<p>I was just wondering....</p>
<p>For the why Columbia essay, do they want just a rundown of concrete reasons why or can we make this part a bit more creative, like describing a time when we stepped on campus and it just "felt right?"</p>
<p>I could very well list the programs and majors and ECs that would interest me, but would it be better if I mention how I just fell in love with the atmosphere when I was eight and how the vitality of the city gave me a sense of belonging?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>most people will probably write about stepping on campus and that it just felt right
and how much they'd love to take the core curriculum
^ at least that's my guess...just find some way of making your essay standing out</p>
<p>Laundry lists are boring. That you liked Columbia when you were 8 isn't compelling. If you "the vitality of the city gave me a sense of belonging" apply to NYU.</p>
<p>Be both creative and substantive.</p>
<p>well, i'd half agree with C2002. If you phrase it the way you stated, it will sound cliched and will annoy the reader. However, if you can talk intelligently about what, specifically, you felt was a great match for you, that will stand out. Think of unusual ways to phrase things, or unusual approaches to saying it. A laundry list isn't a good one, though.</p>
<p>^I'm sure you could get in by writing about how you hate free speech and relate that with how you openly assaulted an esteemed guest speaker during a schoolwide lecture.</p>
<p>lol ^^^^^^^ good, that'll stand out well. Hopefully one of those people will be on the admissions committee.</p>
<p>^^great essay topic</p>
<p>In theory, a 'joke' essay like that could be pulled off well enough to make the reader laugh, and that might be a major plus. But you'd have to have a tremendous sense of sarcasm.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks a lot.</p>