Recently we posted Columbia’s deadlines for the upcoming application season. Today we’d like to follow up on that with a brief explanation of one of Columbia’s unique offerings: the Accelerated January Program, otherwise known as J-Term.
J-Term students earn their MBA’s in a year and a half, as opposed to the two year schedule that is more typical at Columbia and the other top programs. The next J-Term class, which is usually about 200 students strong, will matriculate in January 2008 and graduate in June 2009.
The main difference between the traditional two year MBA and Columbia’s J-Term is that students attend classes full time through the summer, foregoing the summer internship that is an important component of most MBA programs. This makes the accelerated program perfect for applicants who don’t need to explore career opportunities during the summer months. For example, while a career changer might depend upon the summer internship to gain important exposure to a new field, a student who intends to continue on his or her current career path may not need the internship experience at all.
After six intense months together, J-Term students are absorbed into the second year class at the beginning of the fall semester. In order to make a smooth transition and meet their many new classmates, J-Term students find it important to get involved with extra-curricular activities. For a great sense of how this transition works, and to learn about the J-Term experience as a whole, we recommend checking in with current student blogger J-Term Johnny.
While the Columbia adcom has been accepting J-Term applications since late April, the application deadline is the same as the Early Decision deadline: October 10th, 2007. Below are the essay questions for the January 2008 application:
1. What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? Please also discuss what led you to apply for the accelerated MBA at Columbia, and how it best fits your needs. (Recommended 750 word limit)
2. Leading in the global economy requires enabling high performance from a diverse set of employees, colleagues and partners. Tell us about a manager you’ve observed who enabled or inspired others to do their best work and analyze how this manager did it. (Recommended 500 word limit)
3. In discussing Columbia Business School, Dean R. Glenn Hubbard remarked, “We have established the mind-set that entrepreneurship is about everything you do.” Please discuss a time in your own life when you have identified and captured an opportunity. (Recommended 500 word limit)
4. Please select and answer one of the following essay questions. (Recommended 250 word limit)
a. Please tell us about what you feel most passionate in life.
b. If you were given a free day and could spend it anywhere, in any way you choose, what would you do?
5. (Optional) Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.
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