Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (PhD)
2 required essays for the 2026-27 cycle.
Essays
Statement of purpose · no more than 1,000 words · required
For programs that do not have special requirements, we offer the following guidelines: please describe your background and past work in your intended field of study, your plans for graduate study at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and your future professional goals.
Other essay · between 500-1,000 words · required
Personal statement: The personal statement should explain how your personal experiences and history will allow you to contribute to the wealth of perspectives in the entering class of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and in the Columbia community at large.
Both statements are mandatory: "All applicants must submit a statement of academic purpose and a personal statement. Both statements are mandatory." Some programs set their own questions inside the statement of academic purpose and those appear on the statement of academic purpose page of the online application, so an applicant should check the program page too. A writing sample is required by some programs. No deadline dates on this page.
Checked against www.gsas.columbia.edu/content/frequently-asked-questions on September 11, 2026. Programs change their prompts between cycles; confirm on the program’s own page before you submit.
Paste your essay
Pick which of Columbia GSAS’s prompts it answers. The first look is free.
Applying to college instead?
Prompt
Your essay
Common questions
- How many essays does Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (PhD) require for 2026-27?
- 2. The prompt is listed on this page word for word, with the length it states.
- How long should the Columbia GSAS statement of purpose be?
- No more than 1,000 words. That is the length the program states on its own page, which this record was read from on September 11, 2026.