To write or not write a Why Columbia Forum

[shinobi99]

For the Columbia supplementary statement, I already wrote a DS and a LSAT addendum. At this point, would a Why Columbia Law? essay be too much or would it actually help? Would a Why X statement even be necessary at Columbia? According to some TLSers, it seems they're not necessary at T5 schools, which do not need to worry about yield protection.

I think my numbers have a decent shot at Columbia but I am definitely not a shoe-in. I think I would have things to say on a Why Columbia statement, since I visited the school and Columbia is my top choice. Although I'm not sure how good it will come out.

It takes a lot of energy to write an essay so I would rather not write one if it wasn't that helpful. But should I just suck it up and write a 1-page Why Columbia statement?

[WhiskeynCoke]

It takes a lot of energy to write an essay so I would rather not write one if it wasn't that helpful. But should I just suck it up and write a 1-page Why Columbia statement?

Don't write it. This statement suggests you're not into it and the essay would mostly be BS anyway. It would only hurt you.

Columbia knows why you want to go there: It's Columbia. Why X statements are more applicable to schools where your numbers are ABOVE their ranges, with the hope of convincing them that you'd attend if accepted despite being "overqualified." They are basically to help avoid yield protection, which Columbia (and rest of T6) doesn't do.

A why X statement would only really help (and minimally) if you had a great, specific, deeply personal reasons for wanting to go to Columbia and you write exceptionally well. If this isn't the case, don't shoot yourself in the foot.

[howlery]

If you had a 4.33 and 180 it might help since they'd think you would choose HYS (perhaps rightly so barring a hamilton). But even then, does CCN do much YP'ing?

[florida1949]

I spoke with the associate dean of admissions (or something similar) of CLS at the professional school forum at my undergrad, she said don't write one unless you have a really compelling reason to and even when she said that I sensed that she basically meant don't write one at all

my two cents

[Hat.trick]

it depends on what you mean by having decent numbers. if you really want to go there, just apply ED to show them that you want to go there.

[bobr]

I wrote one this cycle with very average numbers and got in. Nothing too special. Just was honest and discussed what I learned when took a tour/spoke to someone in the administration the previous summer among other things. Hope that helps!

[NanaP]

I wrote one this cycle with very average numbers and got in. Nothing too special. Just was honest and discussed what I learned when took a tour/spoke to someone in the administration the previous summer among other things. Hope that helps!

I just looked at your profile...how are your numbers "very"average??? You scored above 170!

[BigZuck]

I wrote one this cycle with very average numbers and got in. Nothing too special. Just was honest and discussed what I learned when took a tour/spoke to someone in the administration the previous summer among other things. Hope that helps!

I just looked at your profile...how are your numbers "very"average??? You scored above 170!

*for Columbia*

[Yukos]

Chicago YPs on occasion (see Ti Malice, also talked to some people IRL who got into Yale but WL'd at UChi), but I've never heard of Columbia or NYU doing it. Why Columbia will do more harm than good unless you have a legitimately good reason.

[chadbrochill]

This doesn't apply to LOCI does it?

[Yukos]

This doesn't apply to LOCI does it?

No.

[chadbrochill]

Kk whew

[banjo]

Save your material for a LOCI in case you get held/reserved/forgotten. LOCIs do seem to get read at CLS.