<p>I think Sac’s comment in the other thread was right on spot-- and what this board needs.</p>
<hr>
<p>Courtesy: Sac</p>
<p>"I propose a new thread: 101 reasons to choose Columbia. </p>
<p>Rule: No mention of USNWR rankings. </p>
<p>As the parent of a student who chose Columbia over many great opportunities, and knowing about plenty of other students who did the same, I can’t tell you how annoyed I get by the constant references to a three or eight spot difference in a notoriously poorly designed magazine poll. I get sad thinking that there are students going off to Columbia with a sense of disappointment, feeling that they received a consolation prize for not getting into Harvard or Princeton or Stanford. I don’t care about many of the measures USNWR uses. I care about quality. If USNWR were ranked against other magazines based on quality, there is no way it would make even the top twenty.</p>
<p>Ok, here’s a reason to choose Columbia: I think its core curriculum delivers one of the best basic liberal arts education in the country."</p>
<p>101 Reasons to Choose Columbia:</p>
<li>Core curriculum delivers one of the best basic liberal arts education in the country</li>
<li>Excellent research opportunities in just about every department imaginable!</li>
</ol>
<p>Vesalvay, you certainly could not say the same of either Princeton or Stanford. Which is the point. The specifics of Columbia and what it offers.</p>
<ol>
<li>The music department offers private lessons at no extra cost, and professionally led jazz ensembles, even for students who are not music majors.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>Core curriculum delivers one of the best basic liberal arts education in the country</li>
<li>Excellent research opportunities in just about every department imaginable!</li>
<li>Located in one of the most vibrant, diverse and active communities in the world</li>
<li>The music department offers private lessons at no extra cost, and professionally led jazz ensembles, even for students who are not music majors.</li>
<li>Japanese Britney Spears (Utada Hikaru) attended.</li>
<li>"In lumine Tuo videbimus lumen"
(In Thy light shall we see the light)</li>
<li>The stunning classical architecture.</li>
<li>Singles galore!</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>Core curriculum delivers one of the best basic liberal arts education in the country</li>
<li>Excellent research opportunities in just about every department imaginable!</li>
<li>Located in one of the most vibrant, diverse and active communities in the world</li>
<li>The music department offers private lessons at no extra cost, and professionally led jazz ensembles, even for students who are not music majors.</li>
<li>Japanese Britney Spears (Utada Hikaru) attended.</li>
<li>"In lumine Tuo videbimus lumen"
(In Thy light shall we see the light)</li>
<li>The stunning classical architecture.</li>
<li>Singles galore! </li>
<li>Frequent visits from world leaders, especially during U.N. conferences.</li>
<li>Located in a safe, liveable neighborhood with some decent bars and restaurants, as well as nice parks and bookstores.</li>
<li>An abundance of of seminars for undergraduates in the humanities and social sciences.</li>
<li>The opportunity to supplement virtually every in-class experience with outside trips to museums, financial centers, religious institutions, concert halls, theatrical performances, etc.</li>
<li>Fantastic internship opportunities that you can take advantage of during the school year, in addition to the summer.</li>
<li>Just being able to hang out on Low Plaza and catch up with friends after a long day.</li>
</ol>