columbia video essay sample questions

The Secret to Nailing the Columbia SIPA Video Essay

Are you ready to take your application to the next level and stand out amongst the crowd? The Columbia SIPA video essay is just the opportunity for you to showcase your unique personality, communication skills, and commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Here at The Admit Lab, we have cracked the code to help you nail this pivotal part of the application process. In this blog post, we will reveal the secret strategies, tips, and expert insights that will not only help you ace the Columbia SIPA video essay but also increase your chances of securing a spot in this prestigious program. So, if you’re ready to take a deep dive into the world of video essays and learn how to impress the admissions committee, then keep reading. Your journey to SIPA starts here!

SIPA: A Global Hub for Public Affairs and International Studies

The School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University in New York City is renowned as one of the premier institutions in the world for public administration and international affairs. It prides itself on offering a diverse and enriching academic environment that prepares students to tackle the complex challenges of the global stage.

With its competitive acceptance rate , SIPA is not just an ordinary school; it is a vibrant community of scholars, practitioners, and students who share a common passion for making a positive impact on the world. Through its cutting-edge research centers in Development Economics , Global Energy, Global Economic Governance, International Conflict Resolution, and War and Peace Studies, students have unparalleled opportunities to engage with issues of global significance and develop innovative solutions.

At this Ivy League School, students can expect a rigorous curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills. They have access to renowned faculty who are experts in their respective fields, as well as a vast network of alumni who have achieved great success in various sectors around the world.

Whether you aspire to shape public policy, work for international organizations, or pursue a career in diplomacy, SIPA provides the platform and resources to help you achieve your goals. With its prime location in New York City, students are exposed to a vibrant cosmopolitan environment that serves as a hub for global affairs and offers unparalleled networking opportunities.

Video response overview

Unlike many other graduate government programs, the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University includes a unique and innovative component in its application process: a video interview essay, also known as Columbia SIPA video essay.

This special feature sets SIPA apart from other programs and offers applicants a chance to showcase their communication skills and personality. The Columbia SIPA video essay is exclusively available to applicants through the user-friendly application portal, but only after they have submitted their comprehensive application and paid the required application fee.

In this high-stakes opportunity, applicants are given a mere 90 seconds to provide a thoughtful and concise response to a random question that could cover any topic imaginable. This challenging task allows candidates to demonstrate their ability to think on their feet and articulate their ideas effectively. The Columbia SIPA video essay is an integral part of SIPA’s holistic evaluation process, providing the admissions committee with valuable insights into each applicant’s potential and suitability for the program.

What is the admissions committee looking for?

The Columbia SIPA video essay component of the application process is not your typical job interview. Unlike traditional interviews, it is not designed to address any gaps in your application or provide additional insights about SIPA. It’s important to note that the question you will answer is not specifically tailored by the admissions committee after reviewing your application. Instead, the questions asked during the video response cover a wide range, from simple ones like “how was your summer” to more thought-provoking ones like “Would you detain or kill a terrorist suspect without a trial?”

It is crucial to understand that the Columbia SIPA video essay should not be perceived as a controlled experiment to measure applicants’ knowledge or their ability to think on their feet. Rather, SIPA’s video response serves as a unique opportunity to put a literal face to your application. It allows the admissions committee to get a better sense of your personality, communication skills, and overall presence. Therefore, it is imperative to approach the video response with professionalism and poise, as it plays a significant role in shaping the overall impression SIPA forms of you as an applicant.

Rock the Video Intro – Make a Strong First Impression

Recording the Columbia SIPA video requires careful planning and strategic execution, especially when the aim is to create a lasting first impression. The opening seconds of your video are critical in capturing the committee’s attention and setting the tone for the rest of the video. Start with an engaging opening line that reflects your personality and aligns with your aspirations. A well-crafted opening line can intrigue the committee and encourage them to watch the rest of your video with keen interest. A brief but impactful introduction of yourself and your qualifications can work wonders in making a strong first impression. Include details that highlight your academic achievements, professional experiences, or unique skills that make you an ideal candidate for the SIPA program.

Show Your Passion and Enthusiasm for Public Policy

When recording the Columbia SIPA video, it’s crucial to effectively communicate your passion and enthusiasm for public policy. Share about issues that deeply resonate with you, whether it’s climate change, income inequality, educational reform, or any other crucial matter. Discuss why these issues resonate with you and how they have shaped your desire to contribute to public policy.

For instance, you might share an anecdote about how witnessing income disparity in your community sparked your interest in advocating for economic equity. Such personal stories can make your passion palpable and relatable to the committee. Moreover, don’t just communicate your enthusiasm through words, let it reflect in your body language and tone of voice as well. Stand tall, use expressive hand gestures, and let your excitement shine through your voice. This not only makes your video more enjoyable to watch but also conveys your genuine engagement with the subject matter. Remember, your ultimate goal is to show the committee that your interest in public policy isn’t merely theoretical, but rather a deeply ingrained part of who you are, backed by genuine concern and a commitment to making a difference.

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experiences

In creating your Columbia SIPA video, it is also essential to detail your relevant skills and experiences that make you an excellent fit for the program. Discuss the competencies you have developed in previous roles that would be of value in the policy arena. This could include analytical skills honed during a stint as a research assistant, or communication and advocacy skills developed while volunteering for a non-profit. It’s crucial to not just list these skills but to substantiate them with specific examples.

Perhaps there was a time you took the initiative to start a new project at work, or when you assumed a leadership role to guide a team towards a common goal. Such instances demonstrate your proactive attitude and leadership potential, qualities that are highly valued in public policy. Moreover, don’t shy away from discussing transferable skills from other experiences. Maybe you’ve worked in a completely different field, like technology or healthcare, but the problem-solving or project management skills you gained there are still applicable. Or perhaps you’ve had unique, non-traditional experiences that have nonetheless equipped you with a nuanced perspective and a diverse skill set. Emphasize these experiences, highlighting how they contribute to your unique candidacy and how they will enable you to bring a fresh, insightful perspective to the SIPA program. Always remember, every experience is valuable if you can effectively illustrate its relevance and the skills it has allowed you to cultivate.

Leave them wanting more

As you move towards the conclusion of your Columbia SIPA video, it’s important to leave the admissions team with a lasting impression, leaving them wanting more. Articulate your future goals and vision in a clear and compelling manner.

For example, you might say, “I have a vision for a future where public policy is attuned to the needs of all members of society, and it’s my aim to contribute to making this vision a reality.” Paint a vivid picture of how you envisage using the skills and knowledge you acquire at SIPA to make a significant impact in your field. Express your eagerness to learn from, and contribute to, the SIPA community. You may say, “I am excited about the unique opportunity to learn from the diverse and dynamic SIPA community, and I look forward to contributing my experiences and perspectives in enriching class discussions and collaborative projects.” Make sure to thank the admissions team for considering your application. You might do so by saying, “I appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing my application.”

Finally, close confidently, expressing your belief in your suitability for the program. You could say, “I am confident that my experiences, coupled with my passion for public policy, make me a strong fit for the SIPA program, and I am eager to contribute to and learn from this fantastic institution.” This will ensure you conclude on a confident and positive note, leaving the admissions team with a strong impression of your motivation and potential.

Smile! Your Personality Will Shine Through

When recording your Columbia SIPA video, remember the adage, “Smile! Your Personality Will Shine Through.” This is not merely about showcasing a pleasant facial expression but rather a holistic approach to presenting yourself with authenticity and enthusiasm. Maintain a comfortable yet sophisticated demeanor, projecting a sense of assurance and readiness for the academic rigors of the program.

Your body language and expressions are powerful tools in conveying your ideas and convictions. Let them mirror your words, adding emphasis and passion to your narrative. Most importantly, let your genuine self shine through. Let the admissions team see the real person behind the application, the individual who is passionate about public policy, eager to learn, and ready to make an impact. This authenticity can make your video stand out, leaving a lasting impression on the admissions team.

5 Essential Tips for Mastering the SIPA Video Essay

• Be Authentic: Allow your genuine self to shine through in your responses, revealing the unique aspects of your personality that make you who you are. By embracing authenticity, you can establish a sincere connection with the admissions committee, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of your character, values, and experiences. This genuine portrayal will not only resonate with the committee but also demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and with integrity. So, seize this opportunity to express yourself fully and let your true self shine in your application.
• Practice Makes Perfect: While you won’t have the luxury of knowing the questions in advance, it is crucial to dedicate time to practice your speaking skills and develop the ability to formulate coherent and well-structured thoughts under pressure. This preparation will undoubtedly prove to be invaluable, as it will equip you with the confidence and adaptability necessary to excel in any situation that requires effective communication. Remember, the more you invest in honing your speaking abilities, the more prepared you will be to confidently tackle any challenge that comes your way.
• Concise and Clear Responses: In this format, it is important to prioritize brevity while still providing clear and concise responses that directly address the question. By keeping your response concise, you can ensure that the information is easily understood and effectively communicated. It is crucial to strike a balance between providing enough detail to answer the question thoroughly while avoiding unnecessary lengthiness that may detract from the message’s impact.
• Professional Attire and Setting: To make a positive impression during a virtual interview, it is crucial to dress professionally, just as you would for an in-person interview. Choose attire that reflects the level of professionalism expected in your field. Additionally, create a quiet and distraction-free environment by selecting a well-lit and organized space. This will help you maintain focus and allow the interviewer to concentrate on your qualifications and skills without any interruptions. Remember, attention to these details can greatly enhance your chances of success in a virtual interview setting.

Sample questions

Personal background.

• What are your most significant childhood memories?
• What leadership experience at work are you most proud of?
• What valuable feedback have you received?
• How has your academic and professional experience prepared you for SIPA?
• What are your aspirations at SIPA?
• How will being in New York City contribute to your short-term goals?

Behavioral Questions

• How do you effectively handle multitasking?
• What are your exceptional skills or talents?
• Who do you seek for advice and guidance?

Areas of Interest

• Which undergraduate course did you find most enjoyable?
• What sources do you rely on for news?
• Which policy issue has undergone the most significant changes during your lifetime?

Head Scratchers/ Current Events

• Should government policies prioritize equity or opportunity?
• What responsibilities do companies have in integrating environmental sustainability into their business practices?
• How should Western countries balance immigration policies with the economic needs of their social safety nets?

The Daunting Challenge of SIPA’s Selection Process

The video essay holds immense importance in the evaluation process as it allows admissions committees to witness firsthand how candidates showcase their communication skills and articulate their aspirations and suitability for the program. However, it’s important to remember that the video essay is only one piece of the admissions puzzle.

The SIPA admissions committee conducts a holistic review of each application, considering each element in relation to the others. This means that while the video essay is important, other aspects of your application such as your essays, academic performance, professional experience, and leadership activities are also critical. Each component of your application should be meticulously crafted to ensure it reflects your qualifications and potential contributions to the SIPA community. Thus, it’s crucial to present a well-rounded profile, where each piece comes together to present a compelling narrative of who you are, what you have achieved, and what you aspire to accomplish through your studies at SIPA.

Remember: the selection process for the prestigious Columbia SIPA is indeed a daunting one, with hundreds of talented individuals globally vying for a limited number of spots each year. The competition is intense, and rejection is a harsh reality faced by many.

Each application is meticulously scrutinized, reflecting the high standards of this esteemed institution. From assessing your leadership skills to evaluating your ability to handle complex policy issues, every aspect of the process is designed to challenge and test your capabilities. It is, therefore, crucial to give your best shot, leaving no room for error.

That being said, the pressure can be overwhelming, and the fear of rejection can be crippling. It’s in these moments that seeking help can be a game-changer. Professional guidance not only helps you navigate this rigorous process but also provides you with the necessary tools to present a compelling application, increasing your chances of standing out among the sea of applicants. It’s a vital step to avoid the disappointment of rejection and join the ranks of successful Columbia SIPA students.

Armed with the secret strategies and expert insights revealed in this blog post, you’re now ready to tackle the Columbia SIPA video essay with confidence! Keep in mind that your video essay needs to reflect who you are beyond your GPA or test scores; it’s an opportunity for you to connect with the committee and demonstrate why you fit perfectly in their program. With a little bit of preparation and practice, you can find yourself soaring ahead of the competition. At The Admit Lab, we understand the efforts required in crafting a competitive application for a top-tier business school, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help along the way and sign up for a free 15-minute consultation . We also offer interview prep and master’s application service s for a wide variety of budgets. There is no better time than now to get started on the path toward success – take that chance and be sure to let us know how it goes! The journey to SIPA awaits. Good luck!

With a Master’s from McGill University and a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Philippe Barr is the founder of The Admit Lab . As a tenure-track professor, Dr. Barr spent a decade teaching and serving on several graduate admission committees at UNC-Chapel Hill before turning to full-time consulting. With more than seven years of experience as a graduate school admissions consultant, Dr. Barr has stewarded the candidate journey across multiple master’s programs and helped hundreds of students get admitted to top-tier graduate programs all over the world .

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• College Application

10 Columbia Supplemental Essay Examples That Worked

Looking at Columbia supplemental essay examples can be helpful for students who are preparing their college applications for Columbia, any of the  Ivy League Schools , or other highly selective institutions like the  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) . Top colleges tend to have a holistic admissions process, meaning that they look at more than just your academic background. They also want to get to know the person behind the grades and ensure that you are a good fit for their college campus. Your  supplemental college essays  play a significant role in helping them make a decision. It is therefore important that you submit college essays that stand out in order to beat the competition. 

In this blog, we share ten essays that respond to the prompts provided by  Columbia University  to help you get inspired for your own  college essays .

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 9 min read

Columbia's supplemental college essay questions are divided into two. First, there is a series of list questions. You will be required to answer these prompts in the form of a list without any explanatory text or additional formatting. The school asks that you separate each item on the list with commas or semicolons. Secondly, you have what most students are familiar with when we talk about supplemental college essays. In the case of Columbia, the essays are limited to 200 words or fewer, meaning that applicants have to find a way to incorporate a lot of information in a relatively short text. To put that into context, we have included examples from both sections in this blog.

