<p>if i say that i like columbia b/c it’s not too spirited because i am tired of the rah-rah mentality, will that hurt me?</p>
<p>I think that they (Columbia) want applicants to focus more on what they are, rather than what they aren’t. Not totally sure, since my app’s still being looked at or whatever, but that’s what I’ve heard. A lot of people talk about the Core Curriculum in their “Why Columbia” portion.</p>
<p>I think you could phrase it in a more positive way, like saying Columbia fosters individuality amongst its students. I’m pretty sure that’s what you’re trying to say, right? Go the “individuality” route rather than the “no school spirit” route; it’s more endearing.</p>
<p>If I were an admissions officer and read that you wanted to go to Columbia because the students had no school spirit, the rest of your application would have to be pretty incredible to redeem yourself for my vote. At the very least try the “indivduality” route, but I would recommend trying a completely different approach.</p>
<p>Maybe “no school spirit” could be rephrased as “priority of or focus on academics?”</p>