Common App Essay Essay - Columbia University

"I would crawl four miles every day to and fro the only school in the village." My grandfather's words have echoed in my mind since childhood, a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that shaped my family's path. Born into poverty in a small Nigerian village, he viewed education as the only way out. Against unimaginable odds, he earned a place at Columbia University, where he transformed his life and built a foundation for future generations. Though he has since passed, his stories remain with me, guiding my journey. My father carried that torch forward, battling the deeply ingrained racism of pre-Civil Rights America. He, too, found refuge in Columbia's halls, where his intellect could thrive despite the obstacles he faced beyond campus walls. "I broke my knees running away from white women," he would joke, a somber nod to the paranoia and fear Black men often endured. Yet, he persevered, becoming a distinguished medical professional and proving that his father's sacrifices were not in vain. Born in the United States, I have been afforded opportunities my grandfather and father could only dream of. Yet, their struggles are not lost on me; they fuel my determination to continue the legacy they built. Columbia is more than an institution—it is the foundation of my family's aspirations and the crucible in which our resilience was forged. Columbia stands as my sole choice, for I desire no alternative—its legacy is interwoven with my own, making it the only place where my aspirations can truly take root. To become the third generation of Columbia graduates and medical professionals in my lineage is not merely an ambition; it is my life's duty. Every exam and extracurricular is a step I take toward my future. The culmination of these efforts is a tribute to the miles my grandfather crawled and the battles my father fought—literally. Columbia is not just my dream—it is my inheritance, my destiny, and my promise to them. I've made my choice. Now make yours.