<p>can someone give me a link? is it even out yet? </p>
<p>Some questions i have?
will a 690 CR hurt my chances? (though i have 800M, 710 W, 800 Math II, and 800 Physics)</p>
<p>p.s., i was looking through last year's app, under the EC section, there's so many lines. Do you have to fill them all out or just list 3-4 most important ones?
under the books and publications section, do you just list the names or pick one and elaborate on it?
under the summer section, can you talk about small things? cuz in the grade 10 summer, i was on a 4-hour a day basketball regime (i improved from bad to varsity level)</p>
<p>and are these good essay topics: 1. me talking about how i'm a interdisciplinary learner and how i apply the knowledge i learned from different areas to enhance my understanding of the economics
2. me talking about basketball training regime (i have serious doubts about this topic)</p>
<p>Thanks for your insights</p>
<p>The application isn’t out until fall (I’m guessing late Aug.?). And that 690 shouldn’t hurt you too much bc they look at your app holistically.</p>
<p>The link should be available on the Columbia website once the application is ready. More recent applicants can probably comment on when Columbia puts out its new application.</p>
<p>For ECs, you can just put the most important ones. If I remember correctly, there’s also a short answer section that allows you to elaborate on your most important EC. Don’t feel pressured to pad your application with fluff ECs. </p>
<p>For the books section, I remember listing titles. I think I might’ve included the authors as well. I didn’t bother elaborating on any of the books I read. </p>
<p>I’m fairly certain that your basketball training would be a legitimate summer activity. I remember putting my part-time job, weekend volunteering, and a two-week observation period in a research lab. </p>
<p>Of the two possible essay topics you have, I definitely prefer the first one. However, remember that this is a personal statement. The way you’ve worded your first topic, it sounds like the focus is “your understanding of the economics,” not you. I mean, you may have a very insightful understanding of the current economic situation, but that doesn’t say anything about you (except your possible interest in economics). Rather, I’m interested in that interdisciplinary aspect, and perhaps your interest in econ can be an example of your interest in interdisciplinary learning.</p>
<p>A 690 CR is a bit low for CC (I’m assuming you’re a CC applicant). Combined with the 710 writing, this indicates that you might not be a strong reader/writer. So make sure your essay is very good.</p>
<p>what exactly is a CC applicant? anyways for my first topic, i’m focusing my how curiosity in other fields contribute to my understanding of the economy, for example like how i examines the history of the homo sapiens to understand the difficulty of an economy transforming from central-planned to capitalism. is that too specific? is it fine if i focus on the learning and making connection part (the interdisciplinary aspect)? or should i use the economy part as an analogy to my life in general, though i don’t know i can do that lol?</p>
<p>CC = Columbia College, as opposed to SEAS or General Studies.</p>
<p>I think your essay topic is actually too…academic and not personal enough. You may use your understanding of the economy as a means of conveying something about the way you think and learn. To do it the other way (to describe your thought process in understanding the current economy) is to ignore the purpose of the essay because it puts emphasis on something that has nothing to do with you (i.e. the economy). Okay, if X = interdisciplinary approach, and Y = knowledge of the economy, then X –> Y as an essay topic would be inappropriate because the essay ends up being about Y. However, if you do it the other way, the essay is more X-focused and therefore more appropriate for a personal statement. Currently, your essay sounds like it’s X –> Y. I hope this makes more sense. I’m basing my opinion on your description of the topic, although I may be misunderstanding your intent.</p>
<p>thanks demeter, your insight is priceless. You understand my intent perfectly. I haven’t start putting my essay together, and talking to you made my thoughts that much clearer. (i can see why columbia accepted you hehe) </p>
<p>and is it okay that my essay does not include the common themes of perseverance and dedication and stuff? and can i PM you my short activity answer?</p>
<p>Don’t worry about crafting your essay to include the “common themes.”</p>
<p>Yes, you can certainly PM me your short answer, although I really don’t know how useful my advice is, since I’m sure the admissions process has become much more intense since I applied two years ago.</p>