columbia college essay

The Art of Political Manipulation, William H. Riker The Better Angels of Our Nature, Steven Pinker Leonardo’s Brain, Leonard Shlain The Power of One, Bryce Courtenay Hopscotch, Julio Cortazar Gang Leader for a Day, Sudhir Venkatesh Who Gets What--and Why, Alvin E. Roth Freakonomics, Steven D. Levitt Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie

How to Write Columbia Supplemental Essay #2

Lectures The Future of American Economy, Nicholas Bloom Politics from an Ethical Perspective, Rob Reich Mechanics of Genomic Sequencing, Mike Snyder Machinery of Freedom, David Friedman Engineering your Luck, Tiffany Zhong Fighting for Minority Rights, Congressman Ted Lieu Multiculturalism, Wajahat Ali The Satire Paradox, Malcolm Gladwell U.S. Supreme Court Tour Thomas Jefferson Memorial Tour Exhibits Smithsonian Renwick Gallery: WONDER The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Design for Eternity--Architectural Models from the Ancient Americas Cantor Arts Center: She Who Tells a Story--Women Photographers from Iran and the Arab World TV Sherlock Holmes House of Cards Last Week Tonight The Daily Show War and Peace Designated Survivor Quantico Concerts/Shows War Horse Mamma Mia Movies Now You See Me Pride and Prejudice Interstellar The Age of Adaline

How to Write Columbia Supplemental Essay #3

This is basically a “Community Essay,” with a bit of “Why us?” thrown in. You can find our comprehensive guide on how to write the Community Essay here . Or, if you’re short on time, here’s the abbreviated version:

Step 1: Create a “communities” chart by listing all the communities you’re a part of. Keep in mind that communities can be defined by ...

1. Place: Groups of people who live/work/play near one another

2. Action: Groups of people who create change in the world by building, doing, or solving something together (Examples: Black Lives Matter, Girls Who Code, March for Our Lives)

3. Interest: Groups of people coming together based on a shared interest, experience, or expertise

4. Circumstance: Groups of people brought together either by chance or external events/situations.

Step 2: Use the BEABIES Exercise to generate your essay content. Once you’ve chosen a community, map out your content using the BEABIES Exercise . That exercise asks:

What did you actually do? (Tip: Use active verbs like “organized” and “managed” to clarify your responsibilities.)

What kinds of problems did you solve (personally, locally, or globally)?

What specific impact did you have?

What did you learn (skills, qualities, values)?

How did you apply the lessons you learned?

Step 3: Pick a structure. The Narrative Structure works well for students who have faced a challenge in or with this community. Otherwise, the Montage Structure works well.

Consider answering these three questions in your essay if you choose the Narrative Structure:

What challenge did you face?

What did you do about it?

What did you learn?

How do those things shape how you will contribute to Columbia? (Ideally with some Why Us detail)

Here’s an example using the Narrative Structure.

In the summer of COVID-19, I formed two virtual clubs to offer my peers a continued sense of community. With most summer activities canceled, I felt it was important to our mental health to provide alternative social connections in the absence of face-to-face interaction. For Book Club, teachers and students met in advance, creating thoughtful presentations that illustrated each presenter's passions and perspectives. For Debate Club, conversations got heated with teachers arguing alongside students, each person advocating their position. After summer, I was told by students and teachers alike that the clubs were the highlight of their week. To my delight, the Debate Club was so popular, I am continuing it during this school year. At Columbia, I will shift my focus to fostering community between my LGBTQ+ peers and other members of the community. From my summer club experience, I have a new appreciation for how social interactions can develop stronger bonds between students, staff, and faculty. I intend to find similar opportunities through Columbia iQ where I can organize social events like a book club or even a group cooking class to help foster new champions for the LGBTQ+ community. (192 words) — — —

Tips + Analysis

Answer the question. This student effectively uses a simple narrative to answer the question clearly and directly. Here’s how she does it:

The first quick paragraph sets up the what and the why (built two virtual clubs to maintain sense of community) of the challenge she faced.

Next, the student efficiently addresses how her experience shaped her engagement with complex, perhaps controversial ideas, and how learning to effectively engage can promote social cohesion.

Finally, she explores how she wants to apply these insights to her experience and engagement with the Columbia community, including a specific school opportunity (Columbia iQ) that she envisions contributing to in specific ways.

Show your values. This student packs tons of values into this essay. Read it again and see how many you count. Don’t know what your values are? Do our Values Exercise , and identify the core values you want Columbia to come away with after reading your essay.

Use structure to guide your reader. Each paragraph has a clear structural purpose—1) Problem I faced; 2) What I did, the impact it had, and what I learned; 3) What I’ll bring to Columbia because of 1 + 2. Clear topic sentences and transitions are your friends.

Add a “why Columbia” specific detail or two. The specific examples in the final paragraph can help a reader envision how this student will become part of and contribute to Columbia’s community. Whether it’s continuing your advocacy work with an on-campus organization, or honing your debate skills in your discussion-based core classes, let Columbia admission reps know you’ve explored why you fit with Columbia’s community and that you’re thinking of how you can apply your experiences to life on campus.

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How to Write Columbia Supplemental Essay #4

This prompt is your classic “Why us?” essay, only it’s a bit on the short side with a max of 200 words. We recommend checking out our complete guide on how to write the “Why us?” essay and pay close attention to the “Why Cornell” and “Why Penn” examples, which are our favorites. The “Why Tufts” essay is a nice example of how you can write a shorter version of the “Why us?”

Here’s the abbreviated version of how to write the “Why us?” essay:

Spend 1 hr+ researching 5-7 reasons why Columbia might be a great fit for you (ideally 3-5 of the reasons will be unique to Columbia AND connect back to you).

Per the last sentence of the prompt, make sure you’re focusing on opportunities you can only (or mostly only) find at Columbia (and not, say, New York City). That’s so important to school officials, they made a point to add that clarification to the prompt this year.

Make a copy of this chart to map out your college research (see it below as well).

Create an outline for your essays based on either Approach 1, 2 (recommended), or 3 in my full guide above.

Write a first draft!

Here’s a great sample essay for this prompt. Note that this essay is nearly 300 words—yours will need to be a bit shorter.

Columbia cultivates a focus on diversity of intellect, research, art, and tradition that brings me home. At North Carolina Governor’s School, the My Lai Massacre, determinism vs. free will, and epistemology were just a few of the topics we discussed in seminars. During the 5.5 week program, I asked myself countless questions: How should we define truth and knowledge? What principles would rule the ideal society? How does Plato’s Allegory of the Cave apply to my experiences? Similar to that found at Governor’s School, the discourse surrounding the Core forges a sense of community and curiosity that will allow me to delve further into these inquiries. In fact, the Contemporary Civilization course closely resembles the GS focus on the investigation of relevant political, moral, and social issues. Further, the flexibility to take unique courses such as Cognitive Mechanics and Economic Behavior and Research Ethics & Philosophy will allow me to gain a clearer understanding of the connections between my chemistry research and impactful societal, religious, and technological decisions and realities. The research opportunities at Columbia are unparalleled. The SURF program will allow me to further my knowledge of the applications of chemistry by delving into research in a laboratory at Columbia. I hope to build upon my research in catalysis through work in Dr. Robert Farrauto’s lab, which places a refreshing focus on environmental sustainability through catalysis engineering. Outside of the classroom and the lab, whether it be through CU China Dance or Raw Elementz, I hope there is a stage in NYC that will embrace my dancing. Further, the tree-lighting, hot-chocolate drinking, and acapella singing that occur each year are just a few of the many traditions that strengthen the Columbia community–ones that I want to be a part of. — — —

Identify unique opportunities at Columbia. The prompt is asking you kindly not to write about its location, or its friendly students, or any other quality you could ascribe to hundreds of other schools. You can tell this student spent a good deal of time doing her research. The great thing about a “Why Us?” essay is that once you’ve compiled your research, it almost writes itself.

Follow the formula. This essay answers the question using a template that’s very basic, and we don’t mean that pejoratively. The writer gives us “example + personal connection” over and over again. Her examples include most of the “Why us?” greatest hits: In the author’s own words, “intellect, research, art, and tradition.” So, find specific coursework and research opportunities and faculty that align with your (hopefully specific) interests, extracurriculars that nourish your creative side, and campus culture-y things you identify with. Then put these in an order that makes sense to you. And don’t forget:

Make it personal. Even though she packs a lot of research into these 291 words, this is not a merely expository essay. We learn a lot about what matters to her and what stokes her curiosity—the intellectual vitality leaps off the page. That string of questions she asks herself do a lot of the legwork early on.

Remember, “Why us?” = Why Columbia + Why Me. Another great thing about this essay is the way the writer matches her own values with Columbia’s. As important as identifying your own values is identifying those of the schools you’re applying to, and connecting the two in ways that show the two of you are compatible.

How to Write Columbia Supplemental Essay #5

This essay is what we call a “Why Major” essay.

You’ll find a step-by-step guide to writing this essay at this link , but here’s the short version:

Step #1: Imagine a mini-movie of the moments that led you to your interest and create a simple, bullet point outline.

Step #2: Put your moments (aka the “scenes” of your mini-movie) in chronological order, as it’ll help you see how your interests developed. It also makes it easier to write transitions.

Step #3: Decide if you want to include a specific thesis that explicitly states your central argument--in this case what you want to study and why. This thesis can be at the beginning, middle, or end of your essay.

Step #4: Write a draft!

Here’s a great example. Note that this example is nearly 300 words, and yours will need to be no more than 200 words.

Hikes along the Great Wall. Sharing freshly fried green onion pancakes from a food stand with my cousins. Three-person moped rides through busy streets. Dinners with my extended family. Every trip back to Wuhan, China, is marked by these events and numerous other shared moments with family. Yet, when I am reminded of China, I instead envision people rushing around busy streets wearing face masks to avoid pollutant inhalation, the rarity of blue skies on any given day, and the disturbing level of air contamination that prevents my relatives from leaving their homes. Seeing this phenomena so clearly on a day-to-day basis during my visits has been a call to action. Working with Dr. Hotz in the Department of Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering at Duke allowed me to combat these problems directly. Throughout the summer of 2016, I explored methods of improving the efficiency of the Dry Reform of Methane (DRM), a reaction that transforms harmful waste gas to a useful syngas, through catalysis. I was able to investigate a novel method of catalyst synthesis that drastically reduced the costs associated with catalyst creation and increased the efficiency of the Dry Reform of Methane. These benefits may propel the reaction towards use in industry. Breakthroughs in catalytic research for the DRM have the opportunity to transform energy sustainability and increase environmental sustainability. In a “values” auction at Governor’s School, I bid $800 of my allotted $1000 dollars on a single value: Making an Impact. My experience in chemical research thus far has shown me that chemistry has an incomparable ability to influence lives in substantial ways, which is why I hope to study chemistry at Columbia. (277 words) — — —

Show you have skin in the game. The writer is clearly invested in the cause of environmental sustainability. He makes a smart choice by opening with that lovely “mini-movie moment” of cherished memories, then laments how these memories are polluted by China’s dangerous air quality. His cause is personal. And he has literally bought in.

Geek out when possible. How ’bout that third paragraph? This guy knows his stuff and has the experience to back it up. Knowledge of specialized language is a great way to demonstrate fit to major, so use a measured amount of geeky (read: insider) language. But be careful not to overdo it or you risk alienating your reader. This essay is a nice example of how to walk that line.

Look to the future. Not only does this student prove he’s a good fit for his major, he tells us that Columbia is the right launchpad for his mission to use chemistry to “influence lives in substantial ways.” Wouldn’t you want someone like that on your campus? Since “Why Major” essays offer natural connections to potential future careers, if you know what career you want to pursue, consider ending the essay with that look forward. Even if you don’t know what you want to do yet, you can still share some insights into how your major will prepare you for life after college.

How to Write Columbia Supplemental Essay #6

For this prompt, we’d highly recommend not writing something that you think they want to hear by writing about what really brings you joy is calculus homework.

Instead, use this as a quick spot to show them a side of you they won’t see elsewhere by sharing something that truly, actually, for really reals brings you joy.

Because this prompt is new this year, we’ll offer some examples that worked well with other schools (for a 50-word prompt, meaning you’ll need to be a bit shorter here).

On Fridays, I’ll take the boys I babysit to the ice cream parlor and bring their terminally ill mother back a strawberry cone. Next, I’ll make the kids watch the Magic School Bus instead of Toy Story 4 for the twentieth time so they get a peek into my childhood. — — — Humming, singing, and belting. Or a combination of the three. Regardless of how I am doing, these activities never fail to make me feel ten times better, whether that be because I am performing, or just because I am screaming in my room. — — — Finding a manatee mother with her baby on Banana River, open gym volleyball, sunny but cool California weather, when my coding works the way I want, creating funnily-shaped breads with my sister Amy, aroma of cinnamon tea wafting from my cart as I pass out tea to the nurses station — — — Six-word stories; poems by Jorge Luis Borges; the state of peace from doing yoga; immersing myself in history fictions before bed; Friends; holding my mom’s hand on our walks; the breathtaking sunset of Mount Hermon; talking and laughing across from a dear friend selfishly wishing the moment could last forever. — — —

You’ve got options. As in, with content and structure. Even though each example above is brief, each gives a nice glimpse into something meaningful and joyful for the student. Note that the prompt’s phrasing (“ describing the first thing that comes to mind when you consider what simply brings you joy”) lends itself more to the approach of the first two examples, so lists of joyful things like in the second two examples might be slightly riskier, but with that caveat, each of the above adds a nice facet to an application.

