<p>If Columbia is as bad of an environment as CC and Tumblr make it out to be, why do so many students apply every year?
Why is admission still so selective?</p>
<p>Ever since committing to be a freshman in the fall in SEAS, I have just heard bad things (e.g. tiny campus overrun by grad students, no spirit, harsh workload, mediocre facilities etc) and I'm starting to get worried. I haven't even started school, but all the apparent problems from current and former students makes the place out to be some kind of prestigious hell. I've even considered for the future to apply to transfer to Yale or Harvard if I hate the place.</p>
<p>Can someone alleviate my fears?</p>
<p>You need to stop listening to this nonsense and be prepared to make your own assessment. My little one is finishing her sophomore year and just loves Columbia. The education is absolutely outstanding. But, of course, the curriculum is extremely rigorous. Columbia is routinely ranked the # 1 or #2 most rigorous university in the U.S., particularly because of the core (last year #1, this year #2 to Stanford). So, yes, it will be an enormous amount of work. And yes, it will be stressful. But you will meet awesome people (students and professors) while getting a world-class education. And you won’t be competing with your fellow classmates as much as learning from them, as they will learn from you. And, a little secret, a lot of Harvard undergrads are secretly miserable. I know. I taught there, after doing my grad studies at Harvard. It is no “chill” utopia. Universities at this level are all stressful places with their own unique characteristics. Columbia is no worse than these other schools. Just different. Very urban, hip, dynamic…</p>
<p>My advice: ignore the stereotypes and “white noise” of outside commentary. And be sure to attend one of the pre-orientation programs like Coop or Cue. My little one did the Coop hiking excursion and really bonded with her fellow freshmen. And yes, she was REALLY REALLY nervous and was convinced she would make no friends…yada, yada, yada and couldn’t do the work…She adapted and adjusted and feels she made the absolute best decision out of the ten acceptances she received. She has grown as an intellect and as a person. You will too, if you go with an open mind and give Columbia a chance. If you do, you could have an extraordinary four years there.</p>
<p>In my opinion, by the way, the campus is BEAUTIFUL, a graceful oasis in New York’s Upper West Side. Morningside Heights is a classic college enveloping environment with lots of great shops, restaurants…Very cool! As for the facilities? No they are not decrepit. That is nonsense. </p>
<p>Just go and find out for yourself.</p>
<p>I will be a freshman next year, so I can’t say I truly know everything about the school, but I get the strong impression that most students are very happy at Columbia. I think part of the prevalence of complaints has much to do with the vibe of New York. I’ve lived in New York all my life and it is definitely in the vibe of the city to complain a lot despite being happy overall. You’ll find a million posts online about why New York sucks and why New Yorkers are so jaded, yet it is often hailed as the greatest city in the world. It’s just kind of in the nature and vibe of NYC to complain a lot. </p>
<p>In addition to this, though I could be wildly wrong, I feel that a Columbia student is much more likely to speak out against things they don’t like than students at other ivies, almost comically so, at least stereotypically speaking. Take a look at the jokes about how many students from each ivy it takes to change a lightbulb. </p>
<p>Columbia’s goes: “How many Columbia students does it take to change a lightbulb?
Seventy-six–one to change the lightbulb, fifty to protest the lightbulb’s right to not change, and twenty-five to hold a counter-protest.”</p>
<p>In short, I don’t think you have to worry. You’ll soon see if you’re happy there, and I think you will be. Also, the facilities are nowhere near decrepit and mediocre. The library is consistently hailed as one of the best systems in the country. If you’re talking about dorms, I’m sure they’re somewhat smaller and less lavish than the dorms at Harvard or Yale, but some of the new ones are really gorgeous, and small and cramped is, again, in the nature of NYC. No apartments around here are massive and gorgeous unless you’re a multi millionaire. it’s kind of just something you have to accept about the city. </p>
<p>Also, this post is 6 years old, but I feel a lot of the things said still apply. Take a look. </p>
<p><a href=“Are people happy at Columbia? - Columbia University - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/columbia-university/514399-are-people-happy-at-columbia.html</a></p>