As you read through the examples, pay attention to the way the authors infuse their personalities into the text, and how they use specific examples to make their essays more memorable.

Columbia supplemental essay example #1

Please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you noted in the application. ( 200 words or fewer)

According to my mother, I never played dress-up with my dolls when I was a child. Apparently, instead of braiding their hair, I placed them down in neat little rows and taught them how to braid hair. I'm not sure how accurate that story is, but it does sound like me. For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed learning and teaching others what I have learned.

I first noticed this when my family and I went on vacation to Disneyland, and It seemed like I was the only person who was interested in the guided tour. I wanted to know everything about the buildings, how old the park was, and the people that designed it. On the flight back home, I talked everyone's ear off about all the new things I had learned about how parks work. It is still one of my most cherished experiences, even though I didn't get to go on as many rides as the rest of my family. 

 I have followed that passion for learning and teaching by tutoring in middle and high school. These experiences as a tutor confirmed that teaching is the right career path for me. (197 words)

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." Those are Rachel Zoe's words, and I wholeheartedly believe them. Growing up, one of my favorite parts of the day was the night before school, when I would spend 20 to 30 minutes picking out the perfect outfit to wear the next day. 

When it came time for me to go to high school, my parents decided that I would get a better education from a private school that had a dress code. All students were required to wear clean-cut khakis and a white polo shirt. I had to say goodbye to my matching sets, graphic t-shirts, and jean jackets.

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)

Four years ago, my father remarried, giving me a loving stepmom, two wonderfully annoying younger sisters, and an introduction to a whole new world. For context, I am an eighteen-year-old white girl who grew up in the suburbs, and my step-family is Afro-Latinx. Although they grew up in a suburb similar to the one I call home, their experiences were very different from mine. 

For example, I went shopping with one of my sisters recently, and I noticed that she always insisted on getting a paper copy of her receipt. I tried to tell her that she could ask for it to be emailed to her as that'd be better for the environment, but she explained that she often gets accused of stealing in upscale stores and that having the receipt made proving her innocence easier. 

This is one of the many conversations I have had in the past few years that have taught me to look past my own experiences and listen. We all experience life differently, meaning that we all have something to learn from each other. I plan on bringing my perspective to Columbia, and I look forward to listening and learning from students with different viewpoints. (200 words)

2,789. That is the total population of Imagined, the small, remote town I grew up in. It is a town that I have a love-hate relationship with. I love the sense of community it fosters and the beautiful views surrounding it. I also hate how small it is and how closed-minded its inhabitants can be. 

Like most of Imagined's residents, I have never really lived outside of our town, but I like to think that I have traveled through the numerous books I spend my days reading. It is those books that introduced me to people who practice different religions, who look different from me, and who have points of view that are very different from mine. Even though I may not agree with everything I have read, it has given me a chance to question my belief systems and make informed decisions. 

I hope that by attending Columbia, which is located at the heart of one of the most diverse cities in the world, I will be exposed to even more perspectives so that I can learn more about the human experience and relate with others better. (188 words)

The opening sentence of your essay needs to be attention-grabbing if you want to write a strong essay. We recommend starting with a quote, an anecdote, or a fun fact like the writer did with the essay above. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Columbia supplemental essay example #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)

Two years ago, my mother and I toured thirteen universities across the country. Of all the schools I visited, Columbia quickly stood out. We had already put the school on our list because of its stellar academic programs but being on campus convinced me that Columbia is the right university for me. 

During the tour, I spoke to several students who gushed about the diversity of the student body, the excellent professors and advisors, and the eye-opening educational experience the Core Curriculum provides. My mother went to Columbia, and she found it amazing that even though the school has evolved, its core values remain the same. 

The experiences she and the other students described make me dream of having my own Lit Hum discussion sessions and participating in the many enriching clubs on campus, such as the Columbia Model United Nations team. 

Being at Columbia would also allow me to take advantage of everything New York offers. I would get to explore my various academic and personal interests in an international and open-minded environment. 

Some say that Columbia is the greatest college at the greatest university in the greatest city in the world. I suspect they might be right. (199 words)

I was on the Columbia campus on October 14, 2019, when the Native American Council gathered and called on the University to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day. I had reluctantly come to the school for a visit with a friend who is currently in her first year at Columbia. My general idea of this school was that it was very traditional and not very open-minded. This display of bravery changed my view of Columbia and prompted me to research the school. 

I found that it has a strong academic program that gives students a strong foundation through the common core curriculum. I especially like the fact that the core includes studies in non-western major cultures and masterpieces of western literature. 

As an African-American-Lebanese student, my background and heritage have made me passionate about the world's different cultures, specifically how globalization has affected them and how they have been affected by it. Columbia would allow me to learn more about this topic and explore other aspects of world culture I am interested in. 

I hope to get the chance to learn in class and outside the classroom from the diverse and open-minded student body at Columbia over the next four years. (198 words)

This is essentially a \u201cwhy this college essay\u201d so the admissions committee will be trying to find out if you are interested in Columbia specifically. So, take the time to research the school and mention something specific about it such as a course, a requirement, a student organization, etc. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

Do you have questions about the college application process? This video can help:

Columbia supplemental essay example #7

List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson; Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë; All My Sons by Arthur Miller; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou; Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, When Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head. (47 words)

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)

Frying plantain by zalika reid-benta; Heavy by Kiese Laymon; An Untamed State by Roxanne Gay; The girl with the louding voice by Abi dare; Born a crime by Trevor Noah; Becoming by Michelle Obama; Such a fun age by Kiley reid; Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde; The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang; Turtles all the way down by John Green; Our Stories, Our Voices by Amy Reed; Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. (72 words)

It\u2019s important that you think about the list of books that you are sharing. You want to be honest, but you also want the books that you share to say something about you. For example, even though this person reads a few different genres, we can tell from the list of books that this applicant clearly has a penchant for social justice and history. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab3" template="BlogArticle">

Columbia supplemental essay example #9

John Green's Turtles all the way down; Karen Lord's Redemption in Indigo; Becky Chambers' The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet; Andy Weir's The Martian, Marlon James’ Black leopard, red wolf; V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic series,  V.E. Schwab’s Shadowshaper. (41 words)

Want to learn more about what makes a strong college essay? Check out this video:

Columbia supplemental essay example #10

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. (125 words or fewer)

Publications: The New York Times, n+1, Vanity Fair, TIME; Music: Beyonce, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Frank Ocean, Florence & the machine, Kasey Musgraves. Movies & TV shows: Succession, Gilmore Girls, Greys Anatomy, Explained, Derry Girls; Lectures on YouTube: Designing Your Life (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans), TEDx talks. (47 words)

Columbia is one of the most selective schools in the country. Last year, it had an acceptance rate that was close to 5%. Meaning that for every 100 applicants, only about five get offered admission.

Columbia requires students to submit three short supplemental essays of 200 words or less and answer three additional questions with lists.

The supplemental Columbia-specific questions you have to answer are less than 200 words.

Reviewing different supplemental essay examples will expose you to different types of prompts used for college essays and give you a better idea of how to approach them.

A strong college essay tells a story, uses specific examples, and has a strong opening.

You can make your essay stand out by ensuring that it tells a story and uses specific examples to back up claims that you make about yourself.

College essay advisors  are admission consultants who typically work with application or college essay review services. They use their admissions knowledge and training to help you prepare the strongest college essays possible.

Columbia does not have a minimum GPA requirement, but it does expect applicants to have a strong academic background. 95% of the recently admitted class graduated in the top 10% of their class. So if you are hoping to  get into college with a low GPA , you would need an impressive application for that school to be Columbia.

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Columbia-Specific Application Questions

Columbia-specific questions, also known as the writing supplement, tell the Committee on Admissions more about your academic, extracurricular and intellectual interests. These questions provide insight to your intellectual curiosity, habits of mind, love of learning and sense of self. They also allow the Committee on Admissions to learn more about you in your current community and why you feel Columbia’s distinctive experiences in and out of the classroom would be a good fit for your undergraduate education. We review your responses to these questions as an essential part of our holistic and contextual review , in order to get a fuller sense of you as a unique individual beyond the standard parts of the application.

A Columbia admissions officer talks about the Columbia-specific application questions, also known as the writing supplement.

2023-2024 Columbia-Specific Questions

Instructions.

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.

• 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)

The Columbia Interview: What to Expect + Sample Questions

Sep 19, 2023

How the Columbia Interview Works 

Who is columbia looking for, how can you prepare for your interview, what to do if you get a question you weren’t prepared for.

• Get expert help

UPDATE : This article was originally posted on June 20, 2019. It has been updated with 2023/24 information and tips below. 

Located in the heart of New York City, Columbia Business School offers its students access not only to top-notch academics but also to myriad networking opportunities outside of the classroom. Famous for having big names like Warren Buffett drop in on classes to discuss past deals, Columbia truly offers unparalleled access to some of the biggest names in business. 

Given its tight-knit network, reputation as a finance powerhouse, and privileged location, landing a spot at Columbia Business School is no small feat. 

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Columbia admissions interview to stand out. We’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included sample interview questions to ensure you give your Columbia application your best shot. 

Making sure you shine during your Columbia interview is no easy task. 

Columbia interviews tend to be very friendly. Nonetheless, the interviewer is still trying to gauge how solid your motivations for wanting to pursue an MBA are, how interested you seem in the Columbia program, and if you truly plan to use the city of New York to your advantage. 

Interviewers often ask many standard MBA interview questions, as well as questions designed to test just how collaborative you really are. You can also expect numerous follow-up questions. 

Our clients who have interviewed with Columbia in the past say that the interviewer was very friendly and demonstrated a genuine interest in their answers . Though questions do tend to focus on standard MBA interview questions, be ready for anything. 

Who will interview you?

Columbia has a rich tradition of alumni conducting admissions interviews. As such, you will most likely be paired with an alumni interviewer in your area. Your interviewer may request that you complete your interview online. This will have no impact on your application. 

NOTE: Though CBS has typically only offered alumni interviews, this year, many of our clients were virtually interviewed by the admissions committee. 

Will the interviewer have read my application?

The Columbia interview is blind, meaning the alumni interviewer will only have access to your CV .

How long will the Columbia interview last?

Based on our clients’ experiences, the CBS interview usually lasts 45-60 minutes. 

“Only Columbia Business School gives you the opportunity to shape your career in the very center of business. There’s something about being positioned in New York City, where access to leaders across industry is truly advantageous. Here you will learn to take on challenges and respond dynamically. You’ll gain skills to succeed in fast-moving, competitive environments anywhere. Hone your strengths. Find your best career path. Realize success.” Columbia Business School Admissions  

Every year, Columbia’s admissions team enrolls around 850 students for their prestigious MBA program out of around 6,100 applications. Though CBS does work hard to admit a diverse class (44% of the Class of 2024 were women, 51% were international citizens, and 42% were of minority origins (in the US), they do tend to admit applicants with 5 years of work experience. Applicants also tend to have average GMATs of 729 (GRE scores were not reported ).

Nonetheless, that does not mean that Columbia looks simply for good test-takers. Instead, they want a talented, principled, well-networked group of business leaders.

According to Columba’s Admissions team: 

In addition, Columbia tends to respond favorably to applicants who can demonstrate that studying in New York City is a differential for them, so make sure to reflect on how you will use the city of New York to complement your learning and accelerate your career. 

Though no interview is 100% predictable, Columbia interviews do tend to center around a fairly standard list of MBA interview questions. As such, we have prepared some model questions below that previous candidates have received in their past Columbia interviews. 

Sample Columbia Interview Questions

The questions below are drawn from our clients’ interview reports, as well as from sites like clearadmit.com . Though these are not all the potential questions you could possibly receive during your Columbia interview, preparing for these (and any follow-up questions you think you might be asked) should give you a very solid foundation for your interview. 

STARTING UP QUESTIONS

• Walk me through your resume (similar to the question: “Tell me about yourself”)
• Tell me about a professional achievement (usually picked off of your CV).
• What are your career goals?
• What’s your plan b/back up plan for your goals?
• Why do you need an MBA?
• In addition to applying for an MBA, what other steps have you taken toward your goal?
• Why Columbia?
• If applicable, why the J-term program? 
• Where else did you apply? How will you decide where to go if you pass in all these programs? 
• What will you do if you don’t get in anywhere else?
• How will you contribute to Columbia?
• What makes you unique from others (financiers/salesmen/IT specialists, etc.) applying to   Columbia?  
• Are there any problems you think the admissions committee will find in your application? 

LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK

• What is your leadership/management style? Can you give me an example?
• Tell me about a time when you took the lead on something. 
• Have you ever been in a leadership role? Can you give me an example of a time you were a leader?
• Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult team/person.
• Can you tell me about a time you contributed to a team?
• Can you tell me about a team failure you were a part of?
• Tell me about a time you worked with a diverse team. 

MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORAL

• Tell me about a time when you faced adversity. 
• Tell me about a time when you made a major mistake. How did you handle the issue?
• Tell me about an ethical dilemma you’ve faced and what you did about it. 
• Describe a time when you witnessed others behaving unethically. What did you do about it?
• What do you do in your free time?
• How would you describe your interpersonal skills and communication style?
• Is there anything else that you haven’t mentioned in your application that you would like to share at this time?
• Do you have any questions for me?

We have found that answering real interview questions on the spot is a much better means of preparation than reading lists of interview questions for most candidates.

We highly suggest you take a look at mock interview questions and sample interview responses before your interview . 

Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of real interview mocks from Columbia, as well as detailed guides to help you prepare for questions ranging from “Why our MBA program?” to “Tell us about a time you failed.”

The Ellin Lolis Consulting MBA Resource Center is your one-stop shop for interview success. 

Click to join !

If you’re still not quite confident with your interview skills, our interview experts can help you craft your answers or prepare you for the Columbia interview through mock interviews tailored to your profile. 