Get specific. There’s a crazy amount of detail in the first example considering it’s 50 words, and conveys a few different values through those details. And the final example almost feels like a poem, with each new piece adding a layer. Takeaway: Avoid broad/general statements about what’s bringing you joy. Show us.

Use this prompt strategically. One way to do so: Write 2-3 totally different versions, and then, before you submit, take a look at everything Columbia is getting (your personal statement, the other supplements, your activities list, the additional info section, etc.), and use the version that helps school officials see a piece of you that’s maybe missing otherwise.

Special thanks to Michelle and Andy for contributing to this post.

Michelle (she/her) has spent a decade helping students write their way into top universities and full-ride scholarships, and donating part of her fees to help the student writers at Vox Teen Communications in Atlanta . Ms. Hiskey is a Pulitzer-nominated journalist who earned a magna cum laude degree in English/creative writing from Duke University with scholarship help. She loves sports, quilting and her big-eared dog Sheba.

Top values: Compassion | Justice | Generosity

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College Application

10 Columbia Supplemental Essay Examples for

Article Contents 9 min read

Looking at Columbia supplemental essay examples can be helpful for students who are preparing their college applications for Columbia, any of the Ivy League Schools , or other highly selective institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) . Top colleges tend to have a holistic admissions process, meaning that they look at more than just your academic background. They also want to get to know the person behind the grades and ensure that you are a good fit for their college campus. Your supplemental college essays play a significant role in helping them make a decision. It is therefore important that you submit college essays that stand out in order to beat the competition.

In this blog, we share ten essays that respond to the prompts provided by Columbia University to help you get inspired for your own college essays .

Note : If you want us to help you with your applications, interviews and/or standardized tests, book a free strategy call . If you are a university, business, or student organization representative and want to partner with us, visit our partnerships page .

Columbia's supplemental college essay questions are divided into two. First, there is a series of list questions. You will be required to answer these prompts in the form of a list without any explanatory text or additional formatting. The school asks that you separate each item on the list with commas or semicolons. Secondly, you have what most students are familiar with when we talk about supplemental college essays. In the case of Columbia, the essays are limited to 200 words or fewer, meaning that applicants have to find a way to incorporate a lot of information in a relatively short text. To put that into context, we have included examples from both sections in this blog.

As you read through the examples, pay attention to the way the authors infuse their personalities into the text, and how they use specific examples to make their essays more memorable.

Columbia supplemental essay example #1

Please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you noted in the application. ( 200 words or fewer)

According to my mother, I never played dress-up with my dolls when I was a child. Apparently, instead of braiding their hair, I placed them down in neat little rows and taught them how to braid hair. I'm not sure how accurate that story is, but it does sound like me. For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed learning and teaching others what I have learned.

I first noticed this when my family and I went on vacation to Disneyland, and It seemed like I was the only person who was interested in the guided tour. I wanted to know everything about the buildings, how old the park was, and the people that designed it. On the flight back home, I talked everyone's ear off about all the new things I had learned about how parks work. It is still one of my most cherished experiences, even though I didn't get to go on as many rides as the rest of my family.

I have followed that passion for learning and teaching by tutoring in middle and high school. These experiences as a tutor confirmed that teaching is the right career path for me. (197 words)

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." Those are Rachel Zoe's words, and I wholeheartedly believe them. Growing up, one of my favorite parts of the day was the night before school, when I would spend 20 to 30 minutes picking out the perfect outfit to wear the next day.

When it came time for me to go to high school, my parents decided that I would get a better education from a private school that had a dress code. All students were required to wear clean-cut khakis and a white polo shirt. I had to say goodbye to my matching sets, graphic t-shirts, and jean jackets.

A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and live in a community with a wide range of perspectives. How do you or would you learn from and contribute to diverse, collaborative communities? ( 200 words or fewer)

Four years ago, my father remarried, giving me a loving stepmom, two wonderfully annoying younger sisters, and an introduction to a whole new world. For context, I am an eighteen-year-old white girl who grew up in the suburbs, and my step-family is Afro-Latinx. Although they grew up in a suburb similar to the one I call home, their experiences were very different from mine.

For example, I went shopping with one of my sisters recently, and I noticed that she always insisted on getting a paper copy of her receipt. I tried to tell her that she could ask for it to be emailed to her as that'd be better for the environment, but she explained that she often gets accused of stealing in upscale stores and that having the receipt made proving her innocence easier.

This is one of the many conversations I have had in the past few years that have taught me to look past my own experiences and listen. We all experience life differently, meaning that we all have something to learn from each other. I plan on bringing my perspective to Columbia, and I look forward to listening and learning from students with different viewpoints. (200 words)

2,789. That is the total population of Imagined, the small, remote town I grew up in. It is a town that I have a love-hate relationship with. I love the sense of community it fosters and the beautiful views surrounding it. I also hate how small it is and how closed-minded its inhabitants can be.

Like most of Imagined's residents, I have never really lived outside of our town, but I like to think that I have traveled through the numerous books I spend my days reading. It is those books that introduced me to people who practice different religions, who look different from me, and who have points of view that are very different from mine. Even though I may not agree with everything I have read, it has given me a chance to question my belief systems and make informed decisions.

I hope that by attending Columbia, which is located at the heart of one of the most diverse cities in the world, I will be exposed to even more perspectives so that I can learn more about the human experience and relate with others better. (188 words)

The opening sentence of your essay needs to be attention-grabbing if you want to write a strong essay. We recommend starting with a quote, an anecdote, or a fun fact like the writer did with the essay above. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]' code='tab1' template='BlogArticle'>

Columbia supplemental essay example #5

Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. ( 200 words or fewer)

Two years ago, my mother and I toured thirteen universities across the country. Of all the schools I visited, Columbia quickly stood out. We had already put the school on our list because of its stellar academic programs but being on campus convinced me that Columbia is the right university for me.

During the tour, I spoke to several students who gushed about the diversity of the student body, the excellent professors and advisors, and the eye-opening educational experience the Core Curriculum provides. My mother went to Columbia, and she found it amazing that even though the school has evolved, its core values remain the same.

The experiences she and the other students described make me dream of having my own Lit Hum discussion sessions and participating in the many enriching clubs on campus, such as the Columbia Model United Nations team.

Being at Columbia would also allow me to take advantage of everything New York offers. I would get to explore my various academic and personal interests in an international and open-minded environment.

Some say that Columbia is the greatest college at the greatest university in the greatest city in the world. I suspect they might be right. (199 words)

I was on the Columbia campus on October 14, 2019, when the Native American Council gathered and called on the University to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day. I had reluctantly come to the school for a visit with a friend who is currently in her first year at Columbia. My general idea of this school was that it was very traditional and not very open-minded. This display of bravery changed my view of Columbia and prompted me to research the school.

I found that it has a strong academic program that gives students a strong foundation through the common core curriculum. I especially like the fact that the core includes studies in non-western major cultures and masterpieces of western literature.

As an African-American-Lebanese student, my background and heritage have made me passionate about the world's different cultures, specifically how globalization has affected them and how they have been affected by it. Columbia would allow me to learn more about this topic and explore other aspects of world culture I am interested in.

I hope to get the chance to learn in class and outside the classroom from the diverse and open-minded student body at Columbia over the next four years. (198 words)

This is essentially a \u201cwhy this college essay\u201d so the admissions committee will be trying to find out if you are interested in Columbia specifically. So, take the time to research the school and mention something specific about it such as a course, a requirement, a student organization, etc. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]' code='tab2' template='BlogArticle'>

Do you have questions about the college application process? This video can help:

Columbia supplemental essay example #7

List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson; Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë; All My Sons by Arthur Miller; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou; Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, When Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head. (47 words)

List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)

Frying plantain by zalika reid-benta; Heavy by Kiese Laymon; An Untamed State by Roxanne Gay; The girl with the louding voice by Abi dare; Born a crime by Trevor Noah; Becoming by Michelle Obama; Such a fun age by Kiley reid; Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde; The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang; Turtles all the way down by John Green; Our Stories, Our Voices by Amy Reed; Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. (72 words)

It\u2019s important that you think about the list of books that you are sharing. You want to be honest, but you also want the books that you share to say something about you. For example, even though this person reads a few different genres, we can tell from the list of books that this applicant clearly has a penchant for social justice and history. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]' code='tab3' template='BlogArticle'>

Columbia supplemental essay example #9

John Green's Turtles all the way down; Karen Lord's Redemption in Indigo; Becky Chambers' The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet; Andy Weir's The Martian, Marlon James’ Black leopard, red wolf; V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic series, V.E. Schwab’s Shadowshaper. (41 words)

Want to learn more about what makes a strong college essay? Check out this video:

Columbia supplemental essay example #10

Publications: The New York Times, n+1, Vanity Fair, TIME; Music: Beyonce, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Frank Ocean, Florence & the machine, Kasey Musgraves. Movies & TV shows: Succession, Gilmore Girls, Greys Anatomy, Explained, Derry Girls; Lectures on YouTube: Designing Your Life (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans), TEDx talks. (47 words)

Columbia is one of the most selective schools in the country. Last year, it had an acceptance rate that was close to 5%. Meaning that for every 100 applicants, only about five get offered admission.

Columbia requires students to submit three short supplemental essays of 200 words or less and answer three additional questions with lists.

The supplemental Columbia-specific questions you have to answer are less than 200 words.

Reviewing different supplemental essay examples will expose you to different types of prompts used for college essays and give you a better idea of how to approach them.

A strong college essay tells a story, uses specific examples, and has a strong opening.

You can make your essay stand out by ensuring that it tells a story and uses specific examples to back up claims that you make about yourself.

College essay advisors are admission consultants who typically work with application or college essay review services. They use their admissions knowledge and training to help you prepare the strongest college essays possible.

Columbia does not have a minimum GPA requirement, but it does expect applicants to have a strong academic background. 95% of the recently admitted class graduated in the top 10% of their class. So if you are hoping to get into college with a low GPA , you would need an impressive application for that school to be Columbia.

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5 Columbia University Supplemental Example Essays (2023)

If you want to get into Columbia University in 2023, you can make sure you have the best chances of getting accepted by writing powerful essays.

In this article I've gathered 5 of the best college essays that got accepted into Columbia University to help you improve your own essays.

You can see how real students answered Columbia's writing supplement section and Common App personal statement.

What is Columbia University's Acceptance Rate?

This past year 60,377 students applied to Columbia and of those 2,253 were admitted for the Class of 2026.

That gives Columbia an overall admit rate of 3.73% , or in other words about 1 in 25 students are offered admission.

Columbia University Acceptance Scattergram

Admissions into Columbia is clearly highly competitive, but there's an upside:

The more selective a college is, the more your application essays matter.

What are Columbia University Supplemental Prompts for 2023?

This year, Columbia requires applying students to respond to several "list" questions, short answers, and short essay prompts.

Here are the Columbia writing supplement questions for 2023:

Columbia Writing

The questions on this page are being asked by Columbia University Applicants are asked to respond to Columbia-specific questions to tell the Admissions Committee more about their academic, extracurricular and intellectual interests. These questions allow us to better understand your intellectual curiosity, habits of mind, love of learning and sense of self. These questions also allow the Admissions Committee to learn more about you in your current community and why you feel Columbia’s distinctive experiences in and out of the classroom would be a good fit for your undergraduate education.

For the three list questions that follow, there is a 75 or 125 word maximum. Please refer to the below guidance when answering these questions:

For the three short answer questions, please respond in 200 words or fewer.

For additional guidance, visit our website.

Please note that the third short answer question will not appear until you have selected Columbia College or Columbia Engineering in the "Academics" section of Columbia's application questions.

List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)

List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)

Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (200 words or fewer)

For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you previously noted in the application. (200 words or fewer)

For applicants to Columbia Engineering, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you previously noted in the application. (200 words or fewer)

5 Columbia University Essays That Worked

Here are 5 of the best essays that worked for Columbia University.

Below you can read answers to the 2022-23 Columbia writing supplement, as well as past year's prompts. I've also included personal statement essays from admitted Columbia students.

Columbia University Essay Example #1

Columbia university essay example #2, columbia university essay example #3, columbia university essay example #4, columbia university essay example #5.

Prompt: List a few words or phrases that describe your ideal college community. (150 words max)

Filled with activity around the clock. A place to come home to.

Trying to get past locked doors (literal and metaphorical).

Offering intellectual freedom and curiosity, without forcing specialization. Accommodating students who are unwilling to wait to make a difference. Willing to look critically at itself.

Socially conscious and politically active.

Never taking its eye off the national or global stage.

Buzzing with so much life it flows beyond the campus into the outside world.

So much life that sometimes it intimidates, that it yearns for more hours in the day. With too many options to choose from, Too much to do in four years.

