<p>Can anyone help me out? I am confused about the whole Columbia College vs. Columbia University system? I am interested in film/cinema studies and do not expect my GPA to be in the realm of acceptances at Columbia U. That being said, I am looking into Barnard but also Columbia College. According to Naviance my averages fall within acceptances from my school to CC but I still find it all confusing. Can someone explain it to me? Thanks.</p>
<p>Columbia College is the undergraduate college of Columbia University, similar to Harvard College to Harvard University.</p>
<p>So I take it there is not a lower criteria that Columbia U to get in? Is Barnard any easier to get in?</p>
<p>First, I will assume that you have been looking at data for Columbia in NYC, not Columbia in SC, IL, or any number of other states. With that presumption in mind, nobody applies specifically to "Columbia University" for undergraduate admissions. Columbia has three undergraduate schools: Columbia College and Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of General Studies. You would be applying to one of these schools (however, GS is for nontraditional students, which you do not seem to be).</p>
<p>Barnard College is a small liberal arts college for women that is located across the street from CC and SEAS. While it is affiliated with Columbia University (as are the Teachers College, Jewish Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary), it is not an undergraduate college of Columbia University. Admittedly, the Barnard diploma is cosigned by the Columbia University board of trustees (Barnard also has its own board of trustees) and I believe that Barnard professors need CU approval to obtain tenure. </p>
<p>However, in terms of endowment, admissions, etc, Barnard is separate from Columbia University's undergraduate colleges. Nevertheless, cross-registration between the 3 colleges is available (although Barnard students have a different core curriculum) for many courses and Barnard students contribute to the overall Columbia community in many ways (which can be positive or negative depending on who you ask).</p>
<p>In terms of admissions, Barnard College is easier to get into than CC or SEAS. However, it is still a top-notch LAC and its selectivity reflects this status. </p>
<p>I would look past Naviance for your data on college admissions because the sample size on Naviance is limited to students who have graduated from your school in the past couple of years.</p>
<p>If you're seriously interested in film, NYU and USC have the best film schools in the nation.</p>
<p>Well, what makes a university different from a college is the fact that universities are composed of undergraduate and graduate colleges. One of the colleges under Columbia University happens to be CC which is for undergrads and is like a college of arts and sciences, which is common to most universities. When you apply, you apply to Columbia University but choose which college you prefer (Fu/SEAS, CC, General Studies). However, the criteria for Columbia University is basically the same as for Columbia College. I have no idea about Barnard.</p>
<p>Sorry to be such a idiot...and thanks for helping me understand..I think I must have either misread naviance info or they had incorrect info posted. I am assuming someone with a 3/5 GPA from a very competitive private school w/high 600/low 700 SAT's has no chance at Columbia College. But maybe Barnard? Thanks again for clearing things up for me.</p>
<p>I believe there is a Columbia College in Boston that has an arts focus -- theater, film, etc. It is unrelated to the one in NYC.</p>
<p>Correction: It is in Chicago, not Boston.</p>
<p>^^^thanks. I am assuming I will not get into Tisch and other than that NYU does not thrill me and I am a NYer at heart.</p>
<p>Kalodie, Why not go ahead and shoot for Tisch? Quite a few students in my S's school have been admitted there over the past few years and I'm not sure any of them really expected it!</p>
<p>hello all one clarification. the student suggested that he/she is interested in film/cinema studies, which, to be clear, is not a major in film, but more so in the theory and critique of film. usc and nyu are undoubtedly top notch film schools, but columbia has a pretty reputable film studies program with academy award (yada yada) winning professors in connection with the lauded and yet very boutique school of the arts at Columbia. So whereas there are things you have access to at NYU and USC that would allow you even in film studies to have a strong opportunity to take advantage of the actual film production departments, Columbia has limited options here, when it comes to pure film studies you more than likely have similar academic options (or so SOA says)</p>
<p>And lastly, there is purpose in having an undergraduate degree outside of film even if this is your career field. Hell, AO Scott was an English PhD student and now is a top critic, Jim Jarumusch among others went to Columbia. So consider that a broader educational experience that is not narrow in only a film division is not a bad idea, but in many ways offers you perspective and you can still end up where you want to go if you take advantage of contacts and opportuniteis.</p>
<p>^^^excellent points. I heard someone got into Tisch Cinema Studies from my school this year and our stats are not outrageously different so I will give it a try. That being said, I toured Barnard and loved it.</p>