<p>I probably will not have any chance to visit the east coast before I apply to college, but I am considering applying ED to Columbia. I like everything I've heard about it so far-- it sounds like an amazing school. I'm just having these scenarios in my head of hating the school if I get accepted! (These worries are pretty foundation-less, and I've never heard of anyone hating Columbia, but still...)</p>
<p>All colleges (including Columbia) are hated by some people, and personally I would advise against applying ED to a school you haven't visited, there is definitely potential to hate it (personally, happened with me and MIT), plus, if you're even considering financial aid, you would definitely be in a tough spot if you're not getting a financial package that suits you...</p>
<p>Granted I am a parent, but I cannot imagine applying to any school that my child has not visited, regarless of ED, EA or RD. There is something to be said from walking around the campus with and without tour guides. Brochures show all of the great aspects in color and photgraphed during the prime season for the school. We have toured some schools during the school year and others during the summer. Touring allows you to examine that fit that is so important when choosing a college. Mind you, noe of our visits were very expensive and were part of the family vacation. We probably spent the most money driving to visit Northwestern. It was a family trip for the six of us and included Michigan Ave, and the American Girls Store for the younger sibs. The visits were by no m;eans luxuorious vacations as we dont' have the money for that, but none the less , they were fantastic trips for all of us.</p>
<p>Have you been to New York City? While many love Columbia, it is in Harlem which many people do not like. The dorms are not like suburban campus dorms. Do you have a real feel for the school?</p>
<p>No, I haven't been to New York City (in fact, I've never seen any of the US east of Detroit)... however, I live fairly close to San Francisco, so I have a good idea of what a big city is like.</p>
<p>Hmmm, well NYC (including Harlem) is a very unique experience. I mean, once you get north of 110th street, it becomes incredibly urban, and from my impressions (though I admit I have never been to the west coast, specifically San Francisco), but I would imagine that safety in the two areas is exceptionally different, but who knows...</p>
<p>I strongly suggest you visit New York City. It is a fabulous place in my opinion but it's not for everyone. Make sure that you can see yourself living there for the next four years. It's not like San Francisco- in fact I can't think of any cities in the US that are like it. You should definitely visit New York before committing.</p>
<p>All right, thanks for the input. I'm re-thinking this.</p>
<p>Also, would you guys feel so strongly if it were not a school in such a big city? Out of curiosity.</p>
<p>I would still say that you should visit it, regardless of where it is, just to make sure that it fits you. But especially for New York City, because it's such a unique city.</p>
<p>A college in the middle of an Iowa corn field needs to be visited before a decision just as much as Harlem-situated Columbia. Every college has a different feel. I've only been to a few, but from what I have seen, colleges vary widely. Talk your parents into visiting your chosen campuses in person. Why take a chance on four years of misery?</p>
<p>IMO applying ED w/o visiting is one of the dumbest things you could possibly do. I certainly visited before applying EDI. I advise you to as well.</p>
<p>
[quote]
No, I haven't been to New York City (in fact, I've never seen any of the US east of Detroit)... however, I live fairly close to San Francisco, so I have a good idea of what a big city is like.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>San Francisco is nothing, and I mean NOTHING, like New York City. And it is especially not anything like Harlem. Trust me, I am from the city and went to high school literally a few blocks away from Columbia. It isn't a wise decision to apply anywhere ED without getting a feel of the campus. I was going to apply to Wesleyan and then I visited the campus, hated the feel of it and then didn't even bother applying. </p>
<p>Are you from a really small town? Just curious.</p>
<p>New York is very different from anywhere else I have been in the world. It can be dirty, it can be mean, it can be rough...It takes a certain person to love the city (and Harlem). Harlem isn't as bad as it used to be. Safety wise, you should be okay even late at night (as long as you stay around Columbia, that is. East Harlem, where my high school is, can be very violent as are areas above and slightly below Columbia's campus.)</p>
<p>I'm from suburban San Jose, FWIW.</p>
<p>And I didn't mention that I've also seen London & Paris, if they're any closer to NYC than San Francisco.</p>
<p>VISIT VISIT VISIT! I cannot emphasize that enough..and visit other schools too so you can compare. </p>
<p>I applied to Columbia ED, but I really wanted to make sure I wanted to be there, so I visited twice, and I made sure that I visited all the other schools that I believed would be just as difficult to get into just to make sure I didn't have buyer's remorse.</p>
<p>By the way, everyone who is saying it is in Harlem, that's actually inaccurate. It is in a neighborhood called Morningside Heights, which has the second lowest crime rate of the entire city. Morningside Heights (I'm going to sound like a brochure here) is nicknamed the Acropolis of America because there are many schools in the immediate area, Columbia, Barnard, Manhattan School of Music, etc. Morningside Heights is a quieter area of the city and I hear from many people that it's more residential and over half of the professors live in the immediate area. I personally loved the area, it seemed like a more peaceful area of the city to retire to, and the gorgeous Columbia campus is like your sanctuary in the most incredible city in the world, with green lawns and stunning Classical architecture :)</p>
<p>Hmmm, well I've never been to London or Paris (though I have been to Madrid and Rome), and once I again I feel comfortable saying that NYC is one of the most unique experiences you'll ever have, especially Harlem, so definitely visit. Furthermore, having already gone to school in the Boston area, I can say that Boston being one of the key eastern coast cities has nothing on NYC, but anyway...</p>
<p>
[quote]
And I didn't mention that I've also seen London & Paris, if they're any closer to NYC than San Francisco.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Closer, but not quite. There's really nothing like New York. Even parts of New York are different from one another. Harlem, in particular, isn't anything like London or Paris.</p>
<p>And furthermore, don't forget the great possibility that there's a college that's better for you out there (though, honestly, you may never find it - sad fact), so definitely visit and assure yourself that this is the best choice because the college you select is perhaps one of the most important in your life, so...</p>
<p>Boston>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>NYC</p>
<p>i have heard that columbia is definitely one of the schools you want to visit, as the campus tends to be not what people expect.</p>
<p>comisar, I wouldn't advise applying ED to any college that you haven't visited, but there may be exceptions based on experience and prior exposure. For example, if you've been to UC Berkeley you would have a fairly good idea of what the University of Michigan would be like. Or if you've visited Stanford you should be able to visualize Dartmouth. These are not exact comparisons but you could be reasonably safe in drawing conclusions. </p>
<p>Columbia is definitely not an exception to the "visit first" rule. It's a wonderful school, but is not for everyone, both in the campus and the style of education.</p>
<p>Having lived in both San Francisco and NYC I can tell you with authority that there is NO COMPARISON between the environment and life style in these two cities. Boston and San Francisco have a lot of similarities but New York is a class of one.</p>
<p>So, if you're determined to apply ED, be equally determined to figure out a way to visit.</p>