In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we learn more about Columbia Business School (CBS) MBA admissions from Kate Murphy, Director of Recruitment and Yield.
Kate Murphy serves on the admissions committee and leads the strategic planning and execution of initiatives for prospective and admitted students across the portfolio of CBS degree programs. Kate has worked in higher education since 2015 and joined the CBS admissions team in 2019. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MS in Higher Education Administration. Read on for her insights into the MBA program, applications essays, admissions interview and more.
Clear Admit: What is one aspect of your MBA program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Kate Murphy: I wish more applicants knew about our Executives in Residence (EIR) program as it’s a unique offering for CBS. Students get to sit down one-on-one with C-level executives for unmatched, personal mentorship. We have over 25 executives spanning various industries who are eager to support students as they navigate their MBA career journey and beyond.
Whether you want to map out your long-term goals, bounce a new business idea around, or just talk through some creative problem-solving, having that kind of accessible sounding board is invaluable. Students can sign up to meet with an Executive in Residence simply by scheduling an appointment via our Career Management Center platform.
CA: Walk us through the life of an application in your office from an operational standpoint. What happens between the time an applicant clicks “submit” and the time the committee offers a final decision?
KM: Each application is read in full by multiple admissions officers. Our goal is to gain a thorough understanding of an applicant’s academic and professional background, their motivation for pursuing an MBA at Columbia Business School, and how they hope to contribute to our vibrant student community.
Based on this review, we determine whether to extend an invitation to interview. If you are not invited to interview, you may be waitlisted or denied. You must be interviewed to be admitted. If invited to interview, your interviewer will submit their report and then the Admissions Committee reviews the entire application again, alongside the interview report, before reaching a final decision. Applicants who interviewed with us may be admitted, denied, or placed on the post-interview waitlist.
CA: How does your team approach the essay portion of the application specifically? What are you looking for as you read an essay? Are there common mistakes applicants should try to avoid? What is one key thing candidates should keep in mind as they sit down to write?
KM: The essay portion of the application is a favorite among the Admissions team, as it offers valuable insight into what matters most to the applicant and the type of inclusive leader they aspire to become during their time at CBS and beyond.
Applicants are encouraged to take time to reflect on their journey before writing and to think critically about their future goals and how they plan to leverage the CBS experience. The most compelling essays are those that feel honest and grounded, rather than overly polished or tailored to what the applicant believes the committee wants to hear.
We advise applicants to answer prompts directly, be concise and articulate, and proofread for grammar, spelling, and accuracy. Clear, authentic writing helps the committee understand the individual behind the application.
CA: Could you tell us about your interview process? Approximately what percentage of applicants are invited to interview, who typically conducts interviews, and what should candidates expect in terms of interview style and format?
KM: All interviews for the MBA program are conducted virtually to provide a consistent and equitable experience for all applicants. Interviews may be conducted by an Admissions Officer, an alumnus of the MBA program, or a current second-year student who is a member of the Hermes Society.
Interviews are scheduled across time zones, and the interviewer’s contact information is shared 48 hours before the conversation. Interviewers are provided only with the applicant’s resume, so the focus is on the individual’s story, experiences, and goals. The interview is intended to be conversational and offers applicants an opportunity to expand on their background and to ask questions they have about CBS.
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the admissions process?
KM: International students are an integral part of the CBS community, and the admissions team is committed to making the application process accessible and inclusive for global candidates.
In addition, we travel abroad each summer to meet prospective students in cities across the globe and offer a wide-range of virtual programming. These events are designed to provide information for those navigating the application process and create meaningful points of connection for applicants, wherever they are located. The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) is a key resource that supports students as they transition to studying in the United States, including visa and immigration guidance.
CA: Conversations about MBA value often center on jobs, salaries, and ROI. What are some of the other ways students benefit from the MBA experience that may be harder to quantify upfront?
KM: Between the intentional cluster and learning team structure, 75+ student clubs and organizations, and a supportive pay-it-forward culture, the enduring value of an MBA at CBS lies in the connections you will make. Your classmates, along with 54,700+ incredible alumni from around the world, become your lifelong support network.
In addition to the network, another intangible aspect of the MBA experience is access to world-class faculty experts. Classroom discussions at CBS are enhanced by learning from researchers and practitioners who are at the absolute forefront of their fields. Thanks to our location in New York City, our students have unmatched access to faculty experts and professors of practice who are driving meaningful change and conducting cutting-edge research in their respective industries.
CA: Are there any trends in the applicant pool, admissions process, or MBA experience that you are particularly focused on right now?
KM: It is an exciting time to pursue business school as technology is evolving so rapidly! Through initiatives like University-provided AI access, our AI and Data Analytics curriculum pathway, and faculty-led research, CBS is actively helping students understand how to use AI thoughtfully and strategically in their coursework and careers.
Columbia Business School is taking a deliberate approach to artificial intelligence by integrating it across the entire portfolio of degree programs. Rather than treating AI as a standalone topic, we’re weaving it into core courses, popular electives, and creating specialized classes that explore its impact across industries and functions. By fall 2026, we’ll have 25+ AI-focused electives, covering everything from vibe coding to AI deployment.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
KM: From an admissions perspective, we want applicants to know that our process is still fundamentally human. While AI is a great tool for brainstorming, we are reading your applications with human eyes and want your true voice to shine. With that, we can’t wait to meet you! Our team is hitting the road this summer and hosting robust on-campus and virtual experiences this fall that will provide excellent opportunities to get your questions about the application process answered and to familiarize yourself with the vibrant CBS community. Check out our events page to learn more.
