<p>Hi, I'm having a really hard time trying to decide between going to Columbia University or Amherst College.
At the moment, I'm leaning towards Columbia because of the location, but obviously, Amherst would have a much stronger focus on undergraduate teaching.</p>
<p>Any input/advice would be amazingly helpful...</p>
<p>I would consider the curriculum. Do you want the Core program at Columbia, which would force you to take certain classes across all disciplines, or the exact opposite one at Amherst?</p>
<p>These two are really different schools. Columbia is in NYC, Amherst is in kind of a sleepy, rural area. And also there is the notable difference in the curriculum requirements that spark mentioned.</p>
<p>I have to admit if I find this paring to be somewhat odd to be two schools under consideration against each other. They are both in the northeast and have an abundance of top students … a loose description that fits about 50 schools if you include middle atlantic and DC in your search area. In almost everyother dimension they are very different. Amherst is a LAC while Columbia is a research university. Amherst is small and Columbia is large. Amherst is in a small college town that is pretty isolated … Columbia is in the heart of NYC. Columbia has a rigid core while Amherst is very flexible. </p>
<p>I’d like to hear what you like about each of these schools to see if you can generate a list of schools that is much more similar. (Disclaimer added … if there is a specific program these two schools uniquely share … the study of ancient greek olympics … then the pairing makes more sense).</p>
<p>Since you’re in Poland, does that rule out a visit to each school?
I agree with schrizto, these are two very different schools. So a visit to each one might help you decide very quickly.</p>
<p>If you’ve been accepted to both, you must be aware of these differences already. From your screen name and tone it sounds like you are an American abroad, not Polish. You’re not completely clueless about the differences between an American small liberal arts college and a research university … right? It is probably more a matter of not knowing who you are and what you want with respect to college choices.</p>
<p>If so, then a few facts about curriculum or setting may not help much. Can you tell us more about yourself and what you’re looking for? Where did you grow up? If, for instance, you’ve been following your parents all over the world on military or diplomatic assignments, maybe you’re ready for the more settled, intimate community you’d find at a place like Amherst.</p>
<p>I know the pairing is weird, but it’s the choice I have right now (until April 1st). I’m actually an Asian student but I’ve lived in Poland all my life.</p>
<p>And yeah, it’s because Amherst and Columbia are complete polar opposites that I’m not sure which to pick. I tried thinking in terms of the curriculum, but I realized that it didn’t really matter that much to me whether there was a rigid core or not. Because, without it, it’d be great to have the freedom to choose, but Columbia’s Core is so renowned for being comprehensive that I would have no problem doing it. </p>
<p>I’m really looking for a place that definitely has job opportunities during and after study (if that makes any sense :S), and I was thinking Columbia would be better for that. Plus, it’s really strong in humanities such as English (which is what I wanted to study originally).</p>
<p>I’m just really worried about the lack of focus on undergraduates there. I’m scared I’d feel like a little fawn lost in the woods in NYC, especially since I’d only be 17 when starting. And I guess, Amherst just seems like a more undergraduate/freshman - friendly place. </p>
<p>Do you guys have any personal opinions? I really appreciate the help!</p>
<p>I think Amherst is very strong in humanities, too. </p>
<p>No doubt, Manhattan can offer more internship opportunities than Amherst, Mass. On the other hand, I can’t imagine that Amherst College does not work pretty hard to address this need. Have you explored it with Amherst admissions, current students or alumni? Maybe the overseas admissions rep could put you in touch with the right people to address your concerns.</p>
<p>These are difficult decisions but I get the strong impression you’d be happier and more comfortable at Amherst. Even there, though, you need to seek out help when you need it.</p>
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<p>So glad you asked! Personally, I’d take Columbia in a heartbeat. I love NYC, and I love the Columbia campus, which is indeed a “college campus” in every sense of the term. And of course all of NYC…but you certainly must be ready for it.</p>
<p>Remember at Amherst you’d be part of the 5-college consortium, so you’d definitely be able to spread your wings there as well, in a more “controlled” environment. But you asked for a personal opinion. ;)</p>
<p>I wish you luck. You have a most enjoyable choice in front of you, and I envy you.</p>