Despite your most diligent preparation, you will almost always receive a question you had not prepared. 

First, stay calm and take a deep breath. You have already made it this far in the process, and one question will not trip you up!

Second, make sure you directly answer the question the interviewer asked you. For example, if the interviewer asks you about a time you had to deal with a difficult manager, make sure to tell a story about a difficult manager and how you handled the situation. 

If you’re having trouble thinking of an answer or an example to support your answer , however, take a drink of water to give yourself a few more minutes to think. If you really can’t think of an example from your personal or professional experience, you can use a hypothetical answer about how you would act in a certain situation. 

Finally, assume that the interviewer is testing how you think on your feet and respond to questions you didn’t prepare in advance . Though your answer might not be as polished as if you’d had weeks to rehearse it, smile and confidently give your answer to show you can respond to any question they throw at you. 

Make sure you get into Columbia 

One of the most common mistakes we see in MBA interviews is that candidates fail to tell compelling, well-constructed stories about their profiles while also nailing the basics. 

Striking this balance between sharing STAR-format examples that show off your background while also presenting strong answers to questions like “Why do you want an MBA?” is a challenging task that requires significant thought and preparation. 

Because of this, it’s no surprise that, on average, 50% of interviewed applicants walk away without an offer .   

This is why our interview preparation process here at Ellin Lolis Consulting is known as the best in the industry. We offer customized 1:1 support that ensures you’re able to turn your application’s strengths into compelling answers that show fit and sell your profile in any type of interview. 

That’s the approach we took with our client Gabriel, who was admitted to Columbia Early Decision. 

Forget simulation platforms or long lists of tips – our 1:1 preparation focuses on playing to your strengths and overcoming your weaknesses to turn you into an interview expert . Hire our interview services here. VIP packages that allow you to work directly with Ellin sell out quickly, so make sure you sign up today !

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November 1, 2020

Columbia MBA Essays: Tips for a Successful Application [Video]

Gain insight into how to best answer each of the Columbia Business School application essay questions from admissions expert, Linda Abraham:

Video transcript

“What do schools want? The essay questions seemed random.” This is a very common question and comment that I get from applicants trying to deal with their MBA applications. And while it’s a very common reaction and question, I also think it’s somewhat of an erroneous one. I’d like to go through Columbia Business School’s essay questions . And I think if we go through them together, you’ll see that they’re really designed so that each essay introduces a different facet of you to the reader. And that’s what every essay in any MBA application should do.

Understanding CBS essay #1

Let’s dive into Columbia’s MBA application. It starts with a very short question, maximum of 50 characters: “Briefly define your immediate post-MBA goal.” In response, you need to be specific, succinct, and concrete. What do you want to do and in what industry do you want to do it? Essay one, “Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years? And what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job?” And you have 500 words for this essay, quite a bit better than 50 characters.

<< Columbia Business School MBA Class Entering 2020 Profile >>

Well, first of all, it’s very clear that Columbia does not want you to rehash what’s elsewhere in the application, which all deals with past experiences and events: your resume, your transcript, letters of recommendation. This essay has a strictly future focus, and it has nothing to do with your immediate post-MBA job, which you already discussed in that short answer question. What they want to know is your three to five year job and your long-term dream job. And by using that term, in your imagination and dream job, they’re really inviting you to dream and aspire as well as think longer term. And when you think in terms of that long-term dream job, don’t just think in terms of the title you want to hold or the address you want to have on your resume or anything like that, think about what you hope to accomplish in that particular role or function or with that title, because that’s what Columbia is much more interested in. This was made very clear by Michael Robinson in an Ask Me Anything that Accepted recently hosted for Columbia. So, that’s essay number one.

Understanding CBS essay #2

“Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you?” 250 words. This is nothing about post-Columbia. This is all about your time at Columbia. Why is Columbia a good fit for you? Why do you want to attend Columbia Business School? Well, first of all, think about what makes a great MBA program for you. It shouldn’t be about rank. After all, there are seven schools in the M7 , there are 10 schools in the top 10. They want to know why… Well, again, the first question is what makes a great MBA program for you; it should be about the education it’s going to provide, the opportunities it’s going to provide, the extracurricular events that you can partake of. And then, fundamentally, how will it help you achieve your short- and long-term goals?

So in order to answer that question, number one, you need to know a lot about Columbia’s program. Specifically, you need to know about its educational program, the actual curriculum, extracurricular opportunities, and its recruiting strengths. Also keep in mind, Columbia’s focus on intersectionality or intersection, period. It’s at the intersection of theory and practice, the intersection of arts and business, being in New York city, the business capital, arguably, of the world. And of course, Manhattan may not be an entrepreneurial capital of the world, but it’s certainly an entrepreneurial hotbed. So that centrality that it’s taking advantage of is important to it. And you should be prepared to tie some of those opportunities that it presents to achievement of your goals. Again, two things need to know: Columbia really well, and what makes it a great MBA program for you in terms of achieving your career goals. In terms of the personal happiness part that I mentioned, I think that’s relevant, but the bulk of the essay is going to focus on the professional.

Understanding CBS essay #3 

“Tell us about your favorite book, movie, or song and write why it resonates with you.” 250 words. This is a real getting to know you question. They want to see how you think. Your reasoning is far more important than what you choose in terms of which song, book, or movie. 

So they’ve gotten to know you through your essay three. They get to know about your future in essay one. And they get to know why Columbia resonates with you in essay two. Look at how the application fits together. Those first two essay questions, the real short one and the 500 word one, are about the future you see for yourself, so Columbia Business School can assess if it can really help you achieve your goals and if you need a Columbia Business School MBA.

The second question is about your fit with Columbia and in the Columbia Business School community . And the third question is a getting to know you question, more about how you as a human being and as an individual think and respond to different books, movies, and songs. Each question is designed to elicit an answer that complements the information found elsewhere in the application, as well as the other essays. And it lets them get to know you a little bit better. And that’s exactly what we help our clients do in their MBA applications and what we’d love to help you do as well.

Getting into Columbia Business School takes a special combination of an outstanding application, an extraordinary essay, and an incredible interview. Check out our  MBA Services Packages  to work one-on-one with our expert admissions consultants. We can help you GET ACCEPTED!

Related Resources:

• Get Accepted to Columbia Business School , a free webinar
• Columbia Business School MBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines
• The Applicants That Stand Out at Columbia Business School

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A Guide to the Columbia Business School Essays (2023-2024)

Coach Melanie E. walks you through each Columbia Business School essay prompt for the 2023-2024 cycle, breaking down what adcoms are looking for and offering expert advice on how to nail your responses.

By  Melanie E.

Posted January 9, 2024

Featuring Karla M.

From Waitlisted to Admitted: Insider Tips for MBA Admissions

Tuesday, april 9.

6:00 PM UTC · 60 minutes

As a CBS alumnus, Alumni Admissions Ambassador, and professional Coach, I am excited to share my insights into Columbia’s current essays for their MBA application.

Columbia Business School's MBA essays provide applicants with an ample opportunity to showcase their goals, experiences, and fit with the program. Here's a step-by-step guide to approaching each essay.

Short Answer Question

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

It is critical to be straightforward with this question, and be consistent with your essays. It is acceptable to write in phrases versus full sentences given the limited word count. In fact, the word count is limited as a way of forcing applicants to be extremely clear about their goals.

Examples of possible responses (provided by Columbia):

• Work in business development for a media company. (49 characters)
• Join a strategy consulting firm. (32 characters)
• Launch a data-management start-up. (34 characters)

A great example is specific and most likely includes both the function/title and industry or type of company you’re pursuing. For example:

• Poor execution: Work in CPG. (13 characters)
• Good execution: Work in marketing for a CPG company. (36 characters)
• Great execution: Marketing for a healthy-foods focused CPG firm. (47 characters)

Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job? (500 words)

• Understand the Question: Begin by carefully reading the prompt and understanding what it asks for. This is a common mistake where applicants do not directly answer the question(s) being asked in the essay prompt.
• Be Specific: Clearly outline your short-term career goals, focusing on what you aim to achieve within the next three to five years. Discuss the industry, function, and potential companies or roles you aspire to work in.  It is helpful to provide specific role titles and an example company (such as “a media company like Disney”). If you are sponsored and planning to return to your current employer (such as a Consultant at McKinsey), share this information as well as the mid-term goal, which would be your first role after leaving your current employer.
• Explain Your Long-term Dream Job: Describe your ultimate long-term dream job. Discuss the impact you hope to make in that role and your mission. Showcasing impact while balancing your vision with realistic possibility is key. For example, sharing that you want to solve world hunger may be a bit outrageous, but saying that you want to build a new business model for achieving large impacts within world hunger is more reasonable.
• Link to Your Background: Connect your career goals with your past experiences (personal and professional), skills, networks, and/or achievements. Demonstrate how your path to date aligns with your future aspirations. If applicable, share your “light bulb” moment where you realized your long-term career vision.
• Share Your “Why”: An extension of the previous bullet, share your “why” or your motivations for your career aspirations. Bring this level of authenticity and personality to the essay in order to make it more engaging, believable, and unique from the crowd. This is a critical element that is often missed by applicants.
• Stay Within the Word Limit: With only 500 words, be concise and focus on the most critical points. I suggest not worrying about the word count for your first few drafts, and then edit down once you have all the relevant content ready to go.

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The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a co-curricular program designed to provide students with the skills and strategies needed to develop as inclusive leaders. Through various resources and programming, the goal is for students to explore and reflect during their educational journey on the following five inclusive leadership skills: Mitigating Bias and Prejudice; Managing Intercultural Dialogue; Addressing Systemic Inequity; Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking; and Creating an Inclusive Environment.

Describe a time or situation when you had the need to utilize one or more of these five skills, and tell us the actions you took and the outcome. (250 words)

• Consider PPIL: First, take some time to review the PPIL curriculum on the Columbia website.
• Choose a Relevant Situation: Select a specific situation from your professional or personal life that aligns with one or more of the inclusive leadership skills mentioned (Mitigating Bias and Prejudice, Managing Intercultural Dialogue, Addressing Systemic Inequity, Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking, and Creating an Inclusive Environment). The situation should be somewhat recent, and if possible, within the last ~2 years.
• Set the Scene: Provide context for the situation. Describe the environment, the people involved, and the challenges you faced. Based upon the limited word count, you may need to leave out some details of the story.
• Describe Your Actions: Detailing the steps you took to address the situation should take up the majority of your essay. Clearly identify which inclusive leadership skills were utilized via each action. I recommend choosing only one or two skills to focus upon due to the limited word count. It is better to go into more specifics and detail on fewer skills. Lastly, highlight any innovative or creative approaches you used, and share both soft and/or hard skills as is relevant to your story.
• Share the Outcome: Explain the results of your actions. Emphasize any positive impact on individuals, teams, or the overall situation. Small impact is acceptable as long as it is clear, and the applicant was the one who created it.
• Reflect on Your Experience: Discuss briefly what you learned from this experience, and perhaps how it has shaped your perspective on inclusivity or leadership.

We believe Columbia Business School is a special place. CBS proudly fosters a collaborative learning environment through curricular experiences like our clusters and learning teams, an extremely active co-curricular and student life environment, and career mentorship opportunities like our Executives-in-Residence program.

Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you academically, culturally, and professionally? Please be specific. (250 words)

• Overall: This is an excellent opportunity to focus on explaining why CBS is a great fit for you. If they are your #1 choice, don’t hesitate to share that in this essay.
• Conduct Detailed Research: Before writing, thoroughly research Columbia Business School's MBA program. Understand the curriculum, professors, clubs, conferences, events, and unique aspects of the school. You may also utilize virtual and in-person events specifically catering to applicants to gain knowledge. Lastly, you may decide to contact current students for further information, and are welcome to mention them (with their permission) in your essays. You can locate the names of current students through your network, LinkedIn, and/or school club websites.
• Structure: The simplest and most effective way to structure your essay is by separate paragraphs for academic fit, cultural fit, and professional fit. This directly and clearly addresses each part of the essay question.
• Unique Aspects: Focus upon aspects of CBS that certainly relate to your profile and career aspirations, but that also are unique to CBS. For example, Columbia is highly aware that they are the only M7 MBA program to be located in fabulous New York City, and thus this is a unique point that can be addressed and utilized in this essay.
• Academic Fit: Explain how the specific courses, concentrations, programs, and/or professors will support your academic interests and career trajectory. Look for special classes that may not exist at all top MBA programs and that align to the skills gaps you are seeking to fill to reach your long-term career goals.
• Cultural Fit: Discuss the aspects of CBS's community and culture that resonate with you. Additionally, consider the personal aspects of the school and/or location. Do you have family or friends in the NYC area that would be a supportive community? Do you enjoy the cultural aspects of New York, such as visiting museums in order to relax after a busy school day? Lastly, consider including thoughts on your potential contributions to the school's collaborative environment, such as a leadership position you would like to hold or a club you would like to found. If you’re stumped on this part, consider talking to current students and mention learnings from these conversations (with their permission) in your essay.
• Professional Fit: Showcase how CBS's strong network, career services, employment data, and/or Executives-in-Residence program will aid in achieving your career goals. An often overlooked option is the fact that CBS’ location enables easy networking across almost any industry in NYC, with a robust local alumni population. The location also allows for in-semester internships, which may be relevant for some candidates.
• Be Genuine: Be authentic in your response and avoid generic statements. Don’t be afraid to show your personality, interests, and excitement.

Optional Essay

If you wish to provide further information or additional context around your application to the Admissions Committee, please upload a brief explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 Words)

• Don’t Write It: Consider if you need to write anything for this essay. In general, admissions committees do not want to receive superfluous materials that are not directly addressing new information that is of significance to the application. Therefore, this essay should only be used to explain any specific situations that are not otherwise addressed in the application. For example, this could be utilized to explain a poor GPA in your undergraduate career due to acute illness.
• Keep It Short: As the guidance from CBS notes, you are welcome to write in bullet form. This means that the essay or bullets should be as short and direct as possible.

