Thoughts on Columbia? Intensity? Social life?
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
People who go to Columbia and get a good liberal arts education can have a lot of fun in New York with no money, at any age. |
Anonymous
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Columbia is a brilliant intellectual and cultural experience that will last your child his/her entire life.
Columbia invests millions into the core courses which are fantastic in-depth readings on civilization, literature, the arts, frontiers of science, and music. Your child will be able to disassemble and then reassemble any piece of literature masterfully, the way an expert mechanic can take apart and re-assemble car engine. There is a reason why a degree from Columbia represents a world-class education. When I was in Europe people always heard about the strong educational opportunities at Columbia. A special opportunity and training not to be missed. New York City does not need to be expensive at all for students. Very reasonable in everything; and dorms are all standard cost. Beautiful views from many of the rooms; plus mostly singles. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for all of this - my child is braver than me. They think they want to go to Columbia. One other question, given the intensity of the student body and the city itself. Does the school do any hand holding at all with freshmen to help them acclimate, or help them deal with the stress of the change? I know my child will be 18 and is academically capable, but they're very quiet and I'm worried they will find the transition hard, especially since they've never once even BEEN to a city alone, and I'm worried they will be lonely. The small liberal arts college does a lot to help the new students make friends, and it's a small rural town where everyone will see each other all of the time which will reinforce those friendships. I know this is about me at this point, and not my child, so I appreciate everyone's input. |
Anonymous
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Each student is assigned an advisor. It is easy to make friends; students comes from all 50 states and from all over the world to be freshmen/freshwomen at Columbia.
The students work hard and are academically driven. There is a reason why it is number 3 on US News. The college has always been dedicated to life of the mind and the life of culture, since its founding in 1754. Have you considered simply to call the dean's office and admissions office at Columbia and ask to speak to relevant people on staff about the advisory system and about ANY and as many questions that you have ? No question is too minor if it is important to you or your child. The staff know this and are very happy to address any concern. Plenty of students from the rural states and suburbs, and all kinds if personalities and interests abopund. I urge you to call andASK any questions and as many questions until you are satisfied. If Columbia accepted your child, it clearly wants him/her to succeed. There is also a strong involvement of parents, and I am sure you can be given some phonenumbers of Columbia parents involved in campus matters to talk to. On the Columbia College webpage there i a section about parents' engagement with the College. Your child has won an intellectual/cultural lottery, Congrtulations. 
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Anonymous
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Just call them and they will put you in touch with the right people. That is part of their job. No question or concern is too small. They will be flattered to hear from you !
Contact Us Columbia Undergraduate Admissions 212 Hamilton Hall, Mail Code 2807 212-854-2522 ugrad-ask@columbia.edu |
Anonymous
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https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/ask/faq/question/2500 Parents' page on Columbia College admissions website
Frequently Asked Questions What role do parents and families play in the Columbia community? We believe that college is a time when young adults begin to separate from their parents, assume greater responsibility for their decisions and actions, and seek to rely more on institutional support systems. This philosophy, however, does not preclude our belief that familial support systems are extremely important for students, and that parents and families can and should be involved in their student’s education. How then can you be involved in your student’s Columbia experience while allowing for his or her development? Here are just a few ways: Listen Hear what your students have to say. While respecting their newfound autonomy, check in with them every once in a while to see how they’re doing. Don’t assume you know what it’s like for them! Learn Find out more about Columbia. Learn about the school’s history, constituents, leadership, and mission. Check the Columbia website for the latest news on events happening on and off campus. Help Help your student take advantage of these resources by directing them to the appropriate office. Remember, we expect students to take responsibility for their own actions and consult these resources themselves, so don’t call on their behalf. Rather, suggest they seek out various resources and follow up with them. Remember that they value your advice, even if they don’t always say so! Network—Get to know other parents and alumni living in your area. Network with other parents, alumni, and administrators. Attend a College Day, Dean’s Day, panel discussion, or other event. Volunteer Get involved through Student and Family Programs. Welcome new families to campus, help staff a registration table, or sit on a panel at a Summer Advising Session. Volunteering is a great way to get to know other parents and a great way to give back to Columbia. For more information, please visit the Family Handbook or Student and Family Programs. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life Related FAQs Does Columbia grant academic credit for international exams such as the British Advanced Examinations or other internationally standardized examinations? Yes. Some placement, advanced standing or credit may be granted for nationally or internationally standardized examinations, including but not limited to International Baccalaureate and British Advanced Level and Pre-U Examinations. Credit is determined and approved by a student’s academic adviser from the Berick Center for Student Advising after a student is enrolled at Columbia. More information on international student admission can be found here. Specific questions about advanced standing should be directed to a student’s academic adviser once a student has matriculated. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life, International and Undocumented Students What are the differences between Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, Barnard College and the School of General Studies? Columbia College is Columbia's traditional undergraduate liberal arts college, its founding in 1754 as King's College marks the birth of Columbia University. Columbia Engineering is the University's engineering school, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. Barnard College is a liberal arts college for women in partnership with Columbia University. At Columbia College, Columbia Engineering and Barnard College, students usually come directly from high school and attend full-time. The School of General Studies is Columbia’s college for nontraditional students who want to earn a degree while attending full- or part-time. Nontraditional students have had a break of one year or more in their educational paths or have compelling personal or professional reasons for completing their bachelor’s degrees part time. Students in the School of General Studies take the same courses with the same faculty and undertake the same majors as all other undergraduates at Columbia. All four colleges are located on the Morningside Heights campus in New York City. