How hard academically is Columbia?
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Anonymous
| OK. I tried to ask this before but got sidetracked with various things. Just one simple question. How hard are the academics at Columbia? I ask b/c my kid got it and wants to go. We are not from the DC area. We are from a rural public high school (yes Columbia was recruiting rural kids this year as part of a new program) and accepted TO. They want to go but I don't want them to fail out. On the APs that they took they got a 3, two 4s and a 5. Let's be honest our high school is not nearly as intense as the DC schools. Someone told us that the hard part is getting in and as long as you aren't completely brain dead you can graduate. Is this true? And, how stressful is it just to get through perhaps with Bs? And, as a final question what are the easiest majors at Columbia -- just in case they can't make it the major they currently like? Thank you in advance! |
Anonymous
OP again: And, would LOVE to get some insight from parents of current or recently graduated students. |
Anonymous
They are unlikely to fail out. The average GPA at columbia is the same as the average Ivy: 3.6-3.7. Your kid may be in the bottom 1/4 or may not, but worst case will likely have above 3.0. Humanities classes usually have the average grade an A-(3.7), stem could be B avg(3.0). It will be fine . The ivy pedigree goes far. They should take a chance and go for it! They do not have to decide a major at the start: they can explore and they can change. Even “average” and below avg kids at Columbia get into law schools and can get into good careers. The opportunities of an ivy or T10 especially for a rural kid can be life-changing. Your kid was admitted for a reason. |
Anonymous
Thank you. I do believe that we were admitted just b/c we were rural and taking AP classes so I'm not sure how far that goes...LOL. We also got into Amherst but they really want to try a big city! |
Anonymous
| I went there 20 years ago, but back then, it was hard to get As in the STEM subjects and grades in those subjects could easily go down to Cs. Humanities were much easier-you would be hard pressed to get lower than a B- if you showed some effort even if you were academically not the brightest. |
Anonymous
| If OPs kid got into Amherst and Columbia, it's no fluke. It will be other factors. Amherst if your kid is extroverted and needs more hand holding in a nurturing environment. Columbia needs to be a bit more independent. And it's rural vs. NYC all over again. SLAC vs. Ivy. Open curriculum vs. the Core. The ivy brand is hard to beat. |
Anonymous
| It's like any other Ivy. The hardest of classes, particularly in the sciences and math, would make your hair fall out, but there are easier classes too, and it's in no one's best interest to have kids flunk out when tuition costs a fortune. |
Anonymous
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No one mentions Columbia's core curriculum?
https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/academics/college/core This is where some students struggle as Columbia has more core requirements than most colleges. It is decidedly NOT like any other Ivy. |
Anonymous
Some of the ivy level universities actually tell students the courses are hard - so course selections must be strategic. Don't load up on all hard-core classes. |
Anonymous
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The PP who mentioned the core curriculum is on the right track. I would suggest that they look at the typical reading list for a few of Columbia’s core courses. Samples are available on their website. My kid was dissuaded from applying to Columbia after a college counselor gave her this suggestion. It’s a core curriculum on steroids. Similar in intensity to UChicago but more prescriptive and more humanities-focused. (My kid ended up at Chicago and loves it.)
If your kid wants a less demanding core curriculum, I would suggest seriously considering the other options. If the core doesn’t dissuade, you could suggest that your kid spend some time this summer reading classic texts to get in the right mindset and feel more comfortable in the fall. A little preparation and confidence goes a long way. Good luck. |
Anonymous
Most people like the core curriculum--it's a solid liberal arts education. And it doesn't kill you to have to take a science class, a greatest hits of literature class, art history etc. |
Anonymous
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Columbia does require two years of college level foreign language for its Literature and Arts students. So does UMich, UVA, and Georgetown, as far as I can tell from their websites.
Most colleges are one year of college level language study, which can be met with a strong AP score. |
Anonymous
Nobody said it did "kill you". But to say "most people like it" is a claim I'd like to see supported with evidence, because I hear both. Either way if you are going to ask the OP's question you really can't answer it without understanding the core curriculum. |
Anonymous
| What major, OP? |
Anonymous
| 3,4,4,5 on APs is good--what subjects? |