Prospective Students

Columbia LGBT Admissions Event

Cluster Q and the Office of MBA Admissions cordially invite you to join Columbia Business School LGBT students and alumni to find out more about the application process and the CBS experience.

Contact us for more information.

Columbia Business School is an outstanding choice for any prospective MBA student. LGBT applicants are no exception. As you go through the daunting and exciting process of filing applications and making decisions, here are some frequently asked questions that may be useful. If you’d like to learn more, we highly encourage you to reach out and contact us to discuss your future.

Should I be out on my application?

When applying to any business school, you should try to express who you are as clearly as possible. Anything that makes you special or could help you stand out has the potential to be helpful as the Admissions Office look through thousands of applications. The experience of being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender often contributes to who you are as a person.

You should at no time feel hesitant about disclosing your sexual orientation to anyone at Columbia if you feel it is relevant. While you are certainly not required to offer this information, we encourage you to be completely comfortable in representing who you are in your application.

If I am out in my application, do I have to be out on campus?
Should I be out on campus anyway?

First, nothing you tell the Admissions Office is passed along to faculty or fellow students. While it is entirely your choice, however, being yourself is just as important and encouraged on campus as it is in your application. Being open and honest once you have arrived at Columbia will not only make lasting friendships easier but will also open up a network of LGBT alumni and professionals. Special recruiting events, alumni mixers and the national Reaching Out Conference offer great opportunities to connect with interesting, important people in a memorable way that is often difficult at events for the general public.

Most importantly, the decision to be out will be based on your personal preference; the Columbia Business School community does not expect, encourage or give any reason for not being open about your sexual orientation.

How big is Cluster Q?

Cluster Q currently has 40 members.

What is it like to be a gay MBA student at Columbia?

With faculty, administrators and staff as members of our community, LGBT business students feel totally comfortable at Columbia. On campus, most students relish this special opportunity that business school affords to meet people from all walks of life. Recruiters also value this diversity and will hold dinners and receptions to get to know you better.

Of course, after recruiting is over and you want to escape campus, New York offers an incomparable array of things to do and people to meet. With the Village, Chelsea and Hells Kitchen straight down the west side of Manhattan from campus, you’ll never be bored.

How should I find out if CBS is the place for me?

E-mail us! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. We know what it’s like to be in your shoes and will be happy to share anything that might help.

Visit! There is nothing like seeing a school in person. If you are planning on visiting, please let use know if you would like to chat with a Cluster Q member while you are here.