Internship Recruiting Calendar & Policies

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

• No interviews or offers are permitted between August 17, 2025, and January 4, 2026, as indicated below. Exceptions may be allowed for certain international and regional offices outside of the New York tri-state area, only with prior approval from the CMC.
• Interviews for all industries begin Monday, January 5, 2026. Second-round interviews for investment banking begin Thursday, January 8, 2026.
• Offers for investment banking internships may not be extended before 5 p.m. EST on Monday, January 12, 2026.
• 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, or prior to January 5, 2026, without written approval.
• Recruiters must advise the CMC of plans to hold off-campus first-round interviews to avoid significant recruiting conflicts. This notice must include the number of candidates seen and the duration of interviews.

Second Round Interviews:

• Students may not be invited to or be asked to commit to second-round interviews before first-round interviews are complete.
• Second-round interviews are scheduled directly between the candidate and the company.
• If candidates are required to travel to other cities to interview, your organization’s policy on travel reimbursement should be clearly outlined in advance.
• Recruiters may not hold second-round interviews on the same day as first-round interviews.
• Companies should offer an alternate date and time for second-round and/or out-of-town interviews for students with scheduling conflicts. Companies interviewing outside of the New York area should inform the CMC of their interview timing in advance.

Overall:

• Students may not miss class for recruiting events or interviews.
• Students should not be expected to interview outside the New York tri-state area on class days (Monday through Thursday).
• Companies choosing to interview students on Friday evenings or Saturdays 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:

Summer Internships Offer Policies

• Offers for investment banking summer internships may not be extended before 5 p.m. EST on Monday, January 12, 2026.
• Offers for industries outside of investment banking may be extended anytime after the completion of first-round interviews.
• Firms may not invite students to sell events or other post-interview events until an offer has been extended.
• All summer internship offers in all industries must remain open until Monday, February 2, 2026, or for three weeks from receipt of written offer, whichever is later.
• Offers extended after February 13, 2026, must remain open for at least seven 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.
• 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 Jaci Czarnecki, Assistant Dean, Strategic Partnerships and Engagement.
• 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 Full Time 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 outside the New York tri-state metropolitan 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 Internship Interview Round: Week of January 4-8, 2027

Employer Registration Period
August 1 - August 15, 2026
Employers submit OCI requests and job postings through 12twenty.

Employer Registration (Continued) + Student Application Period
August 15 – December 14, 2026 at 9am
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
December 14 – December 22, 2026
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
December 22 - December 29, 2026
Once the candidate selections are finalized, students will have one week to accept or decline interview invitations and select interview times.

Schedule Finalization
December 29, 2026
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.