<p>As Columbia is officially a common application school (no more complaining about not being able to apply to Columbia, or your school doesn't let you) I thought it would be nice to perhaps jump onto this thread and position myself to answer any questions students who are curious (juniors and below) and unsure (seniors) about what Columbia is and what it is not. If anyone has jumped onto the Columbia forum, you may have read my champion of Columbia - it is a place I would say rather confidently that I love. </p>
<p>I also want to caution that just because you can apply, doesn't mean you should. Think about the decision carefully. And just because you can apply easily, doesn't mean you shouldn't take the time to research Columbia and learn about what makes it unique - why the culture is contagious and the time you will spend there remarkable.</p>
<p>The other day I met with some friends from my undergrad days (I am an alum) and we spent a few hours just remembering all that we did, all the stories, the absurd and the entertaining, the enlightening and the maddening. Perhaps it is a place to consider? </p>
<p>So feel free to read the Columbia threads, here is one that I made a few months back.</p>
<p>Thanks for starting this thread! The link you posted really added a dimension to my views of Columbia - I really recommend it to other applicants!</p>
<p>I have some questions that I really hope you can answer. I was putting the finishing touches on my Columbia app when ED decisions came out , and I decided not to mark down my race or my parents’ birthplaces. (This is allowed, correct? I didn’t get an error message after erasing these two things.) Could this put my Columbia application in a slightly better/worse light?</p>
<p>i think the more that columbia admission officers know the better, perhaps it would provide context if they came from outside this country, if they came from a less represented part of the US. that is good context. but overall admission officers are trained to read the application before them and make do with what they have. you could be impressive even if some parts of your application never arrive and columbia withholds the right to make a decision (even an admission) on incomplete applications.</p>
<p>I’m really happy to see this thread, since I am currently a junior and my dream school is Columbia. I’m especially interested about the language programs. Can you tell me more about them? Are there extra-curriculars in Columbia related too languages? Thanks.</p>
<p>In the columbia supplement it asks for favourite print/ electronic publications. Can i explain that i dont read many publications and list my favourite vloggers instead??</p>
<p>satsatsats - columbia is known for its highly intellectual community and this plays out in admissions. the adcom really does care that students engage with media that presents a sophisticated view of contemporary events. stating that you do not read media of that sort probably isn’t in your advantage, if you want to make the case that a vlog is, then that certainly is the case.</p>
<p>signature - columbia offers nearly 40 different languages through at least the intermediate level, pick a language, columbia has it. there are some of the larger languages have cultural clubs associated (the french club, german sprockets club, etc.), and many departments hold other functions outside of just classes that encourage students to come together and chat and practice their language skills.</p>
<p>when do i have to send in mid year reports? the second semester doesn’t end for my school until the end of january and the deadline for some of my colleges is january 1st. </p>
<p>when do i apply for scholarships? is it too late if i look for them after i submit my college applications? also, will colleges give you scholarships automatically without you asking for it if your grades are high enough, etc?</p>
, and I decided not to mark down my race or my parents’ birthplaces. (This is allowed, correct? I didn’t get an error message after erasing these two things.) Could this put my Columbia application in a slightly better/worse light?</p>