<p>Looking for ideas on unique things at columbia to write about on the application. What makes columbia special and why do you all want to go there? If anybody knows a few specifics that most people probably don't know about the school, it would be nice if you could share to show I really know about the school. Thanks.</p>
<p>If we share a few specifics that very few people know about, how would it show that you really know about the school? I think all it would show is that -we- know about the school.</p>
<p>you should make a special trip down there, observe the scene and find some humor of lifestyle and the campus, and peolpe maybe</p>
<p>The point is to give Columbia things that make <em>you</em> unique and how Columbia is special for <em>you.</em> It isn't a hunt to impress the admissions people with some random trivia that they don't even know. You want to stand out from the other 17,999 kiddies.</p>
<p>I agree with Columbia2002; that's what I was trying to say. Then again, you don't even need to stand out in this particular essay. Many students are admitted to Columbia having ass-kissed the Core Curriculum and NYC.</p>
<p>I think my question came off wrong. I'll put it in better terms. What are the strong departments in columbia (I'm interested in biology/biochem major and pre-med, but also want to take some economics classes)? What are the advantages of the core curriculum? What opportunities and interesting things does the school provide for students (for ex. Upenn has residential programs that arranges students with common goals and interests to live in the same halls). I know that's alot of questions but any help would be appreciated. THanks.</p>
<p>I'm not interested in the same things as you, but just to give you an example of what I did for the prompt, I talked about their strong music department with solo and chamber music programs. I also met with the music director there and mentioned meeting with her and wanting to study under her while minoring in music. Personally, if you really think you are interested in a specific major with a specific professor, I can't see why adding those details would be bad. I also mentioned the student run a cappella groups (and a specific one) along with the crew program, because these things would allow me to continue my interests from high school into college. I guess just do some research about some majors and programs offered for the things in which you are interested, and basically, tell the truth and write why you REALLY want to got there. That's what I did, but I can't say it will get me in (I have doubts I even have a chance) o well, I can still be absolutely obsessed with the school. I know this didn't really answer your question, but I just thought it might help.</p>
<p>o and also if anyone wants to give me some input, I have a page setup under Columbia on the first page titled "First choice Columbia, looking for some input" if any current students wouldn't mind taking a look at it, I'd really appreciate it sorry about this out of place message</p>
<p>I think this question is asking what makes columbia special to me personally. therefore I listed some aspects of the university that corresponded with my interests. I didnt talk about any deparments in specific nor did I mention the core because those arn't the reason that I chose columbia.
i think this questions is more like the private highschool interview question that are asked to make sure that you want to go there for hte right reason and not thing like.. o my parents asked me to. I agree with the above posters on how this isnt a question to test your knowledge of the campus.</p>
<p>hmm why not?</p>
<p>Something that is really attractive to me from Columbia is the Columbia-Julliard program. Getting a musical education from Julliard while also getting a liberal arts education at Columbia is awesome.</p>
<p>I also was interested in the Julliard Program, but I don't think I can FIRST: I can get into Julliard and TWO: ALSO get into Columbia haha it's an amazing program but I don't even think I can get into Columbia alone, let alone one of the best music schools in the country, but if I did, it would be incredible.</p>
<p>Here's a discussion that may help: Columbia's</a> Core Curriculum. NYC and the Core are probably the most common reasons cited, but relating these to your interests is better than just mentioning that "I'd really like to go to college in NYC because it's such a vibrant city." Joeypiano and pianote, for example, could logically build on their musical interests and the wealth of listening and even performing possibilities in New York; if you are interested in just about any kind of music, what better place to spend four years than NYC? Ditto for art and many other interests.</p>
<p>Pretty much the worst thing you can say is, "I want to go to Columbia because I'm interested in the Core and love New York City." If you can back it up and personalize it, fine. The goal is to be different, not exactly like the other 17,999 applicants.</p>
<p>I respectfully beg to differ a little bit. I think the worst thing you can say is: "I want to go to Columbia because it's the Ivy League school in New York City." The impression we got from the admissions session was that Columbia really wants applicants to understand that not all Ivies are alike and that the core curriculum is central to Columbia.</p>
<p>The core, for some students, is a significant part of what attracts them to Columbia. If students can be more specific about what it is in the core and/or in NYC that is significant for them, all the better. There are plenty of other ways to stand out in the application -- the essay, the list of what you read, your extra curriculars. It doesn't all come down this one question, with its short answer, and I don't think people should make up reasons if, in fact, the combination of NYC and the core ARE what attracts them to Columbia.</p>
<p>But maybe I feel that way because it is the combination of the core and NYC that made my kid choose Columbia, and that's exactly what he put on the application.:)</p>
<p>You would be amazed about how little people know about the Core. As I said -- "if you can back it up." People name-drop the "Core" because they think that's what they're supposed to say, but really don't have a clue what the core is. You don't have any questions about the core? You can't tell me why you're fascinated with the core? Those are signs that your interest in the core is superficial. You are right that having a meaningful understanding and appreciation of the Core IS good.</p>