Your online application will go through several stages.
Application Submitted/Received
We have received all required application components and have begun to review your application. During this stage, your application is reviewed by at least two admissions officers, after which you'll be either invited to interview or denied admission. Please note that August-entry Regular Decision applications will not be reviewed until all January and Early Decision applications are complete. We typically begin reviewing August-entry Regular Decision applications in late November.
For all terms of entry, our goal is either to invite applicants for an interview or deny admission within six weeks of a completed application being received. Our goal for interviewed applicants is to render a final decision within two weeks of the interview report being completed.
Keep in mind applications cannot be reviewed until they are complete. Missing required materials, such as your recommendation letter, must be received by the Admissions Office within two weeks of your application submission.
Invited to Interview*
If you are invited to interview, you will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to set the interview up. Interviews are being conducted in person and virtually. The Admissions team does not have an in-person or virtual preference, our only preference is scheduling the earliest interview date. When reaching out to your Ambassador, please ensure you inform them if you prefer to meet them in person or virtually. Should no Ambassadors be in your area, you are able to input another region/country inside or outside of your time zone for a virtual interview.
Please be aware that your interviewer will not be familiar with the details of your application except your professional resume, if you choose to provide one. The timing of an interview invitation has no bearing on the likelihood of your acceptance to Columbia Business School. Interviews are by invitation only; they cannot be requested by applicants.
Complete*
Within a week following the interview, your interviewer should submit a report to the Admissions Office. Once the report is received, you will receive a confirmation via e-mail.
Final Decision Is Rendered
A final decision of either Admission, Waitlist, or Denial can be rendered at any time. Our goal is that interviewed applicants will receive a decision within two weeks of receiving a completed interview report. All decisions are final.
*Indicates a subphase that may or may not apply to your application.