Continuing ed classes at one school but applying to a different one, how address in SOP?

[elindy]

I've been taking courses through Columbia University's School of Continuing Ed as a way of strengthening my applications to Sociology PhD programs since I don't have a background in the field. This last semester I was able to get permission to take a PhD level class and the professor wrote me a recommendation, but in case I don't get into Columbia I'm also applying to NYU (and CUNY but I've already submitted) as backups. My question is how to address having taken classes at a different institution than the one I'm applying to? Should I just not even mention it in my SOP and they'll just see from my transcript that I've been at Columbia? I mean I'd sort of like to explain that I took the initiative to enroll in classes in preparation, and did well, but I'm not sure how to make it seem like NYU is a "better" fit than Columbia, because Columbia is admittedly my first choice. I feel like they'll see right through me but I want to give myself the best chance possible to go to NYU if Columbia rejects me. Not sure how to approach this. Any suggestions would be great. 

[rising_star]

It's really not a big deal. Most of us take classes at multiple institutions, after all! Just say something like "I enrolled in XXX to strengthen my background in subject Y" in your SOP. No need to talk about fit or anything. For all they know, you looked into classes at all the NYC schools and the Columbia course was the best fit for your schedule.