There is a Core Curriculum, and a modified Core for the Engineering school. Class sizes vary. Research opportunities are possible, but can be hard to get. Tons of notable faculty. Lots of study abroad opportunities. Workload varies, but is generally pretty intensive.

The food is pretty bad and housing is mediocre for the most part, but everything else is amazing!

ED and RD options available. Common application, supplement. Contacted for an interview if necessary.

1

2014

Very challenging academics with a lot of support. Lots of opportunities to do whatever you want.

Amazing.

Now it is on the common app with a supplement. They offer early decision. There are essays, interviews, required tests.

4

2011

Core Curriculum of classes that all students take

many study abroad opportunities for most majors

access to professors at undergraduate and graduate levels

heavy workload

many students take more credits than minimum 'full time'

general advising

major advising depends on department

housing is somewhat expensive but nearby apartments are generally more expensive

great libraries around campus

on-campus dining is ok but most people don't keep meal plan all four years

community relations sometimes tense because of columbia expansion; generally fairly good on a person-to-person level

generally quite safe

Common Application and supplement

early decision available (I did regular)

need blind admissions

full need met with financial aid

no merit scholarships

alumni / current student interviews available

4

2011

Core curriculum of humanities, arts

2 semesters science and 2 semesters PE required

academic advising

supplement to Common Ap

I applied regular decision

Need blind and full need met (no official merit aid)

4

2011

Core Curriculum (taken by all students in Columbia College) - Masterpieces of Western Literature (2 semester Great Books curriculum), Contemporary Western Civilization (two semester Western political philosophy curriculum), Frontiers of Science (plus two more semesters of science), University Writing (one semester writing seminar), Global Core (two semesters of non-Western classes), foreign language (4 semesters)

Has some of the nation's foremost scholars in most disciplines, but notably I have personally worked with Gary Okihiro and Andrew Delbanco.

Research assistantships easily attainable if desired.

Classes range from seminars to 200-person lectures, depending on which classes you sign up for.

Grading is tough, there's a lot of work, but it works out.

Most majors require around 30 credits, concentrations require between 15 and 25 (depending on the course of study).

Few study abroad opportunities through school, but possible through other affiliated programs.

Housing is pretty nice for NYC housing, and the dining halls are relatively decent. Very safe. Overall, very crowded; we don't have much space for each student, in the dining halls, student center, in the dorms, etc.

When I applied - (binding) Early Decision, unique application, 1 essay question and many interesting short answer questions about ourselves.

1

2014

You are required to fulfill the core curriculum. Class are for a grade. It is competitive.

Housing is not great. I think dining should be cheaper and more available to upperclassmen. I think there need to be more University sponsored events.

There is an early decision and regular decision option. It uses the Common Application. There is an interview process however it is not guaranteed. Our school only offers need based financial aid.

3

2012

There are many general requirements here at Columbia as the Core is the major initiative in academics. There are classes ranging from writing to the study of art and music. Engineering also has its own core that has a focus on the basics in math and the sciences. This is all done to give you a background in whatever field you choose to pursue. The workload is quite large as there is ALWAYS work to be done. But they amount of resources here is incredible and you can always get help if you seek it.

Housing at the school seems very nice for the location and the fact that our school is a bit older than many others. The library system is one of the best and the neighborhood is really calm and had many places to eat. There are even places open late into the night which is excellent for students who work late into the night.

When I applied the Columbia application was unique and different than the other colleges that I applied to. It asked you questions about why you felt the school was for you and even questions about what types of books and publications you liked to read.

1

2014

The core is large, almost too large. It accounts for at least 1/3 of your total coursework.

