I am applying for transfer to Columbia University. I do not know how I should approach the prompt. Should I write it as in a personal statement or as in a straightforward essay explaining the specifics of Columbia? Thank you very much.
"Please tell us what you find most appealing about Columbia and why" (250 words)
Columbia attracts me because the university is a large research institution, yet still maintains the intimacy of an undergraduate liberal arts environment. Since the student-faculty ratio is 6:1 and nearly eighty percent of classes offered to undergraduates have fewer than 20 students, Columbia promotes close relationship between students and faculty, allowing undergraduates to reap the benefits of intellectual mentorship.
The diversity being offered at Columbia matches my expectations of an undergraduate experience. Columbia is not only diverse in demographics, as evident in the second largest international student body in the United States, but also in thoughts. The different ideas coming from an internationally conscious student body stimulate constant exchanges among motivated and brilliant Columbians and create an environment conducive to learning.
The Columbia Political Science Department, which is notably strong in International Politics and Political Theory, provides the resources for me to pursue interests in how ancient and contemporary political thoughts shape China's foreign policy in East Asia from many perspectives. The Weatherhead East Asian Institute, which houses the renowned The C.V. Starr East Asian Library, dedicates exclusively to the study of modern Asia and sponsors programs that feature notable academia such as Andrew Nathan. I also get to hear policy-makers to speak about politics in practice through the annual World Leaders Forum. On top of that, the Columbia East Asia Review serves as an outlet for undergraduates to write and learn from each other. There is truly no better college than Columbia for me. For these reasons, I would be honored to join the Columbia community.
"Please tell us what you find most appealing about Columbia and why" (250 words)
Columbia attracts me because the university is a large research institution, yet still maintains the intimacy of an undergraduate liberal arts environment. Since the student-faculty ratio is 6:1 and nearly eighty percent of classes offered to undergraduates have fewer than 20 students, Columbia promotes close relationship between students and faculty, allowing undergraduates to reap the benefits of intellectual mentorship.
The diversity being offered at Columbia matches my expectations of an undergraduate experience. Columbia is not only diverse in demographics, as evident in the second largest international student body in the United States, but also in thoughts. The different ideas coming from an internationally conscious student body stimulate constant exchanges among motivated and brilliant Columbians and create an environment conducive to learning.
The Columbia Political Science Department, which is notably strong in International Politics and Political Theory, provides the resources for me to pursue interests in how ancient and contemporary political thoughts shape China's foreign policy in East Asia from many perspectives. The Weatherhead East Asian Institute, which houses the renowned The C.V. Starr East Asian Library, dedicates exclusively to the study of modern Asia and sponsors programs that feature notable academia such as Andrew Nathan. I also get to hear policy-makers to speak about politics in practice through the annual World Leaders Forum. On top of that, the Columbia East Asia Review serves as an outlet for undergraduates to write and learn from each other. There is truly no better college than Columbia for me. For these reasons, I would be honored to join the Columbia community.