General Tips for All Essays

• Showcase Your Unique Story: Use the essays to showcase what makes you unique and differentiates you from other applicants. This is your one opportunity to stand out in your application. Admissions committees value genuine stories.
• Edit and Revise: Plan on having multiple rounds of essay drafts, and take your time to iterate over many weeks. Proofread your essays multiple times to avoid grammatical errors and ensure clarity.
• Seek Feedback: Share your essays with trusted friends, family, or mentors for feedback and suggestions who understand the MBA process. It is best to utilize someone who has attended business school or who is a professional coach.
• Stay on Topic: Focus on answering all the specific questions asked in each essay without straying off-topic.
• Adhere to Word Limits: Respect the word limits for each essay, as exceeding them may reflect a lack of attention to detail.

Final Words

By following this guide and putting effort into crafting engaging, personal, and well-structured essays, you increase your chances of impressing the admissions committee at Columbia Business School and standing out from the crowd.

Good luck with your application!

About the Author

Melanie is an Executive Coach & Admissions Coach with 16 years of experience across strategy, operations, and coaching. A former McKinsey consultant, she is a member of the Forbes Council and has been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, Business Insider, TEDx, and more. Melanie has worked with prominent corporate clients including Google, KKR, IBM, and Morgan Stanley; as well as individuals such as business leaders, influencers, and Olympic athletes.

Melanie holds an MBA from Columbia University and a BS from Cornell University. She currently lives in Los Angeles (while remaining a New Yorker at heart), and enjoys creative pursuits in her free time.

Sign up for a FREE intro call with coach Melanie E. today, and jumpstart your path to your dream MBA program!

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The Columbia Interview: Info, Prep Tips + Sample Questions

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 12/04/23

If you’ve been offered an interview from Columbia University, it’s an excellent opportunity to learn more about the school and assess your fit. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the interview! 

Interviews are a common feature of the undergraduate admissions process. If you've been offered an interview from Columbia University , this is your time to shine and show your interviewer why you're a great fit. 

Read on to learn more about the interview process, how to prepare, questions, and more. If you’ve still got questions, look at our step-by-step guide on getting into Columbia University.

What Is a Columbia Admissions Interview Like? 

The Columbia University admissions interview, like most other undergraduate interviews, is more conversational. Your interview will only be conducted virtually ; you may not ask to meet in person, regardless of "country or regional-specific guidelines for in-person interactions." 

You and your interviewer will pick the most accessible mode of communication for both of you. This can include: 

• Video chat platforms, including but not limited to Skype, Zoom, Google Hangout, FaceTime, Teams, WhatsApp, BlueJeans, WebEx, and Duo.
• However, social media video platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are prohibited.
• Students can request a phone interview if they don't have reliable access to the Internet or if their participation would be negatively impacted by using video conferencing.

Your interview will not be scheduled within school hours (7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., depending on local time, but this can vary) and must not be recorded by either you or your interviewer. 

Who Will Interview You?  

Most undergraduate interviews are not conducted by the admissions committee or any admissions committee member on campus. A current Columbia student volunteer alumni from the Columbia Alumni Representative Committee will interview you. 

How to Get An Interview at Columbia University

Getting an interview at Columbia may be (at least in part) up to the luck of the draw. Due to the volume of applications and a limited number of volunteer students and alumni, Columbia University's interview importance is emphasized. Still, the institution can't offer interviews to all applicants and can't guarantee that any applicant will have the chance to interview.

However, candidates who aren’t offered an interview “are not at any disadvantage in the admissions process.” However, standing out in the admissions process may make you more likely to be offered an interview: the school may want to learn more about you.

The first step is displaying strong academic capabilities. As an Ivy League school , Columbia’s curriculum is rigorous: the admissions committee wants to admit students whom they are confident will perform well. To show off your ability, you should: 

• Strive for a high GPA, as close to a 4.0 as possible 
• Achieve high SAT or ACT scores
• Take the most rigorous curriculum available to you, such as honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment classes

You must also ensure you submit a well-rounded application. Take extra time building your activities list, writing your personal statement, and crafting Columbia-specific essays . 

That said, it is important to mention that Columbia has a test-optional policy for this recent admission cycle.

How to Prepare for the Columbia Interview 

Although the interview will be more conversational rather than an interrogation, it's essential to present your best self on interview day. 

Does Columbia have an interview? It does, and these tips will ensure you feel more prepared and help your interview run smoothly.

Understand What Columbia Is Looking For 

Columbia interviewers write interview reports after meeting with prospective students. There are four main things interviewers look for in your responses: 

• How would you fare at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering? 
• A sense of your character and intellectual ability 
• Your ability to learn from others and challenge your perspectives 
• Whether your interviewer thinks you’ll be a good fit for Columbia and New York City 

  Source : ARC Representative Training

Your answers should touch upon these four main points: remember to show, not tell. Understanding what your interviewer is looking for can help you feel more confident and prepared. 

Have a General Idea of How to Answer Common Questions 

Having a general idea of how you’d respond to common interview questions can help safeguard you against slip-ups or blanking mid-conversation. You never want to come across as rehearsed (it can make you sound robotic), but knowing what to expect helps. 

Dress Professionally 

You don't need to be dressed to the nines, but you should wear something clean, appropriate, and professional-looking: a nice top, blouse, button-up, or dress would be appropriate. 

Remember to wear professional bottoms, too: you don't want to be caught in PJ pants if you need to stand up for some reason!

Check Your Tech 

Check all your technology before your interview: you want to ensure your microphone and camera are working properly with no issues. Ensure you're at your computer or device at least 10 minutes before the interview to settle in and ensure everything works. 

Keep It Conversational 

Keep your tone and speech conversational yet professional. Don't use slang, but don't feel like you have to pull out your thesaurus to keep a conversation going. Keep it light! 

Do Your Research 

A little school research can go a long way. Use course catalogs, research opportunities, club offerings, and anything else that made Columbia one of your top-choice schools to show how you’d fit in. Alluding to Columbia-specific offerings shows your conviction to get accepted and your passion for the school. 

Sample Columbia Interview Questions

Good sample interview questions are provided to alumni interviewers through training documents. Some possible Columbia University interview questions include: 

• What are your interests outside the classroom/schoolwork? 
• Which non-academic activity (for example, volunteer work) are you most committed to? How has this impacted your academic performance? 
• What do you and your closest friends have in common? What traits do you possess that make you different from them? 
• How important is diversity to you in a school setting? 
• What, in particular, drew you to Columbia University? 
• What piece of media have you consumed in the past year that made you think differently or impacted your perspective? 

Other universally common prompts/questions that you might encounter in your interview include: 

• Tell me about yourself. 
• What do you want out of the college experience? 
• Tell me more about your interest areas or potential areas of study. 
• What specific opportunities or offerings at our college excite you? 
• What are your strengths? 

Questions can differ depending on the interviewer and student: you should always be prepared for other questions! 

Columbia University Interview FAQs 

If you still have questions about Columbia University interview questions or the process, read on to gain more clarity. 

How Important Is the Columbia Interview? 

The admission interview is important if you're offered an interview because it allows you to learn more about the school and let Columbia learn more about you. A glowing recommendation from your interviewer can help improve your candidacy. 

Is There a Columbia Video Interview? 

Columbia is currently offering only virtual interviews. All domestic and international applicants offered interviews will participate using video conferencing technology (or phone interviews, in exceptional cases). Applicants in China are urged to submit pre-recorded video interviews using InitalView or Vericant. 

When Does Columbia Stop Sending Interview Invites? 

While there isn't clear information on when Columbia stops sending interview invitations, if you haven't heard anything from mid-late February, you can generally assume you aren't offered an interview. 

When Are Columbia Interviews Scheduled? 

 Admission interviews are generally scheduled sometime between October and March. 

Can I Request a Columbia Interview?

Columbia asks applicants not to call or email to try and schedule an interview. 

Does Columbia Interview All Applicants? 

Columbia doesn't offer interviews to all applicants. With thousands of applicants annually and a limited number of alumni volunteers, offering everyone an interview is impossible. 

Final Thoughts

The Columbia interview is an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about the school from someone with first-hand experience. It's also the perfect chance for you to demonstrate your fit and passion. 

If you aren't offered an interview, don't worry too much: you won't be at a disadvantage. But if you do receive an invitation, you know potential interview questions you may be asked. With confidence and preparation, you can ace your interview and hopefully receive a decision soon! 

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Columbia Essays Examples

Are you interested in applying to Columbia University? If so, Columbia essays examples are a great way to start considering your own essay strategy. 

As with any top school, essays are a critical part of the application process. When you read Columbia supplemental essays examples, you can learn more about the Columbia University requirements and admissions criteria. In this guide, we will take a look at several Columbia essays examples. These examples of Columbia supplemental essays—and Columbia essays that worked—can give you useful insight into what Columbia looks for. 

More details about Columbia

Columbia University is an Ivy League school that ranks #18 in National Universities by U.S. News. Located in New York City, New York, Columbia is one of the top schools in the nation, with an acceptance rate of just 3.73%. 

Although Columbia has a low acceptance rate, tips from these Columbia essays examples can help you stand out in the Columbia application process. They can also help you show the Columbia admissions office what makes you a unique applicant. 

The Columbia-specific application questions give students an opportunity to highlight their extracurriculars and personal accomplishments. After all, to boost your chances of acceptance, you will want to submit stellar essays. 

In this guide, we will first review the Columbia University requirements and examples of Columbia supplemental essays. Then, we will dive into some Columbia essays that worked, including some Columbia supplemental essays examples, Why Columbia essays examples, short essay examples, and extracurricular activities essay examples. We will also offer tips on how to write your own Columbia essays that worked.

How many essays do you have to write for Columbia?

Before diving into Columbia essays examples and how to write Columbia essays that worked, let’s first look at the Columbia University requirements for essays.  

Students applying to Columbia University will submit their Common Application or Coalition Application, which requires an essay. In addition to this essay, Columbia requirements separately include Columbia-specific list questions and short answer questions. We’ll later look at Columbia supplemental essays examples. 

For the list questions, applicants will simply list each individual response using commas or semicolons. So, there are no formatting guidelines, and applicants shouldn’t explain their responses. 

The short answer questions, however, require a more in-depth answer. Students should prepare their answers so that they answer all parts of the question in the most powerful manner. 

The value of crafting strong Columbia essay responses

Columbia-specific questions tell the admissions office more about your academic, extracurricular, and intellectual engagements. These questions provide valuable insight to your application. Moreover, they allow you to distinguish yourself within the large pool of competitive applicants. Remember, Columbia’s acceptance rate is very low, so you have to put your best foot forward.  

We will go over many different types of Columbia essays examples and Columbia essays that worked, including short essay examples, extracurricular activity essay examples, and examples of Columbia supplemental essays to ensure you have all the guidance you need. Let’s first go over Columbia essays examples and some Columbia essays that worked. 

What are the Columbia supplemental essay prompts?

Here are the current prompts for the Columbia supplemental essays examples. You can familiarize yourself with the formatting and requirements so that you can write your own Columbia essays that worked. 

Columbia Short List Response Essays:

For the following questions, we ask that you list each individual response using commas or semicolons; the items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order. no explanatory text or formatting is needed. (for example, it is not necessary to italicize or underline titles of books or other publications. no author names, subtitles or explanatory remarks are needed.).

• 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)
• 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. (125 words or fewer)

Columbia s hort answer questions:

Please answer the following questions. .

• 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. (200 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. (200 words or fewer)
• Please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you noted in the application. (200 words or fewer)
• 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. (35 words or fewer)

It’s important to remember that the prompts change each year. However, you can use these Columbia essays examples to help you address any future prompts you might encounter. 

For example, from these Columbia essays examples, you can learn the formatting, requirements, and themes so that you’re prepared to write your own essays. Below, we will provide Columbia essays examples from various categories. These include Why Columbia essays examples, short essay examples, examples of Columbia supplemental essays, and examples of Columbia essays that worked.  

Columbia Short Essay Examples

Below are some Columbia essays examples and short essay examples of previous list questions. For these Columbia supplemental essays examples, students list their responses using commas or semicolons. So, there is no need for any explanatory text. 

