The Columbia Business School MBA interview is a pivotal step in the admissions process, and if you get to this point, first congratulate yourself – the school’s admissions committee clearly see you as a viable candidate! By thoroughly preparing and presenting a well-rounded, authentic self, you can significantly enhance your chances of making a positive impression.
As a Senior Admissions Coach at Fortuna Admissions for the past 12 years, I have helped many applicants land a coveted spot in Columbia Business School’s MBA class. Here I share a few essentials about the Columbia Business School interview questions, culled from my experience and that of my Fortuna Admissions colleagues.
The Columbia MBA interview is typically conducted by alumni, reflecting the school’s commitment to peer evaluation and networking (although on a rare occasion it can be conducted by an admissions committee member). Interviews generally last between 30 to 60 minutes and can take place in person or virtually (but are most likely to be virtual). The interview is conversational, designed to assess your fit with the program, your professional aspirations, leadership potential and interpersonal skills.
My colleague at Fortuna Admissions, Karen Hamou, also an alumna from Columbia Business School, says she tells her Fortuna clients that during the interview, their interviewer is subconsciously thinking about their fit with the CBS community, and whether they would want to sit next to them in class, or travel with them on a Chazen trip, or be in the same cluster, so there is a big likability factor.
Columbia MBA Interview Dates
Columbia Business School notifies all Round 1 applicants if they have been selected for an interview by approximately nine weeks after a deadline, and by approximately by six weeks after R2 and R3.
For January enrollment, interview decisions are made on a rolling basis.
Visit our application deadlines page for a list of specific interview dates.
Columbia MBA Interview Acceptance Rate
Columbia Business School is highly selective, and your chances of admission stand at around one in five. However, like other M7 schools, Columbia typically sends interview invitations to about twice the number of candidates they intend to admit, so if you get to interview stage, your chances of admissions have shot up to around one in two. This means that with careful preparation for the interview, you have an excellent chance of being admitted!
What to Expect in the Columbia MBA Interview
Profession Experience and Achievements: You should be ready to discuss your career progression, significant accomplishments and the rationale behind your key career moves. Interviewers look for clarity in career goals and how the MBA from CBS will help achieve them.
Leadership and Teamwork: CBS places a strong emphasis on leadership and collaboration. You should be prepared to provide examples of leadership roles you’ve taken in and outside of work, challenges you’ve faced and how you have navigated team dynamics to achieve objectives.
Knowledge of Columbia Business School: Demonstrating a deep understanding of what makes CBS unique is crucial. You will need to articulate why CBS is the right fit for you, referencing specific programs, faculty, clubs and the school’s location in New York City.
Personal Attributes and Fit: The interview seeks to gauge your personality and values and how they align with the CBS culture. Discussing your hobbies, interests and community involvement can help paint a holistic picture of who you are and how you will fit.
How to Prepare for the Columbia MBA Interview: 8 Key Tips
1. Reflect on Your Journey: Thoroughly review your resume and be prepared to discuss every aspect in detail. Reflect on your career path, significant projects and what you’ve learned from your experiences. Practice articulating your short- and long-term goals and how Columbia Business School will help bridge the gap between the two.
2. Understand CBS’s Culture and Offerings: Research Columbia Business School extensively. You have probably done this at your time of application but now is the time to refresh this knowledge. This includes its core curriculum and electives, the cluster/learning team system, and special programs like the Value Investing Program, Global Immersion Program and the Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center. Knowing about student clubs, events, and the alumni network can help in tailoring your responses to show alignment with the school’s offerings. If possible, talk with current students or alumni to deepen your knowledge of the school and show that you have made the effort to go beyond simple online research.
3. Practice Common Questions: While each interview is unique, certain questions are frequently asked. Practice responses to questions like:
- “Tell me about yourself.”
- “Why do you want to pursue an MBA at Columbia Business School?”
- “Describe a challenging situation at work and how you handled it.”
- “What are your career goals post-MBA?”
For any behavioral questions, as in “Tell me about a time when…”, utilize the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure responses effectively.
4. Engage in Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with friends, mentors or admissions coaches. This helps you refine your answers, get comfortable with the interview format and benefit from constructive feedback.
5. Stay Informed: Stay on top of current events, especially those related to your industry or Columbia Business School. This shows you are engaged with the world around you, and this knowledge can add depth to your answers.
6. Research Your Interviewers: Given the alumni-led interview format’s variability, learn about your interviewers prior to the interview and hedge your bets with due diligence. At the minimum, do a Google search and check out their profile on LinkedIn. Taking the time to sleuth out what you might have in common can make for a useful icebreaker.
7. Dress and Act Professionally: First impressions matter. Dress in professional attire and ensure you are punctual, polite and attentive. For virtual interviews, test your equipment beforehand to avoid technical issues. Other technical considerations include excellent audio, lighting and attention to your environment. As my Fortuna colleague Judith Silverman Hodara wrote in her post on Virtual MBA Interview Tips:
“Video is just as much about what you see as about what you hear. Make sure the space behind your camera is clear and uncluttered. Film yourself against a plain wall if possible, to keep the focus where it should be – on you. Any larger shot of your room in the background should be clean and organized.”
Pay attention to your posture and other non-verbal cues, such as maintaining eye contact, hand gestures and energy. As Judith cautions, avoid watching the thumbnail of yourself onscreen (you can turn it off) and keep your eyes on your interviewer.
8. Ask Thoughtful Questions: Prepare a few insightful questions for your interviewer, such as about their experience at Columbia Business School and how it has impacted their career. This demonstrates your genuine interest in the program and helps you gather valuable information about the school.
The Columbia Deferred MBA Interview: What to Expect & How to Prepare
Deferred enrollment MBA candidates (who are typically college seniors or recent grads) can expect a similar interview process to regular candidates, however questions will focus more on academic achievements and experiences, internships and extra-curricular involvement. The interviewer will also dig into the candidates’ career plans and how they intend to use their time before enrolling on the MBA program. Columbia deferred MBA interview candidates should prepare to discuss how their undergraduate experiences have prepared them for a future MBA, and how they intend to build relevant skills and experience during the deferral period.
Get Ready to Shine
Practice is critical, and professional feedback makes your practice pay off. Fortuna coaches have insider insights into what interviewers ask and what business schools are looking for, so we excel at interview prep.
Reach out now for a free 30-minute consultation to learn more about how we can guide you through this high-stakes element of the application process and help you put your best foot forward on interview day.
Melissa Jones is an expert coach at Fortuna Admissions and former assistant director of the INSEAD MBA program. For a candid assessment of your chances of admission success at a top MBA program, sign up for a free consultation.