Columbia University in the City of New York Top Questions

The amount of classes that Columbia wants its students to take every semester. Penn does not allow their students to take more than 4 first semester freshman year, while I took 6. Some people even take 7 or 8 and 7 classes a semester is required for some majors like Biomedical Engineering.

Sometimes, the bureaucracy can be intimidating and frusrtrating.

How much people freak out about grades.

Likely due to the school's location in New York City, there is no cohesive community on campus.

I have the unique experience of being part of the Combined Plan Program, where I studied 3 years at Brandeis University for a BA in Studio Art, and now two years at Columbia for a BS in Civil Engineering...I don't feel they made an effort to make us a part of the Columbia Community. We lived in an off campus dorm last year and were not kept in the loop about things going on on campus.

Racial diversit is lacking. THey trick you with the on campus visits when you first get in.

The level of stress that comes from the amount of work you have.

There's not a huge sense of school spirit or loyalty from alumni to the school.

No school spirit; small cliques although not very evident (unlike high school)