Columbia Business School MBA deadlines 2026–2027
Every Columbia round, decision date and requirement for the class entering in fall 2027, plus a plan to get your application in on time.
All Columbia application rounds
| Round | Application due | Decision released | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 9, 2026 · 12:00 PM ET | December 14, 2026 | Closed |
| Round 2 | January 5, 2027 · 12:00 PM ET | March 24, 2027 | Next deadline |
| Round 3 | March 29, 2027 · 12:00 PM ET | May 12, 2027 | Later |
- Apply by Round 1 or Round 2 for priority consideration for Columbia's own funding.
- An application not completed by a round's deadline rolls into the next round.
What you need to submit
Online application
Personal details, education, work history and activities, entered in the Columbia application portal.
Resume
Your professional resume, uploaded with the application.
Essays
Columbia publishes this year's prompts and word limits with the application. Start drafting early.
Recommendations
Submitted by your recommenders through the portal, so give them weeks, not days.
Test score
Usually a GMAT or GRE. Check Columbia's test policy for alternatives and waivers. International applicants may also need an English test.
Fee or fee waiver
An application fee applies. Most schools offer fee waivers for some applicants.
A week-by-week plan for Round 2
- By November 17Ask your recommenders and tell them the January 5 deadline. Book a test date if you don't have a score yet.
- November 24 – December 15Draft and redraft your essays. Update your resume so it matches what you'll write in the application.
- By December 15Fill in the application form itself: personal details, education, jobs, activities. Leaving this to the last week is how people end up rushing.
- Around December 22Check in on your recommendations. Proofread everything with fresh eyes.
- By January 4Submit a day early. Portals slow down near the cutoff.
Fill the Columbia form in minutes, not evenings
The essays deserve your time. Re-typing your address, schools, GPA, jobs and dates into yet another portal doesn't.
- Save your details once in one profile, or import them from your resume.
- One click fills the form on Columbia and the other schools you're applying to.
- Your essays stay yours. Long answers are only filled if you turn that on.
Other MBA deadlines
Fill It Up is not affiliated with or endorsed by Columbia Business School. Dates are taken from the school's official admissions site as of October 21, 2026. Always confirm there before you submit.