Did anyone else use ADDITIONAL info in columbia application? it makes me nervous.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I attached small additional essay about my interest in a certain major columbia is offering, and how that interest evolved. I also gave them a little note informing that country Im coming from does not offer the SAT, and that is why I might not have done the best job possible</p>

<p>So, will they be mad about additional page attached? I really wanted to communicate that type of information and although I hear many scary stories on CC about how ****ed ad coms will be, is it going to affect my chances greatly?</p>

<p>Did anyone else attach anything so that I don't feel like I m the only one?</p>

2

<p>i htink thats exactly how its supposed to be used.. im contemplating attaching my resume which is prob not a good idea</p>

3

<p>ooh. well I am not sure about the resume...</p>

4

<p>I attached additional information about my extra-curricular activities (the space the provide in the application is a joke).</p>

<p>In my case this could be different, since I'm Home Schooled and they said to send in as much stuff as I needed to.</p>

5

<p>yea, i'm really tempted to, but i'm scared.</p>

<p>i did on the common app, but columbia's is iffy.</p>

6

<p>i didn't. they said they didn't really want you to</p>

<p>it's probably fine. each of us will do what we think is best... as long as there are no regrets</p>

7

<p>


</p>

<p>I think this is more of an indication that your extracurriculars are a joke. Remember, more does not mean better! Focus is good.</p>

<p>To the OP: Those are all terrible reasons to use the Additional Information. Why didn't you talk about your interests in the 250 word essay? An important skill is to be clear, pithy, and persuasive.</p>

<p>While this all might not hurt you, it's almost likely not going to help you either.</p>

8

<p>to aerial blue: why can't lolcats4 do that? If s/he has another ec that she's really passionate about she should do it. besides the "essay" you are talking about is not 250 words, its 250 characters. that makes a big difference. 250 character is roughly 40 or so words. you can't convey passion for an activity with warrants with 40 words. you can probably only express a superficial commitment to the activity
I say go for it, if it's about something you are really passionate about! Good luck.</p>

9

<p>As I said earlier, the space Columbia provides for activities is a joke, especially for me. As a home schooled student I am extensively involved in a couple activities that there is no way I'd be able to otherwise address in a 300 character essay, or the sparse one-line boxes where you list your activities. This isn't about listing 20 more activities, it's about explaining them :P</p>

<p>Either Columbia will appreciate the extra information, since the activities I engage in are considered an integral part of my home school education. If they reject me for this then I know I probably wouldn't have fit well into a school that gives activities so little weight. :)</p>

10

<p>AerialBlue, I am sorry but the space they provided was not enough. In case you are referring to the Main Essay, well there I had to tell them about something even more important. </p>

<p>You might think some people will not have enough serious, non - "joke" experiences, interests, and skills to fill two essays, but maybe it is just you. Next time you decide to post on my thread, drop that arrogance before you do it please.</p>

11

<p>I attached a resume, without any real hesitation. I basically listed the academic things I did (Columbia SHP and other programs) and my volunteering activities. </p>

<p>I also did classes at my local county college (Calc III and Differential Equations), so I had to put it in there.</p>

<p>I also asked someone from admissions, and she said it was okay.</p>

12

<p>Double post, sorry</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
I also asked someone from admissions, and she said it was okay.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well in my book that = case closed :P</p>

14

<p>My MUN director wrote a testimonial about my crazily extensive involvement in MUN and stuff like that. I didn't know about it until the day during break I had to go to school to sign some forms, and my college counselor showed it to me. It was a great letter (I almost teared up - he thinks I'm that good? Haha) so I hope it helps me! :)</p>

15

<p>unless it was really crucial I wouldn't send anything extra in the additional section - they said we STRONGLY discourage it - then again since so many people didnt i bet that when there is something they dont get frustrated. just hope the adcom is in a good mood that day</p>

16

<p>they never said that they STRONGLY discourage something. They said they "prefer" that we do not attach additional essays. Well, if they feel they really dont want any additional essays, next time they may feel free to say "DO NOT ATTACH ADDITIONAL ESSAYs" instead of employing this vague language.</p>

17

<p>I'm taking all of my classes at a college, so I used that section to explain my situation. Also, I couldn't fit the official name of one of my extracurriculars, so I abbreviated it in the Activities section and then gave the complete name (along with a brief description) in the Additional Info section.</p>