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columbia University Admissions Consultant

What makes Columbia University so special?

Columbia University is one of the world’s leading research institutions and one of the best universities in the country. Originally founded as King’s College in 1754, today Columbia attracts top-performing students from all around the globe with its combination of a world-class academic program and its location in the social and cultural hub of New York City. It is one of two Ivy League schools located in New York, the other being Cornell.

Columbia Quick Facts

Location: New York City, New York

Year Founded: 1754

US News Ranking: 12

Application Deadline: January 1

SAT/ACT scores due by: January 15

2023 acceptance rate: 4%

Total applications received (2023): 57,129

Columbia Unversity Admissions Guidance

Such a world class university located in such a storied city is sure to have some amazing history, and Columbia doesn't disappoint:

The MGM Studio’s Lion was inspired by Columbia’s Lion mascot.

 

Out of all the university halls in the US, Columbia’s Havemeyer 309 lecture hall is home to the most Hollywood movies, like Spiderman, Kinsey, Ghostbusters, and Mona Lisa’s Smile.

Columbia is the 2nd largest landowner in NYC after the Catholic Church.  The iconic Rockefeller Center was built on the land that was once owned by Columbia.  

Prompts for Columbia's 2023-24 Undergrad Supplemental Essays

For the list question that follows, there is a 100 word maximum. Please refer to the below guidance when answering this question:

  • Your response should be a list of items separated by commas or semicolons.

  • Items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order.

  • It is not necessary to italicize or underline titles of books or other publications.

  • No author names, subtitles or explanatory remarks are needed.

 For the four short answer questions, please respond in 150 words or fewer.
 

Questions

  • List a selection of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy.  (100 words or fewer) 

  • A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia's diverse and collaborative community. (150 words or fewer)

  • In college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not predict or anticipate. It is important to us, therefore, to understand an applicant's ability to navigate through adversity. Please describe a barrier or obstacle you have faced and discuss the personal qualities, skills or insights you have developed as a result. (150 words or fewer)

  • Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (150 words or fewer)

  • What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering? (150 words or fewer)

Columbia's Programs Ranked

Economics: #8

Psychology Programs: #7

Writing in the Disciplines: #2

Computer Science: #14

CompSci Theory: #8

Undergrad Engineering: #19

Computer Engineering: #16

Biomedical Engineering: #16

(All Rankings from USNews)

Columbia Unversity Admissions Consultants
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