Northwestern vs. Columbia -- Campus Life

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey, I'm an Illinois student trying to figure out whether to ED to Columbia or Northwestern (if I ED to Northwestern, I won't apply to Columbia at all). So far I like Columbia better overall, except for one aspect which I'm a little shakey on--campus life. </p>

<p>I know that Northwestern has a very active campus with 8000 undergrad students, which I think is a good size--small enough to be suitable academically, but big enough to provide the student body necessary for a lively and exciting campus. They also have great sports teams, like they are a part of the Big 10 Conference and all that good stuff. Northwestern Wildcats--lots of school pride there, lots to get excited about.</p>

<p>Columbia, on the other hand, is a much smaller school... with only 4000 undergrad students--that's about HALF of Northwestern. I'm scared that this will be too small for a really diverse group of people and an exciting social life. The campus itself is much smaller too, with only four dorms whereas Northwestern has a lot more. Plus, Columbia is known to have a very intellectual environment--much like University of Chicago. This is great and all, but UoC has a horrible reputation for being anti-social, and I really, really don't want to go to a school that is all work and no play. And, if I'm not mistaken, Columbia sports teams are not very well-regarded, are they? It would be nice to go to a school with an emphasis on the sports teams because it makes the students have a lot of school pride and allows the socializing and campus liveliness that one would find at a state school. Northwestern has that with their beloved Wildcats--does Columbia? Doesn't seem like it.</p>

<p>I'd appreciate anyones input on this matter--am I being unfair to Columbia, or am I correct in my judgement? It's just that I'm a very social person and want to have a lot of fun in college and don't want to go to a school that will inhibit that desire in any way. If I get rejected from Northwestern or Columbia and have to go to my safety--University of Illinois-Champaign, I'd be a little disappointed but at least I will know that I'll be going to a hell of a party school with tons of people and have a really enjoyable college experience.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>bbbummpppp</p>

3

<p>My S is a soph at Columbia and apparently having too much fun to, you know, keep up with classes. He made a ton of friends in his hall first year, and they went out or did things together all the time. Because there are only four freshman dorms (lots of upperclass dorms) they see each other all the time because they're all in one place.</p>

<p>He was in the marching band last year, though decided not to this year. He has joined several other clubs. If you want big 10 football, this is not the place to be. My son's second choice was UMich--he grew up with parents who went there (so NW would've been out of the question for him!). He knew he was givning up the chance for big 10 football, but liked everything else about Columbia, so decided it was worth the tradeoff. He liked the idea of the intellectual atmosphere, but definitely likes to have fun, too.</p>

<p>Actually, though, after reading your qualms, I'm not sure what it is about Columbia that you like more than NW--they're both great schools, and you seem to be more drawn to the latter.</p>

4

<p>Columbia being too small for a diverse/exciting social life? You will be in New York City!</p>

5

<p>Columbia is about NYC and a diverse experience, the campus life is alright but Northwestern is much more active.</p>

6

<p>no, im much more drawn to Columbia for everything EXCEPT social life.</p>

7

<p>Well, my S wasn't the most social person before he went there, and I really worried because he was in a single, but like I said, he's had a ton of fun with lots of good friends, sometimes on campus, sometimes in the city, but always WITH other Columbia students. He's now much, much more social than before.</p>