MSM Application Requirements

Applicants are required to complete an application including an application form, an essay, résumé or CV, transcripts from all post-secondary courses of study, two letters of recommendation, test scores, and an application fee. A checklist and additional information are included below.

Application Checklist

Prerequisite Courses

The typical student has taken probability and/or statistics and linear algebra at the undergraduate level. It is also desirable that applicants have some experience in a programing language, preferably Python or R. All majors are encouraged to apply, especially those interested in STEM-related fields.

Application Fee

A nonrefundable application fee of U.S. $100 must be received in order for an application to be considered. Please submit your payment through the online application system.

Fee waivers are available to active duty US military personnel, and members of the Peace Corps, Teach for America, Teach for China, or Teach for India who are currently in service. Proof of current service is required. Applicants who qualify for a fee waiver should email a fee waiver request, as well as proof of service, to [email protected]

Essay Instructions

In 500-1000 words please describe your reasons for pursuing the Master of Science in Marketing degree and your short-term and/or long-term career goals. In particular, discuss how you envision the degree will help you attain these goals. Please indicate which elective courses you plan to take during your course of study. As the MS program aims at building analytical skills for solving marketing problems, many MS students take electives primarily at the Business School. At times we encourage students to consider courses covering Economics, Engineering, Journalism, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, etc. from outside schools as well. The academics page of our site outlines some relevant courses within the School and the University classes are listed here. Please consider the whole breadth of options that you will have at Columbia Business School and at the University as a whole as you write your essay.

Résumé or CV Instructions

Applicants must submit a résumé or CV that includes an applicant’s academic background and credentials, relevant experience since graduating from high school, including summer employment and paid or volunteer positions held on campus, as well as other business or academic experiences.

Your Résumé or CV can be uploaded through the online application.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation, from professors or managers who know your work well, are required. You may submit up to four letters of reference. Applicants are permitted to submit a total of four letters. Letters of recommendation should be submitted directly by the recommender through the online application. Recommendations can also be from former or current supervisors or other professional associates who are senior to you. Further instructions are available in the application.

Transcripts and Test Scores

Unofficial copies of transcripts can be uploaded to the online application for initial review purposes. Likewise, unofficial test scores (GMAT, GRE, and TOEFL) can be self reported through the test scores section of the application. When decisions are released admitted students are required to submit official copies of both transcripts and test scores. Decisions are not binding until these materials have been received.

English Equivalency Exam Policy

We require self reported, and/or scanned test scores from all applicants, which must be submitted with the completion of your online application. We do not require you to send in an official score report for application to the program. If offered admission, these documents will be required to validate the offer of admission. International students who do not have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution in which all instruction is conducted in English must take either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the PTE (Pearson Test of English), or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). You may be exempted only if you have earned a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction. We will not accept requests for exceptions to this policy. Your scores must be valid when you submit your application.