“Yes!” I pull myself out of the pool, pick up my towel from the timer’s chair, and scuttle over to my swim coach. “Hey, I just saw your race. You swam well today.” “Yeah, thanks,” I respond, still breathing heavily, as one of my teammates, Aaron, approaches us. Aware I had just raced, Aaron asks, “How’d you do?” I answer proudly, “1:13!” He quickly replies, “Oh, I’m sorry…” Through a brief silence, my coach informs Aaron, “That’s...

Since I can remember, art has been an activity I enjoy doing. At a young age I began doodling in my workbooks and drawing in my spare time. When starting out I used mostly pencils, sometimes experimenting with pen or watercolor paints. Although I did not have fancy materials, I did the best with what I did have. I loved drawing from my imagination or observation. I had a knack for transferring three dimensional images into two dimensional format, but...

Not only does Columbia University match the quite specific outline of the college I wish to attend (a large university with a strong art program located in a liberal urban setting near the coast), but this school also exceeds my expectations. Columbia has more curricular and extracurricular opportunities than for which I could ever wish and creates an environment of both academic and social stimulation, but most of all, the aspect that most attracts me to Columbia is its location...

The novel Narcissus and Goldmund by Herman Hesse has had much influences on my life. The novel documents the life of Goldmund, the protagonist, and Narcissus, the foil. As a young boy Goldmund wishes to follow Narcissus into monkhood, but Narcissus explains to Goldmund that they cannot live similar lives as they do not have similar personalities. Narcissus’s statements disturb Goldmund. After an epiphany, Goldmund goes on a journey that initially seems to have no direction. Goldmund enjoys his...

This advice is specific to scholarships regarding financial aid at Columbia University. If you plan to apply for financial aid, any scholarships you earn that must be sent directly to the school (i.e. they don't give you the check) will first be applied towards your...

For me the defining feature of Columbia University is its location in NYC. Living directly in one of the largest, more diverse cities in the world gives you so many opportunities for work, fun, and career-planning. Columbia definitely cares about its students and more of the administration will do whatever they can to help you succeed if you reach out...

For me, my decision came down to choosing between Columbia, U Mich, Northeastern, and pursuing getting off the waitlist at Yale. For visual arts (or any other major, really), the city you study in plays a major part in your success in finding work after receiving your degree. Although other schools might have higher ranking visual arts programs, I ultimately chose Columbia because I knew I would be immersed in an area where I could really apply my interest in visual arts and find endless opportunities on and well as off campus. Sure, I could have attended U Mich instead...