Breaking Down Columbia B-School Essays - Live Chat

by Beat The GMAT, Feb 3, 2012

Dr. Shel Watts, founder of MBA Admit, provided some spot-on advice to our members earlier this week during our "Breaking Down Columbia B-School Essays" live chat. She provided help on each essay prompt as well as answered our members' burning questions. Below is an abbreviated transcript of the chat, to see the full transcript, click here.

What are your overall impressions of Columbia Business School (CBS)?

I really like Columbia Business School for many reasons. It provides an excellent program. It attracts really great students and promotes a very open and supportive culture (I have yet to have a client who did not absolutely love the CBS experience). Importantly, also, in my experience it is very possible with Columbia to override one relatively notable weakness, such as a low GMAT or a low GPA, and gain admission. A well-written application can make all of the difference. Columbia Business School is great about taking ones full candidacy into account.

This year Columbia asks for a 200-character response to this question: What is your post-MBA professional goal? What is your advice about this?

When working on Columbia applications with my clients, we usually write this 200-character response last not because of its lack of importance, but on the contrary, because it is very important. Aside from the information you place on the application form, this will be the first glimpse you provide the Admissions Committee of your candidacy. You should see it as an important, integral part of your essay set. Give good thought to the wording you use as you respond. Your response should make you very attractive to the school.

Is the question only asking for the short-term goal?

The question does not explicitly define post-MBA professional goal as your short-term goal. In the examples that Columbia provides as sample responses, two of the three examples are indeed examples of short-term goals. But, the middle example is not defined as short-term, medium-term or long-term. You therefore have some latitude in what you present. Because of this, I have encouraged candidates to avoid providing information that makes them look generic. I discourage very generic responses such as Immediately after my MBA, I hope to join a consulting firm like McKinsey in order to develop my skills in corporate strategy. A response like that will simply lump you into a pile of thousands of other applicants who are stating they want to go into consulting right after attaining their MBA. You will therefore be starting your essay set with a statement that makes you indistinguishable from thousands of other candidates. Not good!

So how can a candidate best choose between presenting a short-term, medium-term or long-term goal in this 200-character response?

Since CBS does not explicitly state whether you should present your short-term, medium-term or long-term goal, I have encouraged candidates to present whatever is best for them from a strategic point of view. If that is the short-term goal, great. If the long-term goal is more compelling, then present that (but also make a reference to the short-term or medium-term goal in the same 200 character response). Our success rate from the Columbia Early Decision round, at nearly a 95% success rate, indicates that this approach is well received by the school.

What stands out to you about the first essay topic?

Essay 1

Considering your post-MBA and long term professional goals, why you are pursuing an MBA at this point in your career? Additionally, why is Columbia Business School a good fit for you? (Maximum 750 words)

This is a question very similar to the typical MBA long-term goal admissions essay. In this particular version of the question, you should pay particular attention to explaining why now is the right time for you to pursue an MBA and, considering your career goals, why and how a Columbia MBA will help you achieve your post-MBA and long-term professional goals. Be specific about why Columbia Business School is the right place for you.

What types of information help to explain why now?

With regard to why now, this can be explained as you talk about the professional experience and skills you have gained to date. A discussion about your past work experience can establish that you have sufficient experience to make the most of business school. This discussion can also clarify that there are skills and knowledge you still need to deepen or acquire in order to continue making strides toward your career goals.

What should candidates bear in mind when writing the why Columbia part of the response to Essay #1?

When discussing why Columbia, the specifics matter. If you focus only on broad reasons such as Columbias high ranking and prestige, and little else, you will communicate that you have not done your homework and therefore you really do not know if the school is a fit for you. For example, if all you have written is, Your business school is ideal for me given its reputation for excellence, outstanding faculty and vast alumni network, it can appear you cut-and-pasted this information from school to school, without giving careful consideration to Columbia. (There is nothing in that statement that indicates Columbia offers something uniquely of value that other top schools do not.) You will not necessarily come across as a serious candidate who is enthusiastic about Columbia, which will undercut your admissions prospects.

What types of information help to show that Columbia is the right place for you?

Be sure to review online materials about what makes Columbia distinct and to take steps such as speaking with a student or alumni member, so that you can demonstrate you know the specifics about Columbia and you are convinced that Columbia Business School is an excellent fit for you. Specifics can include things such as particular courses or special programs. You should be able to explain, with reference to the details about Columbias offerings, how the school will help prepare you to achieve your short-term and long-term goals, and why the school is also a great fit for you on a personal basis.

Want to know what Dr. Shel Watts says about Essays 2 and 3? Click here for the full transcript.

Should candidates only use the optional essay if they have something negative to explain, such as a low GMAT score?

Optional Essay

Is there any further information that you wish to provide the Admissions Committee? Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history. (Maximum 500 words)

If you have a weakness you need to address here, then you should do so, but dont dwell unnecessarily long on your weakness. The comments should be short and sweet, and ideally you should shift quickly to focus on factors and achievements that help to offset the weakness, thereby ending the essay set on a positive rather than a negative note.

Should candidates not use the optional essay if they do not have something negative, like a low GPA, to explain?

If you do not have a weakness to talk about, please note that the wording of this particular optional question allows you to provide any additional information you would like. I always encourage candidates to use the optional essay when the optional essay is not restricted to a discussion about negative information. You should not forgo the opportunity to shine a light on additional strengths, experiences, credentials or achievements that can persuade the Admissions Committee to admit you. This can sometimes make the difference between acceptance and rejection.

Read the full transcript by clicking here.