Check out these Columbia essays that worked and examples of Columbia supplemental essays:

List a few words or phrases that describe your ideal college community. (150 words or less)

Open to new experiences, perspectives, and people

Encourages a balanced lifestyle where relaxation and a social life is equally as important as schoolwork

Diversity in academics, where I can pursue minors and interests in subjects unrelated to my major

Evident school pride on campus

Open line of communication with professors and university staff

Focused on the advancement of society and outreach to communities in need

List the titles of the required readings from courses during the school year or summer that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)

Brave New World

 Henrietta Lacks

The Metamorphosis

Connectome,  

“How a Frog Became the First Mainstream Pregnancy Test”

“Point of View Affects How Science is Done”, 

“The Science of Racism: Radiolab Treatment of the Hmong Experience”, 

“The C-word in the Hallways”, 

NY Times HERS Column by K.C. Cole on March 18, 1982,

 “A Troubled Silence”

Response 2 

The Crucible

The Scarlet Letter

Huckleberry Finn

The Awakening

The Great Gatsby

Death of a Salesman

The Catcher in the Rye

One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest

A Farewell to Arms

The Color Purple

All the Pretty Horses

Pride and Prejudice

An Enemy of the People

Wuthering Heights

List the titles of the books you read for pleasure that you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)

Angela’s Ashes, 

Pride and Prejudice, 

Animal Farm, 

If the Allies had Fallen,

 Graceling, 

The Crying of lot 49, 

Going after Cacciato, 

The Flute Book, 

Book Thief, 

Between Shades of Gray, 

Unbroken, 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 

The Outsiders, 

Anna and the French Kiss

And the Band Played On

The Kite Runner

The Book Thief

The Bell Jar

Great Expectations

A Tale of Two Cities

East of Eden

The Golden Compass

List the titles of the print, electronic publications and websites you read regularly. (150 words or less)

New York Times Op-Ed column, Buzzfeed, The Telegraph, NowThis, spacex.com, Morning Brew

www.nature.com

www.nydailynews.com

www.sciencedirect.com

www.sciencedaily.com

www.bbc.co.uk

www.espn.com

www.espnfc.com

www.espncricinfo.com

The New York Times

The Journal News

Sports Illustrated

New York Post 

Time Magazine

National Geographic

ESPN The Magazine

Popular Science

Sports Weekly Magazine

Tennis Magazine

List the titles of the films, concerts, shows, exhibits, lectures and other entertainments you enjoyed most in the past year. (150 words or less)

Good Will Hunting, 

Criminal Minds, 

The Men who Built America , 

Santa Clara Vanguard “Babylon”, 

Bluecoats “Session 44”, 

Gregory Porter Performance at Pittsburgh Jazz Festival, 

Of Mice and Men at Pittsburgh Hazlett Theater, 

Pride and Prejudice at O’Reilly Theater, 

Wicked , 

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Pittsburgh Cast), 

The Nutcracker (PBT), 

Sam Rhine Genetics Conference Lectures,

“Adventures in Engineering: Lasers and Mechatronics” (Ben Campbell), 

“Crime Science: Science and Engineering” (Andrea Dammann), 

“All Around the World with No Fuel” (Paige Kassalen), 

Balcony Big Band performances

Response 2: 

Dr. Sobolevsky at Columbia University (Lecture)

Suits (Show)

Psych (Show) MythBusters (Show)

The Great Gatsby (Film)

As with all of the Columbia essays, answer these list questions authentically. So, don’t try to impress admissions by adding publications that sound fancy and intellectual. Remember that the goal of college essays is for admissions to learn more about you. So, just be yourself!

Why Columbia Essay Example

The Why Columbia essays examples are some of the most important essay examples to understand. Why is the why school essay so important? Well, because you’re likely to see it on most college applications. So, learning the format of this type of essay is vital. 

In a successful Why Columbia essay example, the student will demonstrate why they are interested in attending Columbia University. Strong Why Columbia essay examples will also highlight what the writer has to offer the Columbia community. 

Check out the following examples of Columbia supplemental essays: 

Please tell us what you value most about Columbia and why. (300 words or less) 

“ Connected Humanity.” My group receives our assignment and begins brainstorming different ways to incorporate this idea into a home AI. Synchronization between extended family homes, daily local and national news updates, and the ability to join social groups through a unique network were some of our favorite ideas when creating a home AI through the lense of “Connected Humanity.” After presenting our ideas, we heard four other groups give their ideas through their assigned viewpoints. Sustainable, Healthy, Secure, and Creative humanity introduced new perspectives I had not considered when working on “Connected Humanity”, much less before attending CE2 at Columbia. 

What I value most about Columbia is its unique approach to engineering. From the CE2 program, I experienced engineering in an entirely new way. I always envisioned using engineering to help communities thrive and advance society, but Columbia presented an actionable outline on how to achieve that, something I have not encountered anywhere else.

Beyond the distinct approach to engineering, another area I appreciate about Columbia is the open communication between university staff and the students. At the CE2 program, every current student I spoke with praised the administration for correcting any issues brought to their attention. For example, after students requested an improvement in mental health services, Columbia introduced new resources and reforms to improve the services already offered.

Lastly, Columbia has the academic benefit of a “core curriculum.”  This will introduce me to interesting classes outside of my major and allow me to become a well-rounded individual by diving into other areas of study. Furthermore, it will facilitate the creation of friendships across majors, allowing me to form friendships with students outside of my major. Throughout high school, some of my favorite classes have been humanity courses. A college experience without this enrichment would be unimaginable.

The writer of this essay uses their experience in the Columbia Engineering Experience (CE2) . Why does this work? Well, it’s extremely specific and it’s a program only offered at Columbia. The writer also mentions other areas of Columbia that are important to them such as open lines of communication and a liberal arts curriculum. 

Columbia Essays Examples – Extracurricular Essay Example

Many of the Columbia essay prompts ask students to discuss their extracurricular activities. Extracurricular essay prompts give you the perfect chance to show the admissions office who you are beyond academics. So, use this essay prompt to display your interests, passions, and values. 

Below are some Columbia supplemental essays examples and extracurricular activities essays examples. Read our Columbia supplemental essays examples to learn more about how to approach these prompts. Then, you’ll see see what made these extracurricular activities essay examples and examples of Columbia supplemental essays so strong. 

Briefly describe which single activity listed in the Activity section of your Common Application represents your most meaningful commitment and why. (150 words or less)

Columbia extracurricular essay example.

It is not too often you get the chance to truly make a difference. After making numerous trips to my homeland, India, it was alarming to see how devastated some areas there have become. These trips opened my eyes to the value of community service and how even the smallest bit of help can truly make a difference. This is why I decided to run Make a Difference Rockland. With Make a Difference Rockland, it is my mission to engender a community devoted to community service. Via a massive community service fair devoted to and designed for service, I hope to facilitate the efforts of individuals interested in performing service by connecting them with service opportunities available to them in their area. For too long has enthusiasm to perform service been frustrated by a lack of organization. So, I have created this organization to address just that. 

This essay shows much more about the writer than what we could have known from just their activities list. That’s precisely the goal of this type of essay. Students should show the meaning, passion, and drive behind their choice of extracurriculars.

Columbia Essays that Worked

Some of the Columbia essays will ask specifically why you’re interested in a particular field of study. Additionally, if you’re applying to a specific school, such as The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University, you may have to write a particular essay for that school. This prompt may ask you to explain why you are interested in this field and what you have done to prepare yourself for your chosen program. 

As much as you are investing in your college education, Columbia is investing in you as well. So, the admissions team wants to know why you should be accepted to Columbia University. Highlight why you are a good fit for Columbia and what you have to offer the campus community. 

Now, let’s take a look at these Columbia supplemental essays examples and Columbia essays that worked. 

For applicants to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Member Questions section. (300 words or less)

Columbia supplemental essays example.

“Some of you may wonder ‘When will I ever use derivatives in real life?’ Welcome to when.” My physics teacher, Mr. Welsh, described engineering as the “when” math and physics were applied to real problems. That is what is so attractive about engineering; it gives me the ability to apply intriguing concepts to fascinating projects.

During the Chain Reaction Contraption competition, my team and I created a Rube Goldberg machine to complete a certain task. I found a love for the hands-on, creative portion of mechanical engineering. The ability to step away from the calculator and notebook and get my hands dirty is the most enjoyable aspect of this profession. I also enjoyed how engineering combines creative freedom and mathematical certainty. In creation of each step, I could design whatever I desired and had a large degree of flexibility.

Afterwards, I would complete the calculations and see how math and physics concepts applied to a real-life problem. Finally, I would build the step, getting to experience a “hands-on” area of engineering. While I participated in other engineering activities in high school, this experience solidified my passion for engineering.

 However, other engineering activities also provided important experiences that contributed to my desire to pursue engineering. In my engineering design class, I enjoyed using computer programs like Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD to create my designs. In FTC Robotics, I discovered that in addition to building the robot, I also loved the programming aspect. 

Reflecting on these experiences with engineering, particularly mechanical engineering, I am certain that engineering is the best path for me.

This essay shows us that the writer is a critical thinker, applying methods learned in classes to other areas of life. They’re also curious, motivated, and passionate about engineering. Additionally, this essay does a great job of hooking the reader from the start. Remember that even though this essay is specific to the engineering school, it doesn’t mean that you can’t show of your writing chops!

How do you write a Columbia essay?

In our guide to Columbia essays examples, you’ve seen how other students have written stellar Columbia essays examples. These examples of Columbia supplemental essays each highlight what makes the writer unique. But how can you use what you learned in these Columbia University essay examples?

To start, each of these Columbia essays that worked have flawless spelling and syntax. So, like these examples of Columbia supplemental essays, your essay should have perfect spelling and grammar. Moreover, in the Columbia essays examples above, students demonstrated a proficient use of language. 

Spelling, grammar, and syntax errors can be distracting. So, be sure to revise your essay until it is free of mistakes. When you think you have finished, be sure to proofread and edit once more with fresh eyes. To be sure, have someone else read your essay and listen to their feedback. And, most importantly, make sure that you have adhered to all the essay format guidelines, including the word count and any other essay formatting requirements. 

Authenticity is key

Another crucial aspect of writing stellar Columbia essays is being true to who you are. So, take the time to write an essay that highlights why you would be a great addition to the Columbia community, like the Columbia essays examples we have discussed. Don’t get caught up in trying to impress the admissions officers. Rather, show them what makes you unique and what you have to offer. From these essay examples, you can see that the strongest essays are honest, authentic, and personal. 

Once you have prioritized what you want to say, start thinking about your essay’s structure. You may start by making a list of what the admissions team should know about you. How do you spend your time? What are your accomplishments? What are your passions? 

Finally, choose carefully the stories you include in your essay. You want the admissions team to walk away from your essay with a picture of who you are and why you’d succeed at Columbia.  

Short Essays vs. Long Essays

The shortest examples of Columbia supplemental essays are the list questions. For these questions, students simply list their responses with no explanatory text or formatting. For these questions, there really is no “right” answer. The admissions office just wants to get to know you better. These questions require less writing than the short answer Columbia essays examples. 

The longer examples of Columbia supplemental essays require a bit more attention. For these questions, students will want to create an outline in order to respond to the prompt in a clear, concise, and organized way. Most importantly, use the Columbia short answer questions to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. You can do this by being honest and telling a story that not only answers the prompt but also shares new information about yourself. 

Our examples of Columbia supplemental essays address several themes. These include Why Columbia essays examples and extracurricular activities essay examples. Both examples of Columbia supplemental essays give you the opportunity to tell Columbia who you are beyond your academic achievements.

So, as you write, channel these examples of Columbia supplemental essays. Your work should honestly reflect your desire to attend Columbia University, just like we’ve shown you with the Columbia essays examples. 

What does Columbia look for in essays?

Just as much as you are looking for the best college for you, Columbia University admissions looks for students who best align with their values. The application is designed to give students an opportunity to put their passions, interests, background, and academic credentials on display. 

Additionally, Columbia admissions uses a holistic review process, meaning they consider the entirety of your Columbia application. In terms of the Columbia supplemental essays examples, Columbia University admissions hopes to learn more about your intellectual interests and personal values through your responses. 

Overall, Columbia University admissions looks for academic preparation, curiosity, engagement with others, individual voice, and knowledge of Columbia. Successful examples of Columbia supplemental essays will address these important points. 

More CollegeAdvisor resources about Columbia essays

Beyond our guide on Columbia essays that worked, CollegeAdvisor has many other Columbia essays examples and resources that can help you learn how to get into Columbia. 

How to Get Into Columbia University Guide

If you want to learn more about the questions behind these Columbia University essay examples, check out our guide on the prompts for Columbia essays that worked. Along with providing explanation on the Columbia essays examples, this guide will also go into more detail on the essay prompts, Columbia application information, and deadlines.  

In addition, you may find the video from Columbia University admissions below to offer helpful insight into what Columbia admissions officers are really looking for in their applicants

Lastly, for more advice on completing your application outside of essay examples, CollegeAdvisor has webinars featuring recent alumni who answer frequently asked questions from hopeful applicants. You can also check out this webinar that gives students insider information as to what it’s like to attend NYU, Columbia, and Barnard. 

NYC Schools Panel

Columbia Essays Examples – 5 Takeaways

Now that we’ve reached the end of our guide, you should have a better idea of how to approach your own Columbia essays. 

Here are five takeaways on Columbia supplemental essays examples and how to get into Columbia, one of the best universities in New York and the nation.

5 Takeaways for Writing Columbia Essays

1. tailor the essay to the prompt.

Some of your college essay prompts may be similar or even the exact same across different applications. While it may be tempting to reuse an essay for multiple applications, students should be extra careful about doing so. It is important that your essay response is specific to the prompt and university. As for Columbia, supplemental essays change year to year. However, common themes include community, extracurriculars, and academic pursuits. 

2. Get personal and be specific

Admissions officers agree that the most crucial aspect of a successful essay is highlighting a personal story with impactful details. So, use these supplemental essays to tell the admissions committee something they don’t already know about you. If your essay is a genuine, in-depth depiction of who you are as a person, then it will likely stand out.

3. Do your research

Demonstrate that you understand the dynamics of Columbia and its community. Moreover, always make sure your essays are specific to the school. Our Columbia University essay examples show how important it is to do your research on specific programs, extracurriculars, or even internships. Then, you can best convey how Columbia is a good fit for you. 

4. Think about the structure of your essay

Organize your thoughts as a narrative that ties together so that the admissions officers can follow your thoughts clearly and concisely. The best essays will use anecdotes and personal experiences to give life to facts and details about yourself. This will make your essay more interesting and paint a picture of who you are off paper. 

5. Be concise

Follow the formatting and word count guidelines by clearly and concisely getting your points across. Additionally, there is no need to include unnecessary information in your essay. Consider the requirements and make sure that your essays meet them. However, while being concise is important, remember that you should get creative with your essays. The essays are an opportunity to share more about yourself while also showing off your writing abilities.

After reading these Columbia essays examples, we hope you have a better understanding of Columbia essays that worked and how to get into Columbia. Students who want to attend Columbia should refer to this guide and our other CollegeAdvisor resources in order to construct a successful Columbia essay and overall application. With the right preparation, you can overcome the low Columbia University acceptance rate. 

Don’t forget that you can always schedule an appointment with our team for extra help with essay writing and any other aspect of the college application process. Otherwise, use what you’ve learned and get excited about those essays. Happy writing!