Housing is okay, but there is not enough of it. The campus, library, neighborhood are all wonderful. I generally feel safe on campus. The one hindrance on my quality of life is community relations. For starters, there's Barnard. I didn't even know the place existed until after I stepped on campus. As an early decision applicant, this is something I would like to know. Columbia advertises its male: female ratio as 50:50. However, factoring in Barnard that becomes 1:2. This is not about dating life, it is about the blurred sense of female identity on this campus. The relationship between Barnard and Columbia is never made clear. Barnard claims to be one of the undergraduate colleges of Columbia University. However, Columbia never lists Barnard ANYWHERE on their website stating that Barnard is an undergraduate college. What are we left with? - Barnard students who claim to be Columbia Students and Columbia Students who look down on Barnard students. It doesn't help that the hierarchy is already set up before we meet the girls at Barnard. They are thrown into our orientation program but after that certain Columbia events are: "for students of Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science." It doesn't help that they have considerably lower admissions statistics either. I don't think that we Columbians would have an issue with the fact that they get to register for OUR classes before we do, or that they get OUR diploma, if they had statistics closer to our own. Again, this is not a comment about Barnard so much as it a comment about the need to clarify what Barnard is. Is it a college of Columbia University? Things need to be clarified, both for Columbia Students and for the students at Barnard. And, if there is uncertainty about this with the Columbia bureaucracy, I have a suggestion: we need to either absorb the school or sever the ties. No more of this messy "affiliated" jargon, because what does that actually mean.

When I applied, there was a unique application, outside of the common ap. Now, Columbia operates on the Common Application, making it all the more difficult to get in. I can only speak for the older application, but it really tries to get to know you personally.

2

2013

The academic climate at Columbia is one full of curiosity and opportunity. The student body is very passionate about what they are studying, and always want to share their passion with other members of the Columbia community. The courses are difficult, but just as students help one another the faculty wants to see their students succeed. We are taught by some of the leaders in the field who want to share their passion of the subject with their students, and therefore although the classes are challenging they are engaging and the professors are more than willing to help.The relationship between students and professors is very open and there is constant opportunity for discussion. Professors are very approachable to students and are truly invested in sharing their vast amount of knowledge to their students. Freshman are almost always taught by full professors – for example, Jeffery Sachs, a world leader in economics, teaches an introductory economics class.Many students on campus choose to study abroad. Columbia has programs set up all around the world, and has many affiliate institutions that students can apply to also. The study abroad office is very accommodating and helps students plan when the best time to go abroad is, and in planning their schedule accordingly.

Columbia guarantees housing all four years and 95% of students choose to live in Columbia housing for all four years. There are many options for students to pick from when it comes to dorms, singles, doubles, suites etc, so you can figure out where you would be most comfortable. There is a security guard in every dorm building 24/7, so the dorms are very secure.

The dining facilities at Columbia are diverse and there are many places to eat around campus. There is only one main dining hall on campus, but there are around 12 other places on campus where you can eat. This allows for your meal plan to be flexible since you can eat at so many different places. Also, because we are located in New York City if we are ever tired of the food, we can choose from any type of food in the world. Our Columbia ID allows us to eat at over 30 restaurants and get a 30% off discount which makes eating out in the city much more affordable.

Because Columbia has an urban campus we are often asked about security, and it is something that Columbia takes very seriously. New York has been rated the safest big city in the world, and the precinct where Columbia is located is the second safest precinct in New York City. Not only do we have the New York Police Department but we also have our own private security. There are many resources used to keep us safe, including blue emergency lights all around campus that alert security of your location if you are feeling unsafe and escort services if you feel unsafe and would like public security to escort you home. With all of that being said, I have never felt unsafe on or around campus, but it is comforting to know that the precautions are in place if I were ever in a situation where I needed them.

Columbia has its own application, it is not on the common application, with a mix of short answers and essay questions. Some interviews are conducted by alumni but an interview is not a requirement. Applicants have the option to apply early decision, which is a binding contract with Columbia if you are accepted, and also regular decision. The Columbia application process is one that looks for unique, curious, and qualified students. Every application that is submitted to Columbia is read and considered seriously so that each class that goes through Columbia can be diverse and ready to add to the already thriving Columbia community.

2

2013