The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

A smirk. I stand in front of the class to introduce myself. My voice feels weak, struggling to pronounce my name through my braces. My bespectacled eyes dart nervously at the new faces; my skinny fram

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Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

I remember lighting Diyas every year with Mumma. The flames dancing from side to side. The delicious sweets that followed. Diwali had always been my favorite festival growing up in India, with this an

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Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

60 minutes. Hushed whispers. Scribbling. More hushed discussions. The debate’s motion lies barren in front of me, glistening with potential pathways. I brainstorm ideas with my teammates, mapping out

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Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

“I don’t get it.” My father sighs, explaining for the third time how currency rates are determined. “But that makes no sense. Someone has to be deciding the price!” I insist, my 8-year-old self strugg

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What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Zzzzzz. The dulling sound of sleep surrounds me on our flight back from the USA after the 2018 WSC debating competition, my mind buzzing with ideas acquired throughout this incredible week of debate a

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List the titles of the required readings from academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school.

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List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school.

The Worldly Philosophers , Robert Heilbroner; One up on Wall Street , Peter Lynch; Doughnut Economics , Kate Raworth; The End of Poverty , Jeffrey Sachs; Homo Sapiens , Yuval Noah Harari; 21

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News Outlets

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Videos and Podcasts

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Online Courses

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Movies and TV Shows

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Music Albums and Plays

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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?

Watching the clock ticks closer to 4:00 PM, we dejectedly laugh knowing that today is our last Debate Club session together. Reminiscing on our first interactions when I was 11 and they both were 14,

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Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia.

I’m a multifaceted learner. I’m fascinated by logical reasoning within economics, excited by the electromagnetic applications of physics, and an admirer of Dostoevsky’s didactic literature. Through Co

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For applicants to Columbia College, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you previously noted in the application.

Walk across the narrow gully . Avoid the potholes. Navigate through the honking cars. This was the path 10-year-old me took weekly to reach the [Organization Redacted] in India. But all was forg

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Would you like to add another research abstract? No

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Additional Intellectual Experiences

- Online Courses: Apart from the ones mentioned, I also completed ‘Computer Science 101’ by Stanford University. - ‘Rathbone Society’, Co-organizer: In grade 10, I helped co-organize a school-wide c

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EC Essay

The pure glistening joy in the 9-year-old’s eyes as he recites his newly learnt “ABCs”. The excitement during their renditions of regional songs. The accompanying sea of smiles as I teach multiplicati

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What specific plan do you have, if any, for using the education you hope to receive?

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Penn Main Essay 1

Walk across the polluted gully . Avoid the potholes. Carefully navigate through the honking cars. This was the path 10-year-old me took weekly to reach the [Organization Redacted] in India. But

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Penn Main Essay 2

In our digital world’s storm of ideas, we are constantly bombarded with the noise of divisiveness; as a society, we need platforms that help unite and cultivate our youth’s unvoiced solutions for emer

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Most significant challenge society faces

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Last two summers

2020: Quarantine edition. Researching VR applications in STEM education. Organizing Zoom calls for Mumma Papa’s anniversary. Online finance and technology courses. Miserably failing home workouts. 2

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Historical moment or event

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Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.

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One thing you are looking forward to at Stanford

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Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you excited about learning

“I don’t get it.” My father sighs, explaining for the third time how currency rates are determined. “But that makes no sense. Someone has to be deciding the price!” I insist, my 8-year-old self strugg

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Note to future roommate

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Dessert: Over golden-orange slices of Aam , you’ll understand why mangoes always leave me smiling as I nostalgically recall my grandfather, my Nana, lovingly peeling and placing the sweetest slices on my plate.

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Something meaningful to you and why

We dejectedly laugh as the time ticks closer to 4:00 PM, knowing that today is our last Debating extra-curricular together. Reminiscing on our first interactions when I was 11 and they both were 14, I

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Why Yale

November 2018: I spent a week at Yale for the WSC Debate Competition. Staring at the clouds on the ceiling of the Woolsey Hall, I wondered if they were Greek symbols for free speech or nods to the mod

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4. Yale students embrace the concept of ‘and’ rather than ‘or’, pursuing arts and sciences, tradition and innovation, defined goals and surprising detours. What is an example of an “and” that you embrace? India & Australia. Eating biryani with an Australian flag on my desk. Having the Australian liberty to explore the world & the Indian values to guide me. Only issue: India v Australia cricket matches! Essays

Walk across the polluted gully . Avoid the potholes. Carefully navigate through the honking cars. This was the path 10-year-old me took weekly to reach the [Organization Redacted] in India. But

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A.

Watching the clock tick closer to 4:00 PM, we dejectedly laugh knowing that today is our last Debate Club session together. As we reminisce on our first interactions when I was 11 and they both were 1

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