This article was written by Bailey Bennett. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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• Government Affairs Forum

SIPA Video Response

• video essay
• application

By kamilas October 15, 2016 in Government Affairs Forum

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Hello world! Has anyone done the video response as part of SIPA's admissions package? I know it's being implemented as of 2017 application cycle, so I am wondering if there are any Spring 2017 candidates that have already done it. Helpful tips, feedback, etc. would be much appreciated!

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January 30, 2017

I wouldn't lose too much sleep over the video, even if you "bombed" it. It's not even the fourth-most important aspect of the application. They won't reject someone they would ordinarily accept becaus

October 15, 2016

Hello world! Has anyone done the video response as part of SIPA's admissions package? I know it's being implemented as of 2017 application cycle, so I am wondering if there are any Spring 2017 candida

January 3, 2017

I just did mine - the question was "What do you think the "ideal" SIPA student is?" (or something close to that, don't remember the exact wording). I was very frustrated that I couldn't find any sampl

Also interested in hearing people's thoughts on this as a fellow applicant!

Hey @kamilas and @matt99 ,

Columbia SIPA's admissions blog has a few tips on how to handle the video essay. You can access it here . One tip I want to impress upon you and other applicants is to make sure you have good lighting. Your light source should be facing your face and behind your camera. So you should be facing a window or desk lamp, not sitting with your back to a window or your light source. If you sit with your back to the window, your face will be a dark silhouette. Look out for any distracting things in the background--like an overflowing laundry hamper or a poster in the background that has text that is almost legible but just not quite.

Hopefully my team and I can pump out a blog post with more tips for you all before it's too late!

Best of luck!

To those who've applied for Spring 2017 - can anyone please share some of the expected policy prompts?

  @farheen , @kamilas , @matt99 - Hey guys! 

Have you any of submitted the applications already, and can give an idea of the expected policy prompts for the video essay? Helpful tips, feedback would be much appreciated! 

• 2 weeks later...

Any help on the video response policy? Any sample prompts here ? Thanks much in advance. 

I just did mine - the question was "What do you think the "ideal" SIPA student is?" (or something close to that, don't remember the exact wording). I was very frustrated that I couldn't find any sample questions online to prepare with, so hopefully this is helpful to people! I was definitely expecting something more related to actual policy...

Good luck! 

Thank you so much for this prompt. It's annoying to not see any of those sample prompts here. I'll be doing mine just in a few hours. 

15 hours ago, R Sood said: Any help on the video response policy? Any sample prompts here ? Thanks much in advance.  Thank you so much for this prompt. It's annoying to not see any of those sample prompts here. I'll be doing mine just in a few hours.    Cheers

Hi RSood, Have you completed the video response and might you be willing to share your prompt? Thanks!

Mine was- how do you think your academic experience has prepared you for SIPA. Good luck !!

Mine was tell us about a favorite childhood memory. I don't think I did so hot with it. I was more expecting an interview type question and the minute prep doesn't give you much time to sift through memories to find a good one.

Good luck to everyone else!

thanks for the tips! mine was about what I was most excited about at SIPA

Just submitted RD- mine was something like "What is a major trend you see in your chosen field/area of study?"

Looking at the other prompts above I don't think anyone needs to worry about getting a real policy question.  60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak isn't nearly enough time. Despite practicing multiple times I still got horribly flustered watching the red timer tick down. I was accepted last year and my CV has only improved since then but I'm now seriously worried I've ruined my chances this round with my sub-par performance. :/

I wouldn't lose too much sleep over the video, even if you "bombed" it. It's not even the fourth-most important aspect of the application. They won't reject someone they would ordinarily accept because of the video alone.

• Dias and cstrawd
• 11 months later...

just did mine - the question was "what local development had an impact on a country's foreign policy?' think i 'bombed' it ^ as worded in baysbar94's 

Mine was "How do you handle multi-tasking?" I bumbled through something about how it's required in my field and legit ended with an "ummmm.....yeah." when I saw I was out of time. Nevertheless, I got in EA! So don't worry too much guys.

Mine was something like "what course did you enjoy the most as an undergraduate student".

2018Hopeful

Mine was something like: "What fundamental knowledge have you learned at Elementary School?" 

Just did mine and it was: "Describe your morning routine"... I was not expecting something so... "simple"? So I got kind of got nervous and did it kind of fast... I spent the last 3 seconds just staring at the webcam because I had already finished telling my (far from extraordinary) morning routine, hahaha.

Just did mine, it was: Do you have any talents?

And I barely finished my last sentence as timer counted down, the final video didn't capture my last word (where's the laugh-cry emoji when you need it)

Mine was "how has the unstable global climate affected you"? I didn't realise the video was going to start IMMEDIATELY after my 60-sec preparation (despite reading the instructions and practicing!) so they caught me saying, "oh! It's started!" and laughing kinda awkwardly.

wittgensteinsbladder

On 1/7/2018 at 7:17 AM, jxw said: Mine was "how has the unstable global climate affected you"? 

Are you MPA or MIA candidate? Have any MPAs gotten these types of questions?

Mine was: Which newspapers do you read?

On 1/8/2018 at 4:32 PM, wittgensteinsbladder said: Are you MPA or MIA candidate? Have any MPAs gotten these types of questions?

I was an MIA candidate.

Mine was something along the lines of "Do you think international organizations are effective?" I think I talked about including diverse voices in issues that affect us on a global scale or something. Honestly I was so nervous that it all came and went in a blur haha.

For reference I applied to the MPA-ESP program

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Applications for 2024 Columbia Summer Session programs are now open!

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How to Write the Columbia University Essays 2023-2024

Located in the heart of New York City, Columbia University is one of the world’s leading institutions for research and commitment towards education. With its 265 years of history and ideal location, Columbia has had a major influence in history and continues to be at the forefront of innovation to this day. Offering both a rigorous curriculum as well as ample opportunities to explore one of the largest cities in the world, Columbia attracts thousands of top-performing students from all over the world.

Columbia University requires all applicants to answer one short question about the books and media that have piqued their interest. All applicants have to answer three short essay prompts as well. If you’re applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, you’ll have an additional prompt. And finally, Dual BA, School of General Studies, and Postbac Premed Program applicants have to submit an essay for their respective program.

Columbia receives tens of thousands of applications from strong students each year. To stand out among the crowd and showcase your individuality, you’ll want to develop authentic supplemental essays. In this post, we’ll discuss how you can write a stellar supplemental essay for the various prompts below.

Check out these Columbia essay examples from real students  to inspire your writing!

Columbia University Application Essay Prompts

Short answer list prompt for all applicants.

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.

List 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. (100 words)

Essay Prompts for All Applicants

Prompt 1: 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)

Prompt 2: 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)

Prompt 3: 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)

Columbia College and Columbia Engineering Applicants

What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at columbia college/columbia engineering (150 words), trinity college dublin and sciences po dual ba applicants only, describe how your experiences, both personal and academic, have shaped your decision to pursue the dual ba program. why is an international academic experience important to you as you consider the ways in which it may influence your future, successful essays should not only identify and describe specific elements of the dual ba program that meet your needs as a student, but should also explain why the academic courses you have chosen for your time at trinity college dublin and columbia university are compatible with your aspirations, academic or otherwise. (750-1000 words), school of general studies applicants, tell us about your educational history, work experience, present situation, and plans for the future. please make sure to reflect on why you consider yourself a nontraditional student and have chosen to pursue your education at the school of general studies of columbia university. successful essays should identify and describe specific elements of the program, academic or otherwise, that meet your needs as a nontraditional student. the admissions committee is particularly interested in situations in your life from which you have learned and grown. this may include past academic experiences, professional accomplishments, or turning points and transformative events: new beginnings and personal achievements, but also events that may have affected your education, such as health and family challenges, personal obstacles or even issues with the justice system. our expectation is that your reflection on your experiences will demonstrate your potential to add a unique perspective to the columbia classroom. (1500-2000 words), postbac premed program applicants, please submit an essay of approximately 500 words discussing your decision to pursue a career in medicine or an allied health profession. a successful essay will not only describe the factors that contributed to your decision, but will give us a sense of you as an individual by discussing why you want to pursue this career and how you feel you will contribute to the profession. (500 words), list prompt, 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).

Don’t worry! There’s no preset list of right and wrong answers. Columbia isn’t going to automatically reject you if you don’t include The Grapes of Wrath (or any other specific work for that matter) in your list. Instead, they’re curious about your interests, your intellectual development, the way you think, and the ways in which you’ve challenged yourself in your media consumption. So be honest about the stuff you’ve read and watched while selecting your examples judiciously.

Here’s a helpful hint: think of the list as a “capsule wardrobe.” In a capsule wardrobe, each piece of clothing is distinct and cool on its own: you can have a graphic tee, a leather jacket, a white tank, and a few pairs of jeans. And while each has its own character, each also contributes to the cohesive whole – your style. Putting two items together into an outfit can bring out interesting elements and commonalities in both.

The same goes for the books or movies in a list. Each should be interesting on its own, but should also contribute to the overall picture of your intellectual style. A great list includes items that illuminate each other and communicate with each other – like matching a hat with your socks. Some more style tips:

1. List items that build on each other. Key word: synergy . In the same way that wearing two matching items together can say a lot about your fashion taste, including two similar items in your list can communicate a sustained interest in a topic. For example, if I include both Macbeth and Throne of Blood in my list of films, I’m showing my readers: “Hey! I’m interested in exploring how the same story has been adapted by different cultures and artists!” Neither Macbeth nor Throne of Blood could demonstrate this on its own – but together, they become greater than the sum of their parts. Synergy!

2. Show multidimensionality. Beware! You can potentially demonstrate a sustained interest in a topic without indicating growth. For example, a litany of true-crime podcasts will feel a bit one-dimensional and start to lose its impact if they’re all too similar. Instead, pick works that indicate how you’re interested in the multiple facets and intellectual levels of a subject. If you combine the true-crime podcast Serial and Criminal Perspective with the journal Psychological Review and a blog on forensic psychology, you can paint yourself as someone with layered interests who wants to learn more about the world and a particular field.

3. Don’t overdress. It’s tempting to include the most impressive, arduous books you’ve read in an attempt to show you are a Serious Person. But too many straight-laced tomes can make you look like you’re overdoing it – kind of like showing up to a coffee shop in a suit. Instead, balance your hefty items with some more easygoing ones. Euclid’s Elements of Geometry and Russell’s Principles of Mathematics are going to look a lot more palatable if you sprinkle some Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in there. You want to balance your intellectual pursuits with your distinctive personality.

4. Don’t underdress. A pinch of fluff can add a little flavor and dimension to your lists. Nobody’s going to fault you, for instance, if you include It’s Always Sunny or The Da Vinci Code on your lists of favorite things. However, you should make a point not to include items that are too juvenile, and not to overload on items of questionable intellectual merit.

5. Recognizable brands can be effective. Hitting on a few respected “pop culture” items makes it more likely that you and the person reading your application will have something in common. And, psychologically speaking , similarities on paper can often go a long way in non-personal interactions. Just make sure to pick an item that has both critical and popular merit , like Pink Floyd’s The Wall or Avatar: The Last Airbender – something about which you and your potential interviewer could have an intellectual debate.

6. Dress for the job you want. Certain shoes can be impressive, but bad for dancing. Similarly, you should be careful not to confuse an “impressive” piece of media with a “relevant” one. War and Peace, Don Quixote, A Brief History of Time , and Ulysses are definitely impressive books, and you may have loved them, but if you’re interested in studying marine biology, they might not be all that relevant to your application. Include enough to show you’re diverse in your interests, but conserve the most space for items that speak to your personal academic and career interests.

7. Moderation. You’ve probably figured this out by now, but creating your lists is going to be a delicate game. You have to find the happy medium between intellectual and casual, specialized and well-rounded, fiction and nonfiction, differing types of media, and so on. Don’t throw together these lists last-minute simply because they’re not full-blown essays. It’s a different format, but you should be as careful with these as you are with essays. The lists can be just as revealing of you as a person and just as important to the admissions process as a full essay is.

8. Also… be honest! If you get an interview, you’ll probably be asked about some items on your lists. You don’t want to be caught off guard by something that you yourself wrote . There are few things more detrimental to an interview than not knowing anything about something you purported to have read/seen.

All Applicants, Prompt 1

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).

This is a good example of a “Diversity” essay . Columbia wants not only students who will contribute to campus diversity because of their unique backgrounds, but also students who will be inclusive and benefit from a community of diverse people and perspectives. Your essay needs to convey how you will contribute to diversity and benefit from it. There are four questions implied by this prompt, and answering each of them in turn will create a strong and thorough answer.

1. What makes you diverse?

The first step is to figure out what makes you a diverse applicant. You might talk about more classic examples of background like your race/ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, or country of origin. However, diversity comes in all shapes and sizes, so you can also demonstrate a unique background in things like your hometown, socioeconomic status, an illness/disability, or even an interest or hobby.

For example, a student who has a lot of food allergies might joke that he won’t be able to enjoy the dining halls like his peers, but because of his allergies he has learned to cook for himself and to find unique food substitutions other people would never think about.

2. How has your background impacted your development?

In order to establish the emotional connection that will strengthen your essay, you need to show admissions officers how you have been impacted by the community or background that makes you diverse. Including how you have been impacted will demonstrate how you previously benefited from being part of a community, how your new perspective will allow you to contribute to Columbia’s community, and how you evolved as a result of your background.

For example, maybe you were really shy until you started participating in a community theater where you came out of your shell and let your voice be heard. At Columbia, you will not only encourage others to join theater so they can gain confidence, but you will also use your newfound confidence in public speaking to call fellow students to action regarding issues you are passionate about, like raising the minimum wage.

3. How will you contribute to diversity on campus?

Here, you need to explain how the background or community that has shaped your identity will make you an addition to diversity on campus. This is where you convince admissions officers that they want you to enrich their university.

For example, you might talk about how you wish to start your own on-campus Spanish-language publication, so students like you can read the news in their native language. Or maybe as a first-gen student, your family and culture instilled in you the value of a college education, so you will form study groups to help enrich your classmates’ educational experience. Providing concrete examples of how you will contribute to campus will really show admissions officers how you’ll fit within the campus community.