Filled with clever eyes that see new ideas in the lessons of history.

Diverse of origin, of culture, of opinion, of religion, of personality, Diverse like an international center of thought and ideas and passions. An urban wonderland.

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Prompt: List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (150 words max)

Survival of the Sickest - Sharon Moalem

What a Plant Knows: A Field Guide to the Senses - Daniel Chamovitz

The blockade of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy - Drew Pardoll

The Physical Universe - Arthur Beiser

Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Between the World and Me - Ta-Nehisi Coates

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Brontë

The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

Sexual Politics and Religious Reform in the Witch Craze - Joseph Klaits

The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers - Paul Kennedy

The Prince - Niccolo Machiavelli

On World Government - Dante Alighieri

Postwar: A History of Europe since 1945 - Tony Judt

23 College Essay Tips To Help You Stand Out

Prompt: List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (150 words max)

A Most Incomprehensible Thing (the mathematics of relativity) - Peter Collie

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind - Hayao Miyazaki

Weapons of Math Destruction - Cathy O’Neil

Algorithms to Live By - Brian Christian

Giant of the Senate - Al Franken

The Sublime Object of Ideology - Slavoj Zizek

The Theoretical Minimum - Leonard Susskind

Battling the Gods: Atheism in the Ancient World - Tim Whitmarsh

The Casual Vacancy - J.K. Rowling

If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller - Italo Calvino

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon

The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Volume 1 - Richard Feynman

Meditations - Marcus Aurelius

The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss

Pale Fire - Vladimir Nabokov

Justice by Lottery - Barbara Goodwin

History: A Very Short Introduction - John H. Arnold

Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II - John Dower

Prompt: We’re interested in learning about some of the ways that you explore your interests. List some resources and outlets that you enjoy, including but not limited to websites, publications, journals, podcasts, social media accounts, lectures, museums, movies, music, or other content with which you regularly engage. (125 words max)

The Economist

The New York Times

Reddit - /r/programming /r/machinelearning /r/lifeprotips /r/iwanttolearn /r/politics /r/science /r/physics /r/economics Hacker News

whatif.xkcd.com arXiv.org - arXiv-sanity.com

Scientific American

Flowingdata.com

StackExchange

Prompt: For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Member Questions section. If you are currently undecided, please write about any field or fields in which you may have an interest at this time. (300 words max)

Studying computer science gives me the opportunity to be in a field that evolves so quickly I can always be on the forefront and do cutting-edge work. This summer at an ad-tech company, I moved the data science team’s analysis programs to a novel cluster-computing engine (Kubernetes), which can manage and distribute tasks across thousands of computers at once. Kubernetes is so new that barely any information has circulated about it. Because of this novelty, I was able to publish the first existing documentation of a data science pipeline in Kubernetes.

Computer science can also automate the manual drudgery of life. For example: to manage my clubs, I’ve written a program that checks for emails from members with excuses for missing meetings and automatically logs their absences.

Since computers have become the platform for every science, coding allows me to contribute to numerous fields. When I started at Einstein College of Medicine last year, I knew nothing about computational biology. Our project showed me that basic programming was all I needed to find fascinating results in the mostly unstudied mountains of genomic data.

As a person, I’m drawn to seemingly impossible challenges, in particular, the quest to teach machines and create mechanical consciousness. When I started taking online courses in AI, I became fascinated by the gradient descent method in machine learning. The method casts complex input data (e.g. photos) as thousand-dimensional surfaces and attempts to descend to the lowest points (minima) of those surfaces. It works best on data with underlying patterns, like pictures of human faces. This indicates that, in some way, the very nature of what a ‘face’ is, what unique structure is shared by nearly all faces, is found in the minima that AI models descend towards. My dream is to do foundational artificial intelligence research.

If you're trying to get into Columbia, you'll need to stand out from the competition. These 5 Columbia essays that worked showcase successful examples of responses to the Columbia writing supplement for 2022.

What did you think of these Columbia essays?

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Pre-college Programs

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Browse what's planned for students on and off campus this summer, including live music and city excursions.

Review eligibility and other requirements necessary to start your individual program application now.

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Transfer Applicants

The college experience is a journey, and journeys often take us to destinations we did not originally intend to reach. At Columbia College and Columbia Engineering , we’re intentional in our efforts to welcome over 100 transfer students each year, from a range of two- and four-year institutions, and we value the unique and diverse perspectives they bring to our community.

The deadline to apply as a transfer applicant for Fall 2023 has been extended.

Apply through Coalition Application powered by Scoir by March 3, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (applicant's local time).

Transfer Applicants FAQs

May i transfer from columbia college to the engineering school (or vice-versa) once accepted and enrolled.

If you are enrolled at either Columbia College or Engineering and you genuinely feel that you should attend the other, you may apply as an internal transfer student. Internal transfers must submit the Internal Transfer Application by March 1. There is no guarantee that you will be able to transfer to a different school. Undergraduate Admissions consults with the Berick C enter for Student Advising to review your academic performance and curriculum and determine if a change is appropriate.

Are interviews available for transfers?

It is not our policy to interview prospective transfer applicants. Therefore, you should use the application as the appropriate platform to discuss and/or explain anything that you feel is of particular importance.

Are there any scholarships available for transfers?

There are no academic, athletic or talent-based institutional scholarships at Columbia, as all of our institutional financial aid is need-based. However, our students are often the recipients of merit-based scholarships from outside organizations (state grants/scholarships, local/national merit-based awards, etc.).

Application-Related Information

Application requirements.

A completed transfer application includes the following items. Please be sure to read the additional details about each component in the folders below.

The Coalition Application

Transfer applicants must use the Coalition Application powered by Scoir to apply for admission to Columbia. (The Common Application is for first-year applicants only.) The Application Profile has multiple sections, but not all are required.

The following Application Profile sections are required for a complete transfer application to Columbia:

We encourage transfer applicants to list all college coursework on their application, including current coursework, but discourage students from listing high school coursework.

The following Application Profile sections are not required for a complete transfer application to Columbia:

Please note : While the Coalition Essay in the Application Profile is not required for a complete transfer application, applicants will be asked to upload a 400-600 word essay on the Columbia Supplement to the Coalition Application responding to the following prompt in the Uploads section of the application:

Please explain why you are interested in transferring from your current institution. (The personal essay does not need to be specific to Columbia, but it should inform the committee why you wish to leave your current institution.)

Columbia-Specific Application Questions

Applicants are asked to respond to Columbia-specific questions to tell the Admissions Committee more about their academic, extracurricular and intellectual interests. These questions allow us to better understand your intellectual curiosity, habits of mind, love of learning and sense of self. These questions also allow the Admissions Committee to learn more about you in your current community and why you feel Columbia’s distinctive experiences in and out of the classroom would be a good fit for your undergraduate education.

Transcripts

Please submit transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended. Electronic transcripts are preferred for fastest processing . Please note that we receive many documents daily and that transcripts may take several days to process.

We cannot accept transcripts submitted by applicants as official unless they are mailed in a signed, sealed envelope; electronic transcripts are official if they are sent directly from an institution and/or from a school official.

School Forms

The Transfer Report , which collects information about your standing at your current institution, should be completed by a school official such as an adviser, dean or registrar at your current institution. This form may accompany your official college transcript. Transfer Reports should be sent electronically to [email protected] if they cannot accompany your official transcript.

The Coalition Application Curriculum Report collects information about courses in which you are currently enrolled. Mid-term grades are often not available by March 1; we will accept this form until April 15 but strongly recommend that it be submitted as soon as mid-term grades are available.

Curriculum Reports should be submitted electronically to [email protected] , or uploaded directly through your applicant portal. Please do not submit the curriculum report until mid-term grades are available. A curriculum report with grades listed as "in progress" or with no grades listed will not meet this requirement.

The curriculum report is not required for students who are not currently enrolled in a college or attending a school that operates on the quarter system.

2 College Academic Recommendations

Standardized Tests

Columbia is test-optional for transfer applicants to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Please review our standardized testing policy for additional details, as well as our English language proficiency requirement if applicable. Transfer applicants who choose to submit test-scores may self-report their results and may submit scores up through March testing dates.

Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment as a transfer student at Columbia, you must have earned:

If you’re an International student, you should read our International Transfer Students section for additional eligibility requirements.

Candidates who have completed more than four semesters of college coursework elsewhere are not encouraged to apply. Columbia’s academic requirements and institutional policies make completion of all graduation requirements in a reasonable and timely fashion unlikely.

Columbia College transfer applicants who have taken a break in their education of more than a full year (for any reason other than required completion of national military service), or who wish to attend school part time, should consider applying instead to Columbia University’s School of General Studies.

Columbia Engineering transfer applicants should proceed with this transfer application, regardless of any break in schooling.

Please note that all transfer admittance is for fall semester only.

Supplementary Materials

Supplementary materials are not a required part of our admissions process—but there are occasions where they can enhance our understanding of your application. (In other words, it’s completely up to you if you’d like to include these materials.)

Transfer Credit

You must have completed or be registered for 24 points of credit (the equivalent of one year of full-time study) at another institution. No more than 64 points in Columbia College or 68 points in Columbia Engineering will be awarded as transfer credit, including points earned through AP or IB examinations. We do not grant credit for college courses taken before a student's graduation from high school. Credit for standardized exams (e.g., AP, IB, A level exams) will be limited to 16 points, which is equivalent to one full semester at Columbia. For more detailed information, students should refer to the Academic Credit for Transfer Students section of the Berick Center for Student Advising website.

Please note that transfer credit evaluation occurs only at the time of acceptance. We cannot review transcripts and/or courses for transfer before a candidate submits an application.

Columbia does not award transfer credit for courses that are not analogous to those available at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. We encourage you to review our College Bulletin and Engineering Bulletin to become familiar with the types of courses that are offered here and therefore the courses that are more likely to be awarded credit.

The Core is the cornerstone of undergraduate academic life at Columbia. Even those transferring in with advanced credit should expect to take elements of the Core, if not all of it. Students are very rarely exempt from Core classes like Literature Humanities , Contemporary Civilization , Art Humanities and Music Humanities .

Students are expected to graduate within eight semesters, including time spent at another college or university. Students are typically not permitted to extend their undergraduate studies unless they are enrolled in one of our Joint Degree programs (e.g. the Combined Plan ).

Dates & Deadlines

What We Look For in Transfer Students

Admission to Columbia is not based on a simple formula of grades and test scores. Instead, we consider a variety of factors . Each year, we admit a small group of transfer students to Columbia College and Columbia Engineering. Because space in the sophomore and junior classes is limited, admission is highly competitive. We typically admit fewer than 10 percent of the applicants for transfer admission each year. Potential transfers are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 overall; Columbia Engineering candidates are strongly encouraged to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their mathematics and science courses.

The majority of successful applicants to Columbia Engineering have completed an engineering track curriculum. For applicants with first-year standing at time of application this includes:

Enrolling transfer students will need to complete Core Curriculum requirements in addition to graduation requirements within their primary field of study. Our review takes into account a candidate's ability to complete their course of study in a standard timeline of eight total semesters. To allow more flexibility with course selection at Columbia, we recommend applying with first-year standing at your current institution when possible.

Due to the timing of the transfer process, we are generally unable to consider grades earned in the second semester of the year of application; thus, high school grades, rigor of program and standardized test scores are all important in the evaluation of transfer credentials, especially for students applying for sophomore standing. If you have applied to Columbia previously, the documents you provided at that time will not roll over (with the exception of SAT or ACT scores); you must resubmit any information requested by this transfer application.

Financial Aid

At Columbia, we are committed to fully supporting our transfer community. All transfer applicants who are citizens, permanent residents or other eligible non-citizens are evaluated without regard to their financial need. Foreign students applying for aid must understand that such aid is awarded on an extremely limited basis. Columbia meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted transfer students and does not give any scholarships for academic, athletic or artistic merit.

Please visit the Financial Aid website for more information on financial aid for transfer students, including all required forms.

Accuracy & Authenticity

All applicants should review our Accuracy & Authenticity statement prior to submitting their application, as all applicants to Columbia University must confirm on their application that they understand and agree to adhere to the above expectations.

For questions about undergraduate admission and the application process, please visit our online FAQs . If you still can't find your answer, please contact us or email us at [email protected] .

David Bakalar's Life Force sculpture on Revson Plaza

Transfer Deadline for Fall 2023

Four students sit at the Sundial on Columbia's campus

Understanding the Process

Testing Policy

Application Fees and Fee Waivers

English Proficiency Requirements

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Frequently Asked Questions by Transfer Applicants

Request Info

Graduate Admissions

Admission timeline , cohort admission.

Our graduate programs use a cohort model. A cohort is a group of students who begin and complete the program together. We operate on a rolling admission basis, which means we make admission decisions as applications are completed. An invitation to join a cohort is extended to the first 24 qualified applicants, so some target start dates may vary.

You don't have to wait to start your degree. Our cohort start dates vary by degree. View our current Academic Calendar.

Please contact us at 803.786.3871 with any questions about cohort start dates.

How Do I Apply?

1. complete your application, start your application.

As a first-time applicant, you'll be prompted to set up an account. You can always take a break and come back to your application.

