Columbia Deferred Enrollment Program

The Columbia deferred MBA program is open to those in their senior year of college or a subsequent graduate program. Here, applicants can begin the MBA program after two to five years of work experience.

After finishing their undergraduate studies and before beginning their MBA at Columbia Business School, accepted deferred MBA students can use this time to discover what interests and motivates them.

Accepted students can choose between Columbia Business School’s J-Term option (the school’s 16-month program) or August entry (the school’s traditional 20-month program, which includes a summer internship).

Once students send a letter of intent to begin the MBA program, they will be eligible for fellowships and scholarships.

Columbia Business School Deferred MBA Application Process

The Columbia Business School Deferred MBA application process is similar to the full-time CBS application. This includes an academic transcript, current resume, one letter of recommendation, and two short answer questions:

1. Applying to a deferred enrollment program suggests that your aspirations in the next 2-5 years will include an MBA. Why do you feel you need an MBA to achieve your long-term career goals and why would you like to pursue your MBA at Columbia Business School? (300 words)
2. Contributing to the community is an important part of the CBS experience. Discuss one experience or situation in your undergraduate or graduate career where you feel you contributed to your community and what you learned from the experience. (250 words)

If you think Columbia Business School might be a strong fit for you, visit Personal MBA Coach’s CBS school guide to learn more.

As with the full-time MBA application, an interview will also be required for admission to the Columbia Business School Deferred MBA program. Interviews are granted on an invite-only basis following application submission.

If you are looking for Columbia University deferred MBA guidance, Personal MBA Coach is here to help via our Deferred MBA Packages.