Hi, my name is Michelle, and I’m from Slovakia! I was accepted to Columbia Early Decision and am now part of the Columbia Class of 2029.

My Background

I was born and raised in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. I attended Galileo School, a private bilingual high school where all of our English teachers were native speakers (a huge advantage for improving my language skills). On top of that, I studied French as a third language, which sparked my love for multilingual environments.

Why Columbia and the U.S.?

I’ve always had high academic ambitions, and I knew early on that I wanted to leave Slovakia to find an environment that would push me beyond my comfort zone. At first, I looked into European universities, but places like Vienna or Prague felt too close to home. I wanted a bigger change.

That’s when Columbia came into the picture. While my advisor insisted I make a list of 12 schools “to be realistic”, my heart was always set on Columbia. It was the only university I could truly picture myself at. What drew me in was the progressive and diverse community, which felt worlds apart from the social environment back home.

The idea of living in New York City, while also having a traditional closed campus, was exactly the balance I was looking for. At Columbia, you get the feel of a college town, but within minutes, you’re in the heart of Manhattan.

My Major

I plan to declare a major in Psychology. I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind, and I see psychology as a universal degree, something I can apply in many fields like journalism, business, or even law. It gives me the flexibility I want for the future.

Funny story: I actually applied as a Journalism major at first because that’s my mom’s field. I didn’t realize until later that Columbia’s journalism program is only for graduate students. In hindsight, I’m glad because I’ve discovered that psychology feels like an even better fit.

My Stats

• GPA: 4.0 (converted from the Slovak grading system)

• IELTS: 8.0

• SAT/ACT: I went test-optional

Application Process & Helpful Resources

I handled most of the application process myself, but I was never truly alone. My parents were my biggest supporters, both emotionally and financially. They’ve always believed that investing in education is the best investment one can make.

Another huge help was a connection my school advisor made for me: a girl from my school, two years older, who was already at Columbia. I sent her almost every draft of my essays, and she gave me really helpful feedback on what stood out and what sounded too generic.

Essays & Writing Process

I believe my essays played the biggest role in my application.

My Common App essay was about my collection of fridge magnets from different countries. I used them as a metaphor for collecting tangible memories of people and places, which let me express my sense of empathy and sentimentality. It was a very personal essay, and I think that authenticity is what made it memorable.

Extracurriculars

Since my school didn’t offer American-style clubs or student government, I focused on unique, personal projects.

I conducted a year-long study on the neurobiological basis of psychopathy (Antisocial Personality Disorder). And I even interviewed a psychiatric patient in Slovakia to gain real insights. The paper was later published on Academia.edu.

I was a finalist in the John Locke Essay Competition and also won a scholarship for an essay I wrote on bee endangerment.

I’ve practiced karate for 13 years and earned a second-degree black belt. I was the first in my dojo to receive my first black belt a year early, which I was very proud of.

Financing my education

I’m not on financial aid since my family is covering the full tuition. I’m extremely aware of how privileged this makes me, and I’m deeply grateful for their support. It gave me the freedom to choose my dream school without financial constraints.

How is it going so far?

I’ve only been at Columbia for a few weeks, but it already feels like a whirlwind of emotions and growth.

New York City is teaching me to adapt, let go, and go with the flow, all challenges I was looking for. At the same time, I do feel homesick. I miss my family and friends in Bratislava dearly, and whether I’ll stay in New York after graduation is still an open question. Some days I say yes, others I say no.

The community here is incredible. The diversity is unlike anything I’ve experienced before; everyone has a different story, and that makes daily interactions so inspiring. Academically, it’s everything I hoped for. The students are brilliant, expressive, and passionate about ideas. Being in this environment constantly challenges me, and I love that.

Plans After Graduation

Right now, I see myself working in media, specifically in television broadcasting or reporting. I want to take the empathy and insight I’ll gain from my psychology degree and apply it to telling human stories. I’m also very open to internships during my undergrad to explore this further.

But I’m not putting too much pressure on myself to have it all figured out. For now, I’m embracing the journey and going with the flow!