<p>I used the search function, and these two schools have not been compared in past threads (assuming that I didn't screw up the search). So, let's the hear pros and cons of Yale and Columbia. :D</p>
<p>Oh darn, never mind. I see some under “similar threads.” Sorry posters. But you can still give your opinion.</p>
<p>Columbia was the first school I visited on an actual college visit, ie. not just going to go see my siblings and happening to tour their colleges. I wasn’t actually interested, as I was only in 9th grade, but my sister was, and was considering applying. I remember that I thought it was awesome but that I would never apply because I hate New York City.</p>
<p>I think Yale is way more awesome. For starters, it’s not in New York City. Outside of that, I know a lot about it but I don’t know that much about Columbia (since the location wasn’t an option, I didn’t bother researching the school). On account of my dearth of knowledge about one, I can’t fairly compare them.</p>
<p>Having extensively researched both schools, I strongly prefer Yale. Though they may be similar in terms of prestige (if that’s what you’re looking for) and academic quality (like the rest of the Ivies), I find that the Columbia Core is somewhat traditional and a little too rigid for my taste. As well, Columbia just has this overtly snooty air that I can’t get over, and I feel like it’s somewhat less cozy than Yale because of its proximity to NYC. On an entirely subjective note, my admissions officer, whom I met at an information session, was without a doubt the most unpleasant college representative I’ve ever encountered. </p>
<p>That’s my (highly biased) opinion. Hope that helps!</p>
<p>Yale and Columbia were actually my top two choices for a while. Although it didn’t come down to those two in the end, I was forced to make the decision between applying to Columbia ED and Yale SCEA. </p>
<p>I ended up not doing Columbia because I liked the traditiony atmosphere that Yale has. Columbia is well known for it’s lack of school spirit and even though I’ve yet to attend a football game (…ok I went to the Yale/Harvard game for like 15 minutes), I still enjoy the whole Yale/Harvard rivalry and the passion people have for the school. </p>
<p>I found New York City to be Columbia’s double-edged sword factor. On the one hand, I loved what NYC had to offer - in fact, I’m taking a year off from Yale to pursue some stuff in NYC. On the other hand, I knew that if I went to Columbia I would be missing out on some of the great campus activities because I would be visiting friends at NYU, exploring the city, or focusing on other New Yorkish actividades - and I didn’t want my college experience to be that.</p>
<p>To tell you the truth, these weren’t even really the main factors that led me to pick Yale as my early college choice. It was actually that I thought I had a better chance at getting into Yale early than I had for Columbia. I’m a Yale legacy and thought that that would give me a significant leg up (especially since Yale generally takes people from my school and Columbia never has). It was only after regular decision results came out that I began considering the other things I discussed above.</p>
<p>i think youve got it bang on - a lot of people dont like the nyc outfit to life at columbia. it takes away from he college experience at such. but ill also add that the columbia campus (in and around low memorial library) is very nice & can be compared to a closed campus like princeton’s. So its really what you make of it. Btw - eating food - im guessing you were deferred early from yale but made it regular?? Being in a similar scenario any tips you would have? :)</p>
<p>I actually was accepted early, but I wasn’t 100% sure I wanted to go to Yale so I applied some other places.</p>
<p>But I would say that you should definitely send an update letter listing a few new accomplishments to colleges (just so they know you’re still out there being amazing). I would also say don’t worry about it, nearly everyone I know who was deferred is so happy at whatever school they’re at now (and in most cases these are different places than where they were deferred from).</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>oh great! thanks :)</p>
