Acing Columbia University’s 2024-2025 Supplemental Essays

2024-2025 COLUMBIA SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY PROMPTS

In the opinion of Cosmic College Consulting, Columbia University has the most well-thought-out, university-specific questions of any college in the United States. That's why we love assisting applicants who are applying to Columbia.

Learn how to ace their supplemental essays below!

1. 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)

This question is 50% about following instructions and 50% about demonstrating what you have actually read. Follow their instructions to the letter; do not deviate by writing prose or providing additional explanations for what you have listed. Do not list books that you have read in a classroom setting. Instead, include foundational texts in your desired field of study at Columbia, educational YouTube channels, highly cited papers in the field you want to study, and other content that showcases how you have pursued your academic passion outside the classroom in a pedagogical manner.

2. 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)

The goal of this essay is to present a unique perspective that you hold and to illustrate how your identity, culture, or background has influenced the development of this perspective. Additionally, it should convey how this perspective will motivate you to engage meaningfully at Columbia University. When explaining how your perspective evolved, describe what it consisted of during the various stages of its development, highlighting how your experiences shaped it. Ensure that your current perspective is clearly defined. Be sure to mention specific organizations at Columbia, such as clubs, research centers, or groups, and explain why you are drawn to them. Describe how your perspective and experiences can contribute to helping these organizations achieve their missions and goals.

3. 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)

For this essay, it is important to avoid choosing an instance of adversity that almost every high school student faces, such as difficult classes or long nights studying. When selecting your obstacle or barrier, it should not be one that will follow you to Columbia or impede your ability to benefit from Columbia’s environment or contribute to it. The best types of obstacles are recent ones you have successfully overcome. To effectively demonstrate the insights you gained, focus on how you overcame this obstacle. Dedicate most of your essay to this aspect. By clearly illustrating how you overcame the obstacle, you will bring your skills, personal qualities, and insights to life.

4. 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)

For this essay, you want the reader to be able to visualize you living on their campus, being a part of its community, and benefiting from the opportunities it affords you. Highlight clubs and organizations that do impactful things and talk about the opportunities Columbia provides its students to benefit as much as possible from being in New York City. Make sure to discuss their core curriculum, which they are so proud of. It would also be good to include campus traditions and unique aspects of dormitory life at Columbia.

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

This essay is very similar to the previous one, except it asks you to talk solely about your major. This isn’t a "why major" essay; it’s a "why this major in this field at Columbia" essay. Therefore, you want to understand what the academic department most aligned with your major specializes in and explain how their specialization aligns with your interests. Cite the names of professors and show the reader why their research interests you and how having the opportunity to work with them aligns with your academic goals and interests.

If you would like a review of your Columbia essays by an admissions expert or have any further questions about Columbia’s essays or other college admissions essays, please schedule a free consultation with us below. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.