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Columbia University is one of the oldest and most respected seats of learning in the US. Since its inception, it has produced many scholars, engineers, and intellectuals in shaping the modern world as it is. That’s why it is only natural for high school graduates to look toward Columbia school for undergraduate studies.
As expected Columbia’s admissions officers have rigorous criteria that include the academic backgrounds of aspirants as well as their writing skills and abilities to understand complex problems. One of the ways through which Columbia gauges these is by asking applicants to write a short essay.
It is mostly 200 words or fewer where a student has to convince the college that he or she is indeed worthy of admission. These “Why Columbia” essays are tough pills to swallow, as many aspirants can testify. Still, many aces the Columbia supplemental essay and get to study there.
The “Why Columbia” Essay Prompt
For the current sessions of Undergraduate admissions at Columbia, the essay prompt forwarded by admissions officers looks like this:
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)
This is a straightforward question for Columbia supplemental essays.
The Columbia admissions committee asks this question for specific reasons:
- Why does anyone want to choose Columbia over many other top schools around the world?
- What are the specifics they are looking for?
- How Columbia can help them in achieving those specific goals?
Many applicants limit themselves in their Columbia College essay by stating the obvious reasons that it is one of the best schools in the country. It is also a part of elite groups of universities called Ivy League and all that.
The truth is they know that better than anyone. They don’t expect that kind of generic and “top of the head” answer in the Columbia supplemental essay. That’s why this simple, yet complex, question is put into the place.
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The Real Way of Writing Your “Why Columbia” Essay
These Columbia application essays are not unique to Columbia only. Many schools, including other ivy league colleges, put that question in their application forms. The reason for doing so is to see why a particular aspirant wants to attend that school.
Still, why do universities care about what aspirants think about their schools and academic courses? Isn’t it enough that they are going through all the trouble of applying?
It is because they want to see whether both school and the student are a good fit for each other or not. Those who are passionate about Columbia will go through all the pains and efforts to put that passion into that essay prompt.
That’s why students have to show that they want to come and learn about their specific field of interest while attending Columbia University.
If the reasons for applying to Columbia education do not sit well with the admissions committee because they are either vague or wrong, then it is almost impossible for aspirants to get admission.
It is a litmus test to see if aspirants can learn how to write why Columbia essay.
What Makes Your “Why Columbia” Essay ENGAGING
This can be tricky for those aspirants who do not care much about Columbia University. They think of the college as a backup for something more ideal or lucrative for their academic courses. Those who truly believe Columbia to be their choice of a learning place will be right at home.
Essentially, when it comes to writing the best response to that essay prompt for attending Columbia, it depends on how much an aspirant is invested in studying at Columbia. If he thinks it is a great place and he desperately wants to get in, he will find the reasons.
These reasons have to be specific and addressed directly toward the potential relationship that both the applicant and Columbia will enjoy and cherish.
In this light, the following are some of the areas and specifics regarding Columbia University that aspirants can explore concerning their ambitions and goals for their dream school:
- Major subjects, classes, and courses that are specific to Columbia
- Professors and instructors who are renowned for their command and charisma
- Leadership and co-curricular activities that help Columbia students in developing a wholesome outlook
- Talking about Columbia alumni can be a great angle. Students can shed light on how they are inspired by them to join the same college
- Volunteering opportunities around the globe that are available for Columbia students because of the alumni or the current professors
- Career development options that can be easily considered while studying at Columbia
The best way to explore those options or angles is by doing some research online and checking which things are only specific to Columbia. This will help students in getting into the same perspective for the Columbia supplemental essay that members of the admissions committee expect them to have.
What Makes Your “Why Columbia” Essay Bland
Before moving on to some professional tips that can help aspirants in composing a winning “Why Columbia” essay example, it is best to look out for the potential pitfalls.
Many students fail to understand the scope and rationale behind the simple question. They either go online to copy a response or do not bother to come up with something novel or specific to themselves and their potential relationship with Columbia. The result comes out as a rejection.
That’s why it is important to go through some of the “red marks” that can make them feel bland and expandable. If a student finds them in his or her essay, it is best to consider editing and reviewing or writing the response right from the top.
Here is the rundown:
- Generic or fluff content is always a big turndown. When it shows up in admission forms, committee members do not have a hard time scraping off that application from the race because it is not at par with the standard they have set
- Lack of passion and emotion in the essay prompt. The admissions committee wants to see tears, sweat, and hope in those essay prompts. If they find some backup material, they have no incentive to award admission to that aspirant, no matter how glorious his or her academic records and transcripts were
- Many students do not bother to express their current and past experiences in pursuing a field of study in their essays. This is a big flaw. It does not matter if you change your mind during your studies. For that time being, they need to show Columbia that they truly belong to it each other
- Blatantly copying responses from other applicants or alumni members can result in rejection. It is because they want your story and your passion, no matter how flawed or idealistic it may sound
These are some of the most commonly-found flaws that many aspirants make in their run for Columbia. It is best to be passionate and specific about the college admissions process if you want to join Columbia in the first place.
Amazing Tips For Your “Why Columbia University” Essay
Here are some amazing tips that will make your “Why Columbia” too good to be turned down:
- Finding Compatibility
- Specific Attraction
- Honest Passion
- Review & Improvement
Finding Compatibility
There are great colleges in all of America. But to show the selectors that Columbia and you are made for each other is to explore academic courses. If convenient, the easiest way of doing that is by visiting Columbia and catching the vibes in person
Specific Attraction
Columbia College offers excellent programs in all disciplines to augment both current and past experiences. To say that plainly would be a big mistake. Instead, it is best to find a specific attraction. Aspirants can highlight that they are in awe of the engineering department of Columbia and want to study there to be the next big innovator.
Honest Passion
There is simply saying that someone wants to go to Columbia College, or there is saying that their heart will skip a beat if they get the news of their admission to Columbia. The difference is clear.
Review & Improvement
Your Columbia supplemental essay example should set you apart from the rest of the applicants. Simply, it should be a magnum opus of your whole writing life. That’s why review and improvement are a big part of it.
A Winner “Why Columbia” Essay Example & Why It Beats The Competition
Before jotting down the first draft, it is best to have a look at some of the essays that worked or can work because they touched all the bases.
Here is a why Columbia essay example:
Last year, I met a student at Columbia University who told me about his recent trip to Africa for a food relief program. He also added how his alma mater helped him in kicking up his start-up. I was in awe of his outlook, confidence, and plans to improve the world. And it was all because of his college.
I liked the idea of a college that does not “leave and forget” its students when they graduate. That was the second hook. As an aspiring engineer, I want to study at Columbia because I found out about the ambitious faculty there.
My area of interest is nanotechnology. My premise is simple; I want to employ that technology for the things it hasn’t been used before, such as creating mobile and dynamic structures. In my opinion, it will be a revolutionary step toward re-imagining buildings and bridges.
I am sure Columbia will be as excited as I am in working hard toward that goal to bring positive change to this world. Together, there is nothing we can’t tame, be it the elements or the force of nature!
Why It Is A Winner
The above-mentioned piece was no doubt a winner when it comes to Columbia supplemental essays. Here are the reasons why:
- It bridged the past, present, and future of the writer
- It laid down the goals and ambitions clearly
- It was straightforward, specific, and candid
- It was unwavering in its take
