PrepSavvy

Things to Know Before Applying to Columbia Business School

Verified facts about the Columbia Business School full-time MBA: entry terms, rounds, test policy, deferrals, and costs.

Two entry terms

Students enroll in August or January. Each path comprises four terms, and the two merge in the fall of the second year to take electives and graduate as a single class. Only August-entry students complete a formal summer internship; January-entry students complete second-term coursework over the summer and finish in 16 months. About 70 percent of students begin in August and about 30 percent in January. Columbia states that a January start may suit students who wish to remain in the same industry after graduation or pursue entrepreneurial interests.

Rounds and deposits

Columbia no longer offers Early Decision; its FAQ encourages former Early Decision candidates to apply in Round 1. August Round 1 admits submit a US$6,000 first deposit, August Round 2 and January admits US$2,000, and August Round 3 admits a single US$3,000 deposit. Priority consideration for institutional funding requires a completed application by the Round 1 or Round 2 deadline. Candidates may apply only once to a given term of entry.

Test and application policy

A valid GMAT (10th Edition or Focus Edition), Executive Assessment, or GRE score is required at submission, with no waivers for the full-time MBA. Only the highest score is considered, and sub scores from multiple exams are not combined. The application requires one recommendation. No English language test is required. Admitted students cannot defer, except case by case for mandatory military deployment or inability to secure a visa.

Quick facts

January entry
16 months
Tests accepted
GMAT, EA, GRE
Avg GMAT (10th Edition)
734
Avg GMAT Focus Edition
690
Rounds
3 August + 3 January
Class size (entering 2025)
982
Median base salary
$175,000

Sources

  1. 1. Columbia Business School, MBA Options and Deadlines
  2. 2. Columbia Business School, MBA Admissions Frequently Asked Questions
  3. 3. Columbia Business School, MBA Application Requirements
  4. 4. Columbia Business School, MBA Class Profile (class entering 2025)
  5. 5. Columbia Business School, 2025 Employment Report