Support Mia Kaden's Journey to Columbia University

Hi, I’m Mia- an actress, filmmaker, and first-generation U.S. college student with a dream.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the power of storytelling. Since that first time I’ve sat in a darkened theater, in front of a giant screen, five-year-old me was unaware of the magic that is about to capture her and dictate my life’s trajectory.

Growing up, I immersed myself in all kinds of movies, watching different stories, engaging in different worlds and chasing that special feeling, the one that only comes around ever so often- when you’re so immersed in a story you catch yourself in the middle- so happily overwhelmed with the experience- you feel infinite.

I grew up in Tel Aviv, Israel, in two separate homes, two blocks away from each other. One- where safety was present, and the other- where safety was not. In my father’s house, he planted the seed of appreciation and passion for cinema when I was a small child, and as he grew more dangerous and violent- my passion for cinema only grew stronger. Films became my refuge, carrying me through life with new worlds, stories, people, relationships. The shots, color themes, cinematography, music- it all blended together to create magic, leaving me in awe of a story told so completely I felt it deep in every part of my soul. The beauty of cinema had me, and it has me ever since I can remember myself.

I trained as an actress since I was eight years old, and when I was 20, I moved to New York on my own to study at the American academy of Dramatic Arts.

College wasn’t a given for me and my circumstances, yet my decision to apply to AADA was driven by both my passion for storytelling and my desire for structure in education. I was an Au Pair in London, two months shy of my 20th birthday, when I realized I want to be challenged and pushed in a more traditional educational environment.

I felt like I had soaked up the world in many ways without it. Through travelling; experiencing new cultures, living abroad. Through responsibilities; nannying full time, feeling my heart explode with love as I learned about the very thing that makes us human. Through entrepreneurship; as I invested time and energy into the vintage clothing business I founded and got to watch it grow. But all of that wasn’t enough, my passion was calling me. And I needed to act towards it (a little pun intended).

At the Academy I grew in ways I never imagined, I not only honed my craft as an actress but also discovered the power of leadership and community. I found my voice through advocacy, founding the Jewish Students Affinity Group, serving as an RA, and being elected Vice President of the student council. I learned how much I thrive in an environment where creativity and collaboration are valued, and where I can contribute to a shared vision.

I recently graduated with an associate’s degree, and while I pursued my education, I realized that a two-year college wasn’t enough to satisfy my academic curiosity. Beyond acting, I wanted to explore the broader intellectual spectrum that shapes our world- history, philosophy, literature. I craved a well-rounded, liberal arts education that would push me beyond one area of study, and into deeper explorations of subjects that make up our society, while giving me the skills to think, create, and thrive in my own field.

I applied- and got accepted(!!!) into Columbia University’s School of General Studies as a transfer student to complete my undergraduate degree!!! On top of being an Ivy League school offering an education that for many years I hadn’t even dared to dream of, Columbia’s Film and Media program is one of the top ranked film programs in the world.

But I need your help to make it a reality.

I’m financially and emotionally independent from both of my parents due to a dysfunctional family background, and even though I meet the criteria for a need based full ride- Columbia GS has limited funding, and are unable to meet their students’ full financial needs. I have applied to many outside scholarships, saved up what I can, and did everything in my power to be able to attend Columbia- yet the gap between the funding I have secured, and the cost of tuition is simply too high to manage on my own.

I’m starting this fundraiser to help cover the cost of my first year at Columbia. The total cost of attendance is around $90,000, and I’m aiming to raise $53,500 to close the gap between what I’ve secured and what’s still missing. Every contribution, no matter the size- brings me one step closer to affording this opportunity and being able to say yes to something that would change my life.

Columbia isn’t just a school, it’s a turning point. It represents a future I’ve fought hard to make possible. I’ve done everything I can to get to this moment. Now, I just need a little help to take the final step.

Thank you for reading. If you believe in the power of education, in art- in any form, and in what it means to start from scratch and build something meaningful- I hope you’ll consider supporting me on this journey.

-Mia