<p>hey all i am applying to columbia this fall...if i sound like i am stereotyping that is not at all what i am doing...I am curious and just want to know</p>
<p>i know that at most top schools, there are lots of trust fund babies/heirs/legacies....especially at HYP....but is it the same at columbia, are there as many people that gives off the sense they got in becuase of their connections or extreme wealth? is there a feeling that the rich are always showing off?</p>
<p>on a totally different subject...how strong is the alumni network at columbia? I read some of the past threads and some say it's extremely strong, others not so much....</p>
<p>there's a relatively small number of really wealthy students. nobody talks about being an "heir" or a "legacy", that's a pretty stupid thing to bring up in conversation. Misconception: legacy status is a significant advantage in admissions. The fact is, it doesn't make that much of a difference, except in matriculation rate for admitted students. The number of Development cases (i.e. someone donated a library to get their kid in) is also quite small</p>
<p>One of the best parts about Columbia's atmosphere, for me, was how everyone didn't take themselves too seriously - at least relative to some peer schools I visited. I found everyone to be much more chill. There's a portion of the population who's spoiled or egregiously self-centered and brags all the time, but they end up with no friends and it's a small number regardless. At other peer schools that I know well, it can be a much greater population of arseholes.</p>
<p>The alumni network is good but the tools that the school (and career center) use to leverage it are probably behind the times at this point. Most everyone who graduates Columbia was very fond of the place and thought highly of their fellow students, so they're inclined to listen or help if a younger alum comes to them for advice. There are lots of very successful, prominent Columbia alums out there in whatever field you might choose. At the same time, because there's absolutely no football/basketball sports spirit, there are none of the "traditional" events that bring an alumni community together. You bond with other alums in other ways.</p>
<p>that was very informative, thank you denzera....i was wondering...I am kinda in between choosing paths right now, obviously you attend columbia and also know some things about other schools in the same tier, do you think we could chat a little bit, it would be amazing if I could get some advice from you about the situation I am kind of stuck in....</p>
<p>yea i mean i think most of the elitism that does go on here is w/ sororities, although it doesn't really effect anyone. and a lot of the kids who you'd expect to be elitist really aren't and in my experience are usually pretty good about poking fun at themselves w/ the spoiled rich elitist stereotypes. In terms of elitism @ other ivies/HYPS, all I've heard about is harvard which is apparantly elitist to the point that a lot of the kids on the football team are a bit elitist.</p>
<p>i think the alumni network is kinda what you make of it. i went to a career event where they had a bunch of columbia alumni representing a lot of the big financial companies, so i guess they try to get the alumni involved in helping us find jobs, although idk how helpful that is.</p>
<p>Metsfan is spot on about the alumni network.</p>
<p>In terms of elitism: I have plenty of close friends who came from wealthy backgrounds, but--and I htink this is true of the CU population in general, barring the *******s--are extremely down to earth, driven, and work hard to get what they want. </p>
<p>Look, it's Columbia. Plenty of rich people. The smart ones aren't going to act like it's a big deal. The ones that do--well, like D. said, they're not going to end up with many friends.</p>
<p>There are several really reliable Columbia experts on this Board and I am not one of them, however, I can report on my D's freshmen year experience thus far which might be helpful.</p>
<p>First, no issue at all with elitism. I met many students while I was there for family weekend and they were the nicest and most down-to-earth bunch you'd ever want around. My D already has a closeknit group of friends from all different backgrounds. When they are together you would not know who has had a more privileged life and who hasn't. They did mention a couple of young women on their floor who were really rich and who lived on a different plane (they liked to go clubbing, for instance, while the rest would run to the Chinese grocery store for cheap sweets). However, it was in the context of friendly teasing and live and let live. They did not dislike the girls, they were just into different things. My D would hate a place that felt elitist and she loves Columbia.</p>
<p>Second, I don't know about the alumni network, but during move-in parents were treated to panel discussions on a variety of things, including career opportunities and internships. There is an office devoted exclusively to this which seems to take its task quite seriously and which offers tons of opportunities, some in less traditional fields. What impressed me the most, though, was when they said that once you are a Columbia student these services are available forever--even 5, 10 or more years after graduation. I will know more down the road about whether it lives up to its overall hype.</p>
<p>I only can speak from college visits but one of the main things my daughter and I liked about Columbia were the students ... which were very intelligent, academically motivated, diverse, and interesting ... and seemed less elitest than at soem of the other elite schools. It's an impression based on a few hours on campus ... but it was a very strong positive.</p>
<p>you mentioned obvious elitism at sororities...can u elaborate a little on that? I liked the idea of a sisterhood and group of close friends in a big city where things can get overwhelming..</p>
<p>Apparently the alumni-network of Columbians is insanely strong in Hong Kong and Beijing. There was a spec article or something detailing how they have multiple events a year and whatnot....</p>
<p>"you mentioned obvious elitism at sororities...can u elaborate a little on that? I liked the idea of a sisterhood and group of close friends in a big city where things can get overwhelming.."</p>
<p>I knew a lot of girls in sororities, although I wasn't one of them. I didn't find them elitist as much as somewhat ditzy. Also, the sorority bunch has an equal mix of Columbia and Barnard students which may account for that caricature. </p>
<p>There are a couple of sororities that are more down to earth than others. For the most part though, you won't need a sisterhood to battle the big city: in mine and many others' experiences, we made lots of close friends without getting into Greek life. </p>
<p>Of course, the closeness isn't the only reason you'd want to join a sorority. There are tons of others: living in a brownstone, the parties, meeting people from other schools, alumni networks, etc</p>
<p>"I knew a lot of girls in sororities, although I wasn't one of them."
Are sororities a big deal at Columbia? I'm sure the city provides an endless stream of social activities and such, but is it possible to have a social life within the walls of Columbia without joining a sorority?
And do you think you/anyone could elaborate a little on pros/cons of joining a sorority?</p>
<p>At most schools, the greek societies are the core of the social life at the school.</p>
<p>At Columbia, many people use the frats and sororities as part of their social life, but few depend on them to provide all their entertainment. there's a big difference. There are just so many other things to do and ways to meet people and have a good time, that it's not really the centerpiece of anything. Most frat members are part of a bunch of other clubs and do many other things. On the other hand, it's still your "family", if you're a brother or sister. There's a lot of emotional support, study groups, and life coaching that goes on too - as it should.</p>
<p>Frankly, it feels like "a good balance" to me. Many other schools tremendously overvalue the benefits of having crazy keg parties and lots of drunken hookups. I mean, nothing against drunken hookups, but Columbia's general atmosphere - its academic core, its extracurricular offerings, and its general student mentality - emphasizes balance. I've always liked that. You also see it in how the school doesn't overvalue athletics the way many other institutions do. Athletes are not first-class citizens in any regard, they're just doing something they enjoy and are treated no better or worse by the administration.</p>
<p>To answer the question, there may be small rivalries and a little elitism just because frats and sororities by their nature create a clan mentality where you end up believing that you're better and your rivals are worse for totally frivolous reasons. It's the same mentality that causes some Columbia girls to regard Barnard girls as inferior, except more intense because it's strictly among a smaller more close-knit subsection of the student population. That doesn't mean that every member of a greek society is obnoxious about it, or even believes any of it. And it CERTAINLY doesn't mean they're somehow "elitist" in a more global sense. "Friendly competition" is probably the most appropriate term.</p>