Thoughts on Columbia? Intensity? Social life?

[Anonymous]

I have a child who will be coming from a pretty sheltered small town upbringing who is deciding whether or not to attend Columbia next year. Anyone know how hard it is to acclimate socially? Or how hard it is to adjust to NYC if you've never even taken much in the way of public transportation? Do you have to be wealthy to do stuff with friends in the city, given how expensive NYC is? If you had a bright kid who is ambitious but not necessarily into studying Plato, are the required core courses still somewhat enjoyable? Any other thoughts welcome, too. They are choosing between Columbia and a top small liberal arts college, so very different options, and they are more of a city person in their head, but they haven't had any exposure to that lifestyle, and they're unsure which to choose. I'm also a nervous mom and don't want to put that on them. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Hello :

I am a Columbia College alum. Congratulations! The College is a great school and the core program consists of very stimulating courses. Your child will make friends quickly in the dorms and on the meal plan.
New York City subway system is easy to navigate and one learns quickly. Much of the time,. students just need the Number 1 train which is at 116th Street, in front of Columbia. Many, many classes are small and your child will find much intellectual stimulation from the teachers and students. Culturally, there are tons of things to visit. I found myself going with friends to museums, plays, movies, restaurants, and simply wander through Little Italy and Chinatown.

There are always things to do on campus and in Morningside Heights, so much in fact that for months I would not even leave campus beyond a few blocks.

There will be many students from rural and suburban areas similar to your child. I met students from all over the US and from countries in different continents.

The courses and teachers are all fully described in student course write-ups.

I miss my college days and really wished for an extra year or so at Columbia to take other courses.

The alumni are pretty good and help with internships and mentoring for those undergraduates who want these opportunities.

Endless intellectual and cultural opportunities.

After Columbia, I studied International relations at University of Oxford. That was an excellent experience in the United Kingsom, but I much preferred the classes and opportunities at Columbia College.

[Anonymous]

New York City is not expensive for students ( or, certainly does not need to be expensive). There are student discounts everywhere, restaurants are quite reasonable and not much different from elsewhere on the east coast of the US.

The dorms are the same prices for rent at Columbia as anywhere else for dorm rooms. Plus, it is likely that you can get million-dollar views of the campus or the New York skyline from a dorm room window. Columbia also has mostly single rooms, which is unusual for freshmen.

Public transportation becomes quite easy to use after a few times. It is rapid and reasonable.

All in all, a wonderful learning experience that will last a lifetime.

[Anonymous]

I think there are a 100 other topics already started about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there are a 100 other topics already started about this.

By the same person so she can post the same response

[Anonymous]

It sounds as if she really wants the best for her child. Decision-wise and sticker price are very hefty points to reflect on.

One cannot blame a loving mother for seeking out wisdom to help inform her so that she can help her child make an informed, prudent decision.

Madam, you write as many questions as you want.

From all that I hear and know from graduates of Columbia, it is an excellent choice. It is not Number 3 for national universities on USWNR without reason.

[Anonymous]

Feeling like if the weird Columbia booster and the crazy Roll Tide poster had a child together its name would be UVA.

[Anonymous]

I think you mean hybrid of MIT and Virginia Tech. Together these two can produce robot babies.

[Anonymous]

Say, Guys and Gals or Gals and Guys: It is almost 8 am. Don't you have anything better to do at this early hour ?

This is not a football scrimmage - or, is it ?

[Anonymous]

Why do you keep brining this up? This is really getting old.

[Anonymous]

OP (Poster 1) and PP (poster 2) are the same person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP (Poster 1) and PP (poster 2) are the same person.

Wrong.

I am the College alumnus who wrote poster 2. I am a lawyer specializing in international law, and responded to poster 1. I take at face value that poster 1 is from a mother who has to help her child make weighty decisions about college.

[Anonymous]

FYI with apps the subway system is even easier

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who will be coming from a pretty sheltered small town upbringing who is deciding whether or not to attend Columbia next year. Anyone know how hard it is to acclimate socially? Or how hard it is to adjust to NYC if you've never even taken much in the way of public transportation? Do you have to be wealthy to do stuff with friends in the city, given how expensive NYC is? If you had a bright kid who is ambitious but not necessarily into studying Plato, are the required core courses still somewhat enjoyable? Any other thoughts welcome, too. They are choosing between Columbia and a top small liberal arts college, so very different options, and they are more of a city person in their head, but they haven't had any exposure to that lifestyle, and they're unsure which to choose. I'm also a nervous mom and don't want to put that on them. Thanks.

Why did he/she even apply without researching all this stuff?

[Anonymous]

One can research book information yet still wish for direct knowledge and experience by individuals who went to a place.

It is a great school and she wants direct input. I agree with her request for input.