Columbia University in the City of New York Top Questions

Fraternities and Sororities provide many avenues to get involved and to have a good time, with mixers, parties, and charity events. There are several events put on by the campus as a whole too, such as Relay for Life and CU Smile. Most students go out to bars rather than going to room parties, because the bar scene is good in NYC.

most people hang with their own groups- greek life, sports teams, personal friends- people usually go to campus wide events to support their friends or to get free stuff, not because they love their school.

I joined a sorority to make my social life more exciting. like i said, the parties aren't always good and not always existing. but otherwise i'm content. the grad parties off campus are a lot of fun. and i just love hanging out with my friends doing whatever on or off campus. And the whole city is just a subway away so there is ALWAYS something to do!

Greek life isn't that big on campus; only 13{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students choose to participate. However, I like how it created a smaller community for me within Columbia. Aside from that, on campus there are always guest speakers and free concerts (last week John Legend performed!). On weekends clubs throw parties or have study breaks with free food. I tend to go down town quite a bit to restaurants and clubs. Its nice to be able to get away from campus every once and a while.

The social scene at Columbia is very different than most colleges, for better or for worse. Unlike many state universities, we do not have a very high percentage of Greek life. As a result, people tend to leave campus, but stay within several blocks of campus, when they go out. One of the best things is that New York has so much to offer, so if you want to leave campus there is so much to do in the city.

Columbia is way more fun than i thought it would be. You dont read in books about greek life, but it's definitely present. probably every other weekend a frat will have a party, which are laregely attended bc everyone who doesn't have a fake ID and usually parties in a dorm goes to these parties. People bars thurs-saturday. Fake IDs are a MUST here, seriously you can't really go out if you don't have one. However, almost no one goes out on week nights. WHile you probably aren't studying the whole night, you just lay low in your hall with friends.

Culture is key at Columbia.

The amazing part of Columbia's social life is the range of activities that are permissible on any given night. If a person didn't want to drink on a Saturday night, he or she could go to a Broadway show, a concert in Brooklyn, a Zagat-Rated restaurant in The Village, or just experience the nightlife in the Meatpacking District. If a person did want to stay on campus, he or she could definitely meet up with people at one of the local Columbia bars, go to one of the frat parties around here, or rent a movie at our indie video store Kim's and stay in with friends.

I go out usually 3 to 4 nights a week, starting on Wednesday. Yes, I am in a sorority, in fact, I am a VP. It's awesome and I love it! It only enhanced my college experience and I met awesome girls and made incredible connections. There is a lot to take advantage of in the city as well if you can make time for it, which I highly recommend that you do. On campus there isn't much to do...explore the city, that's part of your education.

As a member of Greek life on campus that has been a great way to get involved. The campus is only about {4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}11 Greek so its a smal part of the school but a great social outlet. Being in NYC the options are endless.

The best thing about being located in New York is the number of resources it provides to ensure a fabulous social life. If the bar scene doesn't thrill you, there's always a concert, or bowling, or jazz clubs, or theater, or the movies, and at any hour of the night, any day of the week that you're looking for it. Most recently I went to a venue that has pool tables, foosball, ping pong, and other games in addition to a live jazz band through most of the night, and actually amused myself with some friends simply playing Scrabble. You never know what's in store for you when you go out in NYC and that is exactly what makes Columbia so fabulous.

I am in Kappa Alpha Theta and really enjoy my sorority/greek life at columbia. Although not that many students are Greek, the community is still fun and is a great way to meet more people here. Freshman dorms have their doors open, but most upperclassmen dorms do not. Athletic events are not popular at all. If I am awake at 2 am on a Tuesday, I am most likely doing a problem set/studying for a test. Traditions each year are homecoming, december tree lighting/yule log ceremony, bacchanal, spring concert, etc. People usually go out Wed-Sat night, most people stay in on Friday nights. There are plenty of things to do that do not involve drinking since we are in new york city.

sucks. students don't leave doors open, i don't know anyone on my hall.

What is great about social activities and social life is the fact that we are in NYC and ther is just tons to do allthe tme. I do think that affects our sense of school spirit, and takes away from peoples experiences on campus. Most people I know are on campus to study, aand go out around the city, not necessarily with school friends.

there aren't enough. Greek life is being phased out

Columbia social life is what you make of it. At a glance it is incredibly lame, but if you meet the right people and can make your own fun it is a great time. The Greek life seems to be run but neonazi's as there is basically no such thing as a frat party anymore. There seems to be a war on fun at our school and I hear people complaining all the time. There are ways around it and as I said if you know the right people and put yourself out there, a good time can be had.

Football/basketball/sororities ... dating is lame ... bars are ok but only a few.

Since I am involved in Greek Life, for me it is a large part of my life. I really enjoy being part of such an intimate group of young women who I easily get along with and can call on when I need anything. Its a great feeling to have such a great support group or people to go out and just have fun with. There is always something going on at Columbia, whether it is free theatre tickets, speakers, or class semi-formals, etc.

I'm in greek life and I think its great. Considering the negative image it has, I think it adds a lot to the campus community.

Political, religious, and cultural organizations are very popular. You could never be bored at Columbia whether it be a Saturday or Tuesday night. There are so many shows, lectures etc. available and publicized for students.