My Motivation to Study Economics at Columbia University

All of my life experiences were fulfilling but something was always missing, I didn’t get a degree and I never graduated college, the sting of that stayed with me and I never felt whole. Truth is I always loved school; the fact that I made the wrong choice at first didn’t change that one bit. I wanted to start over and pick a field I can succeed at. When I read about Columbia University school of General Studies, it restored hope in me that I might have a place in a rigorous academic environment. The school of general studies offers an opportunity for nontraditional student with a different background; some of these students are veterans, people who have a family, someone who is seeking a second bachelor degree, or someone like me looking for a fresh start because it’s never too late to achieve your dreams. Columbia University didn’t need definition to me, I’ve always dreamt of being a student there, it’s one of the finest universities in the world, the shrine of intellectual world. “Columbia University” is not its full name, it’s “Columbia University in the City of New York” which highlights the importance of this vibrant city, one of the cultural capitals of the world with its museums, galleries, musicals and Broadway shows. 

New York City is without a doubt a perfect place to live in. I’ve grown up in a quiet little village, disconnected from the world but I guess in my core I am a New Yorker. Location isn’t the only reason I am interested in Columbia. What I admired the most about the school of general studies that it isn’t a separate extension program, it’s getting a traditional education as a nontraditional student along with other students from the other undergraduate schools of Columbia University. It’s honoring the experience of returning students in an Ivy League environment. Students of the school of General studies receive the same high quality education and are integrated in the campus life without feeling excluded. I thought maybe this is my chance to go back to my real passion “Mathematics”. I have always wanted to channel my passion for math in a way that impacts our lives, saying that the use of math in our daily lives is limited to ' being in the grocery shop and counting your money' doesn't do it justice. Mathematics can be applied in Economics that’s very influential towards our society, by approaching the world through an economist perspective, decisions become more effective. It’s a fascinating social science that studies the behavior and interactions of economics agents, it analyses interactions, outcomes. This field left an impression on me since the first time I read about the father of Economics Adam Smith, his theories about the importance of self interest and competition in the Economics forces and I cannot help but think about the” Nash Equilibrium”, Uncertainty and game theories in behavioral economics.

Majoring in Economics will help me acquire valuable skills such as understanding complex arguments, data and effective communications, using data, logic and critical thinking to make decisions and what better place to study Economics than Alexander Hamilton’s alma mater: Columbia University. The department of Economics is one of the finest globally, with its courses, researches and electives, the department has always played an important role in the development of Economics, not to mention its respectable members of faculty including Nobel Prize winner Dr Joseph E Stiglitz one of the brightest minds in modern Economy. I cannot think of a better learning environment where I can quench my thirst for knowledge and prepare myself for a graduate degree and a future career in government, charity and non-profits and participate in the economic development around the world, this will allow me to create an impact through living my passion.    

I'm 25. I've attended college before, joined associations, worked in NGOs and traveled to countries far away. I've lived and learned, grown older and wiser, tested my independence and freedom and yet there are still a lot of things I have to learn about life because living isn’t climbing a sturdy and practical ladder, it isn’t some boxes to check or a comfort zone to stay in and despite the bumps and bruises, the mistakes and missteps I continue to keep myself connected to a force that’s larger and higher than the difficulties and the limitations and that’s Optimism, it’s a form of faith that makes me believe that I might have a place in Columbia university, that the school of general studies might be a second chance, a different happy scenario for my ongoing story. Moving forward, I cannot wait to see a new world, Learn valuable lessons and meet different people from all walks of life. I can almost Imagine myself in the magical Harry Potter platform 9 ¾, heading towards a new adventure, my suitcase is packed, my heart is pounding and I can see the light in the end of the tunnel.