<p>I attended an info session and the admissions officer briefly touched on that essay (I definitely remember what they DON'T like to see), but other than simply speaking from my heart, does anyone have recommendations as to how compelling in the form of unique writing does the essay have to be? I was just going to write clearly and honestly with a touch of humor. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>when i applied as a freshman (rejected), i realized it was TERRIBLE after i had already sent it. i talked about the location...which yeah basically everyone rights about and convenience along with other minor blahs.</p>
<p>i don't remember hearing that when i attended an info session, what don't they like to see bella?</p>
<p>he said that what they don't want to read is that it's located in NY--because there are many other top-notch schools in NY. And it's superfluous to say that it's because I want a great education--hundreds of other schools offer a great education. So by saying those things I'm not truly answering the question of "Why COLUMBIA?" I'm thinking about putting in a small disclaimer that covers those issues by saying something along the lines of, yes columbia offers an outstanding education and yes it's located in the limitless city of NY, I want to go to Columbia because, blah blah blah. something along those lines to just say that I acknowledge those benefits of Columbia, but I want to go there specifically is because etc.</p>
<p>Why do I want to go to Columbia? A friend of mine applied and he basically research Columbia from top to bottom. His fields are Neuroscience/Epistemology, so he contacted all the professors from those departments, ask them a series of intelligent questions. He found out who is specialize in what and what they are researching. He tracked the Ph.D. acceptance rate of Columbia graduates (yes, the man is fanatical), and inquire into academic resources that Columbia offer to its student.
Needless to say, the man got in.
The moral of the tale is RESEARCH everything. The most important thing to find out is what Columbia has to offer in term of your major. His dedication (more like fanaticism) stands out because it's not some cliche: "I love NYC" bullcrap, but serious contemplation of why he want to attend Columbia and how it fits him. His stats wasn't so spectacular that you'll think: "Man, he is definitely a Ivy kind of kid." He wins the admission process because he has a plan. I wished I was thoughtful like him when I applied for Dartmouth (needless to say, I was rejected.)</p>
<p>P.S.
He only applied to like four of five colleges, this give him time to carefully research each school; unlike the mass-production of applications that students are trying these days. Come on, >10, people should go for quality not quanity.</p>
<p>ah, thank you that helped. So, I am really excited by the music and theatre and film opportunites Columbia has; should I stress that?</p>
<p>
[quote]
P.S.
He only applied to like four of five colleges, this give him time to carefully research each school; unlike the mass-production of applications that students are trying these days. Come on, >10, people should go for quality not quanity.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is a very bad piece of advice...it can absolutely screw you over...the point is to have a nice range of schools, not to apply to four ivies because you think you belong there and then get rejected end up going nowhere because college admissions is a crap shoot.</p>
<p>
[quote]
that's kinda funny...in a sad and ironically cruel way....
[/quote]
yes, yes..i know ;\ back then i was a narrowminded high school senior who knew nothing of the college admissions process..i guess i became wiser these past few months? though im not sure how it will help now, as i think i have a worse chance of getting in as a transfer.</p>
<p>I said he applied to "four or five COLLEGES" I didn't say "four or five ivies," where did you get that from? He applied to two reaches, two matches, and one safety. I'm going to try remember them, but I think they were:</p>
<p>Columbia (Accepted)
MIT (RD--Waitlisted--Got in late August)
Tufts (RD--Accepted)
Carnegie-Mellon (RD--Accepted)
Rutger (RD--Accepted)</p>
<p>The "quality over quanity" means you apply to smaller number colleges/universities but you research them very well and know alot of about them. Don't tell me that someone applying to 15 universities can know indepth details about every single one. My friend was looking up graduates acceptance into other graduate program, what the professors of those school are publishing in Nature Magazine. I remember telling him not to call the "Columbia Club" in our city to see if he could talk to some alumni there, because people might think he has OCD or something. Nevertheless, he did it anyway, he got to meet one guy who really helps him undestand the social life of Columbia. Personally, I'm too bloody lazy to go that in-depth with my research, but his method allows him to really understand where he is going and what he's doing. His small pool of applications, in-depth research did helped him get into all the school he wanted to go. He ended up choosing Columbia over MIT (it was too late in August to change his mind.)</p>
<p>BellaWilde, if you are interested in the music and theatre/film programs at Columbia, make that known to them. But don't just say "I like Columbia film program." Ask Adcom to pair you up with an alumnus who graduated from that program. Even if they couldn't find one in your area, it still shows sincere interest from your part. Contact professors from that program and learn more about it. Of course, don't expect the professors to be so thrilled about you that they'll recommend you to Adcoms, this isn't sport recruitment. But the more you know about what you want to do at Columbia, did your homework, and really tailor your application to specific to each school, the more likely you'll stand out from the crowd.</p>
<p>So everyone keeps asking me why Columbia and my reason is because I want to go to Columbia because of its law program and theatre. I want to major in political science and theatre arts. I am interested in both law and theatre. Does anyone know what Columbia has to offer for pre law students and those interested in theatre so I can have information if Columbia is right for me? Thankyou</p>
<p>Is it okay if I mentioned New York but didn’t make it the whole point of my essay? My essay focused mainly on the Core–I’m sure everyone writes about that, but I went into detail about why it appeals to me (similar to my academic background) and specific things I like about it. Then as part of the second paragraph I mentioned New York.</p>
<p>You already said it yourself, just “write clearly and honestly with a touch of humor.” I started off this essay with a sentence stating I never intended to seriously apply to Columbia.</p>
<p>My focus was on one of the professors in particular that I really admire.</p>
<p>i talked about the gender studies program and how i’d fit into columbia because of my personality. i also talked about a lot of activism i did. it combined my personality + the school. </p>
<p>i think the more specific the better.</p>
<p>i talked about those red and white concentric squares on the floor outside low library</p>
<p>I committed the Cardinal Sin…</p>
<p>^Same. It’s the one essay I really couldn’t think of anything good. So I started out with New York (although I liked the way I did that part, obviously that’s not a good reason to want to go to a university, and I even planned to write that in there, but forgot to add it once I had written it).</p>
<p>@kendrickgirl Very cool. What activism have you done, and what would you want to do at Columbia?</p>
<p>@e^x Well, that’s certainly specific. What do you like about the squares?</p>
<p>I talked about how I loved that Columbia’s community is united through the core. I drew on an experience during a summer program to highlight why that quality was so important to me.
I had to submit a few corrections though. I did mention NYC but in a “NYC has a lot of resources but it’s too busy for me; I don’t wanna go to school there” way. Ironic, I know.</p>
<p>I wrote about my dream of becoming a modern day Renaissance Man.</p>