<p>For the "why Columbia" question my parents want me to tie in how my grandfather got his phd at Columbia. Does this idea work (rough outline of what it would be below)
Despite graduating sum cum laude, anti-Semitism (specifically, quotas on jews) prevented my grandfather from getting into all the other schools he applied to. Out of 9 schools, Columbia was the only to accept him.
I would then tie this into how Columbia is still very progressive and how i'd love to be in that environment
Also, my alternative is talk about how awesome the (engineering) Core is.</p>
<p>I dont like the Why Columbia question’s limit. I have so many reasons but I can barely write anything :(</p>
<p>anddd to answer your question I don’t think you’d be able to adequately tie that into Columbia’s progressiveness without at least half of your response being talk about your grandfather</p>
<p>I think it’s an amazing idea. I know it’s one of the reasons I’m very interested in Columbia (the school of General Studies, which I am applying to, was started as a response to the influx of new students the original World War II GI Bill created.)</p>
<p>Your grandfather’s story specifically has the potential to be very touching and could appeal to admissions personnel who are frustrated from the air of exclusivity affixed to their school.</p>
<p>I really would not use that as your “Why Columbia?” response. I know your parents think it is a good idea, but I would advise against it.</p>
<p>As for the previous poster, the admissions committee members at Columbia do not view themselves as elitist or privileged. Additionally, the students do not as well when you are on campus. Thinking that this will make the admissions committee members feel better about themselves is just not smart.</p>
<p>To the OP, this is about why you want to go to Columbia, not why your parents want you to go there or why your grandfather went there. If you want to talk about this story, I would potentially tie it into your longer essay. This is not the place for it.</p>
<p>Why do you want to Columbia? What professors or programs attract you to the University? Why do you feel Columbia will be the best school for you in preparing you for a future career? These are the things you need to write about in your “Why Columbia?” answer. If you can’t answer those questions with specificity about Columbia, you should do one of two things: research the University, its programs, and professors or rethink applying to Columbia. The people here love the school because of what it offers them in terms of opportunities. Think of your answer in those terms.</p>
<p>Advice for all applicants: outside extremely rare circumstances, don’t try to gain admission committee members’ sympathy. It’s not what they want in admitting Columbia students. They want to find people who are well-rounded, can contribute productively to the community, and will push themselves both socially and intellectually. The application is a process to really reflect on what makes you a unique individual and why particular schools are tailored to suit your needs. Think of the process as one big job interview. You want to act professionally, want to carry yourself in a positive demeanor, and you want to highlight your strengths and at the same acknowledge your faults. The process is not nearly as complex or random as you all think.</p>
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<p>This is nonsense, and post #4 adequately explains why. And it’s not like Columbia suffers from a lack of Jews now.</p>
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<p>Well said. OP’s proposed Why Columbia sounds like a trainwreck: “I want to go to Columbia because Princeton only admitted proper blonde-haired blue-eyed WASPs in 1940 and Columbia was nice enough to take my dearest grandpoppy.”</p>
<p>Princeton still only admits proper blonde-haired blue-eyed WASPs!
Ha!</p>
<p>Although essays about diversity are often advantageous, I’d agree:
you have to explain your own personal reasons for applying, what you yourself would contribute.</p>
<p>I think it all depends on how the OP can style and structure their reasoning, but in this case, I’ll waive my journalism credentials to those who’ve actually applied and were accepted (I am still in the process of applying.)</p>
<p>Still, Columbia2002, it might do you well to use some tact in the course of discussions even if only to maintain the appearance of being domesticated.</p>
<p>I like the idea, if the question were actually Why Columbia…however, as far as I remember, the question is, What specifically about Columbia attracts you…I think progressiveness is a great topic to talk about, but we could take that out of context and probably apply it to any school…because, frankly, many schools around the nation can now boast such progressiveness–so better way to put it, the topic seems too broad, although the hook is great…But doesn’t that information in any event go into the application? This paragraph, despite the horribly short limit, is your chance to say something new!</p>
<p>As an aspiring Columbia Engineering student, I think the Engineering Core would be a great idea–I actually really divulged all that I knew about the program at Columbia by talking about how enthused I would be to participate in the Gateway Lab course that all first-year Engineering students partake in…this paragraph should really tell the adcom that you know Columbia, and you know what you want to do at Columbia…I think progressiveness is a good idea, don’t get me wrong, but if you do take this route, try to make it unique to Columbia! </p>
<p>And good luck! I’m a SEAS student, Class of 2013, and definitely hope to see you there then!</p>
<p>good luck writing that with such a short word limit</p>
<p>For the why Columbia (SEAS), would writing about my first visit to NYC be bad? I would start a new thread but enough people seem to be looking at this one already.</p>
<p>I think that same argument could be used for any New York-based college, disasterpiece02, so yes.</p>
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<p>All well and good (you’re definitely saying the right things), but do realize that Gateway is something that EVERYONE hates and is a constant source of B__CHING among everyone. 
