How to Write the Columbia University Essays

This question is a great opportunity to further showcase the diversity of your intellectual interests and pursuits. While the prompt is specifically asking about resources that have enriched your intellectual development, consider how you might add depth and dimension to your core academic interests—for instance, you could select resources that tie those interests to real-world problems, show your interdisciplinary curiosity, or deepen your knowledge through a unique medium. Did you deepen your knowledge of architecture through the virtual landscape of video games? Become passionate about Classics after taking a virtual tour of Pompeii? Gain an interest in data analytics after watching an Edward Tufte lecture on YouTube? This is the place to share about your interest in those resources.

Don’t write what you think the admissions committee wants to hear—this question is about your authentic interests, and the more genuine you are, the more likely you’ll be to catch the eye of your readers. If you like to read graphic novels and explore operatic performances in your free time, this is the place to showcase it!

This prompt specifically asks you to point to a specific aspect of your lived experience that shapes the way you engage with others; both in how you learn from them and how you contribute to the communities you are a part of. Whether you choose an aspect of your culture or identity, be sure to select a quality that you have thought about and can demonstrate in clear and tangible ways. You should share details about this perspective, highlighting the specific aspect of your personality or values you are seeking to convey, then discuss how you believe the perspective will help you learn from and contribute to Columbia’s community.

Most people experience music through headphones, escaping into their own world. However, growing up as a trained classical musician instilled in me the belief that music is, at its core, a social and intersectional practice. As I have played with other musicians, I have experienced firsthand the power of music to form communities and foster intimate connections between people whose paths would not otherwise cross. As a result, the practice room has become my favorite classroom; whether to learn a technical skill, a social convention, or a cultural phenomenon conveyed through a jazz standard or Gregorian chant.

At Columbia, I plan to continue sharing my music with others and joining the vibrant community of musicians on campus. I would love to play in the Columbia University Orchestra to continue developing my ensemble skills, and learn to perform and arrange other genres of music as a member of Columbia Pops.

In asking this question, the Columbia admissions committee is seeking to learn a little bit about your prior experiences working with and learning from people who are different from you, as well as gauge how interested you are in having similar experiences in college. The prompt specifically asks the writer to speak to the way they engage with others’ who have dissimilar points of view. Perhaps you had an experience that influenced your approach to dealing with people who hold opposing beliefs. You should share details about the experience, highlighting how you sought to understand their point of view and learn from it, and then discuss how you believe the experience will help you contribute to Columbia’s community in the future.

In answering this question, we encourage you to refrain from writing about high-stakes or controversial topics; what matters here is not what you or your counterpart believed, it’s if you were able to listen and negotiate your differing points of view in a mature manner and with an open mind.

“You will succeed if you stay close to home and care for your family. Do not aim to stray far.”

I looked at my host mother incredulously. My parents had taught me to pursue ambitious goals regardless of geography, and growing up, we moved across the country and abroad for my mother’s career.

My host mother disagreed sharply. She emphasized the importance of staying close to loved ones. Her perspective shook the foundation of the beliefs I had been taught my entire life. At first, I felt extremely defensive, but over the course of the summer, I observed her strong familial relationships, asked questions about her life, and listened carefully to her responses. Slowly, I came to realize that I could balance ambition with relationships. The experience taught me to engage thoughtfully with someone whose viewpoints diametrically oppose my own, a skill I hope to bring to Columbia’s community.

When responding to Columbia University’s prompt about navigating adversity, it’s crucial to be both reflective and concise given the 150 word limit—and this can be a tricky balance. First, note that because of its length, this essay is not an opportunity to list every obstacle you have faced or describe in depth the reasons that a particular challenge was significant. Start by identifying one specific barrier or obstacle you’ve overcome. The prompt is most concerned with your response to the obstacle rather than the obstacle itself, so don’t worry about choosing something that will elicit sympathy from or impress the admissions officers, but instead choose an experience in which you truly took charge of a tough situation and found a creative solution.