<p>As a current Columbia student, I disagree that nyc detracts from campus life, columbia has a stand alone campus and thousands of undergrads have common space and close proximity, it’s a small campus, but its separated from the city and there is definitely a vibrant, cocoon like feel to campus. Student also make friends by going out into the city together, but most people I know actually only leave the campus neighborhood ~once/twice a week or so. Yale has more lay-man prestige and more money (which helps). I have not found the Columbia student body to be snooty at all, perhaps a little cynical and blunt at times, but I’ve visited yale a couple of times and I found a fair bit of elitism (not nearly as much as Princeton mind you). It’s all subjective and subject to who you happen to run into that day.</p>
<p>Bottom line is these are both top universities and the differences in fit are larger than most other differences, so it is important to visit both if you have the choice between them. They have different feels and different atmospheres, and you’ll likely opt for one over the other after visiting. If you still can’t decide then post again.</p>
<p>They are both excellent schools with totally different vibes. Columbia’s campus is compact, with some pretty darn vertical dorms. You can spend much of your time in a small area, with the gym right sort of under. That creates more traffic, more of a sense of bustle a lot of the time. Yale’s campus is the great gothic dreamscape and is much larger. You get a sense of bustle in the flow of people but it doesn’t feel so busy.</p>
<p>Agree with eating food’s take.</p>
<p>If NYC in your backyard/frontyard is your thing for four years, Columbia. The city will be a huge part of your college experience there - and the good and bad that comes with that.</p>
<p>If you want a more campus centered school with more traditional school spirit and campus based social offerings, Yale.</p>
<p>go for columbia yo (although this post is probably mad late)</p>
<p>yale = new havens = CRIME. My friend says he hears gun shots from his dorm room scurry stuff :D</p>
<p>and watch this if you really, really, really, really want to apply to yale still 
[YouTube</a> - Why Did I Choose Yale?](<a href=“Why Did I Choose Yale? - YouTube”>Why Did I Choose Yale? - YouTube) </p>
<p>no offense you yalies. I have more yalie friends than columbian, but still, go columbia! :D</p>
<p>Gun shots from his dorm? That might be the biggest lie I’ve heard in a long time and you’d have to be an incredibly gullible person to believe it.</p>
<p>And you’re using a JOKE video created by Harvard as proof that Yale is dangerous? Please. If you want real crime, live in Cambridge.</p>
<p>Gun shots outside the RCs? That’s news to this Yale mom. But the Harvard students’ parody of the new Yale admissions video is quite funny. I hadn’t seen that.</p>
<p>I find it pretty funny that somebody would push Columbia over Yale because of crime. Sheesh. Really, both campuses are safe for anybody who uses good sense and realizes that the school is in a city.</p>
<p>I’m still chuckling over that Harvard YouTube. Collegeftw, are you seriously suggesting that people should base their decision about whether to apply to Yale on a spoof created by students at a rival college? Hasn’t the vaunted Columbia Core taught you better critical thinking skills than that? ;)</p>
<p>
<em>cough</em>irony<em>cough</em></p>
<p>It’s all psychological. If you go to a college expecting elitism, you will find it. If you are going to be so sensitive to everything someone says to you, you will find “elitism.” I have had no such experience.</p>
<p>Still stuck on collegeftw… Gunshots??? I think that your friend heard what he THOUGHT to be gunshots lol. </p>
<p>I live in Detroit and people say its really bad/full of crime/shady (similar to New Haven) and I’m not going to lie its no Utopia, but in reality no place is. I’m sure that NYC is pretty dangerous as well. The only place that may not be that dangerous is the Pleasantville Suburb named Princeton. (No offense to Princeton Students)</p>
<p>And I agree with YeloPen, if you keep that though of elitism and your expecting it…it’s going to be there</p>
<p>
Here’s a story I’ve mentioned elsewhere on CC, but it’s relevant here. A few years ago we drove through Princeton so my kids could get a look at the college, and while we were across from the school on Nassau Street, a carjacking took place right in front of us. A woman fell out of the car screaming, the car zoomed off, etc., etc. My kids are convinced that Princeton is a crime-ridden Wild West town.</p>
<p>No college town is entirely safe. Just about every college town is overwhelmingly safe for those who take simple and sensible precautions.</p>