Deferred Enrollment Program - The App is Open Webinar

Key Concepts

• Deferred Enrollment Program (DEP): An opportunity for students to apply to business school during their final year of undergraduate or master's studies, with the option to defer enrollment for 2-5 years to gain work experience.
• MBA (Master of Business Administration): A graduate degree focused on comprehensive business studies, networking, leadership development, and skill acquisition.
• Cluster: A group of approximately 70 students who take their core curriculum together, fostering diversity and collaborative learning.
• Learning Team: A smaller group within a cluster, formed for collaborative study and mutual support.
• Curriculum Pathways: Optional roadmaps outlining courses relevant to specific industries or career interests.
• Career Management Center (CMC): A resource providing support for internship and job searches, including resume review, pitch refinement, and career coaching.
• CMC Fellows: Second-year MBA students who assist first-year students with career development.
• Alumni Network: A network of former students who offer support, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
• Block Week: An intensive, condensed class format offered in the week before the regular semester begins.

Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment Program Overview

This summary details the Columbia Business School (CBS) Deferred Enrollment Program (DEP), presented by Susanna Matthews (Associate Director of Admission), and featuring current MBA students Peyton and Stephanie, who are former DEP participants. The program allows students to apply during their final year of undergraduate or master's studies and defer enrollment for 2-5 years to gain work experience before matriculating. This provides a "safety net" and flexibility for career exploration.

Why Deferred Enrollment?

• Flexibility and Exploration: DEP offers the security of a deferred admission while allowing students to explore different career paths and gain valuable work experience.
• Career Risk-Taking: Having a deferred admission in place can empower students to take on more ambitious or entrepreneurial roles, knowing they have a fallback option.
• Strategic Career Development: DEP allows individuals to strategically build their resumes and gain specific skills before committing to an MBA.

Panelist Experiences with Deferred Enrollment

• Stephanie:
  • Applied to DEP because it offered a "safety net" to explore career options.
  • Deferred for 4 years, deciding to return to school when she felt she had reached a plateau in her career and the job market was uncertain.
  • Her experience at Accenture and Twitch in strategy roles informed her decision to pursue an MBA.
  • Interned at Roblox in product marketing during her deferral period.
• Peyton:
  • Applied to DEP during COVID-19, influenced by her sister studying for the GMAT and the desire to return to New York.
  • Secured a job at Goldman Sachs in Wealth Management, later moving to a digital transformation role focusing on emerging technology (Bitcoin, generative AI, blockchain).
  • Credited DEP with enabling her to take a significant career risk in a new, entrepreneurial team, knowing she could pursue an MBA if it didn't work out.
  • Deferred for the full 5 years, feeling it was the right time to fill gaps in her finance and tech knowledge by pursuing an MBA.
  • Her summer internship was in consulting at BCG in New York.

The Value of an MBA

• Career Pivot and Advancement: An MBA is valuable for those seeking to pivot careers, overcome career ceilings, or gain additional skills.
• Networking and Community: The MBA program provides dedicated time for networking, developing leadership skills, and engaging with diverse individuals.
• Comprehensive Business Education: Unlike specialized business degrees, an MBA offers a broad curriculum covering economics, statistics, marketing, and strategy, helping students identify and fill knowledge gaps.
• Personal Growth: The program fosters self-awareness and the ability to articulate career goals and the rationale for pursuing an MBA.

Why Columbia Business School (CBS)?

• New York City Location: The vibrant environment of New York City offers unparalleled access to industries, companies, and networking opportunities.
• Strong Community: CBS fosters a supportive and diverse community where students can connect with peers from various backgrounds.
• Engaged Faculty: Professors are described as hands-on, accessible, and dedicated to teaching, even in a large institution.
• Campus Environment: The defined CBS campus within New York City provides a sense of community and a dedicated space for learning and interaction.

MBA Program Structure at CBS

• Deferred Enrollment Path: DEP participants follow the same MBA curriculum as traditional applicants.
• Entry Options: Students can choose between August entry (traditional academic year) or January entry (four consecutive semesters without a formal summer internship break). Most DEP students opt for August entry.
• Curriculum Flexibility: The curriculum includes a required core curriculum in the first term, followed by a wide range of elective courses, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests.
• Core Curriculum: Consists of required classes taken with a designated "cluster" of approximately 70 students, designed to foster diversity and collaborative learning. Students are also placed into "learning teams" for study groups.
• Electives and Curriculum Pathways: Students have significant freedom in choosing electives. "Curriculum Pathways" offer optional roadmaps for various industries, suggesting relevant courses and prerequisites.

Faculty and Courses

• Adjunct and Tenured Professors: CBS benefits from professors who are active industry professionals (adjuncts) and full-time academics (tenured).
• Notable Courses and Professors:
  • Stephanie's Recommendation: Matan Greifel, who teaches "Intro to Databases" (SQL) and "Intro to Python." His business background makes coding concepts digestible and applicable to business cases. He is also a successful startup founder.
  • Peyton's Recommendation: Sherrod Devarajan, who teaches an "AI and Virtual Reality" class during a block week. He brings in industry speakers and provides insights into cutting-edge technologies.