4. How will being surrounded by diversity on campus help you?

The last thing you should address is what you will personally gain from being part of a diverse community. If you’ve already discussed what you gained from your previous engagement with diversity, you should choose a different trait or skill you hope to acquire at Columbia. For example, a student who’s never left the state he was born in might describe how he wants to meet people from other countries to learn about cultural differences and gain a better understanding of other nationalities without the stereotypes found in movies and TV.

Keep in mind that this essay should exemplify your positive traits and qualities you’ve either developed, hope to develop, or hope to share with others. With that in mind, there are a few things you should avoid in your writing:

• Don’t just list all the facets of your identity/background. If you make a laundry list of things that contribute to your identity without elaborating on any of them, you risk running out of space before saying anything substantive.
• Avoid writing solely about negative experiences. Your background may have led to some adversity in your life, which is normal, but college essay prompts generally aim to identify experiences that had positive outcomes or lessons. Not everything has a “happy ending,” but keep in mind that writing a negative essay is harder to execute well.
• Avoid cliché topics. There’s nothing wrong with having moved across the United States or having emigrated from another country; however, the problem is that these are very common topics, which makes it harder for you to write a unique standout essay. If you write about a more common experience because it was integral to your growth, make sure to share your specific emotions and stories to help your essay stand out, rather than discussing the general challenges you (and others) have faced.

A truly focused essay that addresses the four aforementioned questions while steering clear of the things we recommend avoiding will allow you to go into more depth and elicit a far stronger reaction to your writing!

All Applicants, Prompt 2

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).

This is the classic Overcoming Challenges essay , which is common for a reason—colleges want to admit students who can push through adversity, just as Columbia explains in the prompt.

Picking your topic:

This is probably the hardest part of this essay, as students sometimes think they need to write about a tragedy, and many will not have experienced tragedy.

You want the barrier or obstacle you write about to be significant (i.e. more than getting a bad grade), but it doesn’t need to be completely life-altering (though, of course, it can be).

To help you brainstorm a topic, consider these questions:

• What experiences have changed your perspective or your day-to-day life?
• In which situations did you initially struggle, but that struggle helped you build confidence? (Keep in mind though that your topic doesn’t ultimately need to have been “successful”. You can write about an ongoing challenge or a failure if you have learned something from it).

Some example of good Overcoming Challenges topics that we’ve seen in the past include:

• Persuading the school board to dedicate the high school track to a coach
• Taking care of a sick parent
• Getting your position switched last-minute in Model UN

Tips for writing your essay:

This topic lends itself well to creative storytelling. To start your essay, bring us into the moment(s) you were experiencing the barrier/obstacle. Show us your emotions and thoughts.

In the next part of the essay, make sure to explain why the challenge was important to you, and then outline the steps you took to manage the situation. Were you ultimately successful? Why or why not?

Finally, the last third of the essay should focus on how the barrier/obstacle allowed you to grow and mature.

Your essay doesn’t need to follow this exact format or space allotment, but it should include these basic elements.

Mistakes to avoid:

This is a tricky essay because it’s easy to make mistakes in topic selection and writing. Here’s what you should look out for:

• Focusing too much on the story and not enough on the lessons you learned. Because you’re writing about a significant challenge, it can be easy to focus the whole essay on what happened and not cover how you responded and how it helped you grow. Those last two points are the most key, and you should make sure to allot enough space for them.
• Being too negative in the essay. You do not have to have ultimately succeeded in face of the barrier/obstacle, but you should ultimately have gained something positive from the situation (a new value, perspective, skill, etc.). If you find a positive impact to talk about, then you may want to choose a new topic.
• Writing about a cliche topic . Admissions officers have seen too many essays about sports injuries, and they’ve also seen a lot of essays about tragedies like death and divorce. You can still write good essays on these topics, but it’s easier to stand out if the essay has a different angle (i.e. a sports injury helping you discover a new passion vs. the typical storyline of working hard to overcoming the injury and getting back on the field).

All Applicants, Prompt 3

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).

This is a question that a lot of schools ask; in fact, it’s so common that we’ve put together a whole guide on how to answer it. Check out CollegeVine’s guide to writing the “Why This College?” essay for some in-depth tips and examples! As you sit down to write this essay, you should definitely have Columbia’s website and any other materials you might possess open.

Specificity is crucial here. Vague platitudes about Columbia’s virtues – such as “Ivy League academics,” “shared classes with Barnard,” and “location in the heart of New York City” – aren’t going to cut it here. Instead, such superficial phrases signify that you did inadequate research. To set yourself apart from everyone else, you need to clearly delineate your academic interests and values, as well as the exact resources and programs at Columbia that will help you thrive. Proper nouns, concrete goals, precise examples. Specificity.

1. Provide a tangible connection to Columbia.

A “tangible connection” comprises specific elements of the university that appeal to you, and you should set aside ample time to research this. Look on Columbia’s different websites, and carefully explore the links that pertain to particular majors ( Columbia College (CC) ; Columbia Engineering (CE) , research centers , courses, and professors ( CC ; CE ). Hint: it may be worth your while to read Columbia’s magazine , which contains updates on its educators’ most recent work. Many departments also put out their own e-newsletters, so be sure to sign up to those that pique your interest.

Don’t do a small or moderate amount of research and decide it’s “good enough.” For example, it’s tempting to list a few things you like about a program based on the first couple of blurbs you read on its webpage. A student might concoct a passage like this:

“As someone interested in studying Mideast politics as well as literature, Columbia’s Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies program sounds like a great place to blend my interests and study from renowned professors like [insert name].”

This example looks fine at first glance, but it’s pretty superficial and definitely not the best response. Instead of just name-dropping professors and programs, you should articulate your future with them like you’re fantasizing about your wedding, down to the last beautiful detail. A much more specific passage about Columbia’s MESAAS would sound like:

“When reading about the last Adab Colloquium, I was intrigued by how Columbia’s Middle East Institute recruits authorities from other universities, like [Name], to better immerse Columbia students in the diverse voices of Middle Eastern literary studies. The frequency of colloquia provided by the MEI shows that Columbia is dedicated to expanding Middle Eastern studies in the U.S., and that I would find ample guidance as an MESAAS student there.”

It’s immediately evident that crafting the second statement required much more probing, revision, and familiarity than the first.

2. Describe your intangible connection as well.

How is Columbia a place that aligns with your values, dreams, and goals? How do you vibe with it? For example, if our hypothetical student continued to write about MESAAS and MEI, he would state explicitly how it draws him in, and how it aligns with his philosophical and societal intentions:

“Additionally, I’m impressed by how the MEI provides students with the opportunity to volunteer with talks and activities at local high schools. As someone who grew up in a small town in Illinois, my grade school education about culture in the Middle East was misinformed and sometimes dangerous. I would love to study and volunteer in a department dedicated to combating misinformation and offering resources to underprivileged teachers.”

A clearly outlined path and a strong personal philosophy will indicate to admissions officers that you’re likely to succeed at Columbia.

3. Engage with faculty and students, if possible.

Your response to this “Why This College?” prompt is the perfect place to talk about specific interactions, like sitting in on an awe-inspiring seminar during a campus visit, hearing a professor speak, or seeing how Columbia has prepared a friend for his career.

However, always be sure to tie these experiences into your own goals and interests! Don’t just name-drop a certain Professor Smith. Instead, take the opportunity to find a personal connection to Prof. Smith’s research and to mention how great Columbia is for supporting people like her. Your format should be:

Program/Individual/Major -> Columbia’s Values -> My values

If you want to learn more about a specific professor or their subject/research/work, don’t be afraid to politely email them or contact their department. Many professors love to talk about their work and their interests, or would at least be happy to put you in touch with current students you could talk to. You might also want to look for online colloquia or talks, which are (Fortunately? Unfortunately?) more widely available due to the pandemic. Doing this will better inform you about the school and give you a great edge for this prompt. And more importantly, you’ll probably get great advice for your higher education journey in general.

Note: the earlier you prepare for this prompt, the more time you will have to do deep research – and the more research you do, the better your essay will be!

Columbia College and Engineering Applicants

This is an example of the common “Why This Major?” essay that you may have already seen during the application process. Columbia wants to know about your interest in the majors you will have listed earlier in the application. They also want to see how your previous experiences contribute to this interest and how you may use your major in the future. This type of prompt isn’t the hardest to answer as long as you hit on some important points.

Before writing, there are a few things you should think about:

1. What genuinely draws you to this field of study? Don’t be disingenuous here. Writing answers you think the admissions committee wants to see will not benefit you in the long run.

2. What are things you enjoy specifically about the field you want to study? Saying that you love reading is a superficial statement. Instead, aim for specificity: “I enjoy reading novels that explore themes of power and corruption.”

3. How do you think this field of study/major will help you fulfill your life and career goals?

4. What did you enjoy most about this subject both in school and in your own free time?

5. Is there any emotional state or mindset that you experience every time you explore this field? If so, what draws you to this state of mind?

Think particularly hard about questions 4 and 5, as these two questions will remind you of anecdotes that can elevate your explanation of your connection to the major.

It’s fine if you haven’t totally decided on a major yet. Columbia gives you space on its application to provide three majors you might be interested in; you can pick some things you’re really fascinated by so you’ll have plenty to write about.

You only have 150 words to work with, so you shouldn’t be too flowery or elaborate in your writing right at the start. You don’t want to spend 100 words writing a beautifully crafted introduction to the major just to be left with 50 words to answer the actual prompt.

There’s no need to set up an elaborate preface like: “I was in eighth grade, and it was a cloudy day in mid-March. I wasn’t very confident or skilled in computers.” Instead, try starting in medias res , diving right into the middle of an emotional moment: “The screen glared blue. My program crashed. I buried my face in my arms and sobbed.” This structure is better for immediately grabbing your reader – a necessity in short essays like these. CollegeVine’s guidelines for college essay writing include a great primer (or refresher!) on in medias res storytelling.

Load up on your knowledge and expertise. Just because you’re weaving an engaging narrative doesn’t mean you should neglect the “area of study” part of this prompt. It’s crucial to demonstrate to Columbia that you’re not just passionate about your interest – you’re a seasoned expert. This means being specific about a certain subtopic, technique, operation, phenomenon, or term that you find fascinating. Don’t just say “programming encourages me to think in creative ways.” A better proof of this assertion would be a time you used a specific programming technique to creatively solve a specific quandary:

“Frustrated and desperate, I looked at all the data I still had to sort. Hadn’t Archimedes said that he could lift the whole world with a finger, if he just had the right lever? THINK, I told myself. And then I realized I had a lever – a processing array.”

Try to incorporate something about Columbia’s specific take on the major. For example, maybe you love psychology and you’re more interested in cognitive behavioral perspectives than psychoanalytic ones. Columbia College’s psychology major has a greater focus on cognition and behavior than on psychoanalysis, so this is something you’d definitely want to mention.

Be sure to avoid writing the following things in your writing:

• Empty flattery about a subject – Anyone can call a field “cool” without saying anything substantive about it.
• Disagreeable reasons for picking a major – Admissions don’t want to hear that you only want to study a major for money, prestige, or due to parental pressures. They want people who are dedicated to their respective fields, who want to realize their potential, and who want to contribute to the betterment of the world.
• Starting the essay with an irrelevant anecdote – Don’t try to write an enticing introduction that doesn’t cleanly transition into the “Why This Major?” part of the essay. Stories are engaging and effective, but only when relevant.

Finally, note Columbia’s timeframe: “past,” “current,” and an implicit “future.” Although they explicitly ask about your past and current experiences, you should definitely conclude with a trajectory towards future pursuits. Present yourself as someone with a firm philosophy of developed beliefs and mature interests you want to explore in college and beyond. Anticipate future problems you’re eager to tackle – state them explicitly. You don’t need to mention Columbia explicitly in this “future” portion of your essay – you’ve already discussed it enough – but Columbia should be your unspoken future setting. The admissions committee should see this essay as foreshadowing what you will accomplish at Columbia.

Dual BA Applicants

This prompt is asked of students who are applying for Columbia’s prestigious dual degree programs , either with Trinity College in Dublin or Sciences Po (Paris Institute of Political Sciences) in various regions of France. The prompts for both programs are the same, with only the name of the partner university differing, so they can be approached in a similar way (scroll down for distinct tips for each). 

Note: this prompt is similar to the previous prompt discussed, which inquires after applicants’ interest in areas of study, so feel free to read through that previous section for additional insight and tips. 

It’s a marathon essay, not a sprint. Note that the length – 750 to 1000 words – allows you a lot of space. It’s better to fall on the longer end of this range than the shorter end, because Columbia wants you to delve into as much detail as you can, and feel less pressure to be pithy. The onus is a little less on vivid storytelling, and much more on thoughtful analysis and complex intellectual engagement. Demonstrate your proficiency by being thorough, considering multiple angles, and utilizing specific terms. You can be a bit more technical, logical, and sophisticated, especially since these programs have a broad, international focus. 

The same rules apply here as the rest of your Columbia essays: be specific, be active, and conduct a high degree of research. Studying abroad appeals to a lot of people – 10-16% of all undergraduates do it. Consequently, stating simply a “desire to explore other perspectives” or “passion for international cooperation in research” isn’t going to set you apart from the pack. You should concentrate your efforts in identifying key elements of your specific program and how they fit with your concrete goals and higher moral callings. You should hit on both the “tangible” and “intangible” items we mentioned earlier in the “Why Columbia?” prompt.

Brainstorm with a T-chart. Well, you don’t have to, but we recommend it. It will be a great way to sharpen your thoughts before writing, so that you can plunge into your essay with a much clearer idea of what you want to include. It could look something like this: 

It’s a lot of work, but break it down and tackle it bit-by-bit. 

