<p>Can someone explain the differences between these two colleges in terms of course load, admissions, degrees received, classes required, etc.? Would it be a better idea for someone who is aligned towards the sciences and mathematics to apply to columbia school of engineering even if they're not intent on studying applied sciences but rather theoretical sciences? or is columbia school of engineering for engineering only?</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>Could I please get a reply? It was an honest question.</p>
<p>Good question. But do not know the answer. But I am sure someone here would help as it would be useful for most of us to know.</p>
<p>SEAS is much less flexible in terms of course requirements and whatnot, and yes, it is oriented (almost exclusively) towards engineering. (It is called the engineering school for a reason!) Most people I know who want to study maths and many sciences go for CC. Admissions - slightly higher acceptance rate but not enough such that you should pick SEAS over CC for this reason. </p>
<p>Given what you’ve said about being interested in theoretical topics, it sounds like you would be happier with CC.</p>
<p>As a prospective physics major at Columbia College, I think that you should apply to CC if you are really interested in theoretical sciences (eg, physics, chemistry, biology) as long as you are ok with taking 1-2 humanities classes (the Core) every semester. Unless you are dead set on engineering, I don’t find any reason for you to apply to SEAS instead of CC. In fact, CC has heavier core curriculum requirements than SEAS, so it may be harder for someone in SEAS to transfer to CC than vice versa (assuming that you have fulfilled the basic major requirements).
I can’t speak for junior/senior year courseloads accurately, but CC students will definitely have to take more core classes than the SEAS counterparts (who will likely take more intro science/ pre-professional classes as their “core” - which differs from the traditional CC core classes like Lit hum and Contemp.Civ). Although SEAS students take slightly more classes than do CC students, it usually depends on the student’s ability/willingness to work hard. Generalizing is difficult in this case, since some CC students manage to take 6-7 classes while a few SEAS students take only 4-5 classes.
Looking at the admissions rate, CC has a slightly lower acceptance rate than SEAS. But, that may be due to a higher level of self-selection in SEAS (not many people apply to engineering schools). And as far as I know, CC degree is written in Latin whereas SEAS degree is written in English.
Hope that helps :)</p>
<p>@student1992
CC degree is written in Latin? Could you please explain further.</p>
<p>The actual piece of paper when you graduate is written in Latin for CC (and Barnard and the Law School). All the other diplomas at Columbia (including GS, SEAS, and the other graduate schools) are written in English.</p>
<p>It’s a difference that doesn’t matter at all, but gets brought up occasionally on college confidential.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for the informative replies; exactly what I wanted to know!</p>