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That’s true, but that could be a reason to avoid NYC for college.</p>
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I don’t know if it’s that, but it doesn’t hurt. Whatever it is, yes it works–for most. There are people who would be happier at a Dartmouth or Swarthmore.</p>
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<p>You’re not allowed to use your own lawns?</p>
<p>@Smart Guy</p>
<p>I think about 20% of Columbia are “perfect candidates” to transfer out. The fact is that the campus and city are incredibly dense so it doesn’t feel like a college town or location. I just don’t get this argument that NYC is a great reason to go to college at Columbia. For those who are independent and are studying the arts, it’s a great choice. For those looking for a traditional campus life, there’s not much to be sought after at Columbia.</p>
<p>It’s not that the graduate students scare anyone, it’s the fact that undergraduates make up such a small proportion of the population in relation to the campus. Students get from point A to point B to get stuff done and rarely run into other undergraduates. It’s just a campus where it’s hard to meet up because dormitories are small. We can talk about meeting in Lerner, Hartley, or local restaurants but for 6000 undergrads, there’s no way all the local establishments have the capacity to fill customers and undergrads during lunch and dinner. A lot of people eat by themselves.</p>
<p>I think for anyone seriously considering Columbia, you should have the intention of joining a fraternity or a campus organization that has upperclassman who share their suites. It opens up many more social opportunities than just hanging out with people in your class (who all live in singles) and going to local bars. It’s not bottles, clubs, art galleries, and NYC all the time at Columbia. I think most people just want to stay around campus and try to carve out a semblance of a traditional college experience given the numerous and large constraints. </p>
<p>Enough of the bashing Smart Guy, I honestly think that all the extremely positive posters on College Confidential are just tools of the Undergraduate Recruitment Committee. Your lines sound like they come from a brochure. When I say I want to do Investment Banking, I don’t read off the website and I don’t say that “I want to work with the most complex companies to solve their problems in a challenging and exciting environment.” I think you lost credibility for me when you said that “[Columbia] happens to be the preeminent university in the greatest city on the planet, with a world renowned faculty and roster of alumni…” Give some real advice, not some half-baked brochure line. Talk about what percentage of classes are taught by world renowned faculty, how active the alumni are.</p>
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<p>Columbia has among the highest of retention rates, so not too many people leave. Does this mean that everyone is happy, absolutely not. I suspect this could be said of many, if not most, colleges.</p>
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<p>Again, when I was there, I never ate alone. It shouldn’t be Columbia’s problem if students choose to dine alone or hang out in their dorm rooms by themselves while playing solitaire. What do you expect from the school in this regard? C’mon, when you are in college, you should take initiative and make things happen. You are right, in this sense I guess you are experiencing the real world sooner than you would like…</p>
<p>Also, probably 80-90% of Berkeley students are undergraduates, does this mean that those undergrads are having a greater time because they make up most of the student body? I am having difficulty understanding why this is a problem for you… </p>
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<p>I am not from admissions. Just because I have had a totally different experience than you while I was at Columbia doesn’t nullify or discredit my incredibly positive experience. My statement that you seem to question happens to be a fact (is it not the preeminent school in NYC, with prominent faculty and alumni?), so I don’t get your point. How does this make me less credible!? Hey, I am not hear to make you feel inadequate or anything because you have, or are having, a less than great experience at Columbia, a school I happen to cherish and admire. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but don’t attempt to poison the well without giving thought to your statements…</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for helping me make a decision. I say it honestly, when I say that, I really did appreciate all the comments both positive and negative about the three different schools.</p>
<p>I am choosing Columbia.</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<ol>
<li>The diversity. For so long, I’ve been defined by my race. I’m sick of it. I want people to focus on my mind, my articulate speech and other things about me. In a diverse community, I would no longer be nil the token “black” buddy, but nil. I need that freedom, and I would find it at Columbia.</li>
<li>The city. Yes, I think a typical college experience is nice. But I need an escape valve. As someone at Columbia said, “if you don’t like the students on campus, well you can always find someone in the city.” Yes, at first, the city was a little overwhelming, but I grew to love it. I love the opportunities right at one’s fingertips, the stress, and even the blare of fire trucks. It is so exciting, beautiful and alive.</li>
<li>The intellectuality. At Columbia, I was up till 3 in the morning discussing race, and education with other prospective students,(ED ones). This is exactly what I dreamed of doing in college.</li>
<li>The lack of partying. At Columbia, I went to ONE party. Almost none of the students could dance. I fit right in.</li>
<li>I’ve already made a few friends. I hope I will make more. </li>
</ol>
<p>But so far, I think Columbia is the best place for an undergrad to grow up in. Nowhere else will compare. Roar Lion Roar!</p>
<p>Hey Nil, my son has decided on Columbia as well after Days on Campus. Many of the reasons you cite (other than race related ones) apply to him as well. Good luck.</p>
<p>Congrats! Sounds like you made the right choice for you (which is what it’s all about). You really can’t go wrong with Columbia–or any of these three schools! :)</p>