Physics major/ fitting with my interests/ my contribution; Why Columbia?

Hi, thanks for you time.

Prompt: Please tell us what you find most appealing about Columbia and why.

Please offer anything that comes to mind.

A Beacon of Reason

My subject is physics and to me its beauty and its uncorrupted quest for explanation fuelled by pure curiosity is captivating. Yet I do not wish to be restricted so soon! Allow me to absorb a variety of studies in a university setting! Columbia does this better than any other. My major will grant me access to the minds of experts in their respective fields, and propel me into a career where I can pursue my subject to my heart's content. But so would UPenn, so would Duke; right? Ahhhh, but whilst my major will teach me my subject, the Core will teach me to be a citizen, a contributor, a well-rounded academic in a world full of academics with too narrow a view. It will web together my interests in a myriad of disciplines and introduce me to new ones. It will give me the tool of heurism, and take me back to the foundations of being a scientist and values that have driven scientific innovation. In a city that can be cold and ruthless, Columbia acts as a beacon of reason, where students come, regardless of wealth, race and country, to study because they deserve a place based solely on their merit and willingness to milk the opportunity to the fullest. I will not just take from Columbia; I offer my own experiences, ideas, leadership, and hard work to Columbia to ensure that it is a more enriched institution when I leave than when I arrived. And Columbia will, I'm sure, be waiting to hear what I have to say.

It will web together my interests......., I think that's from where made sense to me. The other part of the essay does not really connect to the prompt. I don't think it's best for you to mention other institutions when writing an essay about a particular institution. Revise your essay and make sure it addresses the prompt and it should be exclusively about Columbia and also why. If it's about their Physics program that fascinated you, write about it.if it's about how Columbia accepts students respective of their background (like you wrote) write that too.

I just re-read my review and I meant irrespective and not respective

Nice essay. Good luck with your application

Samuel, while the Ivy League colleges and universities in the United States are competitors, it is never a good idea to mention one or the other in comparison with another. They are still protective of one another in a way and do not take kindly to someone belittling their fellow school when that person is a mere applicant for admission. Remove the part where you mention other Ivy Leagues in your essay. Err on the side of caution and just stick to discussing why you chose to apply for admission to Columbia. Your essay is actually strong and engaging even without the mention of the other universities. Stick to highlighting the reasons you chose to Columbia and why you believe you will grow as a future professional under their academic guidance. There is no need to mention the other universities since they do not factor into the prompt discussion anyway.