Columbia Business School’s interview is conversational and easy, with the interviewer’s intent being to determine your fit with the b-school.
Duration: 30-60 minutes
Format: By Invitation only
Who conducts them? These are conducted by alumni, second year MBA students or the admissions committee members.
Location: All interviews are conducted virtually
Interviewer’s access: Interviewer would have access to only your resume. You can provide them with your resume to the interviewer once you are matched with them.
How to schedule the interview: After you receive an interview invitation, the admissions team will connect you with the interviewer and you can decide a mutually agreeable date and time with them.
If you have applied for J term- your application will be viewed on a rolling basis after the application opens in June, so the earlier you apply, the quicker you will receive the interview decision
Interview Process: The Columbia interview is friendly and conversational, purposed so that you and the interviewer get to understand each other. Unlike many other b-schools, CBS does not overly focus on behavioural questions (yet you should expect to be asked 2-3 such questions). Instead, a larger part of the questioning is around getting to know about your job, your career goals, motivation to join CBS and your fit with the CBS MBA program.
Sample questions are:
Introduction, Career goals and CBS related:
Tell me about yourself/ walk me through your resume
What are your short-term and long-term goals?
What are your alternate goals?
Why MBA and Why now?
Why CBS MBA?
Which classes will you take at CBS?
Which clubs will you join at CBS?
How will you contribute at CBS?
How do you see yourself interacting within your learning team at CBS?
What is your plan if you don’t get into any B-School?
Which other b-schools have you applied to? What factors influenced your school list?
Job Related:
Interviewers ask questions based on pointers in your resume
What do you like and dislike about your current job?
Tell me about something you are particularly proud of in current role
Have you led a team? (Follow up questions on your experience)
What challenges do you face at work?
When working in a team, What role do you feel comfortable and what role do you feel uncomfortable in?
Behavioral Questions:
What is your leadership style?
Tell me about a challenge you faced at work.
Tell me about a time you disagreed with a coworker.
Tell me about a time you disagreed with your manager.
Tell me about a time you led a project you’re particularly proud of.
Tell me about a time when have you overcome obstacles?
Tell me about something you could have done better.
Other questions:
In what way are you involved in your community?
What is your proudest undergraduate achievement?
How do you spend your Friday night or weekend?
What do you do for fun outside of work?
Any questions for me?