The Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to gain a few years of work experience with a guarantee of admission to Columbia's highly selective MBA program, and the flexibility to begin the full-time program two to five years after college graduation.
Columbia is looking for future leaders from all academic and personal backgrounds to maintain the diverse and supportive community for which Columbia is known.
Apply to Columbia Business School
Apply during your senior year in college or during a subsequent graduate program. When reviewing your application, the Admissions committee will look at your academic background, any work experience or internships that you have, and your engagement in activities outside the classroom.
Gain Work Experience
After completing your current studies and before starting your MBA at Columbia Business School, enter the workforce for two, three, four, or five years. Use the time to explore what drives you, knowing that you have the flexibility to start the MBA program when the time is right for you.
Access Columbia
As an admitted student you are part of the Columbia Community, and will have select access to conferences, events, and School-wide resources to enhance your academic experience and to help you throughout your career.
Start Your MBA
When you are ready to start the MBA program, send us a letter of intent, specifying whether you want to enroll in January (16-month program) or August (traditional 20-month program featuring a summer internship). You will have the option to choose the program that fits your personal and professional goals.
Fellowships and Scholarships
Once you send your letter of intent to start the MBA program, you will be considered for merit-based fellowships and be able to apply for need-based scholarships. Find more information on fellowships and scholarships.
Application Process
Eligibility
- Students graduating during the current academic year from a bachelor's degree program. (Example: Those who graduate between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025 are eligible to apply for the 2025 Deferred Enrollment Program Admissions cycle)
- Students completing a graduate degree program. Candidates must have started the graduate degree program directly after completing their undergraduate degree to be eligible for the Deferred Enrollment Program.
- Students enrolled in PhD programs, law school, or medical school are not eligible. Please apply through the standard MBA or EMBA application process.
Application Requirements
See full application requirements here.
To be considered in the 2025 application cycle, your application must be completed by 12:00pm Eastern Time (ET) on April 15th, 2025. All application materials, including your letter of recommendation, must be submitted by the deadline for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Interview
Candidates will be notified if they are invited to interview with Columbia Business School. All interviews will be conducted virtually.
Fees and Deposits
- There is no application fee for students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or eligible graduate-level program.
- Once admitted, students will be required to submit a $500 non-refundable deposit by 11:59am EDT on August 1, 2025.
- Subsequent $500 deferral continuation fees will be due each year that you defer.
- The year that you decide to matriculate, you will also be required to verify your work experience during the deferral period and submit deposits for your entry-point.
Important Dates
- The Deferred Enrollment application will open in November 2024 and will close on April 15, 2025 at 11:59am EDT.
- Completed applications will begin the review process after April 15, 2025
- Interview invitations will be sent on or before May 15, 2025
- Final decisions will be released in late June 2025. A $500 deposit is due by 11:59pm EDT on August 1, 2025.