APPLY Today

Access Your Application

Already started your application? Please use the following button to view your application, submit documents, check the status of your application, and see a checklist of any missing documents you might have.

Application Status

2. Submit an Application Essay

Essay instructions.

Choose one of the essay scenarios listed below. Be sure to review the scoring rubric before you write your essay—the rubric is how we score your essay.

Essay Scenarios (Pick One)

3. REQUEST YOUR UNOFFICIAL* OR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

*Official transcripts are required before you attend your classes.

Request an official copy of your transcript. Official transcripts should be sent directly from each undergraduate college or university you've attended. Already have college credits? Check out our application steps for transfer students .

Indicate on your application if you are interested in having your previous graduate studies evaluated for transfer credit. You may receive up to nine hours of credit.

4. Submit Recommendations

Submit two recommendations.

Complete Recommendation Form

5. Eligibility Requirement Documentation

Graduate students must submit one of the following:

Divergent Learning, Organizational Leadership, and Higher Education applicants may also submit the following if they don't meet the GPA criteria above:

Please use the following address for transcripts, recommendations, and other application documents:

Office of Graduate Admissions Columbia College 1301 Columbia College Columbia, SC 29203

Admission Decision

In most cases, we evaluate an application and respond with an admission decision within five days of receiving all the required documents. Admitted students are notified by mail and will receive follow up information about the next steps, like financial aid, orientation, and registration.

Financial Aid

If you would like to apply for Stafford Federal Loans (the only financial aid available to graduate students), we recommend that you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Submissions are accepted beginning October 1. Learn more about our low tuition rates and your financial aid options.

Navigate the Process

How to Get Into Columbia: Strategies and Essay Examples

How hard is it to get into columbia learn columbia’s admissions requirements and find approaches to write superb columbia supplemental essays to improve your chances of getting in.

LEARN HOW TO GET INTO COLUMBIA

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: columbia university admissions requirements, part 3: applying to columbia early decision vs. regular decision, part 4: 2022–2023 columbia supplemental essays (examples included) .

For some Ivy League-bound teenagers, the average campus—think green quads with falling autumn leaves surrounded by historic buildings—isn’t enough. They might want to belong to a thriving, vibrant city as much as a campus. If this sounds like your child, you might suggest they take a look at Columbia University in the City of New York .

An Ivy League education in America’s largest city is quite the unparalleled experience, as it provides students with the resources of studying at a world-class university and living in the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world.

At Columbia, your child might study the Western canon in the morning, head to work to research at a cancer laboratory in the afternoon, or intern at the United Nations or on Wall Street in the evenings or on weekends. They might collaborate with musicians and artists at The Juilliard School , conduct research on neurological disorders and the genomes that cause cancer, or explore a career in theater, film, or publishing with the Columbia Arts Experience (CAE) internship program.

Your child can also spend their summers conducting research or interning outside of New York City. Thanks to Columbia’s alumni network and the university’s funding opportunities, your child may pursue research on indigenous languages in rural Ecuador, travel to Senegal to work with an NGO in agriculture, or intern with tech giants such as Facebook or Google in Silicon Valley.

And what about after graduation? Alumni earn prestigious fellowships such as the Rhodes and Fulbright , win Pulitzer prizes for writing and journalism, enter the arts and media world in New York City, and become President of the United States. Your child would join an alumni network that includes CEOs, famous poets, Hollywood actors, Supreme Court Justices, Nobel winners, and world-class journalists.

Because of its reputation and location, your child’s largest obstacle will be getting into Columbia, closely followed by deciding how to pick the best opportunities for them! That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to get into Columbia for you and your child, including how to tackle Columbia’s application and essay questions.

Columbia University ranking

Columbia is routinely at or near the top of Ivy League rankings :

U.S. News & World Report: 18

Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 5

Where is Columbia located?

Columbia is located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Just blocks away from the iconic Central Park and a twenty-minute subway ride away from Times Square, Columbia’s Upper West Side campus offers easy access to the heart of NYC.

With a population of 8.8 million, New York City is a major metropolitan city that offers unparalleled access to some of the country’s most important arts, cultural, and financial institutions.

Columbia University setting

Urban. Morningside Heights—bustling yet safe—offers its own restaurants, cafes, bookstores, and shops. Just north lies Harlem, the heart of much of the city’s art world for many years, and just south are the Upper East and Upper West Sides of Manhattan, home to some of the world’s greatest museums, from the Guggenheim to the Met.

Bus and subway lines connect the campus to the rest of New York City’s boroughs.

Columbia University student population

Undergrad population: 8,842 (including nontraditional students in the School of General Studies)

Grad and professional school population: 22,613

Columbia acceptance rate

Here are the admissions statistics for Columbia’s class of 2026:

Applications: 60,377

Acceptances: 2,253

Acceptance rate: 3.73%

Columbia University tuition and scholarships

Columbia’s 2022–2023 cost of attendance per year (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) is $85,967.

Columbia meets 100 percent of first-year students’ demonstrated financial need through a combination of grants and work study—no loans. Families earning under $150,000 per year are generally not expected to contribute to their child’s cost of attendance. 50 percent of Columbia students receive financial aid in the form of grants, and the average grant award is $62,850.

Who gets into Columbia?

Let’s review the demographics and academic statistics for the class of 2025:

95% of students ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.

Average GPA: Columbia doesn’t publish its average admitted student GPA.

Columbia average SAT score:

25th percentile: 1510

75th percentile: 1560

Columbia average ACT score:

25th percentile: 34

75th percentile: 35

International students: 13%

First-generation college students: 17%

54% of the class of 2025 identify as white. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up the next largest percentage at 28%. 20% are Hispanic or Latino, and 18% are African American or Black.

26% of incoming freshmen intend to major in math and natural sciences, 26% in the social sciences, 24% in engineering, and 23% in the arts and humanities.

Over 90% of our students get into one or more of their top 3 schools

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Columbia academic requirements

Like other Ivy League schools, Columbia is looking for students who are intellectually curious and ready to leave a mark on the diverse urban campus. Columbia wants to admit students who will not only succeed in their rigorous Core Curriculum but who will also thrive in Columbia’s distinct collegiate yet unquestionably urban campus.

Columbia seeks more than just excellent grades and test scores. Dedication to extracurricular activities , such as clubs, teams, or an individual project, can help demonstrate that your child will take advantage of Columbia and New York City’s unparalleled resources.

Admissions officers expect that your child will have taken advantage of the opportunities that they were afforded. If your son’s school didn’t offer calculus, for instance, Columbia will be delighted to see that they took AP Statistics and Calculus I at the local community college over the summer. If your daughter’s school offers a wide variety of APs, they will be looking for success in a rigorous course load throughout her junior and senior years.

Columbia doesn’t have a specific set of expectations for what your child has studied in secondary school, but the Columbia admissions website recommends the following course load for students applying to Columbia College:

Four years of English literature and composition

Four years of math (at least through precalculus), unless your child has already completed what’s available at their school

Three to four years of history and social studies

Three to four years of foreign language (ancient or modern)

Three to four years of laboratory science.

Columbia encourages aspiring scientists, physicians, and dentists to take as many courses in math and science as possible.

For applicants to the engineering school, Columbia recommends a rigorous program of math and science that includes four years of math (preferably through calculus), four years of lab science including one year of physics and one year of chemistry, four years of English, two to three years of foreign language, and three to four years of social studies and history.

Columbia encourages all students to dive deeper into their interests. A student interested in writing should consider taking a creative writing or journalism elective in addition to four years of English, while a student dedicated to medicine might add an elective course in anatomy.

Columbia application requirements

Here’s the nitty gritty. Columbia accepts the Common Application, which means your child will need the following to apply:

Common App Essay

Columbia supplemental essays

Optional during the 2022–2023 application cycle: ACT or SAT test scores

Teacher recommendations (engineering students must submit one letter from a math or science teacher)

Secondary school report (sent from your child’s school)

Columbia also accepts the Coalition App and the QuestBridge Application.

Your child can apply early to Columbia by November 1 and receive a decision of either accepted, deferred, or denied, by mid-December.

Columbia follows the early decision (as opposed to early action) model, which is binding. This means that your child must commit to attending Columbia if accepted. If your child is deferred, they will enter into the regular decision pool and hear back by the end of March. They can be accepted, waitlisted or rejected then. If accepted, they are no longer in the early decision binding agreement.

If your child applies early decision to Columbia, they are unable to apply to restrictive or single choice early action programs (e.g., Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford). They can, however, apply to non-restrictive early action programs, such as MIT, Caltech, and the University of Chicago.

Your child can also apply regular decision, by January 1.

How do you know if your child should apply to Columbia early?

Early decision might be the right choice for your child:

If Columbia is their top choice

If they are willing to commit to attending Columbia no matter what the financial aid package is

If there’s no other school they’d like to apply to via early decision or restrictive early action

If they are interested in applying to non-binding early action programs

If their test scores and grades are strong by the end of junior year

Columbia, like many of its peers in the Ivy+ category, accepts a significant portion of its class early—around 30 percent. Students who apply early decision, however, tend to be highly prepared, which helps explain why the early decision acceptance rate is higher. Most of these students have thought deeply about why they are an excellent fit for Columbia and have the grades and test scores to prove that they will succeed there.

Because Columbia’s early decision program is binding, they are looking for students who demonstrate a true passion for the university. If Columbia is truly your child’s top choice, it may be advantageous to apply early.

Part 4: 2022–2023 Columbia supplemental essays (examples included)

(Note: While this section covers Columbia’s admissions essays specifically, we encourage you to view additional successful college essay examples .)

In addition to the Common App personal statement, Columbia requires numerous supplemental essays . The Columbia-specific application questions are a crucial way that your child can provide a window into their character, passions, and creativity. Most importantly, Columbia’s supplemental essays give your child the chance to show that they are a great fit for Columbia.

Questions 1 & 2: For the following questions, we ask that you list each individual response using commas or semicolons; the items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order. No explanatory text or formatting is needed. (For example, it is not necessary to italicize or underline titles of books or other publications. No author names, subtitles or explanatory remarks are needed.)

List Questions:

List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)

Like Harvard’s optional supplemental essay (view the prompt and an example in our guide on how to get into Harvard ), this prompt asks students to share books, publications, performances, exhibitions, and other outlets that reveal something unusual or interesting about the applicant’s personal.

Here’s how Janet, an ambitious Chinese American student with a love for indie music and art, answered the prompts.

Patti Smith’s Just Kids; Andrew Sean Greer’s Less; Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad; Roxane Gay’s Hunger

Publications: The New York Times; The Atlantic; n+1; Vanity Fair; Cosmopolitan. Concerts: Frankie Cosmos; Lizzo; Kasey Musgraves. Movies: Hustlers; Burning; Little. Shows: Succession; Derry Girls. Exhibition: Andy Warhol—From A to B and Back Again. Lectures on Youtube: Designing Your Life (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans).

Here’s why Janet succeeds in answering this Columbia supplemental essay:

She includes a series of texts that represent a wide array of interests. By including publications that range from fashion ( Vanity Fair and Cosmopolitan ) to highbrow intellectual ( n+1 ) and novels that explore topics from eighteenth-century British prisons ( Moll Flanders ) to Latin American Magical Realism ( 100 Years of Solitudes ), Janet demonstrates that she is intellectually curious and excited by a wide variety of topics.

She answers the questions succinctly. As the prompt states, the Admissions readers are not looking for a narrative or an explanation. They simply want to know what you are reading, seeing, and consuming. Many students believe that they should use up all 150 words for each entry by including every book they have ever read or foreign movie they have ever seen. However, Admissions readers are looking to see that you have thought about your entries carefully. It’s hard to see what your tastes and interests are if you list one hundred books, for instance.

She reveals her “fun” side. When Janet isn’t reading, she’s jamming out to Lizzo and Frankie Cosmos, laughing at the antics of Derry Girls , and reading about the latest in women’s fashion. Admissions committees are looking for students who enjoy their time in and out of the classroom, too.

Short answer questions:

Question 3: A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia's diverse and collaborative community. (200 words or fewer)

Here’s how José, a first-generation college student from Southern California, answered the prompt:

Every individual has unique traits and skills. The individuals in my community practice Ralph Waldo Emerson’s theory of self-reliance: they remain true to themselves while still forming a unified community. They have taught me, critiqued me, and challenged me. They’ve laughed at my jokes and offered me a napkin after I spilled coffee on my jeans (I am very clumsy!).

Thanks to the different perspectives that have helped shaped my life thus far, my ideal college community has representatives from all of the United States—from Anchorage to Miami—and from all over the rest of North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Australia, and Africa (and maybe one day, Antarctica). I view Columbia as a space where my classmates and I will exchange ideas, debate philosophical and ethical dilemmas, and talk about what we're watching on Netflix. Through these experiences, my ideal college community will leave a positive mark on New York City and the world together, yet each in our own unique way.

Here’s what José does well in responding this Columbia supplemental essay:

He demonstrates enthusiasm for diversity and diverse viewpoints. Because Columbia students come from all across the country and world. Admissions committee members are looking for students who will succeed in a diverse environment. José essay shows this by not only pointing out that he is excited to meet people from all over the world but also by noting that he looks forward to the unique viewpoints a diverse class brings to Columbia.

