Hi everyone! I’m trying to decide between applying ED to Columbia and applying REA to Yale in November. I’ve been going back and forth for months, and still can’t seem to choose between the two. When I visited, I fell in love with both campuses: with Yale because of its traditional collegiate atmosphere, gorgeous campus and residential colleges, and the quaint surrounding area, with Columbia because of, well, New York and the vibrancy of Morningside Heights. It’s been my dream to live in New York for as long as I can remember, but I also can’t deny the fact that I’d love have the complete undergrad experience (after all, you’re only in college once). In terms of curriculum, I’m not a huge fan of the Core at CU (but I don’t hate the idea either) and like that Yale offers so much flexibility with what classes are available to students. When I visited CU, however, I noticed that there’s a lot of opportunity for students to crossover/explore different subject areas regardless of their major (i.e.: our tour guide was majoring in microbiology while having a music-based concentration and a Vogue internship), and I wanted to know to what extent Yale allows students to do the same? in I also love the fact thatI want to go into filmmaking after college, so I love that Columbia’s in the heart of a city with a rich film culture and access to the NY film scene/industry. Though neither has a cinematic arts/film production major, I’m wondering if both schools would have equal access to possible internships/connections to a career in filmmaking? I know that Columbia offers incredible internships in the city, but don’t know much about what Yale offers with regards to internships. Though of course name isn’t everything, I’d also like to know how much of an impact having an undergrad degree from Yale vs. one from Columbia would have on opening doors to me after graduation. Which is considered more prestigious in forging a successful career after my four years in college? Thanks!
a few points:
-If you’re not 100% okay with Columbia’s core, don’t ED there. You don’t want to find yourself locked into a school when you’re not sure if you like the basic academic structure there.
-Asking which is more prestigious is like looking at a pair of puppies and asking which is cuter. There’s no difference. None. Zilch.
-Columbia would probably be better for internships during the school year, just due to its location, but both will open many doors to you.
I would recommend going with Yale, since you won’t be bound there and you can apply to Columbia regardless of the results.
I would also add that if you plan to arrange an alumni interview for Columbia that you construct some ideas on what it is that Columbia University - not the city, not Morningside Heights, or proximity to the film production world - represents to you and your educational/intellectual goals. Find a way to sound like you would not be placing yourself in Secondsville were you to deign to accept an offer of admission.
Yale sounds as if it would be less limiting in several respects. You may also be the first person I’ve ever heard refer to Yale’s “quaint surrounding area,” so be sure to visit again before making any final decisions. Don’t get me wrong: Yale is beautiful and New Haven’s an excellent place to spend four years, but “quaint” isn’t the first word I’d choose.