Last year, only 6% of students who applied to Columbia were accepted. It should be expected that even more people will be vying for a spot at Columbia this year, because last week, Columbia opted to go test-optional for this year’s round of applications. Columbia’s statement starts off by saying that if you have scores, send them in. The scores are still of value to Columbia, so if you’ve taken a standardized test and done well, you should absolutely submit them. But let’s look at their second part of their statement:
“We will continue to evaluate all submitted information within the holistic and contextual review process that considers individual circumstances shaping each applicant's journey. The rigor of a student’s curriculum, their academic achievement, and their demonstrated intellectual curiosity will remain central to our review.”
We’re digging into these statements and breaking down what they really mean. But before you set your sights on Columbia, make sure you look into their academic programs and consider your performance in high school thus far. You will still be applying to an Ivy League school, and a one-year test-optional policy does not exempt you from needing to have performed well academically in the past. Below you’ll find our tips for applying:
START YOUR ESSAY TODAY:
When colleges go test-optional, they create a different method for evaluating students. The weight that was originally allocated towards your standardized test score is redistributed to other aspects of your application, which means that your common app essay means A LOT more than it has in previous years.
Let it be noted that test scores are not the only thing missing this year. In light of distance learning, in-class performance, classes themselves, sports, jobs, internships, and extracurricular activities all went out of the window starting in March. These things speak to qualities that you have. Although you’re not saying it in writing, it’s not very hard to discern what a student ~might~ be like when glancing at the activities section of your common app account.
So what does this mean? With all of those key pieces missing, your essay is your only chance to highlight the personality traits and characteristics that you want Columbia to understand. We are already working on common app essays with our clients, and you should be writing too! We have tons of resources on our blog, and we suggest that you get started ASAP. We realize that staring at a blank page is overwhelming, so start throwing a few ideas around. Brainstorm alone, read your favorite books, look online for creative writing prompts to get the juices flowing, ask your friends to describe you, and read this blog post.
GET ORGANIZED:
This is not the summer to do nothing! How we spend our time when no one is in charge of it matters, and it speaks to your drive and motivation. For the students that we’re working with now, we have set up weekly goals. Daily goals might be overkill if every day looks a bit different for you, but make a list of the things you want to accomplish and break them up into manageable chunks. Think: reading, working on your common app essay, taking an online course, helping out around the house, taking on a new hobby, etc. When Columbia asks you how you spend this time, you want to have a lot to write about.
DEMONSTRATE INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY:
Sure, these are Columbia’s words and not ours, but they work. If you’re the kind of student who thought distance learning was a joke and you spent more time scrolling through Instagram than you did reading during quarantine, you’re not Columbia material. They want focused students who will start their freshman year with a clearly defined academic plan. Find ways to continue pursuing your academic interests and get creative about how you can keep at it. If you miss tutoring, see if you can sign up for an online program. If you miss meeting with your feminist literature book club (in person), start a book share list and spend a few hours a day reading. Stay connected with your passions and show Columbia that you didn’t give up when things got a bit more difficult.
We’re pros at helping students navigate the college process. Contact us here if you’d like to work with someone one on one.