Columbia University in the City of New York Top Questions

great school

Columbia University in the City of New York offers countless opportunities for students of all backgrounds. The diversity of the campus is its initial draw; afterwards, you find that many of your peers may share the same interests as you. There are countless opportunities both on campus and around the city that caters to almost everything, from finance to scientific research to interior design. Columbia University is known not only for its groundbreaking research (it has more Nobel laureates than any other university in America), but also for the strength of its undergraduate program, defined by the well-known Core Curriculum that exposes students to a wide range of studies meant to widen the student's academic horizon.

1. The atmosphere here is great. You'll be influenced by students around you and really push yourself. 2. Some of the equipment is a little old although we have to pay a lot for it. 3. The location is great and everything is convenient. Lots of events and opportunities. 4. The school system runs great. You can learn almost everything on the website.

When I was a child in China, I knew Columbia is one of the best schol all over the world. I studied hard and got a chance to study here. The campus is large and I like the campus squirrels. Most of my part time is spent in the Butler Library. I enjoy time there. Everyone around you work hard, it is a real place for you to study. Most of the students are crazy workaholics.

I am incredibly pleased with my experience at CU. The campus is incredible, and the location within the city presents such an amazing opportunity. Yes the work is hard, and there's a lot of it, but the diverse and vibrant study body always surges together to overcome adversity. There is never a dull moment, always so much going on, and activities/groups/people for everyone. Literally everyone; every single type of person. School pride could be better, as sports do not have a huge campus presence. There are some space issues that come with being in the most crowded city on Earth, as well. But overall the campus is cozy yet spacious, the student body is diverse and talented, yet accessible and welcoming, and the school itself presents innumerable opportunities for challenge and growth.

Although I'm sure every student says this about their college, I can say without a doubt that the Columbia experience is unlike any other. The most obvious reason for this is the location of campus: New York City, one of the great cultural capitals of the world. With that said, it is important to understand that you must make an effort to take advantage of the city; the city experience will not simply come to you. I know of students who go almost entire semesters without ever leaving Morningside Heights (sometimes referred to as "Boringside Heights" by Columbians). In a city like New York with its multitude of experiences and a thousand worlds for the choosing, this is simply a shame. A large reason for this "Morningside bubble" is the fact that the University's academic demands are rigorous and leave little time for free exploration of this great city. There is another side to that, however, because you will be hard-pressed to find a more rewarding intellectual experience anywhere else. Most of your professors are at the top of their respective fields, and you are surrounded by brilliant students who add to your understanding in ways that you couldn't have anticipated. I am currently taking Kenneth Jackson's "History of the City of New York" class. This is a perfect example of what makes Columbia unique. Professor Jackson is a highly-renowned historian whose knowledge of the city is second to none. Additionally, all students who take the class participate in out-of-class activities that are designed to increase appreciation for this great city. The major downsides in my experience have mostly been administration-related. As a student on financial aid, my experience with this department has been nothing short of excruciating. Every year, the financial aid department demands forms that have already been turned in, have lost other forms, and have generally been unhelpful throughout the whole process. Additionally, with last year's infamous drug bust the administration has cracked down on Greek life, though interest in fraternities and sororities has never been higher to my knowledge. In general, I just get the sense that the administration is incompetent in virtually everything they do, which I know was not the case for my sister, who went to Yale. Finally, if you're looking for a school with a thriving sports culture, avoid Columbia like the plague. We are simply a joke when it comes to sports. Other than crew and perhaps one or two other low-profile teams, no one has any school spirit and almost no one goes to any games other than Homecoming. This plays into what I believe is a larger flaw with the school; a lack of community.

I love going to school at Columbia. To keep it simple, I'll list my favorite (and not so favorite) things about it: favorites: -it's in the city! we really do take advantage of the opportunities here -it is its own campus! you couldn't walk by Columbia and not notice. we have our own college town in morningside heights -morningside heights is the best. so college-y, so homey -it's big but not too big. i wanted to escape my tiny high school, but not feel lost in a huge institution. columbia has been the perfect balance. i take massive lectures and small seminars. -it's so diverse. there is no Columbia "type." everyone is different, interesting, unique -the core curriculum. i am getting a real, classical education. it's priceless. -the resources. it's Columbia! can't beat it. alumni network, NYC opportunities, etc. -the reputation. the best country in the nation. not-so-favorites: -it's not the warmest. Columbia is NOT a "cold" place, but you really do need to look our for yourself. nobody is holding your hand. i like this and dislike it. -the bureaucratic administration has a lot of "red tape" -not so much school spirit, attendance at athletic games -not good cafeteria food (but we live in NYC with the best food in the world!)

This is a big city - not at all a college town - but in New York, everything is here. If you need to get away, a train to New Jersey is not at all expensive. Administration is typical of what to be expected. School size is just right - there are giant lecture classes as well as small seminars. The library is very popular.

Columbia provides one of the best college experiences in the nation, and that begins with New York City. I simply cannot comprehend spending my four years in another place. When you combine the greatest city in the world with one of the best universities in the world, you simply cannot go wrong. A great example of this is Kenneth Jackson's "History of the City of New York" class. Not only are you studying with a world-renowned scholar of New York, but you are also going into the city, as you are required to go on eight field trips with your professor! The same thing goes for other classes, such as Masterpieces of Western Music, where you are required to go to the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center. These opportunities do not exist at any other top quality institution. All that being said, there clearly are some negative aspects of the school. First, the administration (including the advising deans) are not helpful or intelligent. You pretty much have to figure out your own way through the Core and your major. Also, the university is not focused on generating school pride for its undergraduates. Our sports teams are terrible, and hardly anyone turns out for games. One thing that actually generates some fun on campus is Greek life, but after the recent Columbia drug bust, the university has cracked down on that aspect of the school. Being a member of the Greek community, it has been hard to deal with this, but we continue to carry on. One experience that I love every year though is tree-lighting. At the beginning of December on College Walk (the walking street that runs through the middle of campus), all of the trees are wrapped in white holiday lights, and are lit every evening. When they are lit for the first time, the entire school comes out to watch, and a number of a cappella groups sing holiday classics and the student councils pass out hot chocolate. It's wonderful to see the entire school come together before finals and break.

Columbia is my home, plainly put. I really can't think of anywhere else that I feel as comfortable as I do when I walk through the gates and back across Low Plaza by Alma Mater... it's an indescribable feeling. We have it all - amazing research opportunities, a tight-knit campus community, New York City and all its glamour right in our back yard. It's the first and only place I've really ever thought, "I can do anything."