Next, focus on the personal qualities, skills, or insights you developed as a result of navigating this challenge. Columbia is looking for evidence of resilience, adaptability, and self-awareness. For example, if you overcame a fear of public speaking, you might discuss how you developed confidence, learned to articulate your thoughts under pressure, and became a more effective communicator. Your response should emphasize your active role in innovating a solution and integrating your learning into your perspective moving forward. Finally, highlight how this experience shaped your character and prepared you for the challenges of college life.

Despite performing regularly on stage since the age of seven, I began developing stage fright in ninth grade. What was once second nature suddenly became difficult—my hands began to shake, and I would get dizzy as I approached the stage. I had to bring music with me on stage as I feared that I would freeze in front of the audience.

Though my anxiety made me feel paralyzed on stage, I sprung into action off stage. I began researching the psychology behind stage fright and collected anecdotal techniques from online communities of people who had similar experiences. I researched performance psychology and watched hours of interviews given by professional musicians and performers around the world. By seeking to understand and analyze my experience, I not only found the tools to overcome my debilitating anxiety, but I also developed an abiding interest in performance and psychology.

The “Why Columbia” essay is your prime opportunity to showcase your unique interest in the institution. With just 150 words, being specific and concise is critical when writing this prompt. As a result, you will want to avoid both praising the prestige of the institution—the admissions committee is well aware of Columbia’s reputation—and writing about why you’re excited to attend college in New York City—there are other schools in the city, and describing the opportunities NYC has to offer does not indicate why Columbia specifically appeals to you. Consider discussing specific professors and the classes that they teach or check out some of the many clubs and organizations on campus. Most importantly, think about your past experiences and identity, and try to express how you see yourself contributing positively to the student body at Columbia.

As soon as I stepped into Butler Library, dwarfed by the soaring gold ceilings, I knew I wanted to continue my educational journey as a member of Columbia’s campus community. As I continue my research in music and psychology at Columbia, I’m excited to examine the neurobiological and cultural factors involved in creativity. I would be eager to work with Geraldine Downey, whose work on identity and social perception aligns with my own. Her emerging research on intersecting identities as assets for coping with stress is an intriguing line of inquiry that I would like to explore taking her courses or through in an independent study.

In combination with the Core Curriculum, I hope to not only better understand human thought and behavior through the study of psychology, but also to develop a more nuanced and full understanding of the cultural and philosophical roots of such thoughts and behaviors.

The final prompts (from which students select the relevant school to which they are applying) ask students not only why they want to study at Columbia, but why they want to study their specific major at the institution. As you respond, your goal is to convey your passion for the field(s) you intend to study, demonstrate your familiarity with the field, and explain how Columbia will specifically prepare you to reach your academic and professional goals.

Start by briefly explaining what initially drew you to your intended area of study. This could be an experience, a book, a class, or a personal interest that sparked your curiosity. Then, highlight how Columbia’s programs, faculty, and resources will allow you to explore this interest further. Mention specific aspects of the curriculum, research opportunities, or academic centers at Columbia that align with your academic goals. If you are concerned that your response is not specific enough, ask yourself whether the same could be said of another institution. If you could repurpose this essay for another supplemental essay prompt, your response is too general.

Finally, show that your interest goes beyond just wanting to major in a subject. Illustrate how you intend to engage with your field both inside and outside the classroom, such as through interdisciplinary studies, seminars, or related extracurricular activities.

My fascination with linguistics began when I realized how my bilingual upbringing allowed me to switch seamlessly between cultures and ideas, easily swapping one linguistic vocabulary for another. Columbia’s Department of Linguistics, with its interdisciplinary approach and renowned faculty like Professor John McWhorter, offers the perfect environment for me to explore these intricacies further. I’m particularly drawn to the department’s hands-on approach to linguistic study, whether through courses such as Prof. Perlin’s class on endangered languages in New York City or the many study abroad opportunities that would allow me to pursue my interests in practical and contextual ways. Columbia’s unique Core Curriculum will also allow me to examine linguistic concepts through the lenses of history, philosophy, and literature, enriching my understanding of how language both reflects and influences human thought. This holistic approach aligns perfectly with my desire to study the intersection of language, culture, and cognition.