Career Management and Development

• Career Management Center (CMC): Provides comprehensive support for internship and job searches, including resume reviews, pitch labs, and career coaching.
• CMC Fellows: Second-year students who offer peer guidance and support to first-year students.
• Alumni Coaching Program: Connects students with recent alumni for industry-specific advice and interview practice.
• Structured Recruiting: Consulting and investment banking recruitments follow a set timeline, while other industries recruit throughout the year.
• Management Consulting Association (MCA): A student club that offers resources and support for consulting recruitment, including casing sessions and "ask me anything" events.
• Tech Recruiting: Less structured than consulting or banking, relying more on resume submissions and less on traditional networking for internships.
• Key Takeaway: The CMC and student clubs are crucial for securing internships and jobs.

Student Involvement and Extracurriculars

• Over 75 Student Organizations: CBS offers a wide array of clubs covering professional interests, social activities, athletics, and community engagement.
• Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars: Students manage a demanding schedule by prioritizing activities, leveraging campus resources, and forming study groups.
• Examples of Involvement:
  • Peyton: Co-president of the Management Consulting Association, involved in the AI Club, Tech Club, Columbia Women in Business, Jewish Business Student Association, Snow Sports Club, and Art Society.
• Pay-it-Forward Mentality: A strong culture of support and mentorship exists among students and alumni.

The Alumni Network

• Global Reach and Support: The CBS alumni network is extensive and actively engaged, offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and career advice across various industries and geographies.
• Community Building: Alumni clubs and events foster friendships and connections across different class years.
• Resource for Prospective Students: Alumni are willing to connect with and advise prospective students.

Admissions Requirements for Deferred Enrollment Program

• Eligibility:
  • Students graduating from a bachelor's program between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026.
  • Full-time graduate students who entered a master's program directly after their bachelor's degree and are graduating within the same academic year timeframe.
• Application Process:
  • Separate Application: Distinct from the regular MBA application, with different questions tailored to applicants at an earlier career stage.
  • Online Application Form: Collects biographical data, internships, extracurricular activities, and academic experience.
  • Unofficial Academic Transcript: No specific required classes, minimum GPA, or GPA threshold. Diverse academic backgrounds are welcome.
  • Standardized Test Score: GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment required (unofficial scores accepted initially). No preference for any specific test.
  • One-Page Resume: No preferred format; legibility is key.
  • One Letter of Recommendation: From an internship supervisor, professor, or someone familiar with the applicant's undergraduate experience.
  • Two Short Answer Questions:
    1. Why an MBA and why CBS? Focuses on the applicant's reasoning for pursuing an MBA and their specific interest in CBS.
    2. Community Involvement: Explores the applicant's experience within a community they belong to or are passionate about.
• Application Deadline: April 15, 2026, at noon. No benefit to early submission.
• Review and Interviews: Applications are reviewed after the deadline, and interview invitations are sent out. Interviews are required and conducted by current students or admissions staff.
• Notification: Applicants will hear about interview invitations by May 15th.
• Reapplication: Individuals not admitted to DEP are welcome to reapply to the MBA program later.

Post-Admission Logistics and Funding

• Tuition Deposit: A $500 deposit is due August 1, 2026, if admitted.
• Deferral Continuation Fee: A $500 annual fee is required to maintain the deferred enrollment spot. All fees contribute towards tuition.
• Annual Check-ins: The school will check in at least annually, requiring a brief employment update.
• Matriculation Window: Admitted students can matriculate between 2028 and 2031.
• Funding: Information on institutional funding (merit and need-based aid) will be provided in the year of matriculation. DEP students receive priority consideration for merit-based aid and can apply for need-based aid.

Q&A Highlights

• Balancing Coursework and Extracurriculars: It's a significant balancing act, but immersion in the MBA program, prioritizing activities, and utilizing campus resources make it manageable. The two-year program is intense but rewarding.
• Application Tips:
  • Authenticity: Be genuine in your responses, highlighting what you genuinely enjoy and learn from.
  • Active Participation: Demonstrate that you are an active member of your communities.
  • Reflection: Use the application process to reflect on your contributions and future aspirations.
  • Career Goals: Have a clear understanding of your short- and long-term career goals, even if they may evolve.
• During the Deferral Period:
  • Stay Engaged: Continue to engage with CBS through virtual events, webinars, and deferred enrollment specific programs.
  • Refresh Knowledge: Before matriculating, refresh your understanding of clubs, pathways, and programs that interested you during the application process.
  • Connect: Maintain connections with people and the CBS community.
• Words to Describe CBS Students: Driven, Welcoming, Impressive.

Conclusion

The Deferred Enrollment Program at Columbia Business School offers a unique pathway for ambitious students to gain valuable work experience before pursuing a comprehensive MBA. The program emphasizes flexibility, career exploration, and personal growth, supported by a strong community, engaged faculty, and extensive resources. The application process encourages authenticity and thoughtful reflection on career aspirations and community involvement.