48 Columbia University Essay Examples

Prompt: 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.

In early 2023, my dream came true: after a months-long application process, I became a youth partner of [Company]. I was determined to advance equity in the arts for marginalized students.

At my [Organization], [Art] was a moving art piece about a young African-American woman recovering from trauma-induced memory loss. But [Student], a student just a little older than me, was crucially missing a platform for her art. To elevate [Student]’s voice, I took the initiative to become her ally; through my collaboration with [Company], [Art] was published in 6 continents by [Company]!

By globally distributing [Art], I have come to appreciate the intersectionality of allyship and the arts—a value I would bring to Columbia. On campus, I would mobilize students to ensure that Columbia continues to be a place where the arts serve as a powerful tool for allyship.

Prompt: Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia.

Through personal, academic, and professional ventures, I have synthesized a vision for my future: implementing Artificial Intelligence in assistive devices for the disabled. Such aspirations are not possible without a strong foundation, however. 

The diverse intellectual communities at Columbia will foster my programming skills, vision for Artificial Intelligence, inclination to problem-solving, and innovative engineering. The robust research opportunities at the recently launched Center of AI Technology, for example, will allow me to collaborate with peers from SEAS and professionals from Amazon to perform interdisciplinary research that contributes to the vibrant AI tech ecosystem in [Place Redacted]. In Columbia’s Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab, I will regurgitate knowledge from courses like “Software Engineering for AI Systems” or “Human-Computer Interaction,” engaging in enlightening projects while surrounding myself with like-minded peers that will continuously inspire me to perform with excellence. By nurturing myself in these communities, and with the support of the Columbia Startup Program (CSF), I will traverse the path of founding a firm for A.I. developed disability aids, universalizing the technology that I birth in their labs and giving the underprivileged access to personalized assistive devices.

Prompt: 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.

The Worldly Philosophers , Robert Heilbroner;

One up on Wall Street , Peter Lynch;

Doughnut Economics , Kate Raworth;

The End of Poverty , Jeffrey Sachs;

Homo Sapiens , Yuval Noah Harari;

21 Lessons for the 21st Century , Yuval Noah Harari;

The Infinite Game , Simon Sinek;

The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets , Simon Singh;

Fermat's Last Theorem , Simon Singh;

Crime and Punishment , Fyodor Dostoyevsky;

1984 , George Orwell;

Animal Farm , Eric Blair;

Kite Runner , Khaled Hosseini; Life of Pi , Yann Martel;

Prompt: We’re 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.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Al Jazeera, Financial Times, VNExpress, Council on Foreign Relations, St. Louis Fed Data,

TLDR News, Voice of North Korea by Yeonmi Park, Economics Explained, 12Tone, VSauce, NileRed, Entiende Tu Mente podcast, Counter Arguments, Philosophy Tube, Ana Psychology, Lessons from the Screenplay

Hamilton: An American Musical, Legally Blonde, La La Land, El laberinto del fauno, 1917, Blackfish, 

The Dying Poet (jota aragonesa), Impromptu Op.90 No.2 in E-flat, I Lived, It’s On Us, 

Women Deliver webinars, Girl Up’s Girl Talks, OutRight Action International, World Wide Life, DECA, Debate Drills, Project Gutenberg, Mythcreants, TV Tropes, Rhyme Zone, Genius, Poetry Foundation, Art of Composing, Science Direct, Brilliant, CyberStart America, Crypto Zombies, Soundation, Photofocus, Fitness Blender, Goodreads, 18 Under 18 Vietnam

Prompt: In Columbia’s admissions process, we value who you are as a unique individual, distinct from your goals and achievements. In the last words of this writing supplement, we would like you to reflect on a source of happiness. Help us get to know you further by describing the first thing that comes to mind when you consider what simply brings you joy.

Whether it's comforting the crying kid who smashed his lego robot or being the fireworks shield for a miniature family friend who then peeks around me to watch amazed, caring for children brings me joy.