Admissions Requirements
Columbia Business School selects applicants from varied business and other backgrounds who have the potential to become successful global leaders. The Admissions Committee seeks to develop a thorough understanding of each applicant before rendering a decision.
We assess candidates in three basic areas:
- Academic Strength
The committee values academic performance and seeks candidates who demonstrate superior intellectual ability. - Professional Promise
Close attention is paid to each applicant’s professional accomplishments, as well as to his or her professional ambitions. The committee seeks applicants who have developed a strong foundation and / or essential skills for their future professional goals. - Personal Characteristics
The committee seeks to enroll individuals of strong character who have proven themselves as both leaders and team players. They look for applicants who are well rounded and interesting and who have demonstrated the will and ability to actively contribute to the well-being of their community.
The Admissions Committee seeks to select a group of people representing an extraordinary variety of professions, nationalities, ethnicities and personal interests.
Columbia Business School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, nationality, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or veteran status.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution.
- The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
- International students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). You may be exempted from the TOEFL if you have received a degree from an institution whose official language of instruction is English.
Interviews
Interviews are not required for admission to Columbia Business School. Once the Admissions Office receives a complete application, a prospective student may be invited to interview. Conducted by alumni and current students who are members of the Columbia Business School Ambassadors program, these interviews are offered around the globe. Interviews are by invitation only and cannot be requested.
Pre-Enrollment Requirements
Prior to actual enrollment you will be required to complete and pass the PreMBA online course. It is designed to facilitate your reentry into academic life by refreshing and introducing you to concepts required in the demanding core and orientation curricula. Several deliverables, which are prerequisites for matriculation, will be due approximately one month prior to orientation. It is estimated that these deliverables will take 25-40 hours to complete, depending upon your background.
All students are expected to arrive on time and attend the entire orientation program. Any incoming student who cannot meet this expectation will forfeit his or her place in the class.