He shows off his sense of humor. By including a joke about students coming from Antarctica and imagining a scene in which he spills coffee all over his pants, José takes a step back from the seriousness of academic rigor and draws attention to the fact that he has a fun side, too. He strikes a nice balance of remaining humble without being too self-deprecating.

He connects his personal desires to an intellectual foundation. Every liberal arts university, especially one like Columbia that emphasizes its school-wide education in the Western Canon, wants to admit students who not only love to read and think and study but who change the way they think and act and plan for the future based on those texts. This is exactly what José is doing when he refers to Emerson. The admissions committee can imagine José reading Emerson in an American literature class for the first time and being so taken with the idea that the material itself becomes more important than whatever test or exam is coming up on it.

He indicates that he is serious about making a difference as an individual and a community. Emerson also helps José demonstrate how unique individuals can come together to form a unified community. Most importantly, José sees his future classmates as teammates in making the world a better place, not as competition.

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Question 4: Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (200 words or fewer)

Here’s how Daeyeong, a Korean-American student from suburban Illinois, answers the prompt.

While my suburbanite father was nervous the entire time we navigated the New York subway, I felt increasingly energized as new people constantly entered and exited the trains. My father and I had spent the day marveling at the World Trade Center memorial, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge. But nothing felt more compelling than when we exited the 116 Street stop and walked onto Columbia’s campus. I realized there was so much for me to learn and explore.

Students eagerly walked to their destinations and I imagined myself following the same paths next year: to the library to study, to Nous Espresso to discuss Plato’s Republic with friends from Masterpieces of Western Literature and Philosophy, or to Shake Shack to relax (who could resist those fries?).

Next to all the fun, I saw graduate students handing out flyers about unions and undergraduates advertising a forum on diversifying humanities courses beyond the obvious Canon. I would be honored to join a community that stands up to higher authority in its many forms. The student body’s resilience and activism is one of the things I most look forward to contributing to at Columbia.

Here’s what Daeyeong does well in answering the prompt:

He turns his visit to New York City and Columbia into a story. By describing the subway line one takes to get from JFK to Columbia’s campus and through including specific sites and buildings at Columbia, Daeyeong turns his visit into a narrative. As a bonus, he shows off his voice by mentioning how delicious Shake Shake—which is located just a few blocks away from Columbia’s campus—is. The essay nicely moves from setting the scene of being in New York City and on Columbia’s campus to a memorable experience from his visit.

He demonstrates a familiarity with Columbia’s campus, curriculum, and current events. By including specific references to the Core Curriculum (Masterpieces of Western Literature and Philosophy), the sites on Columbia’s campus (Alma Mater), and important campus debates (grad student unionization and an inclusive canon), Daeyeong reveals that he is so familiar with Columbia that he can already envision himself on campus.

He shows how he will fit into Columbia’s culture. Daeyeong recognizes that being a student in Columbia requires a crucial balance of studying, having fun, and participating in the larger community. As a bonus, Daeyeong tells us that he is excited to adapt to New York’s rapid pace of life, which is an implicit requirement for Columbia undergraduates.

Question 5: Please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you noted in the application. (200 words or fewer)

Here’s how Emilia, an undeclared rugby star from Atlanta, took on the prompt.

I come from a small, religious town and a pious Catholic family. Religion is a central part of my background. While I never condemn anyone for a belief in God, I personally do not share that belief.

The piety I was raised in pushed me to question the world around me. Whenever I asked questions like “why is the sky blue”, my family would kindly reply, "Because God said so." But by the time I was fifteen, that wasn’t good enough.

While many people found a deep connection with God inspiring, I only found doubt in God. That doubt made me fall in love with literature and art. I kept asking questions, thirsting for answers, and reading relentlessly until I had new knowledge.

My religious upbringing has encouraged me to study questions of faith in literature, philosophy, and religious studies. I’m curious to learn more about how Emily Dickinson and Nietzsche came to terms with their own disbelief in God. I want to know why Buddhism and Hinduism had such a strong influence on nineteenth-century philosophers in Christian-dominated societies. While I don’t believe in God, I want to keep studying His importance. After all, even atheists have to admire Jesus.

Here’s what Emilia does well in answering this Columbia supplemental essay:

She shows how her background has influenced her academic goals. Emilia tells us that she is interested in literature, philosophy, and religious studies because of her Catholic background and her own attempts to come to terms with her disbelief in God. From this essay, the admissions readers see that Emilia will bring a unique perspective to campus.

She comes across as a curious, free thinker. Despite growing up Catholic, Emilia has departed from her family’s belief in God after years of thinking critically about her relationship to religion. Importantly, Emilia does not mock religion but rather respects it so much that she aspires to study Christianity. Because of this, Emilia appears open-minded to people with beliefs that do not match her own, a key quality that Admissions readers seek in applicants.

She provides a sense of what she will study at Columbia and why. Although she does not declare a specific major, Emilia writes about the majors she will explore. She shows how her past experiences with religion have led her to an interest in philosophy, literature, and non-Christian religions.

Here’s another example, showing how Benjamin, a student from Texas applying to the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science , approached this Columbia supplemental essay.

When a doctor inserted a pacemaker into my heart, he told me that I was practically a cyborg. “You’re both human and machine now,” he said to me.

Thirteen years later I still have a pacemaker, which helps control my abnormal heart rhythms. Sometimes, I’m weirded out that this device sends electrical pulses to my heart. But new developments, such as the creation of a leadless pacemaker, reassure me of my future.

This is where I come in. I want to join the industry that creates the devices doctors use to save children. After becoming president of the robotics club and winning a state-wide competition by building a robot that can extinguish a small fire, I have a burning desire (pun intended) to build devices that better regulate the heart’s rhythm. I want to be on the forefront of pacemaker innovation so that children with irregular heartbeats can live without fear of major cardiac issues.

Most importantly, I want to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves, as I’ve done as a volunteer at the local children’s hospital. I want kids with pacemakers around the world to think, “I guess it isn’t so bad being part robot, after all.”

Here’s what Benjamin does well in answering this Columbia supplemental essay:

He shows how his medical history and extracurricular activities have informed his academic interests. Drawing on his experience as a patient with a heart defect and on his robotics team accomplishments, Benjamin shows that his passion for biomedical devices is informed by both his personal history and extracurricular projects.

He clearly articulates what he proposes to major in. Unlike Emilia, who approaches the Columbia College essay with a few possible majors, Benjamin has a clear major in mind that is housed in the school of engineering. It does not matter which approach you take, so long that you highlight a specific field (or fields) of interest.

He identifies potential goals for the future. Whereas Emilia focuses more on the types of classes she will take at Columbia, Benjamin is more interested in what he will do after his Columbia education: work on improving pacemaker technology and become an advocate for children with heart defects. Benjamin shows how advancements in engineering and technology have a direct impact on people in need, making his passion for studying biomedical engineering even more compelling.

Final thoughts

Because of Columbia’s academic prestige and access to New York City, getting into this Ivy League school is no simple task. Like other schools in the Ivy+ category, it’s a reach even for the students with the highest grades and test scores. By demonstrating a passion in a specific area of study and by showing how they would fit into Columbia’s campus culture by writing compelling supplemental essays, your child can greatly improve their odds of getting into Columbia.

About the Author

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on college admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.

THERE'S NO REASON TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS ALONE, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH ON THE LINE. SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY 30-MINUTE CONSULTATION TO ENSURE YOU LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write a stand-out "why columbia" essay.

College Essays

One of the essays you'll have to write when applying to Columbia University is the "Why Columbia" essay. In this essay, you'll need to convince the admissions committee that Columbia is your dream school and that you'd be a great fit on the campus.

The "Why Columbia" essay question can be intimidating for students. You might be wondering: what should I mention in it? What does the admissions committee want to hear from me?

In this article, we'll break down the "Why Columbia" essay, explaining what the prompt asks and what the committee wants to hear. We'll also show you a real, successful "Why Columbia" essay example and explain why it works. Finally, we'll suggest potential topics for your essay and offer tips on how to write your own college admissions essays.

The 411 on the "Why Columbia" Essay Prompt

Here's the current "Why Columbia" essay prompt for the 2022-2023 application cycle :

Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (200 words or fewer)

As you can see, the "Why Columbia" essay prompt asks a specific question: why do you want to attend Columbia University over any other school?

The admissions committee wants to see that you are genuinely interested in attending Columbia specifically and that you value it more than all other colleges out there.

As an applicant, you might be thinking that everyone applies to Columbia for the same reason: it's an Ivy League school and one of the best universities in the world.

The admissions committee knows all these facts about Columbia and knows that all applicants will know these facts, too.

What the Columbia admissions committee wants to learn is why you specifically want to go to Columbia rather than another amazing university.

From their perspective, students who really want to go to Columbia are more likely to enroll when they're accepted. This increases the university's yield rate and ensures that the freshman class will be full. If you can show in your essay that you’ve carefully considered the unique things about Columbia that make it the perfect school for you, you’ve got a good shot at getting an acceptance letter!

What Is the Purpose of the "Why Columbia" Essay?

Why does Columbia require applicants to answer this essay question? And what is the admissions committee really looking for in your answer? Let's analyze the "Why Columbia" essay prompt.

No matter which schools you're applying to, "Why This College" essays are perhaps the most common essay prompts you'll find on college applications because colleges want to see that you really want to attend their school.

But why exactly do colleges care that you want to go to their school?

Students who are passionate about their college or university are more likely to feel that the school is a good fit for them. They'll be more likely to commit to their studies, participate in on-campus activities, and become an active alum after graduation.

Therefore, if you show in your essay that you really love Columbia, it will make admissions officers feel more confident that you're going to have a significant and positive impact on their school.

If your reasons for attending Columbia are vague or even plain wrong (for instance, say you claim you'd like to take a major that isn't actually offered at Columbia), the admissions committee will think that you don't care about the school and aren't really interested in it.

Basically, the purpose of the essay is to suss out whether your interest in Columbia is genuine and to see whether you're ready to take advantage of Columbia's many opportunities.

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What Should You Write About in Your "Why Columbia" Essay?

There are a number of different topics you can pursue for your "Why Columbia" essay. Ideally, you'll want to explore specific topics that you can talk about in-depth.

Here are some suggested topics for your essay:

When it comes down to it, make sure to choose something about Columbia that no other school offers.

For instance, Columbia is in New York City and therefore has relationships with lots of businesses and organizations in the area. You could use your essay to examine how these Columbia-specific opportunities in New York will positively affect your education.

What you don't want to do, however, is wax on about how you love city-living— you need to make sure to describe how Columbia's specific relationship with NYC will help you to further your goals.

Match opportunities at Columbia to specific goals you have. For example, you could talk about how a particular professor's course aligns with your career objectives.

You need to be very specific in your answer: every single thing you say should relate back to a certain feature of Columbia. The entire focus of your essay should be what Columbia offers and how you'll take advantage of the school's academics and activities to get the best college education possible.

4 Tips for a Great Response to the "Why Columbia" Essay

Regardless of how you decide to answer this prompt, there are four tips everyone should keep in mind to ensure that they are fully answering the question, giving the information Columbia wants to see, and standing apart from other applicants.

#1: Do Your Research

Before you begin writing your response to this essay prompt, you should know exactly why you want to attend Columbia University. There are multiple ways you can do this research:

Every college campus has its own vibe, and visiting is the best way to get a sense of how Columbia might work with your personality as a student.

#2: Be Specific

From your research, you should have come up with specific reasons why Columbia is a great school for you. The more specific you can be when answering this prompt, the better.

Don't say Columbia has great academics, caring professors, and an interesting student body. The vast majority of schools have that!

Instead, try to mention opportunities only Columbia can provide, such as specific professors, courses, extracurricular activities, or research opportunities.

The things you discuss should be things your other top schools don't offer—things that really make Columbia stand out.

#3: Show Your Passion

Columbia wants students who care a lot about their studies and their school, so be sure this comes across in your response.

A bland statement such as "I am impressed by Columbia's strong engineering program" doesn't tell the school anything about you or help you stand apart from other applicants. Show your passion by naming specific professors or features of the program.

You've done your research to mention certain qualities Columbia has that have enticed you, and now it's time to discuss specific qualities about yourself, too. Why does the engineering program make you so excited? What do you want to get out of it? Be detailed, specific, and honest.

#4: Proofread

Your Columbia essay should be the strongest possible example of your writing skills. Before you turn in your application, take time to edit and proofread your essays.

Your work should be free of spelling and grammar errors. Make sure to run your essays through a spelling and grammar check before you submit.

It's a good idea to have someone else read your "Why Columbia" essay, too. You can seek a second opinion on your work from a parent, teacher, or friend.

Ask them whether your work represents you as a student and person. Have them check and make sure that you haven't missed any small writing errors. Having a second opinion will help your work be the best it can be.

"Why Columbia" Essay Example

If you're stuck on what to write for your own essay, looking at "Why Columbia" essays that actually worked can be helpful. Below, we examine one "Why Columbia" essay that got a student accepted to Columbia and talk about what specifically made this piece of writing so strong.

