The questions on this page are being asked by Columbia University
Applicants are asked to respond to Columbia-specific questions to tell the Admissions Committee more about their academic, extracurricular and intellectual interests. These questions allow us to better understand your intellectual curiosity, habits of mind, love of learning and sense of self. These questions also allow the Admissions Committee to learn more about you in your current community and why you feel Columbias distinctive experiences in and out of the classroom would be a good fit for your undergraduate education.
For the three list questions that follow, there is a 75 or 125 word maximum. Please refer to the below guidance when answering these questions:
– 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 three short answer questions, please respond in 200 words or fewer.
For additional guidance, visit our website.
Please note that the third short answer question will not appear until you have selected Columbia College or Columbia Engineering in the “Academics” section of Columbia’s application questions.
1. List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)*
2. List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)*
3. Were interested in learning about some of the ways that you explore your interests. List some resources and outlets that you enjoy, including but not limited to websites, publications, journals, podcasts, social media accounts, lectures, museums, movies, music, or other content with which you regularly engage. (125 words or fewer)*
4. A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and live in a community with a wide range of perspectives. How do you or would you learn from and contribute to diverse, collaborative communities? (200 words or fewer)*
5. Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (200 words or fewer)*
6. For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you previously noted in the appl