Columbia University in the City of New York Top Questions

The best thing about columbia is the greek system. If I couls change one thing, I would set up how the core is distributed in engineering schedules, as to not take all math and science one semester and history and non tech electives the next.

i love columbia! the best part is having an ivy league education in the greatest city on earth, New York!

Columbia really has a different university feel in comparison to most other universities and colleges. I feel that there isn't much unity among students, everyone is always "busy," hurrying off to study, attend a meeting, or work at an internship. There isn't much togetherness when speaking about Columbia from a social and friendship standpoint. Columbia's inefficient administration is beyond absurd. We pay loads of money to hire these unhelpful, unfriendly, and incapable staff. Quite honestly, it's outrageous. There isn't much school spirit, particularly because our sports teams never do very well, especially our football team. Also, because Baker field is so far away, it's quite a trek to get up there. I spend most of my time on campus, but on the weekends I like going downtown to run errands, go shopping, or just explore.

Columbia is the best kept secret among the Ivy League institutions. Columbia, a smaller undergraduate college, is greatly enhanced and enriched by its fellow colleges like Barnard, SEAS and JTS that make up the University at large. The student body is well informed, and actively pursues opportunities off campus in New York City. Living at 116th and Broadway is the best place anyone could ever wish to go to college. The immediate neighborhood has all the charms of a typical "college town"; bookstores, bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and the same intimacy. But then, travel farther in any direction and you wind up at world famous institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, St. John the Divine, Times Square! (to name only a few) The only downside is that no matter how active you are about experiencing the city, you will never be able to do it all in four years. I think, that's why a vast majority of Columbia grads stay in the city after graduation.

For me, the best thing about Columbia is that it feels like a college town within New York City, which is most definitely not your typical college town. Columbia offers a unique college experience in that sense. New York City is such a bustling and exciting city with innumerable opportunities- internships, art, theatre, nightlife- so it is ideal for anyone looking to get a wonderful internship and have job connections for the future. Columbia is the best decision I could have made for myself since I am interested in public relations, art and theatre. No other school could offer me such a great education while entertaining my cultural side.

You really have to make yourself here. This is no one holding your hand. If you want a typical college experience you can have it, or you can go out into the city and explore. You have your options and that's what is great about going to school here.

The best thing about Columbai is that it is a great Ivy League education that we're receiving, and we're right in New York City. One thing I would change is the university's harsh policy on fraternity parties, which were at one point the only source of going on for students. Now there is literally nothing, as neighborhood bars are also shutting down one by one. There is not a lot of school pride, for either athletics or for Greeks, which is really unfortunate. I would love to see Columbia's students somehow get involved and more enthusiastic about student life.

Columbia is awesome. There's no where else I'd rather be. The classes are great and the diversity of the student body is amazing. You learn as much in class from your professors as you do outside of class by talking to the students living with you in the dorms. Women's and Gender Studies in particular opened my eyes and made me see the world in a new way.

the best thing about columbia is a tie between its diversity and the fact that it's in nyc. if you get sick of someone here, there are 5,000 other undergrads to meet, each of whom is totally different from the next person. utilizing the city for both educational and fun purposes totally made college a better experience.

NYC is the best thing -- this location offers so much more than any other Ivy-League and many other schools. You can never get tired of the city and you can explore endlessly. If you're tired of Manhattan, there is the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. I want composting, a more sustainable campus with lower energy & water consumption, and I want more access to outdoor activities. The city is awesome but it can be really difficult to get out of the city without a car. Size is perfect -- I see just enough people I know on my way to class to feel social, but I'm a senior and I'm still meeting lots of new, really interesting people who I haven't bumped into before. People on the West Coast don't know what columbia is all the time. "Where is that?" Or "OOoooohhhH, Columbia, you must be smart" -- the Ivy League stereotype I spend most of my time in my room. I rarely go to the library. When I'm not hanging out in dorms I'm at a local bar for happy hour or wings. I go out almost 4 nights a week. NYC is not a college town, but the Columbia campus is like an oasis within the city with the lawns and great architecture. Admin = bureaucracy. Can't get rid of my meal plan i dont want. Hard to start student groups. Gotta go through all the paper work. School pride = yes. Support at athletic events = questionable. I go to a handful a year, but sometimes the stands are pretty empty. not like the state schools.