Columbia University
An Ivy in the heart of New York City defined by its Core Curriculum — a shared intellectual foundation every undergraduate completes.
- Next deadline
- Nov 1, 2026Early Decision
- Essays
- 6Prompts
- Supplement
- Required2025-2026 cycle
- Platform
- Common AppAccepted platform
- Selectivity
- 3.9%Most selective
- Enrollment
- 9,110Mid-size undergrad
Build your Columbia University application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Supplemental essay prompts
- Short Answer100 words2025-2026
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.
- Supplement150 words2025-2026
Tell us about an aspect of your life so far or your lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia's multidimensional and collaborative environment.
- Supplement150 words2025-2026
At Columbia, students representing a wide range of perspectives are invited to live and learn together. In such a community, questions and debates naturally arise. Please describe a time when you did not agree with someone and discuss how you engaged with them and what you took away from the interaction.
- Supplement150 words2025-2026
In college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not anticipate. Please describe a situation in which you have navigated through adversity and discuss how you changed as a result.
- Why School150 words2025-2026
Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia.
- Supplement150 words2025-2026
What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering?
How to approach Columbia University's supplemental essays
Answer fast, then show texture
Start with the answer, then add one detail only you could write. Short answers get stronger when they sound observed instead of summarized.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Make fit concrete
Name one academic or community reason, then connect it to a scene from your life. The school detail should prove fit, not decorate the paragraph.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Use this as a blank structure for a Columbia University short-answer response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at Columbia University, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does Columbia University require?
Columbia University has 6 supplemental essays listed for the 2025-2026 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does Columbia University accept the Common Application?
Yes — Columbia University accepts the Common Application.
What is Columbia University's acceptance rate?
Columbia University's most recently reported acceptance rate is 3.9%.
When is Columbia University's next application deadline?
Columbia University's next listed application deadline is the Early Decision round on November 1, 2026.
What is Columbia University's "List a selection of texts, resources…" prompt (#1, 100 words)?
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.
What is Columbia University's "Tell us about an aspect of…" prompt (#2, 150 words)?
Tell us about an aspect of your life so far or your lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia's multidimensional and collaborative environment.
What is Columbia University's "At Columbia, students representing a wide…" prompt (#3, 150 words)?
At Columbia, students representing a wide range of perspectives are invited to live and learn together. In such a community, questions and debates naturally arise. Please describe a time when you did not agree with someone and discuss how you engaged with them and what you took away from the interaction.
What is Columbia University's "In college/university, students are often challenged…" prompt (#4, 150 words)?
In college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not anticipate. Please describe a situation in which you have navigated through adversity and discuss how you changed as a result.
What is Columbia University's "Why are you interested in attending…" prompt (#5, 150 words)?
Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia.
What is Columbia University's "What attracts you to your preferred…" prompt (#6, 150 words)?
What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering?
Sources and verification
We prioritize Columbia University's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record was last verified on July 19, 2026 for the 2025-2026 cycle.
Review official source →