I’m sure the other SEAS kids on here will back me up on this one.</p>
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<p>Nothing per se wrong w/ mentioning CU in the context of NYC. I liked Columbia because I liked not only that it was in NYC, but that it was a school with an urban campus that’s an actual campus rather than a bunch of random buildings slopped down over various parts of the city a la NYU. I also liked the McKim Meade & White architecture.</p>
<p>I wrote about how I am very interested in their 5 year engineering program and how it will help me become a more complete engineer. Is it good?</p>
<p>Haha Columbia2002…um, well, so will I be regretting having written this paragraph and gotten accepted with it? LOL We’ll see…we’ll see…</p>
<p>And johnnytest, actually, that’s exactly what I wrote about…I wrote my hook about the Core, how it is not enclosed by boundaries, then developed the paragraph by explaining how I would be indulged by such challenges like Gateway and others like LitHum–to become just that, an engineer with no boundaries…</p>
<p>Thanks for all the comments. Definitely gonna write about the core and not talk about my grandfather and Columbia’s progressiveness.</p>
<p>I could not disagree with you more. As GS senior, and someone who has worked in the admissions office, essays relating to the overcoming of adversity are attention grabbers. Personal histories pertaining to ethnic or religious discrimination go to the top of the list. Of course the essay must be clearly and concisely composed. Additionally, you still need good grades/scores, have superior recommendations, and are subject to an an interview. </p>
<p>Matriculating GS students are achievers. We have a Miss Universe, Olympic medal winners, Hollywood Actors, Broadway performers, published composers (a GS student actually wrote the Alma Mata), noted athletes, successful entrepreneurs, and of course veterans. Many GS students already hold degrees, have jobs, and some have families. Moreover, GS has the premiere posbac premed program in the nation, sending more students to top medical schools than any other. </p>
<p>There are many things, however, I don’t like about Columbia. The administration is inaccessible and corrupt. From the President and Provost all the way down to the deans of the undergraduate schools, unethical behavior is ubiquitous. Furthermore, the cramped ugly campus borders on a dangerous neighborhood, and the facilities are generally in disrepair. However, the GS program for premed is tops. </p>
<p>If you believe Columbia is for you, then by all means GS admissions would be interested in your family history, especially since it intersects with Columbia’s legacy. If you have the scores, solid recommendations, interview well, and write this essay clearly then I believe you will be admitted. Go for it!</p>
<p>Best</p>
<p>^The f***?</p>
<p>Dude, it’s the grandfather’s adversity, not OP’s. I don’t see how you can say “I believe you will be admitted” based on so little information about OP. ■■■■■?</p>
<p>I could not disagree more with the previous post. As a GS senior, and someone who has worked in the admissions office at CU, stories pertaining to overcoming adversity are given priority. Your unique family history not only fits the bill, but it intersects with Columbia’s historical legacy. It’s the perfect admission essay. </p>
<p>You will still need to compose a clear and concise essay, have top grades/scores, and may also be called in for an interview. Admission to GS is getting increasingly more difficult. Moreover, the quality of applicants have always been superior. We have had Miss Universe, Hollywood actors, Olympic medalists, professional athletes, entrepreneurs, published composers (our alma mater was written by a GS student), and veterans. Many students are seeking a second degree, hold jobs, and some have families. Therefore, admissions takes special note of applicants who have achieved something unique, as well as overcome adversity. </p>
<p>The post baccalaureate program at GS sends more students to top medical schools than any other school in the nation. It is as difficult as it is competitive. Many CC students who failed to complete undergrad pre-med courses have come into the program upon graduation. GS is highly selective in this regard.</p>
<p>There are some negative things about Columbia. First, the administration is completely unaccessible. Frankly, they could care less about undergraduate concerns. They do make an obligatory showing from time to time, but it is theatrics. Secondly, the administration is ubiquitously corrupt. From President Bollinger, Roxy Smith, Susan Glancy (Provost), all the way down to the individual Deans of the Colleges (especially Keven Shollenberger at CC, and Peter Awn at GS), these are some of the most vile people you will ever encounter. Furthermore, the tiny aesthetically unpleasing campus adjoins a rather dangerous neighborhood, and crime abounds. We did have a murder one block from the campus last year, resulting from a robbery. Lastly, New York City is exorbitantly expensive, overcrowded, noisy, dirty, and an all the other things that come with being in New York City. </p>
<p>So, if you are still interested in coming to Columbia, the admission office would be thrilled to know your personal story intersects with Columbia’s story. In essence, your link to the past is your link to the future.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter if it is “the grandfather’s story,” the applicant is a apart of the grandfather, and the grandfather is a part of Columbia. These are exactly the kind of stories that the admission officers look for. Furthermore, I said IF you have the grades, scores, AND write a well written concise essay you may be accepted. Moreover, the applicant may be asked to partake in an interview. It’s a complicated process, but with a fascinating story of a grandfather’s ability to overcome discrimination thanks to Columbia, this essay will stand head and shoulders above the rest.</p>