The following essay comes to us from an accepted Columbia 2020 student via AP Study Notes :

At a college visit this year, I met a Columbia alumnus named Ayushi, whose stories helped me develop a thorough understanding of Columbia. Ayushi told me that Columbia funded both her summer trip to Syria to interview refugees and her seed money for a start-up she launched. As an aspiring entrepreneur, I'm impressed by a university that encourages students to pursue their own independent creations instead of simply offering the option to work on faculty projects. Columbia's four entrepreneurship organizations, among them the Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs, provide a dynamic start-up community for me to launch my own business.

In addition, when I explored Columbia online, the emphasis put on interdisciplinary studies particularly excited me. The Columbia Engineering website is rich with stories of engineering students who are also involved in Shakespeare troupes, service projects, and multicultural groups. In my opinion, diverse experiences are the foundation of creative thinking. At Columbia, I will continue to diversify my experience by not just joining the Parliamentary Debate Team, but also by making new friends on the intramural soccer field and starting a cultural club for Italian heritage students who wish to learn more about Italian history, language, food, and current events.

Columbia Engineering stands uniquely apart from other programs by incorporating several in-depth humanities and writing classes into the graduation requirements. I believe that looking at critical issues with an open mind and sophisticated grasp of the humanities is extremely important to being an engineer. For example, I could not imagine exploring the future of quantum cryptography without considering the political ripple effects of Edward Snowden, the moral ramifications of the quantum encryption revolution, and the relationship between technology and income inequality. I am confident that I will thrive in the Columbia culture of passionate engagement and vibrant, energetic conversation.

Why does this essay work?

It answers the prompt specifically.

This essay gives examples of personal experience with the school and proves that the applicant did their research: they present clear evidence as to how engineering students are involved on campus and talk about specific academic courses.

There are many impressive details in this essay, and the section that addresses extracurriculars is cleverly written to showcase the applicant's diverse interests. This student's mention of certain extracurriculars they want to do indicates that they looked at many facets of Columbia University, not just the engineering department.

It's clear from this essay just how the author views their fit at Columbia. They've talked about specific organizations they would like to be a part of, such as the Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs, while also showing why they want to join that organization.

Additionally, the applicant mentions a Columbia University student they spoke with, which means they took getting to know the student body seriously and really wanted to find out what Columbia students were like to see whether they, too, would fit in.

The conversation with the Columbia alum also emphasizes the applicant's initiative: they're willing to go above and beyond to learn about the school.

Conclusion: Writing a Great "Why Columbia" Essay

The purpose of the "Why Columbia" essay is for you to prove to the admissions committee that Columbia is the best school for you

In your essay, you could write about multiple topics that are specific to Columbia, such as academics, the student body, extracurriculars, and research opportunities.

When writing your "Why Columbia" essay, make sure to research the school extensively and be specific about activities and opportunities that really make you want to attend.

If you're stuck on how to proceed, analyzing a successful "Why Columbia" essay example might help you get inspiration for what to write.

What's Next?

How tough is it to get into Columbia? For answers, read our expert guide on how to get into Columbia and the Ivy League , written by a Harvard alum!

Should you apply early or regular decision to college? Find out the pros and cons of early decision .

Want to see some more college essay examples? We have links to 100+ great college essays that includes our expert analysis on how you can write a stand-out essay of your own.

Want to write the perfect college application essay? Get professional help from PrepScholar.

Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges.

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Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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Columbia University Essay Examples (And Why They Worked)

The following Columbia University essay examples were written by several different authors who were admitted to Columbia University. All names have been redacted for anonymity. CollegeAdvisor.com has shared these essays with admissions officers at Columbia University in order to deter potential plagiarism.

For more help with your Columbia University essay supplements, check out our 2020-2021 Columbia University Essay Guide ! For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1.

List a few words or phrases that describe your ideal college community. (150 words or less)

Supportive and collaborative (Let’s trauma bond and get through college together!); Tight-knit and friendly; Accepting; Socially and environmentally-aware; Quirky but also down-to-earth; Know how to enjoy a good movie/book/tv show marathon; Appreciate the arts, scientific achievements, and social accomplishments; Be willing to help out a first year being lost around campus for the first few weeks; Not afraid to stand up for what is right and use our resources to create a difference in the world.

List the titles of the required readings from courses during the school year or summer that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)

Uncle Tom’s Cabin -Harriet Beecher Stowe (APUSH): This book offered me the raw and emotional look at slavery and showed me the complexities of the US society before the Civil War.

The Grapes of Wrath -John Steinbeck (APUSH): Another emotional book that offered me a raw look at how the migrant workers were hurt during the Great Depression. This book along with Uncle Tom’s Cabin humanize history for me.

L’Étranger -Albert Camus (AP Lang): Existentialism. Interesting read. It really made me question life.

Sociologie des pratiques culturelles (Sociology of Cultural Practices) by Philippe Coulangeon is a required text I particularly appreciated this year. I enjoyed how the novel examines the principle trends that characterize the evolution of modern cultural practices, as well as the results of the democratization of culture in modern-day France.

Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil) by Baudelaire is an extremely powerful poetry collection that I found to be at the same time thought provoking and a pleasure to read. The poet expresses both his “Spleen,” or his agony, and his Ideal through beautiful and captivating verses.

I also absolutely loved Don Juan by Moliere, a play written and set in 17th century France during the reign of Louis XIV. Moliere’s clever mix of the classic and baroque styles was a joy to read, and the way he uses comedy as a tool to criticize society was brilliant.

Why this Columbia University essay worked, according to an ex-admissions officer

This response to the Columbia University essay prompt works well because it highlights the cultural and linguistic diversity of the student. The student succinctly and convincingly discusses what they connected to in the various works, showing their intellectual curiosity as well their ability to appreciate mature pieces of literature.

List the titles of the books you read for pleasure that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)

Most haunting book: Kindred -Octavia Butler (Like Dana, I rooted for Rufus, hoping he wouldn’t turn out to be a villainous and selfish enslaver. I was betrayed)

Most emotional book: Thirteen Reasons Why -Jay Asher (This is one of those books that makes you question your entire life after reading it. It just has the power to make you wonder: Am I a good person? Have I made a good or bad difference in the lives of others? Highly recommended)

Best reread of the year: To All the Boys I’d Loved Before -Jenny Han (Three claps for Asian representation in YA books!)

Most nostalgic book: The Percy Jackson series-Rick Riordan (Earlier this year, I was at the Met, where Percy willed his power to push Nancy Bobofit into the water! Bucket list item #14: checked)

Honorable mentions: The Jungle -Upton Sinclair, The Hate U Give -Angie Thomas, Jurassic Park -Michael Crichton, and The Sympathizer -Viet Thanh Nguyen.

I like this response to this Columbia University essay prompt because the student is unapologetically herself. A lot of students feel the need to make themselves more impressive, or more sophisticated/well read, and the risk in that is that they lose that personal warmth, genuine voice, and connection with the reader. It’s far better to be honest and forthcoming, inviting the reader into your world view, humor, experience, and unique and fun perspective on the world.

One novel I read for pleasure that I found gripping and profound is Brave New World by Huxley. In addition to being a call for freedom during the rise of totalitarian societies, the novel also addresses philosophical and ethical questions that remain relevant today.

Bel Ami by Maupassant is another novel that spoke to me. This naturalist novel depicts the journey of the protagonist’s rise to power through manipulation and corruption in late 19th century France. I enjoyed following how this anti-hero climbs the social ladder from his humble working-class beginnings to become one of the most powerful men in Paris.

I was inspired by Histoire de l’autre (Story of the Other), a book that presents both the Israeli and Palestinian points of view on key historical events throughout the conflict. It was written by six Israeli and six Palestinian history professors, who narrate the same events from different perspectives.

List the titles of the print, electronic publications and websites you read regularly. (150 words or less)

I get caught up on current events from three main news sites: the Saint Louis Post Dispatch for the local perspective, the New York Times for the national perspective, and the BBC for the international perspective. It’s a habit of mine to read about current events from at least 3 perspectives. That way, I know I’m getting the most objective view of the world.

Entertainment news: Buzzfeed and Kenh14 (a Vietnamese newsite)

News not covered by mainstream media but are highly important: Stories on Instagrams, Facebook, and Reddit.

Again, I feel like this student is being honest and forthcoming. You get a sense of ethnicity/identity, and also of a person who is willing to be informed without trying to prove anything. There’s a fine balance between being genuine and trying to seem impressive.

I follow the news on BBC (www.bbc.com). BBC gives me a well-rounded view of political, economic and social events from around the world, with the necessary background information to understand today’s global issues.

I also use the mobile app News Republic on a daily basis. News Republic provides articles from over 1,000 trusted news sources, so I can be informed of global issues from multiple perspectives. Further, I can design my news page to follow the topics I am most interested in.

Another website I follow regularly is Time Out Madrid ( www.timeout.com/madrid ). It helps me take full advantage of all the opportunities Madrid has to offer, such as cultural exhibitions, hidden parks and cafes, concerts, plays and movies. My latest discovery is a list of eleven original bookshops, where, in addition to finding books, friends and I can have a coffee, enjoy a concert or listen to a lecture.

Again, what works about this kind of response is that the reader can get a sense of the global perspective and experience of the student. Without being too obvious with it, the student brings the reader into their life – bookstores, social life, international experience – and makes the reader a part of it.

List the titles of the films, concerts, shows, exhibits, lectures and other entertainments you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)

Musical: Hamilton, Legally Blondes, Miss Saigon (I love the music but hate the historical inaccuracies as well as the ignorance of Vietnamese culture portrayed in the musical)

Films: Avengers: Endgame, Spiderman: Far from Home, Candy Jar, Lincoln, Us, Get Out.

TV shows: Marvel’s Agents of Shield (My all time favorite show. I learned English watching Shield in middle school), Goong (amazing soundtracks, jump started my K-drama binge for the last 2 months, inspired a Viet-styled Goong fanfiction currently in the works), and High Kick Through the Rooftop (It’s an awesome Korean sitcom. I highly recommend it. Just ignore the last 6 episodes)

Music: Soundtracks. My current favorite is Dah Ji Mot Han Ma Eum from Goong!

I saw back-to-back Ionesco’s two classic plays, La cantatrice chauve (The Bald Soprano) and La leçon (The Lesson), at Le Théâtre de la Huchette in Paris, where they have been playing non-stop since 1957. It was fascinating to see these plays with the same original mise-en-scene dating back to the era when they were written.

Additionally, I loved the exhibition Pop Art Myths at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid. I enjoyed seeing how this art form developed in the 50s and 60s and its witty critique of consumerism.

Finally, I was inspired by the documentary Beyond Right and Wrong . It follows the stories of individuals who lost their loved ones in terrible conflicts from Northern Ireland, the Middle East and Rwanda, and shows what it took for them to forgive the other side. Their strength impressed me, and their courageous acts allowed me to observe forgiveness under a different light.

The reader gets a strong sense that art, in a variety of forms, is an important part of this student’s life.This is someone who looks beyond the entertainment factor. An admissions officer would most likely get the impression that as a student, this is someone who considers historical context and likes to make deeper connections with the curriculum.

Please tell us what you value most about Columbia and why. (300 words or less)

I hate the word “common” and avoid being associated with it at all cost. Being called “Common” is the worst insult possible. It implies that I’m just another face in a sea of faces and reminds me that not so long ago, in order to blend in with the crowd, I had ignored the injustices I saw. To me, a common person of a common society is nothing more than a lonely cog in the machine who is unable and unwilling to protest against the injustices in the society.

Given my hatred of all things common, it’s a surprise to see me apply to Columbia University, a place famous for its Core Curriculum. However, after October 14, 2019, all my negative thoughts about the Core Curriculum have vanished. Instead of a group of passive ancient philosophers in modern vessels molded by the Core, I got to see a vibrant, accepting, and socially aware group of changemakers on Campus that morning. Columbia students are powerful individuals who are not hesitant to use their power to demand changes. Exhibit A: the mini awareness events to demand the recognition of Indegenous People’s Day that I got to witness. The students made their presence known with posters and chants, demanding for recognition.

It was this display of bravery that changed my view of Columbia. Upon closer research, I can see that the Common Core is not a rigid mold but rather a template for empowerment by making sure that all students are equipped with the knowledge to lead courageous lives and be informed citizens. After all, why else would the university has all students learn about Contemporary Civilization?

Columbia’s Common Core will prepare me to lead a life of courage. Haizz, of course Columbia would be the place that makes me tolerate the word “common.”

This essay works for a number of reasons. Overall, the reader gets a great understanding of what the author values. This is someone who has grown in terms of their thinking, and will continue to seek opportunities for growth. This is a student who will more than likely be involved in a number of communities both on and off campus; a future change agent.

Naturally, most applicants will write about Columbia’s Core Curriculum, for which they are well known. However, this student’s evolved understanding of why and how it’s central to Columbia’s pedagogy, and how they would engage the curriculum is radically refreshing, I would imagine. As an admission officer I would get the sense that while the author is opinionated, they will likely lead and contribute to great classroom discussions. However, what’s equally important in a university setting is that they can listen to others’ perspectives and are also open to change, which it seems this applicant is.

