Columbia Rabi Scholar?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

Hi everyone!

I was recently accepted to Columbia as a Rabi Scholar, and now that it’s April-limbo-time I’m choosing between Columbia and a few other schools, like Duke and Rice (all very different, obviously).

I would have already picked Columbia in an instant if it weren’t for the fact that I really value student community (read: warmth/enthusiasm/support), while almost everything I’ve heard about Columbia is the opposite - it’s apparently individualistic, goal-oriented, and fast-paced, where a “typical college experience” can only really be achieved by joining a fraternity or lucking out on your dorm floor. (Note my ideas of Columbia mainly come from threads like this one http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/columbia-university/1041703-4-years-later-reflections-of-a-columbia-college-senior.html.) I turned to Duke and Rice, as things like prestige mean much less to me than having an exciting and fulfilling and overall happy 4 years.

Then, I heard more about the Rabi Scholars. It offers some amazing science opportunities, and since it is just ~10 students per year, I was wondering:

  1. Would it allow me that community experience I so want at Columbia? And even if not, is it a cool-enough-deal to be worth that lack of community?
  2. If neither Columbia, Duke, or Rice end up being right for me… a very early question (feel free to tell me off for even asking) - is the transfer process to similarly-ranked schools difficult?

Thanks so much!

2

I mean, with the Rabi program, you get more mentorship and research funding and probably attend some kind of seminar with other scholars. That may help you become close; I have friends who are Egleston scholars and are closer because of it.

Honestly, at Columbia, you’ll have no problem in making friends and having a group. Usually that happens from living on the same floor (my closest friends are from people from my freshman floor) but also it can occur through ECs or other things. The thing is that the whole campus isn’t very tight.

If you really care about warmth/enthusiasm/support as a main factor, I think Rice/Duke might honestly be better.

3

Thanks so much @ecouter11 , that’s good to know. You make a good point - I think if I can find that community aspect in ECs or smaller friend groups that’d be enough for me :slight_smile: and it’s good to hear that you can bond well with your freshman floor!

4

I go to columbia. Honestly research is so easy to get that the special programs aren’t all that helpful. The scholars programs are primarily used by admissions to attract people and increase the yield to compete for rankings with schools like harvard yale and princeton. I’m with the guy above, if you want the warmth/support, then Columbia may not be for you. I came here because I came from a big city and felt like I needed to live in a big city.

5

What should I write in my LOCI if I have no significant improvement in my honors and etc, Please help, I am desperate!!! I didn’t apply to any safety school, so this is my last chance.