Put Me in Business (applying in less than a year)
Put Me in Business (applying in more than a year)

Congratulations!

Another Aringo client got accepted to UCLA (MBA).

Crossing Fingers!

Two additional Aringo clients were invited to interview at INSEAD (MBA).

Crossing Fingers!

Another Aringo client was invited to interview at Cambridge (MBA).

Crossing Fingers!

Another Aringo client was invited to interview at UCLA (MBA).