Hi everyone, so I’m working on my application for Columbia University, and I’ve heard that since everyone writes about the Common Core Curriculum, we should stay away from it. Does that mean it would look bad if I mentioned Common Core at all, even if only briefly?
Also, another question. when listing the films/books/other media we enjoyed, should we write why we liked it or even the author and a brief description?
Thanks.
Ok so I thought I’d put all my questions about this in one thread. So for my “Why this college” essay, would it seem like too much if I wrote about a professor’s work, a specific class, as well as a tradition at the school?
Also, should we stay away from talking about how we like the campus?
Sorry for all the questions. Hopefully someone can help, thanks again.
The best advice is to be honest. Don’t try to write what you think they want to see, or shy away from what you want to say. Mentioning the Common Core briefly won’t look “bad”, but writing your entire essay about how much you love it, listing each expected class, etc. and missing the opportunity to write something about yourself, won’t help you. They know what the core is - they don’t know about you.
As for the list of film/books/media, Columbia routinely accepts both students who only write a list of titles, and students who include authors, and even some who briefly write why. I have heard from an admin official that they like it when the student includes the author if they are not well known. The Admin officials are well read, but they don’t know author. Don’t stress about this one - it isn’t meant to be that hard. Except of course, as they like to say, the only students weeded out by this question are the ones who write about they favorite author being Bill Shakeyspeer. Spelling counts. 
I would say don’t use the “Why this college” essay to write that you have done your homework about the school and love a professor’s work, class, or tradition. Again, they know what the school offers. Use this short essay to write more about who you are, and how you think you will fit in, and prosper there.
Best of luck.