Columbia or NYU?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>Hey everyone...I'm a transferring CC student who has been accepted at both Columbia and NYU for the Spring semester. I'm having a bit of trouble deciding where to attend. If any current Columbia student can give me some insight into what campus life and academics is really like, I would appreciate it. </p>

<p>Other than the social scene (is it a relaxed atmosphere or is everyone very serious?), I was specifically curious to know how difficult the classes are. I've been a 4.0 student through 54 credits at CC (never a grade other than A). I realize that it's probably an unresonable GPA to maintain at Columbia but would anyone say that academics can be insane at times or just challenging? I don't mind working hard but I don't think I want to kill myself for 2 years to the point where I'll have no life outside of the classroom either. For example, if you were to take a history test at Columbia, is it likely to be the kind of test where you have to reel off 100 dates, places and names in essay format?... or are there more traditional style exams with standard fill-in and multiple choice questions??</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>really depends on what you want to do with your life....i know for sure you could never go wrong with a school like columbia</p>

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<p>Yes...I realize I can't make a "wrong" choice between 2 excellent schools, I was just a bit worried about the academic pace and enviroment at Columbia. I'm afraid I'll decide to go there and end up being miserable...a slave to late-night studying and endless readings and writing,lol... I know I'm probably worrying too much but I would feel better if I heard from some current Columbia students who don't kill themselves with school work and still maintain good GPA's (> 3.5)</p>

<p>BTW, I want to major in Film Studies with a minor in English/Literature.</p>

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<p>Well i went to NYU (STERN) before transferring to Cornell AEM and I can certainly say that NYU is not a "pressure cooker" type school. I had a 3.7 with very little effort so i am sure you could do that at Tisch...however remember NYU is in the heart of the city...you literally open your curtains to a city full of distractions lol</p>

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<p>From other transfers here, I know they're having a hard time adjusting to Columbia's academics. It depends a lot on your major though, so what is it? Also I would not neglect the social aspect. NYU's social scene is way better than ours and if you're into partying, you might get depressed here, which can then affect your academics. You should ask yourself what you're looking for in a college and then we might have more advice for you.</p>

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<p>A history test here at Columbia isn't a reeling off of names and places and dates, at least from what I have experienced. It's also not going to be rote memorization for multiple choice and fill ins. Every assignment I have had so far in my history classes at Columbia involves writing. An assignment usually consists of a careful analysis of the material with which you've been presented during the semester. You are asked to make some sort of synthesis, draw parallels between different times, places, and movements, track ideas and how they change over time, analyze trends/patterns/reversals, identify turning points, and perhaps conjecture what direction something will take in the future. </p>

<p>For one of my history classes I have read about 10 books and a dozen articles, and the final exam is a series of essay questions which asks you to draw upon those materials to do all of the things I just mentioned. This type of assignment challenges you but more importantly, you are allowed to show what you know- not be tricked into memorizing an obscure fact on the bottom of page 72. History here allows you to tackle the ideas which you find most compelling. Original perspectives are welcomed, but any idea you throw out there must be accompanied with proper support and style. I can already see how the classes compel you to develop precision and sophistication of an argument. </p>

<p>Excuse me while I get back to my paper!</p>

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<p>Thank you for the replies...Pear, if you see my previous post, I stated my major would be Film Studies with a minor in English/Lit. I have already worked in the film industry so I have specifc goals in mind.</p>

<p>It sounds like the academics is something I can definitely handle, I consider myself very competent at analyzation and independent thought. I do have a lingering problem with the structure of GS however, which I have outlined in my other post - "Feel Like GS is Ripping Me Off."</p>

<p>Thank you for the help anyway, I just feel NYU is offering me more, since I was accepted into the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). They believe I am a legit NYU student, unlike Columbia which seems to have no problem charging me the same tuition as everyone at CC and SEAS but still insist on treating me like a "second class" undergrad. Columbia states that GS is one of their undergrad schools but when you read the "fine print", you realize that is hardly the case.</p>

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<p>^if your young, like early twenties, then, chances are you'll miss out on the 'college' experience at GS, whereas at NYU you probably won't. GS is however very similar to CC or SEAS, same classes, same access to resources pretty much. I personally can't stand the lack of a centralized campus at NYU, but if you don't mind that, it could work well.</p>

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<p>IMO, a degree from NYU will be more prestigious than a GS degree from Columbia. Why did you not just apply to CC?</p>

