Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

I would prefer classes at Columbia over a big university any day. The average class size is 17 so the students can develop a relationship with the professors and each other easily. Also the professor actually knowns who you are and can remember what work you are capable of creating. This tightness drives participation in class because people feel more comfortable with each other. I am in the photography department and there is very little studying to be done within it because each class is project driven. But in gen-ed classes studying might be required depending on what is taken. One of the most interesting classes I took was Concepts of Biochemistry. All the students in the class were extremely interested in the subject and determined to learn and the professor (Budy) is one of the best I've had at Columbia. She is a funny lady and makes sure each student understands everything before we move on. Outside of class professors are extremely willing to meet up with students they previously had and look at their work and discuss it. Within the photo department I feel as though the curriculum is set up for the sake of learning to be a fine art artist on your own but doesnt teach you how to get a job if you dont want to do fine art. There are a few classes in other departments that are geared towards teaching students how to get jobs.

I would prefer classes at Columbia over a big university any day. The average class size is 17 so the students can develop a relationship with the professors and each other easily. Also the professor actually knowns who you are and can remember what work you are capable of creating. This tightness drives participation in class because people feel more comfortable with each other. I am in the photography department and there is very little studying to be done within it because each class is project driven. But in gen-ed classes studying might be required depending on what is taken. One of the most interesting classes I took was Concepts of Biochemistry. All the students in the class were extremely interested in the subject and determined to learn and the professor (Budy) is one of the best I've had at Columbia. She is a funny lady and makes sure each student understands everything before we move on. Outside of class professors are extremely willing to meet up with students they previously had and look at their work and discuss it. Within the photo department I feel as though the curriculum is set up for the sake of learning to be a fine art artist on your own but doesnt teach you how to get a job if you dont want to do fine art. There are a few classes in other departments that are geared towards teaching students how to get jobs.

The best thing about some of the LAS Core classes that you have to take is that the profs are really passionate & excited about what they are teaching you. They are also excited to learn about your passions & how you can mesh those with the classes you may not really want to take, like math or science or history.... I have an Ancient Civilization class right now that is going really well, all because of the teacher. His passion for teaching is so encouraging.

An odd thing here is all 'professors' like to be called by their first name. I hear this is more common than I make it out to be, but it certainly isn't typical of college level instructors. I only imagined I would be being taught by people who earned the title of professor, but I guess this is no traditional university. I am trying to major in instrumental performance, with a minor in math. I seemed to have lucked out in that the math department has a lot of gems for teachers in it, and as a percussionist the teachers of that study are amazing as well. Some teachers in the music department too are a little shady, but all around pretty great. I have one who is a Columbia grad, but is much more than just another adjunct-faculty member here. He is very inspiring, and passionate about his teaching. About academic requirements, they are obviously extremely low. They accept mostly everyone into this school. Therefore, the academic standard here is quite similar. You have to go above and beyond to stand above all the mediocrity here sometimes. As far as them getting me a job, I have no idea how that'd work out. Thankfully I've made myself 2 back up plans. If I'm not a working musician by the time I'm out of here, I'll be in grad school getting a degree in math or music to become a teacher.

The courses specific to your major are pretty rigorous, but the LAS (gen ed) courses are pretty easy. There are a lot of unique LAS courses though, very stimulating intellectually, and there are a lot of students who continue the intellectual conversations beyond the classroom, in fact, I'm the treasurer of a group devoted to just that. The professors here are all very chill and not stiff and posh or anything like that; very easy to talk to, even outside of class (which is usually via e-mail). I do admit though, that some teachers, while good people, can't teach, but that comes with a school of 12,500 students. I don't necessarily "study" there's a lot of reading at least for the film program, but you get used to it. There's also a lot of writing, as I imagine there would be at any college. The education here is geared towards getting you a job most definitely, they keep up to date on everything, and have resources galore so you can slide right into your area of study after college, and of course the great internships help with that too.