Tips for Dublin Applicants:

• Attend one of the several online information sessions about this program in the fall . Check back to see if any more are added. These sessions would be a prime opportunity to have your questions answered. You can also use them to get in touch with current students and alumni. If you can procure an insight that benefits your essay, even better. Mentioning something you learned via an information session will also demonstrate your committed interest in the program. 
• Research your major at both Trinity and Columbia. The Dublin program allows for a wide variety of majors, so you should look at the webpages and publications of your target departments. Cite research projects or department mission statements that appeal to you. A super strong essay will identify a common thread between departments on both sides of the Atlantic. 
• Is there a cultural factor? For example, do both New York and Dublin have strong local theatre communities that would allow you to explore your love of Shakespeare outside your academic setting? This is the kind of goal-oriented specificity readers are looking for. It’s so much easier for them to admit a student who already has a strong blueprint going forward. If they can envision you already as a member of the program, then half your battle is already won. 

Tips for Sciences Po Applicants: 

• Attend one of the several online information sessions about this program in the fall. Check back to see if any more are added. These sessions would be a prime opportunity to have your questions answered. You can also use them to get in touch with current students and alumni. If you can procure an insight that benefits your essay, even better. Mentioning something you learned via an information session will also demonstrate your committed interest in the program.
• Pick a French campus program . Based on the geographic region of your political interests, you’ll have to select a certain Sciences Po campus . Be specific in your application: you could be studying Indonesian policy at the Havre campus in Normandy, or North African societies at the Riviera campus. Look at the sample programs on the Columbia webpage above. It’s also worth it to delve into the websites for each campus, and subscribe to e-news from each. That will give you the most recent updates about exciting research going on there. 
• Mention any language goals , such as taking classes in Arabic and French in addition to English. The Sciences Po program places a firm emphasis on international cooperation through learned languages. 
• Have a global focus. The Sciences Po program is aimed at forming the next generation of international leaders, so you should really lean into a goal or issue with a broad provenance. “Tax law” is broad, but not necessarily global or targeted. “Americans need to work with Mideast countries to streamline cross-border taxations, which will ease tensions and encourage economic development in struggling border communities” is better.
• Don’t forget your personal connections. Just because the Sciences Po program is so vast doesn’t mean you should neglect your own story in favor of large-scale discussions. Tie them both together by talking about what experiences led you to your path of study. If I was the student interested in tax law above, I might describe family struggles with complicated tax codes, or volunteer work with a local business. 

The School of General Studies exists to afford nontraditional students the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree with flexibility. The typical GS student falls into one of three categories:

• People who have interrupted their education with a gap of a year or more.
• People who have never attended college and are older than typical beginning undergraduate students.
• People who, for personal or professional reasons, can only attend college part-time.

If one of these (or another nontraditional path) describes you, this essay is your chance to tell your story.

Before you begin writing, we strongly recommend that you organize your thoughts and outline your essay. Unlike typical college essays, this prompt is essentially asking you for a condensed autobiography. It has a very large word count for a college essay, but this is because you need a lot of space to hit every point the prompt mentions.

You’re asked about your educational history, work experience, present situation, and future plans – this order isn’t accidental. Typically, even for nontraditional college students, early education precedes work experience, both of which lead to the present situation, which then leads into the future. The prompt lends itself very well to a collection format in which multiple chronologically ordered anecdotes will tell your story.

You can’t talk about everything meaningful that has happened during your entire life, so you’re going to have to choose anecdotes judiciously. A good idea is to choose anecdotes that are related or that naturally transition into each other to establish a theme. This theme will vary greatly between applicants depending on the trajectory of their individual lives.

For example, one student may have had an unconventional education due to travel for high-level athletic competitions. This student may write an essay with a positive tone, filled with anecdotes about her competitions and accomplishments. Another student may have had an unconventional education due to recurring hospitalizations for an illness. This student may write an essay with a serious tone that emphasizes how he has grown to overcome adversity.

Even though your essay will have an overarching mood, you should aim to keep a balance between accomplishments and adversity. Writing an essay with too many positive achievements may come off as a bit arrogant whereas writing an essay with too many negative events may seem like it’s trying to elicit pity. Besides, the prompt specifically asks you for both personal achievements and educational challenges. Your essay should reflect how your highs and lows both had a profound impact on your values, beliefs, lifestyle, and/or worldview.

To begin, unless it was truly unconventional, don’t spend too much time talking about your early education (kindergarten to middle school). These are formative years that generally follow the same kind of trajectory for most people. Of course, if you were homeschooled, changed schools multiple times, or something of that nontraditional nature, feel free to mention how these circumstances changed who you have become.

With respect to educational history, what you should focus on is your high school years and any experience with college you may have already had. Write about factors that make you an nontraditional student. Maybe your grades weren’t ideal because you had to work a job while attending high school to support an ailing family member. Admissions committees understand that everyone comes from a different walk of life with different circumstances. Don’t be afraid to be sincere about complications you may have faced, but be careful not to make hollow excuses. You have to take responsibility for things that are within your control.

The same idea applies to work experience. Any experiences that have contributed to your growth while simultaneously altering what would have otherwise been a traditional experience are fair game. Perhaps you already finished college and began working in a field related to your major, but decided that it isn’t what you want to do. Explain why you’ve switched gears and elaborate on your plans for the future.

Once you’ve gone over the events that have informed who you are today, it’s time to write about what you’re doing and where you want to go. The prompt asks you to delineate how “specific elements of the program, academic or otherwise, […] meet your needs as a nontraditional student.” This is where a huge amount of research will be helpful. Look into Columbia’s webpage for your desired major to see how you can work specificity into your essay. Also consult the course search tool to find program features that appeal to you (you can pick a department to see all the courses it offers).

For example, an applicant who has already worked for two years as a pharmacy assistant might want to pivot to a different scientific field. An excerpt from her essay might look like this:

I had always loved chemistry, so I jumped at the chance to work a chemistry-related job right out of high school. I became a pharmacy assistant, which mostly involved filling prescriptions but not actually doing any of the chemistry itself. I didn’t mind it, especially because I needed to provide for my young son, but one recent experience opened my eyes to a whole new world of chemistry. One night, someone tried to break into the pharmacy, but couldn’t get in because of our specialized glass. I was fascinated by this glass’s ability to withstand a lot of force, which inspired me to pursue chemistry and physics more rigorously.

Materials science quickly became my new favorite thing. I would love to secure a job in this field so I can fulfill my passion while creating a more stable future for my son. The Chemical Physics major at Columbia’s School of General Studies will allow me to pursue employment in materials science. Courses like Quantum Chemistry and Materials Chemistry IIA are essential to learning how to craft high-density glass. Additionally, the flexibility of scheduling at the school lets me continue working at the pharmacy, so I can keep paying my expenses…

Be sure to provide as much detail as possible about your current situation and about how you got there. Columbia wants to know who you are, where you wish to go, and how your life experience will add to the GS community.

This is a slightly more specific version of the academic interest or “Why This Major?” prompt. The admissions committee wants to understand your interest in the medicine and allied health fields, how your background supports that interest, and what you intend to do on this career path.

Before you begin writing, ask yourself a few questions to guide your response:

1. What are your authentic reasons for wanting to pursue a career in medicine or allied health?

If you’re applying to this program, you should have a genuine interest in medicine to some degree. If your reasons are primarily money, prestige, and/or pressure from your parents, this is already a bad sign, and you should really consider if this decision is right for you.

2. What are specific examples of things you enjoy about medicine or allied health?

Instead of thinking “orthodontics” or “audiology” generically, think “treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders” or “diagnosis of presbycusis.” Specificity is key to a successful essay.

3. How might a career in medicine or allied health help you achieve your life and/or career goals?

Figuring this part out will give Columbia a clearer picture of what motivates you and will show the admissions committee that you have a career plan (or at least an idea of where you’re going). Again, avoid writing about things like money or status. Universities want students with deep academic interests, people who wish to realize their potential and to improve the world or their community in some way. Saying that you want to make a lot of money is too one-dimensional and self-serving, especially for an aspiring medical professional.

4. What has been the best part of your experience in a health field, both within and outside the classroom?

You don’t want to just tell Columbia that you want to pursue a career in healthcare. You also want to show them that your experiences thus far have prepared you to thrive in a field that’s known for being intense, emotionally as well as intellectually.

5. Do you experience a particular emotional state or frame of mind every time you explore this field of study? What about this state of mind appeals to you?

Your answers to questions 4 and 5 should help you recall relevant anecdotes, which will be your greatest asset in writing this essay. Bear in mind that medicine and allied health are very broad fields, so your personal motivations and your essay can take shape in vastly different ways.

Consider the following hypothetical applicants:

• Lucy spent a lot of her childhood sitting in her mother’s medical office. For years she would see kids come and go, each treated by her mother. After graduating college and working for a few years in the field she got a degree in, Lucy realized that she truly wants to be a pediatrician like her mother.
• James was a civil engineer for a year and a half before he had an accident on the job. His jaw and teeth were damaged, but an oral surgeon was able to restore them so well that the damage was nearly unnoticeable. Grateful for modern surgery and now deeply interested in the field, James now wants to become an oral surgeon to pay it forward.
• Michael got a bachelor’s degree in data science and ended up working in a medical office. His job mainly consisted of creating predictive models to identify people at greater risk for adverse health outcomes, but having worked with so many medical professionals gave him a change of heart. Michael admires how the doctors he worked with improve patients’ lives in a very direct way, so he now wants to become a doctor himself.

Treat this prompt as an opportunity to tell your story. Show the admissions committee where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you want to go. You may have heard the old writing trope “Show, don’t tell.” Rather than saying that you like the medical field, use anecdotes to showcase your specific passions and motivations.

Where to Get Your Columbia University Essays Edited

Want feedback on your Columbia essays to improve your chances at admission? After rereading your essays over and over again, it can be difficult to find where your writing can be improved. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also sharpen your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Brilliant Ways for MBA Applicants to Answer Video Questions

For many business schools, video questions are now a required component of their MBA application. The uncertainty of not knowing what they’ll ask can be daunting—but try to keep your nerves in check. In this post, we’re going to share some battle-tested strategies to help you conquer those MBA admissions video essays, no matter what they throw your way.

Before diving into preparation, it’s essential to grasp why MBA programs include video essays in their admissions process. These videos assess your communication skills, creativity, poise under pressure, and ability to think on your feet. Keep this in mind as you prepare, as it will help you tailor your responses effectively.

What are your chances of getting into a top business school? Contact us to talk strategy with a  free 15-minute advising session  with an SBC Principal Consultant.

Preparing for Video Questions

Begin with self-reflection. What experiences, values, and aspirations make you unique? Knowing your story is crucial because it forms the foundation of your responses. Consider your professional journey, personal growth, and why you’re pursuing an MBA .

While you can’t predict the exact questions , common themes often appear in MBA video essay questions. These include your career goals, leadership experiences, challenges you’ve overcome, and your fit for the program. Familiarize yourself with these topics and brainstorm potential responses.

Most questions will revolve around your experiences and goals, but there may be unexpected or quirky prompts. Stay adaptable and composed when faced with these curveballs. Use creativity and critical thinking to tackle them.

A well-structured response can make a significant difference. Consider using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or CAR (Context, Action, Result) method to frame your answers. This structure ensures you provide a complete response, showcasing your problem-solving skills.

Hear Stacy’s take on why the STAR technique is your best interview/essay friend.

@stacyblackmanconsulting Try the STAR technique to ace your interview. #sbcyourfuture #interviews #mba #bschoolprep #admissions #admissionscounselor #mbaapplication ? original sound – Stacy Blackman Consulting

Practice Makes Perfect

Get comfortable speaking in front of a camera by practicing regularly. Ensure your recording setup is reliable. Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection well in advance. Have a backup plan in case of technical glitches or power outages. You can use sample questions from MBA programs or record yourself responding to random prompts. This helps you build confidence and improve your delivery.

Then share your practice videos with trusted friends or mentors for feedback. They can provide valuable insights on your delivery, content, and overall impact. Constructive criticism is a powerful tool for improvement.

Did you know Stacy Blackman Consulting offers a la carte MBA interview prep specifically for video questions? Learn more about this valuable service here .

Remember, most video essays have time limits for each question. Practice managing your time effectively to ensure you cover all critical points within the given timeframe. Remember, it’s better to provide a concise, well-structured answer than to ramble on.

Also, pay attention to your body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Smile naturally, maintain eye contact with the camera, and use hand gestures sparingly. Your non-verbal cues can convey confidence and engagement.

Finally, avoid memorizing scripted answers. Authenticity comes through, and admissions committees appreciate genuine responses. Speak from the heart, and let your passion and personality shine in your videos.

Listen to B-Schooled Podcast #20 : How to Ace Your Video Essays

On the day of your video essay session, take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves. Remember that you are more than your answers in these videos. You’ve worked hard to reach this stage, and your application represents the culmination of your efforts.

In the end, preparing for MBA admissions video questions without knowing the specific prompts requires a mix of self-awareness, practice, and adaptability. Approach each question with a clear structure, authentic storytelling, and confidence. Next, embrace the opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and why you’re an excellent fit for the MBA program.

With the right preparation and mindset, you can excel in your video essays and take a significant step toward achieving your MBA aspirations. Good luck!

Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our  All-In Partnership  to hourly help reviewing your MBA resume. Contact us today for a  free 15-minute advising session  to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on  our SBC team .

SBC’s star-studded consultant team is unparalleled. Our clients benefit from current intelligence that we receive from the former MBA Admissions Officers from LBS, Columbia CBS and every elite business program in the US and Europe.  These MBA Admissions Officers have chosen to work exclusively with SBC.

Meet Susan , just one of the many superstars on the SBC team. Susan was the Director of Recruitment and Admissions at London Business School LBS and also the Director of the Executive MBA program at Columbia Business School CBS.

Tap into this inside knowledge for your MBA applications by requesting a consultation .

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Prep Tips for MBA Video Essay Questions

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