Lastly, the student incorporated the fact that they had been on campus in an effective way that communicated their connection to the University, and allows an admissions officer to understand how this student would fit on campus.

In 2013, I embarked on a whirlwind tour of seventeen American universities. Of all the schools I visited, Columbia stood out. In addition to stellar academic programs, its emphasis on civic and global engagement really spoke to me. It is vital for me to attend a college where both academic rigor and openness to the world are widely promoted.

Perhaps what draws me to Columbia the most is the impact it has had on my sister, Maysa (Columbia College 2018). I have never seen her happier than she is today, as she talks about the diversity of the student body, her amazing professors and advisor, and the truly transformative and eye opening educational experience the Core Curriculum is giving her. Her experience at Columbia makes me dream of having my very own Lit Hum discussion sessions, surrounded by a group of passionate Lions.

At Columbia, I would also take advantage of the many enriching clubs and student organizations. For example, I would like to become a member of the Columbia Model United Nations Team, one of the most renowned in the United States, and the Peace by PEACE club. In addition, I would like to join or set up a Club or Intramural Swim Team.

Being at Columbia would also allow me to take advantage of everything New York has to offer, from acclaimed guest speakers visiting campus to world-class performances and exhibitions. I believe Columbia is the place where all the aspects of my personality would thrive. Columbia students and faculty are motivated, active, and inspiring. At Columbia College, I would grow both academically and socially in an international and openminded environment. It would be an honor to spend the next four years “in the greatest college, in the greatest university, in the greatest city in the world.”

This student took a more traditional approach to writing this essay. The author gave a well rounded response as to how they would engage in Columbia’s community both inside and outside of the classroom. They named specific clubs and organizations they envision becoming a member of, and highlighted characteristics of the University that resonates with them. Lastly, because the author’s sister attended Columbia, they were able to incorporate some personal reflections as to why they too wish to attend.

Please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Member Questions section. If you are currently, undecided, please write about any field or fields in which you may have an interest in at this time. (300 words or less)

In seventh grade, a phenomenon exploded at my school: YA stories about a world without adults. The premise is simple: A strange accident evaporated all the adults, leaving only young people to inhabit the new world.

Like everyone, I was in love with those stories and enjoyed fantasizing how I would be in that situation. However, something didn’t sit right with me: Why only the adults? How come anyone under the age of 16 got to stay? I was desperate for an answer and since I couldn’t find them in the pre-existing stories, I decided to write my own story with a valid reason for the disappearance of the adults. After weeks of theorizing and researching, I finally got it. The story premise was similar: All adults on Earth have been turned into zombies by invading aliens. Luckily, thanks to a DNA mutation caused by a live virus vaccine that was administered to all children aged 17 and younger, the young people were spared. Now, they are our planet’s last hope.

What started as harmless research to satisfy my curiosity quickly developed into a long lasting fascination with cells and mutations. I marvel at how simple changes in our genetic codes could have great impact on our bodies. It’s interesting and scary to realize how easy it is for our DNA to be manipulated by outside factors. Similar to the unforeseen benefit of the DNA mutation in my story, my research has helped me discover a great passion of mine.

This is a great story! Colleges, particularly top tier schools, are looking for intellectually curious students. The author effectively demonstrates that curiosity, shows its inception, and how they have further pursued their interest. This applicant is clearly a deep and creative thinker who has discovered their passion and will fully engage in furthering their understanding in their chosen field.

Columbia University offers many fields of study closely aligned with my academic and career goals.

My Middle Eastern heritage and international background have made me passionate about social justice, peace, and conflict resolution. I am especially interested in Middle Eastern international affairs and social problems. The unrest and violence in this region have repercussions all over the globe. I believe it is vital for our generation to find long-lasting solutions for peace in the Middle East and to protect the rights of women, children, and ethnic minorities that are being abused in the region. I hope to pursue an undergraduate program focused on Human Rights, taking classes such as “International Human Rights Law,” “Equality, Identity & Rights” and “Human Rights and Human Wrongs.”

For example, in summer 2013, I participated in a two-week course called “Identity, Diversity, and Leadership” at Brown University. This course challenged me to study my own social and individual identity. I learned the values of listening, sympathizing, and understanding those who are unlike me. Similarly, in October 2014, I took part in a seminar on Non-Violent Communication organized by Seeds of Peace, focusing on ways to bridge dialogue divides and maintain empathy during difficult conversations.

Like us, an American-Lebanese-Colombian family living in Madrid, my extended family all have very international backgrounds and have lived all around the world. I have American-Lebanese-Austrian cousins living in London and American-Lebanese- Belgian cousins living in Hong Kong. Even though we all have lived very different lives, we have something in common – the feeling of being citizens of the world, immersed in a plethora of distinct cultures, yet being part of one close-knit family.

I am lucky to have been raised in this environment. It has helped me become a more adaptable, flexible, and understanding person with intellectual curiosity and openness to the world.

Additionally, Columbia College would offer me the opportunity to take an array of classes taught by leading scholars in the Departments of Political Science; Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies; and Linguistics. These classes would give me a global view of the complex world we live in, help me better understand the international challenges we face today, and further expand my global outlook and knowledge of world cultures and customs. I look forward to taking classes such as “National Security Strategies of the Middle East: A Comparative Perspective”, “Rethinking Middle East Politics” and “Language and Society”. I am also keen on continuing to build on my Arabic language skills to complement my interest in Middle Eastern history and politics through the amazing resources provided by the Columbia Global Center in Amman, where I hope to spend at least two summers.

With my background and experiences, I believe I would contribute new perspectives to class discussions and learn from the ideas of the inspiring and diverse students that Columbia University attracts.

This essay works because the author did a great job at showing what their interests are, ways they have already pursued them, and how they will take advantage of Columbia’s curriculum to further pursue and achieve their academic and personal goals. While not every student has the opportunity to participate in tuition-based summer programs (colleges do not expect this), this student was able to highlight their participation and the ways in which they grew as a result.

The author has an incredibly diverse background and global perspective, which they effectively used to demonstrate what they will be able to contribute to the classroom as well as take away from it. This is precisely why diversity is important in a college setting. More importantly, however, the reader gets a strong sense of this student’s values and what’s important to them in terms of the contributions they hope to make to society.

These Columbia University essay examples were compiled by the advising team at CollegeAdvisor.com . If you want to get help writing your Columbia University application essays from CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , register with CollegeAdvisor.com today.

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Columbia University 2020-21 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

The Requirements: 4 lists of 150 words each; 3 essays of 200 words each.

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Community , Activity , Why

Columbia University 2020-2021 Application Essay Question Explanations

Your college application is full of lists, from your transcript and test scores to your resume and activity list, but that hasn’t stopped Columbia! Their supplement asks you to generate four more lists, each revealing something new. As a general mindset, try to approach each one as if you were a curator. Can you pick items that connect to a common theme in surprising new ways? Can you turn seemingly contradictory interests into a humorous juxtaposition? When the prescribed format is a list, order matters just as much as content, so use every element of the assignment to your advantage!

List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (150 words or less)

The key to this list is honesty. You may be tempted to rattle off the longest works or most impressive-sounding titles, but to create the most authentic and unique list, you need to answer the question. What is it that you enjoy in an academic setting? Homework may not be your favorite thing in the world, so ask yourself: What has excited or surprised you in the past year? What texts motivated you to work, read, and apply yourself to challenges? What has inspired you? Maybe it was a single Emily Dickinson poem, or maybe you couldn’t get enough of your physics problem sets. Consider the full scope of options (including textbooks!) and don’t shy away from picking texts from disparate subjects. This is your shot to reveal yourself as a well-rounded student and to demonstrate how your mind works.

List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (150 words or less)

While the last list was about your academic mind, this list is all about your time off. How do you entertain, soothe, or rest your mind during your non-academic reading time? Similar to the preceding list, you’ll need to be careful to avoid self-aggrandizing or pandering choices. Don’t top your list with Crime and Punishment unless you genuinely picked it up of your own accord, read it from start to finish, and loved every second of it. Think not just of the most recent books you’ve read, but also of the old classics you can’t help rereading (“ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (for the fifth time)” or “My sixth grade diary”). Play with the sequencing here: how would you set these up in your library? Chronologically? Alphabetically? Thematically? According to the relationship between authors? Can you draw fun connections between your favorite works? Or maybe you can make an entertaining leap from the sublime to the ridiculous by placing a classic work of fiction alongside a graphic novel. Have fun with it! After all, this list is, at its core, about what you do for fun.

List the titles of the print or digital publications, websites, journals, podcasts or other content with which you regularly engage. (150 words or less)

This list is probing for your understanding of what it means to be an informed citizen. What do you think are the most responsible ways to engage with the world? What do you consider a reliable or worthwhile source of information? Newspapers and news sites may be the first sources that spring to mind, but don’t stop there! What’s the first thing you read every morning? What’s your go-to for a specific topic of interest? Do you absolutely love the sharp satire of the Onion or the crisp writing of a style blogger? Beyond simply showcasing your engagement with the world, this list can reveal the specific political and cultural niches you care most about.

List the titles of the films, concerts, shows, exhibits, lectures and other entertainments you enjoyed most during secondary/high school (in person or online). (150 words or less)

When constructing this list remember that the medium and the content both say something about you! Perhaps you’ll list an array of events and activities all related to the environment, to show how much you care about the issue. On the other hand, you could enumerate a range of plays and musicals to highlight your enthusiasm for theater. Finding a central theme that speaks to a passion or your favorite way to take in the world around you (visual, verbal, physical) will help you transform your favorite experiences into an incisive look into your recreational brain.

Columbia students take an active role in improving their community, whether in their residence hall, classes or throughout New York City. Their actions, small or large, work to positively impact the lives of others. Share one contribution that you have made to your family, school, friend group or another community that surrounds you. (200 words or fewer)

Chances are, you’ve done some community service at some point in your life, and Columbia asks you to reflect on that experience. The prompt is clear about what it wants you to cover and you have up to 200 words, so your response will require condensing! In some ways, this is a glorified resume entry, but you can bring it to life by devoting more of your word count to concrete, personal details instead of a verbatim recitation of the mission and vision of the organization you volunteered for (or worse, a bloated list of clichés related to the value of service). Why do you care so deeply about a particular cause, culture, or community? What have you contributed to this community and how did that experience make you feel? Remember that fundamentally, community service is not about personal glory or achievement; it’s about doing what you can to help others. Reflect on why being part of a community is important to you and, for bonus points, touch on how you would like to contribute to Columbia’s community once you arrive on campus.

Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? (200 words or fewer)

This brief assignment is Columbia’s version of the classic Why Essay , and the key to every good Why Essay is solid, specific research. Spend some quality time with the Columbia website or, if you can, on a campus tour. Ask questions, take notes, and dig to find specific people, programs, and experiences that excite you. In the end, you’ll need to go beyond simply listing the things that appeal to you. (For once you can write in full sentences!) You will need to make a more personal point: what do your interests reveal about YOU?

Now, revisit the question. Columbia doesn’t just want to know why you want to go there, but specifically what you “value.” Examining your research, ask yourself: what is the common thread in everything I have written down? Is it being a part of a global community? Once in a lifetime research opportunities? Something more abstract and philosophical? Imagine you’re writing a mission statement. In describing what you value about Columbia, how can you reveal what you value, period? Maybe an interest in a cappella points at an appreciation for collaborative working environments. Or perhaps your entrepreneurial aspirations will be fulfilled by Columbia’s unique Innovation and Entrepreneurship program. Whatever the case may be, you should consider writing this essay before any of the lists, since this is your primary opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice!

For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you previously noted in the application. (200 words or fewer)

If you are applying to the fu foundation school of engineering and applied science, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you previously noted in the application. (200 words or fewer).

These are two classic why essays. Regardless of whether you’re applying to Columbia College or The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, your essay should be personal and, if possible, unexpected. This is not the place to detail your love of New York City or the dining hall. And Columbia already knows it has an impressive alumni network. Admissions wants to know what excites you about the specific school within Columbia to which you are applying — something that is aligned with your interests and academic background. So as with all why essays, you’ll want to set aside some time for research either in the form of a campus visit or deep dive on the school website. Even if you already have a great idea, a little fact-checking never hurt anyone. Since you don’t have a ton of words at your disposal, try to narrow your focus down to one or two elements and make a bridge from Columbia’s resources to your own experiences and goals for the future. Is there a professor in your department who has done research you admire that you hope to work with? Is there a program that combines your unique interests that is not offered at any other school? Get specific. Let Columbia know what resources you will take advantage of that others might not think of or know about.

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Also, every year we create free guides on “ How to Write X School’s Essays ” for the top 100 schools. In these guides, we give you tips and tricks on how to approach each prompt. As such, our prompt database also contains a link to each school's Essay Breakdown.

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A Guide to the Columbia Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

Padya Paramita

July 13, 2021

Located in the heart of New York City, Columbia University has long been one of the most competitive schools in the world. Consistently ranked among the top five colleges in the U.S., Columbia attracts a wide range of students from all over the world. Although it is no easy task, it’s time to think about ways to distinguish yourself among a strong pool of applicants. If your interest in Columbia stems from genuine enthusiasm towards the unique opportunities offered by the school, then the Columbia supplemental essays 2021-2022 can help you bolster your candidacy.

