Through the generosity of individual, corporate, and foundation donors, Columbia Business School of Columbia University offers full- and partial-tuition fellowships to a number of extraordinarily talented students based on a variety of criteria, including academic excellence, geographic and personal background, and professional experience.

MBA Fellowships Options and Deadlines

Students may enrol in either August or January. The two paths, each comprised of four terms, merge in the fall of the second year to complete electives as a single class.

The paths are identical in terms of competitiveness of admissions, academic rigor, and student resources, but they differ in terms of timing and the opportunity to complete a summer internship.

August Entry

About 70% of full-time MBA students begin their studies in the fall term.
After mandatory orientation in the second half of August, regular classes begin in September.
Most August-entry students complete a summer internship between their second and third terms.

The August entry has two review periods — early decision and regular decision. Because it uses a rolling admissions process, it is always to advantage to apply well before the deadline.

Early Decision

Available for August entry applicants only
Application deadline in early October
Early Decision applications are reviewed, and decisions rendered, before Regular Decision applications
Admitted students for Early Decision are considered for merit-based awards.
Candidates have decided that Columbia is their first choice and must sign the following statement of commitment within their applications: I am committed to attending Columbia Business School and will withdraw all applications and decline all offers from other schools upon admission to Columbia Business School.
Applicants must submit a non refundable $6,000 tuition deposit within two weeks of admission.

Regular Decision

Candidates may submit Regular Decision applications as soon as the application becomes available in the summer.
Regular Decision applications are reviewed after Early Decision applications.
No statement of commitment required.
To be considered for merit-based fellowships, applications must be submitted by the specified merit-based fellowship deadline in early January
Final application deadline in April

January Entry

Students who do not want or need an internship may consider beginning their MBA studies in January and completing their second semester of classes during the summer.
A January start may be ideal for students who wish to remain in the same industry after graduation or pursue entrepreneurial interests. About 30% of students enter in January.