Will Park

Nov 18, 2024 | columbiaspectator.com | Will Park |Sally Weitzner

Elite schools like Columbia aren’t simply universities. They are, as the world sees them, factories for leaders, engines of opportunity, and tickets to high society. In a society increasingly critical of wealth disparity, this school stands as a gate to privilege: tuition and fees alone can exceed $70,000 a year, more than my parents make combined.

Oct 17, 2024 | columbiaspectator.com | Will Park |Sally Weitzner

When I entered Columbia, I thought I knew how to play the Game. I might not be the smartest or the most talented; but I had a plan. Work hard, get involved, climb the ladder—it felt simple enough. After all, the same approach had gotten me this far. I was sure I knew how to stay ahead. That rejection wasn’t just a blow to my ego: It was my first real taste of how little control I had. I wasn’t naïve enough to think it was the end of the world, but it was a reality check.