<p>I am wondering if I should ED SEAS?
I love math and physics. But I also like to have fun, hoping I will have some free time in college life. I heard life is miserable at Columbia. Any of you know? What is Columbia engineering life like? Still have time for parties and hanging out?</p>
<p>College is a lot of work, especially engineering. It’s not just Columbia - any good engineering program in the country will be like this. Engineering is a field which requires you to give it your all. If you’re not OK with spending 24 hours of your weekend in the library, don’t be an engineer.</p>
<p>However, It mostly depends on your course load. You can choose to take advanced courses and make yourself miserable (like me) or take it easy (and not actually learn anything). I am taking a challenging course load in SEAS and averaging 6 hours of sleep, but no time for my self.</p>
<p>I really appreciate your reply. I thought the core courses for each track are all pre-determined. You mean you still have some choices? May be at 3rd, 4th year? If I just do all the minimum required course load, life is not too bad? Just trying to get a feeling of safty.</p>
<p>Are students at SEAS willing to help each other? or they competing too much? Is there any curve in grades so that only certain % of student can get A?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>All engineering courses are curved. We have a reasonable amount of choice in our courses. They tell you to take so many semesters of math, physics, chem, non-technical requirements, etc., but you get to choose from different levels as to how you finish the core. For example in Math, you can choose from Calc I, II, III, IV or Honors Math. Chemistry lets you choose from Gen Chem, Intensive Gen Chem, Organic Chem. Physics - intro, intermediate, accelerated. You get the idea. There are lots of other options like these. Look up the bulletin for more info: [The</a> First-Year/Sophomore Program | Bulletin | Columbia Engineering](<a href=“http://bulletin.engineering.columbia.edu/first-yearsophomore-program]The”>The First-Year/Sophomore Program | Bulletin | Columbia Engineering)</p>
<p>Note: Columbia’s a stressful school: [Columbia</a> is the nation’s most stressed school | Spectrum](<a href=“http://spectrum.columbiaspectator.com/spectrum/columbia-most-stressed]Columbia”>http://spectrum.columbiaspectator.com/spectrum/columbia-most-stressed). You will learn a lot, but be wary if you don’t like living and breathing your work.</p>
<p>Regarding competition and people helping:
Let me ask you a question. What do you think? Students here come from all over the world from different backgrounds - just like other schools. They are just as predisposed to helping a friend as any other student. As much as College Confidential would like you to believe that all universities are worlds apart, the truth most colleges on the inside are all the same. Same classes, similar people, same opportunities.</p>
<p>Thanks for taking time to respond to me in your busy schedule. Really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I see calc 1,2,3 on the course listing at SEAS. I am wondering, since I have already done Calc 1,2 and got a 5 on AP Calc BC. Can I get credits and start with Calc 3? Or I still have to do 3 math courses no matter what, which means I have to do harder math calc 3,4,5?</p>
<p>2nd question is about job: I know everyone is so smart at SEAS, it is hard to become the top student. If I end up as an average student at SEAS, will it be hard to find a job?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m in CC but I know enough to answer your question due to observation of my SEAS friends</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you have credit for Calc I and II then all you need to take is III (btw there is no Calculus V). I believe most SEAS majors require Calc IV as well, according to the Math Dept website. I’m in Calc III right now, and it’s not as brutal as Calc II (aka The Ultimate Weed Out Course). </p></li>
<li><p>Hey CC kids are smart too! LOL. But seriously, SEAS kids are very intelligent. You never know, you could be one of the “top students” yourself if you try hard, so don’t sell yourself short just yet. I can’t comment on the job prospects with certainty, so I’ll let a more knowledgeable person (maybe an upperclassman or graduate?) take care of that.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>And I’m not sure where you heard we don’t have any fun. 99% of us only have classes Mon thru Thurs, so you have Thurs night through Sunday for whatever you want. The only remotely miserable time is during midterm/finals weeks.</p>
<p>You certainly made me feel better. Thanks for your response.
I am trying to make up my mind to ED SEAS. Most likely I will do it. 2 more days…</p>