Can a current Columbia student please answer my questions?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I am interested in attending Columbia, but I would really love to know more about it. Can a current student please answer my questions?</p>

<p>I am thinking of majoring in biology and neuroscience. Are there any science classes or fun electives that you would recommend and why?</p>

<p>Who were your favorite teachers? What class did they teach and why were they your favorite?</p>

<p>Are there any traditions that Columbia students take part in?</p>

<p>How is the dorm life?</p>

<p>Thank you!!!</p>

2

<p>I can’t say much about science courses, but I recommend perusing the course catalog online. I also suggest taking courses in departments that focus on non-western cultures, especially MESAAS. The Core does a great job exposing you to the western literary and philosophical tradition, but you’re really on your own in terms of exploring non-western traditions. </p>

<p>Dorm life is fun, especially first year. You really become close with the people on your floor. And when you get tired of the dorm scene (you inevitably will), you can go enjoy some of the best night life in the world.</p>

3

<p>Current Columbia student here, studying computer science in the engineering school. </p>

<p>We have some amazing professors. I described some of my favorites below, but you should visit CULPA to find the ones teaching classes that interest you: [CULPA</a> - Gold Nuggets](<a href=“http://culpa.info/gold_nuggets]CULPA”>http://culpa.info/gold_nuggets)</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Stephen Edwards. Ridiculously cool. Read these:
[OfficeHop:</a> Stephen Edwards? Personal Arcade | Bwog](<a href=“http://bwog.com/2011/11/17/officehop-stephen-edwards-personal-arcade/]OfficeHop:”>OfficeHop: Stephen Edwards’ Personal Arcade - Bwog)
[Actual</a> Wisdom: Stephen Edwards | Bwog](<a href=“http://bwog.com/2011/12/15/actual-wisdom-stephen-edwards/]Actual”>Actual Wisdom: Stephen Edwards - Bwog)</p></li>
<li><p>Jeremy Dodd. He teaches the 14XX level introductory physics sequence for first and second year students. All-around cool person: He holds at least 4 lunches with students each semester with about 15 students each time. I attended one, where I learned that he farms bees in his spare time and is working on a pilot’s license. When a clerical error meant Columbia hadn’t paid for the lunch, he pulled out his personal credit card and picked up the tab. Very patient at explaining questions during office hours and doesn’t give you the answers right away. </p></li>
<li><p>John Kender. One of the classes he teaches is Honors Intro to CS, which is a class about software architecture. He’s a pretty old guy, so you would expect him to be very out of touch with current industry practices. Not so. He can be very energetic and sometimes sarcastic in his lectures, and he keeps us up-to-date with new developments in CS by sending us links to articles for optional reading. </p></li>
</ul>

<p>Traditions:

  • Orgo Night: The night before the (insanely difficult) organic chemistry final, the Columbia University Marching Band walks around our main library playing loud music and making dirty jokes.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Treelighting: Around this time of year, Columbia puts holiday lights on the trees that line College Walk. Self-explanatory name, but everyone gets together and they turn on the lights. Free hot chocolate and this year, a fight song remix competition.</p></li>
<li><p>Primal scream: You know, I was going to write about this, but then I discovered that Wikipedia has an article covering Columbia traditions: <a href=“https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_University_traditions[/url]”>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_University_traditions&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
</ul>