Columbia essay prompts
2025-26verified Columbia University in the City of New York admissions
These are the most recent published prompts. Final 2026-27 supplements typically land by early August. These are the most recent prompts Kolly has verified for this school. Schools typically publish final 2026-27 supplements by early August; check the official source below before submitting.
Why Columbia
Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia.
150 words max · Required
Intellectual Influences (List)
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.
100 words max · Required
Why Your Major
What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering?
150 words max · Required
Identity / Lived Experience
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.
150 words max · Required
Disagreement / Intellectual Engagement
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.
150 words max · Required
Diverse Communities
A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and live in a community with a wide range of perspectives. How do you or would you learn from and contribute to diverse, collaborative communities?
150 words max · Required
About the application
Applies via the Common App.
Make your next draft count.
Common questions
- What are the Columbia essay prompts for 2025-26?
- Columbia lists Why Columbia (1 prompt); Intellectual Influences (List) (1 prompt); Why Your Major (1 prompt); Identity / Lived Experience (1 prompt); Disagreement / Intellectual Engagement (1 prompt); Diverse Communities (1 prompt) for 2025-26.
- How many essays does Columbia require?
- Columbia requires 6 essays based on the published group instructions for 2025-26. The page lists 6 required and 0 optional prompts.
- What are the word limits for the Columbia supplemental essays?
- The published word and character limits are 150 words max, 100 words max.