Need help with my Why Columbia essay!

I'm a high school junior working on my Columbia University application and I'm struggling with the 'Why Columbia' essay. Can anyone give me some tips or share what they think worked well for them in their essay? Much appreciated!

Sure! I'm happy to provide some guidance on writing a strong "Why Columbia" essay. First, check out CollegeVine’s blog, which contains detailed guidance on how to tackle each of Columbia’s supplemental essay prompts, including the “Why Columbia?” one: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-columbia-university-essays.

Now, generally speaking, specificity is the key when it comes to these types of essays. You want to demonstrate a genuine interest in the university and what sets it apart from other institutions.

1. Research: Spend some time researching Columbia's academic offerings, campus culture, and extracurricular opportunities. Identify what specifically appeals to you and make a list of these points to include in your essay. Make sure you’re being specific—rather than just saying you want to major in English, which is something you could do at any university, find a specific English professor at Columbia whose interests overlap with your own, or identify a study abroad program that would allow you to deepen your understanding of English literature.

2. Core Curriculum: Columbia is known for its rigorous Core Curriculum, which is designed to provide a solid grounding in the liberal arts. As you write your essay, you may want to mention specific aspects of the Core that interest you, and how the Core aligns with your own academic goals and intellectual passions. Make sure you’re building a clear connect between your personal pats experiences/future goals, though, as many students are likely to talk about the Core, and you don’t want your essay to sound generic or blend into the crowd.

3. Community and atmosphere: You may also consider discussing the atmosphere and community at Columbia. You can mention any specific aspects of the campus culture that resonate with you or talk about how you would contribute to the community. Take note of traditions, annual events, or aspects of student life that you find particularly compelling. While it’s okay to talk about New York City, like with the Core, be mindful of the fact that many students are drawn to Columbia because of its location. So, make sure you’re being clear about how you see New York enhancing your Columbia experience, rather than writing a generic essay about why you’d be happy at any school that happens to be in New York.

4. Personal anecdotes: If you have any personal anecdotes related to Columbia, such as a visit to the campus or an interaction with a faculty member or current student, feel free to include those in your essay to further demonstrate your interest.

Make sure your essay stays focused on why you want to attend Columbia specifically, and avoid writing a generic essay that could apply to any university. By doing your research and really showing a deep understanding of what Columbia offers, you'll be able to create a strong, memorable essay. Good luck with your application!