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life Does Columbia grant placement, advanced standing or credit for standardized examinations? Yes. Some placement, advanced standing or credit may be granted for nationally or internationally standardized examinations, including but not limited to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and British Advanced Level and Pre-U Examinations. Credit is determined and approved by a student’s academic adviser from the Berick Center for Student Advising after a student is enrolled at Columbia. First-year students are not granted credit for courses taken at other colleges before their graduation from secondary school. Specific questions about advanced standing should be directed to a student’s academic adviser once a student has matriculated. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life What athletics are offered at Columbia? Columbia University competes at the NCAA Division I level (Division I-AA for football) as a member of the Ivy League. Columbia sponsors varsity teams in 31 intercollegiate sports in addition to many intercollegiate club and intramural teams as well. For more detailed information, please visit the Columbia Athletics website. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life Are there advisors for specific departmental majors? Yes. All departments will assign faculty advisors to every student committing to either a major or concentration in that department. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life How large are Columbia's classes? 80% of undergraduate classes taught at Columbia have fewer than 20 students. Since Columbia's Core classes are small seminar classes and since more advanced courses are meant to allow direct connection with faculty, few courses at Columbia are larger than 20 students. Those classes generally are either popular introductory lectures or upper-level classes in especially great demand. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life Does Columbia have ROTC? Columbia has an agreement with the Navy to offer a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program. As part of the NYC NROTC program, Columbia students complete their training at the SUNY Maritime campus, participating in Naval Science classes, military training and physical training. Graduates serve in the Navy or Marine Corps as officers and receive tuition and fees from the Navy during their time at Columbia. Candidates interested in this program should apply both for the NROTC National Scholarship and for admission to Columbia simultaneously, taking note of NROTC entrance requirements. More information on the NROTC program can be found on Columbia's website or the official NROTC website (www.nrotc.navy.mil) and questions may directed to nrotc@columbia.edu or (212) 851-9960. Columbia also offers students the opportunity to participate in Army and Air Force ROTC programs through cross-town affiliations with other programs. More information can be found on the Columbia ROTC website. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life How is housing selected for upperclassmen? Students will enter into a lottery system in order to select their future housing; they may choose to group with friends and live in one of Columbia's suites, or they may decide to enter into the lottery alone and live in one of Columbia's many singles. Over 70% of all undergraduate rooms at Columbia are singles. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life What are the advising and support services on campus? All Columbia undergraduates will have a single all-purpose adviser from the Berick Center for Student Advising for all four years. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life What is the student-faculty ratio? The student to faculty ratio is 6 to 1. The ratio in some of the physical science departments in the College is as low as 2 to 1. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life How can I start a club? Clubs are organized by five governing boards-the Activities Board at Columbia, the Club Sports Governing Board, Community Impact, the Intergreek Council and the Student Governing Board. Each governing board oversees a particular set of organizations and has specific guidelines for prospective groups. Student life fees fund the over 450 clubs and organizations at Columbia. Check out the various governing boards in order to learn how to start up a new group that will offer something distinctive to the campus community. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life Can I seek off-campus housing? Housing at Columbia offers a wide variety of living opportunities-from corridor style to apartment style living, from residence halls in the middle of the main quad to those on quiet side streets only five minutes walk to the center of campus. The University-wide Office of Off-Campus Housing Assistance supports all affiliates in seeking non-Columbia owned properties. Related FAQ Topics: Academics and Student Life Pages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7NEXT ›LAST » All FAQ Topics Select a Topic Search Our FAQs Search for Search See all FAQs Contact Us Columbia Undergraduate Admissions 212 Hamilton Hall, Mail Code 2807 212-854-2522 ugrad-ask@columbia.edu |
Anonymous
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Did you or your kid post on Reddit? If so, then between the two schools, Columbia only because of the allergies and bigger student population.
To answer your question above, there is no hand holding but there is lots of covid coddling (e.g., pass/fail one class). Core classes like UW are taught by graduate students. This semester they went on strike so my kid learned that much less and got an A because the school felt bad. Kids with TAs missed two of the four key writing assignments. |
Anonymous
What the...you must work for Columbia |
Anonymous
OP, sign up for Facebook Columbia parent's group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/549681708770085 . You'll get what it's like to be a Columbia student here. |
Anonymous
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'What the...you must work for Columbia.'
Answer : No, I do not work for Columbia. I am a teacher and know the good colleges, and am aware of the great financial investment Columbia makes in undergraduate programs including the core courses which place it leaps ahead of most places in the US. Look these commitments up for yourself on its web pages. My only duty is to my students ( and to their parents) . |
Anonymous
Are you WHITE? Maybe you should wear a diaper to get through life. |
Anonymous
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"Your child has won an intellectual/cultural lottery, Congratulations."
While I agree with much the teacher wrote, THIS IS NOT TRUE, and I don't think she meant luck was involved in getting into Columbia. There was no lottery about it. Columbia WANTS your daughter. They chose her over people with better and worse stats, ECs, essays and recs. There is something in her application that stood out, showed initiative or indicated future greatness. They have spent a huge amount of effort figuring out how to find what they WANT in students and in a class. You don't have to understand it, just know it was NOT AN ACCIDENT. I'm not talking about putting extreme faith in experts or "Ivies", I'm saying that there is skill involved in human resources and college ad coms. You need to make sure your DD understands this as well. Of course, you have to get this across without swelling her head, no easy task. Good luck |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
The Parent PP said her kid’s at home. Online learning is not easy - even at Columbia. That’s where the disappointment’s coming from. Try to pay attention to the postings you are responding to. |