The Columbia supplemental essays 2021-2022 are designed to help the admissions committee understand your intellectual pursuits, interests outside the classroom, and the real motivations behind your interest in Columbia beyond its esteemed ranking. Help the admissions officers understand why you’d be an ideal Columbia student by carefully considering and answering the prompts below. To guide you through a smooth-sailing writing process, I’ve outlined each prompt, provided some tips and tricks for answering them, and included some further advice to help you write your Columbia supplemental essays 2021-2022

Prompts for the Columbia Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

For the four list questions that follow, we ask that you list each individual response using commas or semicolons; the items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order. No explanatory text or formatting is needed.

The instructions make it very clear that there’s no minimum number of titles you must include. That being said, don’t just insert one answer for each topic. For the first prompt in this question, don’t just mention the classics just for the sake of letting admissions officers know you’ve read them. They are aware of the usual high school reading lists, so they have a good idea of the kinds of books most applicants have read. Think honestly about what you actually enjoyed. It doesn’t have to be a novel - or even limited to your literature courses. It could be a chapter in your chemistry textbook, an essay on a historical event, or a particular poem that you’ve been unable to get out of your head.

From your answers to the Columbia supplemental essays 2021-2022 , the university also wants to know what kind of topics and genres you enjoy outside academics. All of these could follow a particular theme - your answer to the latter three bullets could be a great way to show that you’ve pursued your academic interests through more than just schoolwork. Or, you could highlight a passion outside your intended major, such as sports or cooking, by mentioning relevant books or magazines.

Don’t list big-name publications such as The New York Times just because you think it sounds impressive. It will probably be one of the more common answers anyway. Go through your subscriptions, browser history, and think about which publications you’re always drawn to when at a newsstand or library.

Check out all supplemental essay prompts here!

Columbia students take an active role in improving their community, whether in their residence hall, classes or throughout New York City. Their actions, small or large, work to positively impact the lives of others. Share one contribution that you have made to your family, school, friend group or another community that surrounds you. (200 words or fewer)

Because so many academically qualified students apply to Columbia, admissions officers want to pinpoint the candidates who will meaningfully contribute to their community. Through this supplemental prompt, Columbia is interested in knowing exactly what you’ll bring from your current life as a high schooler to the Morningside Heights campus in Manhattan. If we break this prompt down further, you’ll notice that the word “community” is broad here — the Columbia supplemental essays 2021-2022 has given you flexibility by listing some possible examples of the type of community you might write about — as well as saying “another community” if it’s more applicable.

As you brainstorm, start thinking about all of the communities you interact with on a daily basis—school, student group, sports team, neighborhood organization, family, etc. From there, think about what—from any of these communities—you’ve had the most impact on and why. The list could go on, but may include things like helping your parents with your siblings, or stepping up as a leader to initiate a new community center in your neighborhood. From there, you want to think about how your skills can benefit others, specifically at Columbia University. When approaching this essay, try to be as specific as possible. 200 words is a short essay, so make sure you get straight to the point and explain the unique contributions you would bring from your current life to Columbia.

Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? (200 words or fewer)

Now we come to the “why this school” portion of the Columbia supplemental essays 2021-2022 . Remember that this essay isn’t about what makes Columbia a good school - admissions officers already know that it is! What do you find the most appealing about the university? How do these great features relate to your learning and your future plans? The points you should try to get across are why the college’s resources are a good fit for you, how you will benefit from all that it offers, and the aspects of campus life where you believe you can contribute the most.

The best strategy in answering this question is conducting research specific to your interests and goals, as Columbia wants to see an emphasis on what you “value.” Since you have a good number of words, you can mention both academic and extracurricular offerings that call out to you. At the same time don’t go all over the place - stay within describing two to three of the most appealing factors, and then elaborate on them. What classes and activities do you currently enjoy that you hope to continue at Columbia? Which particular Columbia courses align with your ideal career? Is there a unique student organization that you want to join, such as Columbia Undergraduate Film Productions or the Columbia University Glee Club?

Don’t just think about the internal resources - but the external aspects of Columbia that make it great as well. You can mention the New York City environment - but don’t dwell on this as this essay should be about Columbia and not how much you love Manhattan! Are there ways in which this particular urban academic setting works better for you than a suburban or rural one? Use your response to the first prompt for clues about what you’re looking for from your college experience (but don’t be repetitive!) and articulate how Columbia is the perfect place to explore your aspirations.

Continuing from the “why Columbia” question, this prompt among the Columbia supplemental essays 2021-2022 asks you to delve deeper into the academic aspect of your interest in Columbia. A memorable answer to this prompt should successfully tie in where your passion for your academic interest stems from, as well as how Columbia can help you explore it further.

If you’ve chosen creative writing, for example, think about when this interest started, how your love for the topic grew, and how you’ve honed your writing skills. Perhaps you participated in competitions or creative writing clubs. Anecdotes outlining these activities and accomplishments should dominate your essay. If you have space remaining, talk about how Columbia’s creative writing program is the perfect place to help you as a budding writer. Is there a professor whose writing you’ve followed? Are there any specific courses that perfectly suit the genre you dream of mastering someday such as WRIT UN2110 Seminar Approaches to the Short Story?

No matter which field of study you’ve chosen, admissions officers should leave with no doubts regarding your dedication and commitment to the discipline. Columbia appreciates individuals who avidly pursue intellectual growth . Use your answer to demonstrate that your interest in the topic is deep and sustained.

This prompt is the same as the previous one - but only for engineering applicants. Just like applicants to Columbia College, your answer to this question should focus on tying in your previous engineering experiences to the opportunities available to you at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering at Columbia. Don’t just write about engineering as a broad discipline. Think about the area you’ve chosen - such as Electrical Engineering or Earth & Environmental Engineering - and express how your curiosity about that specific field arose.

Detail any specific instances of you working with topics that fall under your chosen concentration. If you want to study computer science, for example, what specific experiences do you have with programming or app-building? Was there a particular incident where you decided that this was the field for you? Then, connect your answer to the Fu Foundation School. Which courses under Columbia Engineering’s Computer Science curriculum fit with your plans the most? Is there a particular research program that perfectly augments your interest within computer science?

Your experiences and active persuasion of your choice of concentration should leave admissions officers with the confidence that you’re not just a good fit for Columbia, but for Columbia Engineering specifically.

Further Tips on answering the Columbia Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

Your answers to the Columbia supplemental essays 2021-2022 should convey who you are through an exploration of topics you’re interested in and how you want to continue pursuing them in college. When reading your responses, admissions officers should clearly understand what your goals are and how Columbia can help you get there. By perfectly blending your passions with what appeals to you about Columbia, you should be able to write standout essays that help separate you from the rest of the impressive applicant pool. Best of luck!

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Law student fills ANC vacancy with plans to enhance transparency with Foggy Bottom

Media Credit: Sage Russell | Staff Photographer-

Kim Courtney, a Columbia Plaza resident and Hatchet photographer and videographer, said she has worked as an attorney for two decades, currently serving as a contract attorney with the consulting agency Innovative Driven.

After graduating from GW nearly three decades ago, Kim Courtney has returned to campus as a law student and joined Foggy Bottom’s local governing body.

At-Large D.C. Council member Anita Bonds swore in Courtney last week to the Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission to represent single-member district 2A05, which spans the intersection of Virginia Avenue and E Street and includes Shenkman Hall and the Columbia Plaza and Remington apartment complexes. Courtney, a one-year Master of Laws student who studied dance and international affairs at GW as an undergraduate from 1991 to 1996, said she plans to promote transparency within the ANC through monthly email newsletters to her constituents and meeting agendas that the commission posts on time.

“Presently, my primary goal is to make sure that there’s the transparency and that the process is clear and understandable and approachable for residents to participate,” she said. “I mean, we’re elected commissioners, but we’re residents.”

D.C. officials redrew the SMDs across the city’s ANCs late last year, a process that began in 2021 to fit their populations with 2020 census data. With her addition to the commission, Courtney fills the ANC’s last vacancy and ninth seat.

She said she hopes to send her first monthly newsletter to her constituents March 15, but she still needs to collect their contact information, which she hopes to collect by word of mouth.

Courtney, a Columbia Plaza resident and Hatchet photographer and videographer, said she has worked as an attorney for two decades, currently serving as a contract attorney with the consulting agency Innovative Driven tackling projects on a case-by-case basis. She said from November to December, she performed legal research, fact checking and redactions for the report conducted by the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

Courtney said she doesn’t consider herself politically active, although she interned for then-President Bill Clinton’s White House communications department from 1992 to 1993 during her time as an undergraduate.

Courtney said when she voted in the November election she saw an empty slot on the ballot for her district’s ANC commissioner seat, so she submitted a petition with 33 signatures – more than the required 25 – by the Jan. 30 submission deadline , launching her bid to the ANC.

“It’s not something that I sought out,” she said. “I was concerned that there was nobody in the position, and I just thought that everybody needed to be represented.”

Nicholas Dowse, another 2A05 resident who graduated from GW with a master’s degree in international affairs in 2015, said he also submitted a petition to fill the vacancy. Courtney said she challenged his petition when she saw some of his signatures came from people who were not registered to vote.

Dowse said after writing his name in “as a joke” for the vacant seat in the November election, the ANC emailed him that the seat was still open and provided directions from the Board of Elections on how to submit a petition. Dowse said he collected signatures from residents from Shenkman Hall and the Columbia Plaza Apartments.

He said even though he told local residents in SMD 2A05 that they could only add their names to his petition if they were registered to vote in D.C., they must have done so anyway without considering their registration status. Courtney said Dowse withdrew his petition Feb. 13, coming about a week after she submitted her challenge – a move she said “wasn’t personal.”

“It was very cordial,” he said. “There was no animosity whatsoever.”

Courtney said she plans to host in-person meetings with constituents where she will share information on upcoming ANC agenda items, and she plans to pay to print a newsletter with information about the ANC to place in the lobbies of buildings in her district.

“That’s the hardest part, is getting good communication with everyone,” she said.

Courtney said she paid out of pocket for a dedicated ANC phone which she plans to use to communicate with constituents, but she wishes the District paid ANC commissioners.

The ANC can apply for the District’s Technical Assistance Fund to purchase equipment to host meetings like WiFi hotspots and the Expert Assistance Fund, which pays for accounting, legal and zoning services. In January, commissioners signed a letter asking D.C. Council members to provide ANC commissioners with a salary or stipend.

“I can already tell that in order to do this really well, it takes a lot of time,” she said. “And I’m happy to put the time in, but I really wish that it was paid.”

Courtney said she loves the “sense of community” in Foggy Bottom and is pleased to be back as a student at GW, where she hopes to learn about law and photography to tell the stories of those who do not have a voice.

“I love GW so much,” she said. “I just love this place. I always wanted to come back.”

ANC members and constituents in Courtney’s SMD said Courtney will help fill a key gap in the commission, which was missing representation from the 2A05 SMD.

Commissioner Joel Causey, who chairs the ANC and represents SMD 2A06, said commissioners are excited to work with her.

“It’s new for us because we’re now going to have nine commissioners,” he said.

Commissioner and junior Dasia Bandy said she has not yet met Courtney, but she is “open” to working with another GW student on the commission.

Commissioner Yannik Omictin said he was “excited” for Courtney to fill the vacancy in 2A05.

“It’s great to have no vacancies on the ANC,” he said. “It means we can actually do our job.”

John Seichter, the president of Columbia Plaza Tenants Association, said Courtney “was a highly qualified candidate” for the ANC, where she will be “an excellent addition.”

Sarah Shapiro, a resident of Columbia Plaza, said before Courtney began her petition, Shapiro spoke with Seichter about finding a resident to fill the vacancy.

She said the ANC commissioner seat is designed to represent constituents on local problems as they arise more than traditionally “political” issues. She said she wanted to ensure she is represented, even in the most local governing bodies.

“Whatever the ANC does, however little power it has, however little it does, I want that little bit,” she said.

Shapiro said as long as she is willing to represent the SMD, Courtney has her support.

“Actually, I wouldn’t have cared who it was,” she said. “I wanted us to be represented.”

This article appeared in the March 6, 2023 issue of the Hatchet.

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Staff Editorial: The end of GW’s classroom mask mandate signals the start of a new era

It will be up to each of us to navigate Foggy Bottom, D.C. and beyond in a world that is quickly moving past the pandemic

Column: Officials must be more transparent about GW’s data privacy measures

There’s clearly a pattern in how GW handles data privacy – trust us, whoever has your information hasn’t done anything bad with it.

Essay: My sister survived a shooting at a college campus. When will these tragedies end?

I always knew that shootings on college campuses across the country were a possibility, but I didn’t think they would impact me.

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Law student joins ANC, filling last vacancy
Law student fills ANC vacancy with plans to enhance transparency with Foggy Bottom. Kim Courtney, a Columbia Plaza resident and Hatchet photographer and videographer, said she has worked as an attorney for two decades, currently serving as a contract attorney with the consulting agency Innovative Driven. After graduating from GW nearly three ...