How Would You Describe the Quintessential Columbia Student?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>Of course, Columbia has an incredibly diverse population. But I find that every school tends to favor a certain personality. I've noticed this during campus visits/pre college programs. For ex., the people at a certain college would tend to be outdoorsy and articulate, the others a combination of liberal-preppy. How would you describe Columbia's?</p>

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<p>Bump 10 char</p>

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<p>Well the diversity thing isn’t for schtick. We’re a varied bunch.</p>

<p>I’d be tempted to say “liberal artsy” in the dislike-math, socio-politically involved, alternative dressing (that comes off remarquably generic at times) but we have SEAS to offset that balance with math and physic-obsessed folks. I know people who do problems to relax…It’s…unsettling.</p>

<p>So I’ll settle for “confident”. From the look-at-me talkers, to the shy people that don’t talk often, everyone here is (or at least appears to be on the surface) certain of themselves and their capacity.Seems like a given but I’ve come to realize that everyone here has one (at least) area at which they are effin’ brilliant. </p>

<p>From a girl who knew everything about knitting, doing it competively to absolute prodigies in music history or pop culture (we’re not talking Family Guy gags- every single piece of fiction and media out there) you’ll meet people who are absolute experts in their fields of interest.</p>

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<p>^I agree with that last paragraph, it’s varied, but everyone has something exceptional about them, even if it not perceivable on the surface. Like person X i know, parties a ton, and gets top grades. So you compartmentalize her as a work hard, play hard person, very social but dull otherwise. But then she plays the piano exceptionally well and debates politics with a flair, your theory shattered. </p>

<p>Person Y, relaxed, big on tae kwon do, basket ball and soccer. really really good at all three, hmm he must be a big jock who’s exercised, played sports, and studied to get into a good university all his life. Then you find out that he’s a pretty amazing impromptu rapper. Person Z, takes 7 classes a semester and studies very hard, also plays ping pong exceptionally well, you’re thinking: damn Asian nerd, then you realize she started a photography club at Columbia, fantastic ballroom dancer, and that no matter how much she studies, you will not hold a candle to her at ping pong.</p>

<p>For the most part, I’d say Columbia students are ready to take a significant initiative about the stuff they care about.</p>

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<p>I’m not sure you can draw characterizations along lines like the OP suggests.</p>

<p>Like many top schools, the following characteristics are pretty common about Columbians: A large percentage have at least one issue (often more) that they are really, deeply passionate about, and if you get them talking about it their eyes will light up and they’ll tell you all sorts of fascinating things. Many are equally curious, and if they hear someone talk about a subject of interest, they will engage them. I’ve had suitemates of mine come back to the apartment, ask me what i learned in class today, and gotten into a huge discussion because they found it so fascinating. But there is a wide diversity of interests. There are artsy types, outdoorsy types, chemistry types, theater types, football types, neuroscience types, it’s all over the map, and you can’t sum anyone up with a single descriptor.</p>

<p>And of course, there’s the personal drive. Many people are smart out there, but Columbia (again, like many other top schools) has gathered people with particular energy to try and shape the world around them the way they think it ought to be. They’re movers-and-shakers, a lot of them. Yes, there are the occasional do-nothing stoners who are good enough at academics that they can float through - but you’ll meet far more in the first category.</p>

<p>By and large, Columbia students don’t take themselves too seriously. That was a major “atmosphere” difference that I found distinguished Columbia from some of its peer schools (no names here), and made me love the place even more than I already did. Sure, you can find some arrogant, entitled SOB if you look hard enough, but the numbers are way down.</p>

<p>I think that’s about as good as you can generalize while remaining generally true.</p>

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<p>White.</p>

<p>j/k!</p>

<p><a href=“http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Columbiaman.jpg[/url]”>http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Columbiaman.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>What an androgynous picture.</p>

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<p>That’s the kindest word for it.</p>