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<p>I'm 25 , transferring from Community College, I was told by Amissions that I was not even eligible to apply to CC, so GS was the only way I was going to Columbia. Anyway, the competition for a slot at CC is so stiff nowadays, I don't think someone coming out of Community College would even rate consideration in the eyes of the admissions committeee but that's all moot since I wasn't even allowed to apply to CC.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
IMO, a degree from NYU will be more prestigious than a GS degree from Columbia. Why did you not just apply to CC?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>A GS degree is a degree from Columbia is a standard Columbia degree. It is not any less prestigious.</p>

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<p>^^^ its not like hes going to put GS on his resume...he could just leave it as Columbia University... and im sure the majors are the same so no one would no the difference</p>

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<p>Precisely. No employer will even see "GS." let alone look down on any degree from Columbia. If you were excepted to Tisch, I would make sure the student body is the type for you. Tisch is such a awesome school, that is if you fit in.</p>

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<p>Sure, if you're naive enough to believe this, suit yourself.</p>

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<p>are you referring to my post? hmm a GS degree from Columbia is still far superior to the vast majority of degree you can obtain. Is that not correct? </p>

<p>I find it hard to believe that a degree from CU, despite being a degree awarded through general studies is not up to par with degrees from other top universities. GS is designed for non traditional students, not just anybody off the streets.</p>

<p>I also question the "CAS is a real undergrad school." At the OP's age he stands to gain just as much from GS degree, it may actually be beneficial as his classmates will share similar experience to his. A 25 year old may not feel as comfortable in a classroom of 18 year olds as he would with those his age.</p>

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<p>UriA702 Wrote:
["I also question the "CAS is a real undergrad school"]</p>

<p>I'm still not sure how GS grads are viewed but why would you question if CAS is a REAL undergrad school? The College of Arts and Sciences IS the main Lib. Arts school of NYU..NYU has a General Studies program too..I think it's called GSP (oddly enough,lol) but that school is for people who don't get accepted at one of the standard undergrad schools, the principle ones being Stern, Tisch and CAS.</p>

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<p>I;m not questioning if CAS is a real school. I am questioning the validity of your statement that CAS is a real undergrad program and GS is not. You should indeed go wherever you feel comfortable but to make the decision based on a nonsensical notion that gs is not a "real" school seems like an irrational method to pick a school.</p>

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<p>Oh no..I'm sorry if that's the impression I gave..I KNOW GS is a real undegrad school and I know the program is virtually identical to Columbia College so I have nothing but the utmost respect for GS students.. </p>

<p>I only meant I don't know how people outside of GS view the GS program and its students. I just felt from all the posts I have read that many people hold GS out to be some "Continuing Ed" program or something else with a negative connotation. I do not hold that belief, my only concern was completing such a rigorous curiculum and then have someone "look down" on my degree because they think it is not a legit Columbia degree in some way. </p>

<p>I wish they would change the name of the school too,lol..CU loves to advertise how GS is different from any other program for non-traditional students because it's a full degree granting undergrad school of CU. So why the name "General Studies"? Other universities have "General Studies" programs that are indeed inferior to the regular undergrad schools of those universities...General Studies actually SOUNDS like a continuing ed program. They really should get away from that perception. It's a full undergrad program people, surely you can come up with a more appropriate name that doesn't link it to all the other generic and inferior "General Studies" programs around.</p>

<p>I feel the University could go a long way towards helping to, once and for all, dispel this myth. If they consider GS degrees legitimate Columbia degrees and they hold ALL students to the same high standards once they attend, I don't see why they try to make a special distinction for CC & SEAS over Gs.</p>

<p>Ok, I know the admission standards are less stringent to attend GS but is that my fault? If the school wants to lessen entrance criteria in order to attract a non-traditional pool of older students, then maybe it's a good idea to make entrance requirements less difficult but once here, the truly unqualified don't survive so why should not the remaining and truly deserving GS students be FULL members of the Columbia family?</p>

<p>In addition, with the dearth of financial aid for GS students, they are also helping to support the school financially which shouldn't be overlooked. I'm paying full tuition, I take the same classes and I'm doing well in my studies but I can't access career services, I'm not included in the alumni network and I won't be listed in the graduate/jobs database?? THATS TOTAL BS.</p>

<p>If GS is "equal" with SEAS and CC in terms of the coursework and the degree is the "SAME" according to the University, then they have no legitimate explanation for excluding GS students the way that they do..they are only perpetuating the myth that GS students are somehow not on par with SEAS and CC students.</p>

<p>I agree with some restrictions like exclusion from dorms, I have no desire for 18 year olds out of high school to lose that college "experience" by having to share housing with older students but the rest of it is just pure elitist crap. I just feel like CU is using me as a capital resource and then trying to deny me the full recognition and privileges that any legit Columbia undergrad student deserves.</p>