I’m applying to Columbia as an International Student (from Australia doing the IB) and am currently filling out the written supplements. What I am wondering about is the “list the titles of exhibitions, shows, films, lectures… that you have enjoyed in the past year”. Am I correct to assume that this means shows as in TV Shows and films as in Movies? Would it be wise to then add things such as Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul or even South Park? I feel as though this would show some honesty in my application since I am a fan of these shows that are not specifically a part of the more “intellectual” forms of entertainment.
Also, as a student at a boarding school in a small city, I do not have as much an opportunity as students in New York to experience broadway shows or go to lectures or attend similar sorts of entertainment. Does this inability hinder my application? Or would that be taken into consideration?
Lastly, under the “list the websites you visit regularly” I’ve truthfully listed news websites and thought provoking philosophical websites that I visit. However, similar to my previous question, would putting the xkcd web comic in this list be detrimental to my application? It is written by an ex NASA engineer and involves topics such as mathematics, economics, philosophy, and current events, so I personally do not see it as a negative thing to put in but I would appreciate a second opinion.
Yes, tv shows fall under the category of shows. None of the 3 tv shows you’ve mentioned are controversial, so it wouldn’t be wrong to list them. Not attending lectures won’t hinder your application. They want to know the real you, not the fake you. You can list the xkcd web comic in your answer, I would just make sure to include a short sentence explaining what it is (what you wrote above is sufficient).
Nor do the vast majority of American applicants. Don’t worry about it.
I guarantee you that the number of admittees to Columbia that do not partake in the occasionally less-intellectually-stimulating activities is in the distinct minority. Again, don’t worry about it.
I don’t remember exactly what I listed, but it sure as hell wasn’t entirely intellectual. There were cartoons, I think Miracle on 34th Street was there, Adventure Time, possibly My Little Pony…
Don’t be too concerned about filling space, or explaining your choices. Pretty sure any Columbia admissions officer will know what XKCD is, and a good portion of them probably read it frequently. Mine was just a straight list with no descriptions. For most of them, I filled a little bit under a third of the space provided (except for the “additional things”, where I listed about 50 musical pieces / albums). It’s not a big deal. Don’t be concerned with coming off as intellectual, either. Be concerned with coming off as interesting.
I don’t think that any single thing you could possibly think of to list would be detrimental to your application (except maybe The Human Centipede or something). What would be detrimental is a stale and boring list.