<p>I’d take Amherst in a heartbeat - a supportive, cohesive environment with friends to whom you’ll be connected for a lifetime, as opposed to a bustling intersection of people, more of whom are focused on NYC than on the campus. But the Columbia name will be better known off the east coast of the U.S. if that’s important to you, and the access to work opportunities is a plus for Columbia.</p>
<p>Amherst for sure. Its my top choice, which is why I ruled out Columbia. </p>
<p>As a side note, these two schools, like others have said, are extremely different, both location and academics wise. I think a visit is in order to determine the location part of it. NYC and Amherst is pretty different.</p>
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<p>You guys are not going to make it easy for the OP, are you. :)</p>
<p>come to columbia</p>
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<p>Columbia. 10char</p>
<p>Thank you for your opinions 
Haha, this is only becoming harder. I’m hoping I’ll be able to visit, but it might be a little tricky time-wise and I still need to get a visa…
At this rate, I might just flip a coin 
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<p>But maybe it would be a good idea to go to Amherst for undergraduate and then go somewhere like Columbia for graduate… </p>
<p>The thing is that few people outside the US know how amazing Amherst is, but Columbia is more recognized (although actually when I told people I got in, 2 thought I meant Colombia the country -.-) </p>
<p>But in the US, there’s definitely companies that recognize Amherst right?</p>
<p>My response from another thread entitled: “Amherst vs Columbia.”</p>
<p><a href=“Amherst vs Columbia - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>Amherst vs Columbia - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums;
<p>"Amherst and Columbia are two completely different schools.</p>
<p>…pay attention to the point that… at Columbia, you’ll devote a substantial amount of time and energy fulfilling Core requirements, and that at Amherst, you’ll have complete freedom to decide your academic career. The former forces you to get out of your comfort zone to explore authors and disciplines you might have never considered on your own. The latter trusts that you have the maturity to create a curriculum that will give you that same liberal exposure but does not compel you to do so in any way.</p>
<p>Both are the most ethnically and socioeconomically diverse of their kin.</p>
<p>Amherst is located in the medium-sized New England town of Massachusetts’ state flagship. Columbia is located in New York City…"</p>
<p>Have you received early letters of admission from both schools?</p>
<p>N.B., English is Amherst’s strongest department.</p>
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<p>LOL, good catch. ;)</p>
<p>^ Yes, how do you have to make this choice already? Congratulations if you’ve received a likely letter/early write.</p>
<p>For me it comes down to Core Curriculum versus Open Curriculum, and I personally prefer Columbia’s Core. Honestly, think about factors such as curriculum, areas of academic interest more than international prestige. As an international student, I think, most of us tend to overvalue prestige because honestly there’s not much to gain from it besides getting people to elicit a “wow” reaction to your college. No job or grad school will automatically become easier if you choose Columbia over Amherst or vice versa.</p>
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<p>Yes.
And keep in mind, the hiring environment in the US is not the same as in some other countries. With the possible exception of a couple of fields (such as investment banking), American companies typically do not recruit only from a small number of elite “feeder” schools. Amherst graduates have an excellent track record for successful careers.
([List</a> of Amherst College people - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Amherst_College_people]List”>List of Amherst College people - Wikipedia))</p>
<p>Yeah, I got an early write from Amherst and a likely letter from Columbia. Complete shock, because I honestly didn’t think I’d get into either places. So I kinda only recently started thinking about it more realistically. Having a major identity crisis. </p>
<p>How valuable is a strong undergraduate focus anyway? Because I still love Columbia for the location and the opportunities, but I had a talk with an interviewer who went to grad school there and she was really urging against going there for undergraduate because the undergrads are pretty much left to fend for themselves. And from what I’ve heard and looked up, the professors at Amherst are much more cuddly with the undergrads. </p>
<p>But would the contrast in undergraduate focus between Amherst and Columbia be that stark?</p>
<p>Also, another factor that Columbia has for me is the strong Political Science program, which I’m pretty interested in. And I’m guessing I’d have more networking opportunities there seeing as UN meetings get held on campus occasionally…</p>