Review of Columbia University in the City of New York
from Seattle, WA
Do you feel you’re learning a lot?
Although I've only attended Columbia for one semester, I have yet to meet any professors or grad students who haven't provided an informative and unique perspective on their chosen field. To me, this is the main benefit of attending an Ivy League institution - the faculty. The Core Curriculum not only guarantees a strong liberal arts foundation for all students, but provides the context for an unusually dynamic intellectual community within the school: everyone will get your references, and discussions become that much more meaningful when everyone in your freshman class has the same intellectual background, but are also able to offer their own meaningful perspective. Also, you have all of New York City to supplement your education with the best of every field imaginable.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
How is it possible to live in New York City, on a beautiful campus, with 5,600 other intellectually curious students (including SEAS), and not enjoy Columbia? Although an oft circulated complaint is that there is a lack of community within the student body, I would beg to differ. It takes a different form, because there are so many things to do off campus that it would be foolish not to take advantage of, but activities such as the spontaneous school-wide snowball fight that happened during the first blizzard refute that complaint. Like at any college, you'll get more out of your Columbia experience if you reach beyond your previous experience and actively participate in campus life and the city. But if you do that, you will inevitably make great friends and have a spectacular college experience.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Like other reviewers have said, the cost of college is generally obscene. And living New York will always be expensive. But Columbia has many options for financial aid, and if you're going to invest in a college education, you may as well do it at one of the top universities in the world.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
If you're interested in Columbia, definitely do your research. There are many required courses, which is something that most students have strong feelings about, and there are some aspects of the school (the food, the housing etc.) that don't always live up to people's expectations. But if you want to live in the city, but be on a campus, and have a set of required courses (but have them taught by the world's preeminent scholars), then Columbia would probably be a great school for you.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
If you are curious, have a variety of interests (both academic and extracurricular), and are independent and self-sufficient enough to fully experience the city of New York, then you will truly benefit from a Columbia education.
Although I've only attended Columbia for one semester, I have yet to meet any professors or grad students who haven't provided an informative and unique perspective on their chosen field. To me, this is the main benefit of attending an Ivy League institution - the faculty. The Core Curriculum not only guarantees a strong liberal arts foundation for all students, but provides the context for an unusually dynamic intellectual community within the school: everyone will get your references, and discussions become that much more meaningful when everyone in your freshman class has the same intellectual background, but are also able to offer their own meaningful perspective. Also, you have all of New York City to supplement your education with the best of every field imaginable.
How is it possible to live in New York City, on a beautiful campus, with 5,600 other intellectually curious students (including SEAS), and not enjoy Columbia? Although an oft circulated complaint is that there is a lack of community within the student body, I would beg to differ. It takes a different form, because there are so many things to do off campus that it would be foolish not to take advantage of, but activities such as the spontaneous school-wide snowball fight that happened during the first blizzard refute that complaint. Like at any college, you'll get more out of your Columbia experience if you reach beyond your previous experience and actively participate in campus life and the city. But if you do that, you will inevitably make great friends and have a spectacular college experience.
Like other reviewers have said, the cost of college is generally obscene. And living New York will always be expensive. But Columbia has many options for financial aid, and if you're going to invest in a college education, you may as well do it at one of the top universities in the world.
If you're interested in Columbia, definitely do your research. There are many required courses, which is something that most students have strong feelings about, and there are some aspects of the school (the food, the housing etc.) that don't always live up to people's expectations. But if you want to live in the city, but be on a campus, and have a set of required courses (but have them taught by the world's preeminent scholars), then Columbia would probably be a great school for you.
If you are curious, have a variety of interests (both academic and extracurricular), and are independent and self-sufficient enough to fully experience the city of New York, then you will truly benefit from a Columbia education.