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

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

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

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

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

We have a fantastic and rigorous Core curriculum - it is the academic trademark of our university. Core class have under 20 people in them. Otherwise, it's pretty typical - you can have a major and/or concentration(s), and take electives.

Great quality of life. The workload can be a little too demanding, but the NYC atmosphere, amazing diversity and general attitude on campus is positive.

CommonApp, supplement, early decision and regular decision

1

2014

The center piece of the Columbia academic experience is the Core Curriculum. The Core takes about 1/3 of total academic time at Columbia. Freshman year, students take Literature Humanities, an all year course, and either Frontiers of Science or University Writing each semester. Literature Humanities serves as an overview of the major works in the western cannon; in the summer before entering Columbia, students are instructed to read Homer's Iliad. Other key works are The Aeneid, Crime and Punishment, Pride and Punishment, and To the Lighthouse. Frontiers of Science is a lecture and small-scale scale course. Notable Columbia professors deliver lectures about what is currently happening in Science; after lecture, PhD. candidates lead seminars with a maximum of 16 students. Similarly, University Writing, the final required core class for first years, ensures that all Columbia freshman, regardless of origin or past academic experiences, learn to write a university level paper. In addition to these courses, the core also contains two physical education requirements, four semesters of foreign language (this can be placed out of with a high AP score), two Global Core classes (courses that focus on a non-western region), two science courses, Art Humanities, Music Humanities, and Contemporary Civilization. Contemporary Civilization is the centerpiece of the Core and, in reality, the Columbia Education. Founded in 1919, Columbia Professors created Contemporary Civilization in the aftermath of the first world war. Originally called Peace Studies, Contemporary Civilization instructed students in the groundbreaking philosophical ideologies that have shaped society. Currently, Contemporary Civilization students begin with Plato's Republic, read many works by Aristotle, Euripidies, Epictitus, St. Augustine, Kant, Rousseau, Hume, Foucault, and many other influential thinkers.

Professors are required to hold office hours twice weekly. In this time, professors are required to be in their office with no obligations; their main duty in this time is to interact with students--whether for academic concerns or other guidance. This has been one of my favorite elements of my Columbia experience. Professors are so accessible, friendly, and eager to help and get to know students.

Housing is great at Columbia, especially as you get older. Many of the upperclassmen dorms are converted New York City Apartments. I will have a single for all four years of college.

Columbia has 25 libraries, and one, if not more, is open at all hours of the day. Moreover, all of the libraries are gorgeous and offer different options as different students have different preferences for studying.

Columbia has an application independent from the Common Application. There are 2 short answer questions and one essay. The two short answer questions are fairly straight forward; in general, they encourage the applicant to describe what features of Columbia are most enticing. The essay allows the applicant to create something completely unique. For instance,I wrote about how I am a terrible dancer.

Columbia has regular decision and early, binding decision. Alumni interviews are offered if there are alumni living near the applicant.

3

2012

The unique part about Columbia is the Core Curriculum. A lot of people criticize it because it's outdated, but I'm a strong proponent of the belief that you can't progress forward without knowing your past. The Core is meant to make you well versed in multiple areas and branch you out into areas you may not have seen yourself in before. It is trying to apply the timeless lessons of humanity to modern day life and see how and if we have progressed as a society.

Columbia has its own application, but will switch over to the Common Application for the Class of 2015 admissions cycle. When I applied, there was one essay where students had the chance to convey themselves as well as short answer questions that asked more personal interests, such as what you like to read, what music you listen to, what movies you watched, etc. And of course, there was a Why Columbia? question. Interviews are available to all students as long as the alumni could meet the demand, but because of the number of applications and the limited number of interviewers, interviews aren't always possible. Columbia does have an early decision program in place where a large portion of the student body comes from, and then of course the regular decision pool. Columbia's application process is on a need-blind basis and doesn't offer any merit based aid.

1

2013

Core classes are very extensive and cover a multiple of areas you would never in your life encounter again. The core is a great way to expose science students to humanities and humanities students to religion. It mixes religion and science in complex ways. The degree requirements are intense,requiring a student to perform his or her best throughout the 4 years. Class sizes vary from 13 to 150 students. Some professors are more easily accessible than others. The research opportunities are endless with tons of summer programs in different fields. It is very competitive as most classes base grades on a curve. The workload is manageable.. some semesters will be packed with no free time whatsoever whereas others may allow u to have up to 3 free days a week.

Overall pretty friendly, its the students that make the campus live and active, noone is hesitant to make new friends. Housing could be better but thats the case with every university. The cost of living is expensive if you;re not smart about how to live in NYC. If you come from a small town, do go to a Walmart and stock up on toothpaste before coming to campus! I'm very happy with the library services. I love pod. Not only do you have Columbia's libraries but there's also the NYC public library and the possibility to borrow books from other ivy league schools. The neighbourhood is pretty friendly. Its not unlikly that you'll go to a bakery and meet your professor there since alot of professors live in the area.

Very intense, Questions about yourself, what makes you stand out from all the other geniuses in high schools, Friendly very approachable staff and admission officers, Financial Aid covers absolutely everything your parents cannot afford. Scolorship opportunities are abundant for well performing students.

2

2012