<p>So, I was just wondering what everyone feels is overdone or simply boring when it comes to choosing a topic for the Why Columbia essay. Because obviously what might seem so interesting and unique to one person might end up being percieved as prosaic and cliched to others.</p>
<p>Why you want to become a journalist. This is one Columbia mentions in all info sessions.</p>
<p>Don't center your essay around the opportunities of NYC.</p>
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Don't center your essay around the opportunities of NYC.
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<p>This could be fine if it's very specific to you.</p>
<p>wait a second. Since when was there a "Why Columbia"? essay topic? and where in the application does it ask that?</p>
<p>I'm with mythmom, don't write about NYC (there are many colleges in NYC so it's not specific enough for Columbia). Also don't mention the whole ivy league thing and don't write your whole essay about how the core currciulum is amazing.</p>
<p>lol so authentic i thought you'd be more familiar with the columbia app</p>
<p>it's not an essay...more of a short answer. Limit 600 characters</p>
<p>see, I had a feeling thats what you guys were talking about but they made it seem like its an actual essay. I'm like, what the hell? If thats the case then I have a good chance of explaining my thoughts more about Columbia.</p>
<p>Thanks Core Cory.........:D</p>
<p>- Signed by Peter</p>
<p>thanks guys! yeah, most of those i had heard to beware of. However, wanting to become a journalist isn't a topic that I had thought was too common. Hmmm... Anything else?</p>
<p>two questions.
will they kill me for using humor in my essay?
and
for the why... if i talk about the core but relate it to ben franklin's thingy with the perfect individual and yadda yadda, is that still okay?</p>
<p>humor is iffy, can go wildly wrong, but if you think it is widely accepted and understood humor - it's ok, it's a risk, could be a big plus.</p>
<p>there aren't rules about the why columbia section, however, it does say why columbia not why new york, the more generic and universally applicable the reason, the worse the essay will sound, like i could say</p>
<p>"it is exhilarating to live with people from all over the country, with diverse interests, from a wide spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds"</p>
<p>this will apply very well to columbia, but just as well to any other top univ. likewise new york is a reason to be in new york. the core on the other hand is specific, if you have detailed knowledge of the core and can discuss how it applies to your life and how it enhances your education like nothing else, then the essay can be strong. I know a person that did precisely this and got in.</p>
<p>There really isn't much room for originality in that tiny box. My son wrote a list in sentence form (with the Core as every other entry) and a summing up sentence. Seemed to work for him. I think you can overthink this requirement.</p>
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I think you can overthink this requirement.
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<p>I AGREE!</p>
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There really isn't much room for originality in that tiny box.
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<p>I dont think some people realize this yet, but it is a very important point!</p>
<p>(emphasis mine :) )</p>
<p>I always wanted to go to an Ivy League School.</p>
<p>Haha, then why Columbia, mike?</p>
<p>"Haha, then why Columbia, mike?"</p>
<p>errr... because it's an ivy league school maybe...</p>
<p>***?</p>
<p>Why I want to be a journalist (which I was pallning to use as one of my essay topics for the Columbia essay and why columbia? Short answer) is NOT ORIGINAL?</p>
<p>Who in the world wants to be a journalist? Nobody else I know thinks journalism is that interesting. They all want to be doctors/lawyers/etc.</p>
<p>So at the Columbia information session they are saying they get a ton of essays with the topic that says: "I want to be a journalism..."</p>
<p>again, there isn't a formula and a lengthy list of 'do nots' for this essay, be honest, let the reason gel with your interests, and make sure it's something that's somewhat specific to columbia. So if journalism does it for you - discuss it, mention some things that columbia does better than other colleges, maybe a special program, or why the spec turns you on, or how world leaders giving speeches is incredibly exciting, whatever the reason, it can more complicated and personal than 'i like journalism therefore i like columbia'. adding specifics about columbia is a big plus because it also shows interest and that you have bothered enough to dig up interesting information applicable to your interests.</p>
<p>well part of the journalism thing is that the journalism school is not an undergrad school so to apply to one school (CC) and tout another school (Journalism) is almost like writing "I like Columbia because it is close to NYU"</p>
<p>I like girls because my mom is one.</p>