Our OCI program follows a structured, multi-phase process in 12twenty to ensure a smooth and transparent experience for both employers and students. Each interview round progresses through the following stages:
Job Descriptions
Upload job descriptions to 12Twenty as early as possible and be very detailed regarding the position’s function, requirements, location, and work authorization to ensure that you receive the most prepared candidates.
Application Due Dates
Applications must be solicited through 12Twenty for all positions companies will recruit for on campus. Companies may require additional means of application if they wish; this information may also be communicated to candidates through 12Twenty.
Application deadlines default to 9 a.m. ET for companies interviewing on campus or for interviews managed by the CMC.
Interview Policies
Firms may conduct a full-time interview with a Columbia Business School Class of 2027 student, at their earliest convenience, provided the allotted time does not conflict with a student’s academic commitments.
- Interviews taking place on campus begin Tuesday, September 7, 2026.
- Unless noted, full-time interviews may be at any mutually agreeable day/time that does not conflict with class (options must be provided).
- Recruiters must advise the CMC of plans to hold first-round interviews to avoid significant recruiting conflicts. This notice must include the number of candidates to be seen and the expected duration of interviews.
- Companies should offer an alternate date and time for second-round interviews for students with scheduling conflicts.
- Interviews may not take place during blackout dates.
- Companies choosing to interview students on Friday evenings or weekends must be prepared to accommodate students who request an alternate day for religious reasons.
- Companies should update candidates of their status within two weeks of interviews taking place.
Interview Blackout Periods
Students should not be asked to interview during exam and blackout periods. There are also event blackout dates to keep in mind when planning your recruiting schedule:
Restricted Dates | Reason |
October 19–23, 2026 | Exams |
November 2–3, 2026 | Fall Break |
November 25–27, 2026 | Thanksgiving |
December 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027 | Exams / Winter Break |
January 18, 2027 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
March 8–12, 2027 | Exams |
March 15–19, 2027 | Spring Break |
Offers for Full-Time Positions
- Full-time offers, including those to summer interns, must be held open for at least three weeks from the date of the written offer, and the CMC encourages employers to be flexible about extending this deadline so that students can make a well-considered decision on offers. Offers extended on or after February 12, 2027, must remain open for at least 7 calendar days from receipt of written offer.
- The fundamental terms of an offer must remain unchanged until the expiration date, although incentives encouraging students to commit before the deadline are permitted, so long as incentives are small relative to the overall value of the offer and the incentive is aligned with the spirit of the recruiting process (e.g. group-specific offers which may convert to generalist offers).
- Companies should not make conditional offers or ask questions implying a conditional offer—for example, “If we made you an offer, would you accept it?” Student feedback indicates that this makes firms appear desperate and lacking confidence in the recruiting process. Furthermore, conditional offers do not allow students time to consider their options.
- Hiring organizations should inform students of their status and/or timeline for decisions within two weeks of their interviews, regardless of outcome.
- The rescinding of a verbal or written job offer, unless done under extenuating circumstances such as unforeseen business conditions or egregious student behavior, is a very serious violation of Columbia Business School recruiting policy and will be handled accordingly. Delayed start dates of an extended period may be considered rescinded offers as well. Sanctions against firms in violation of this policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any organization considering rescinding an offer or delaying a start date should first contact the Career Management Center.
- Students who accept offers verbally or in writing and then renege on that commitment have violated recruiting policy and the Columbia Business School Honor Code. Sanctions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will include disciplinary action, which may result in the suspension of recruiting privileges and/or a requirement to appear before the Dean’s Disciplinary Committee
View the Internship Offer Policies.
Pre-interview Dinners and Sell Days
Pre-interview events the night before interviews are generally not allowed. Exceptions may be made for companies traveling from outside the New York tri-state area. Please consult your firm’s account manager about your company’s circumstances.
Sell events should never conflict with academic commitments and are therefore best held on Fridays or Saturdays. Additionally, firms may not invite students to sell events or other post-interview events until offers have been extended.
Example Full-Time Interview Round: Week of September 21-25, 2027
Employer Registration Period
August 1 - August 9 2027
Employers submit OCI requests and job postings through 12twenty.
Employer Registration (Continued) + Student Application Period
August 10 – September 9, 2027
Students submit applications.
Action: Employers may continue to post opportunities and monitor applicant volume. All job postings for the period have the same application deadline.
Employer Decision Period
September 9 – September 11, 2027
Employers review applications and select candidates for interviews, including alternate selections.
Action: Employers must finalize candidate selections within 12twenty by the deadline.
Student Pre-Select Decision + Swap Period
September 11 – September 18, 2027
Once the candidate selections are finalized, students will have one week to accept or decline interview invitations and select interview times.
Schedule Finalization
September 18, 2027
Final interview schedules are locked the Friday prior to the week of the interviews.
Example: For interviews scheduled September 21–25, schedules will be finalized on September 18.