<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>Columbia.... is Columbia. Its a LOT of hard work. Don't expect anything to come easy, because you really have to earn everything you do- which means, lots and lots of time stuck indoors studying. Those who love it, love it, and those who don't? Honestly, its really a matter of opinion. If you're ready to work your butt off, go for it. Columbia itself is a great school.</p>
<p>And for Columbians being not fun? Are you kidding me?? Columbia is smack dab in the middle of one of the most exciting cities in the world! There are TONS of stuff to do in Manhattan, and if your campus buddies are dull, then go into the city and make some new friend. Plus, Columbia is the best of both worlds- a city school that still has a BEAUTIFUL campus.</p>
<p>However, I think you're looking for more of the college life. Unless you want to study a lot, go to Northwestern. Frankly, I'd rather be at Northwestern- no cutthroat competition, and friendlier people.</p>
<p>in my opinion, NU has a good balance of both: rigorous academics, but plenty of campus activity and interaction. to say that you're not going to be studying a lot isn't true; not to say that it's AS rigorous as say, Columbia. but i've been here a week and a half and already i've got craploads of things to do for each class.</p>
<p>but in the end, there's plenty of time for play and plenty of time for study. it's a good balancing act.</p>
<p>I'm sort of stuck in the same boat. I'm not applying ED to either but RD to both. I've actually got my top three schools pretty much tied in pros and cons.</p>
<p>Visiting helped me a lot but then visiting all 3 put them back on the balance. I don't know if it'd help you at all?</p>
<p>yeah i visited columbia and northwestern. northwestern definitely did seem more lively, and the campus was a lot bigger and the guides were very enthusiastic about the sports teams and northwestern traditions (like "painting the rock"). also, like 30-something percent of northwestern joins frats, whereas only 11%-ish columbia students do. thats a good indicator of just how "social" a campus is, i think. plus, northwestern has twice the students that columbia does, which is a GOOD thing when the 4000-undergrad Columbia University is about as small as a liberal arts school--definitely not something i wanted from an "urban" university. and, to top it off, northwestern has a much bigger and better-looking campus, complete with two beaches and just blocks away from the cozy red-bricked sidewalks of downtown evanston.</p>
<p>if you cant tell, ive made my decision...Northwestern ED it is.</p>
<p>even tho the school is only liek an hour from my house :-(</p>
<p>I won't say its apples and oranges but some of you folks have a great misconception about Columbia. First of all, it's true that Columbia College is probably still one of the smallest undergraduate schools in the Ivy League. But arent you forgetting Barnard College and the Columbia School of Engineering? It's all one integrated campus, believe me. Also, there are more than 4 dorms at Columbia for undergraduates. And all have been renovated. The new Carman Hall/Roone Arledge Center is fabulous. As for lots of diverse and interesting people. There are many more thousands of students in the Columbia community than at Northwestern. Again, with the grad students at the law school, International Affairs, business school, etc. you're bound to meet folks whose company you'll enjoy; all on one compact and pleasant campus.</p>
<p>As for football, the Ivy league cannot compare with the Big Ten. But football at Columbia's Wien Stadium can be fun. It's neat to see those 75-year old graduates in their tweed jackets yelling 'to hell with Harvard.' More than a few of the passionate old timers are corporate CEOs. A 'must see' at the football games is the crazy Columbia Band.</p>
<p>By the way, Columbia Men's Basketball games vs Penn and vs Princeton are usually sold out.</p>
<p>as an NU student, I gotta say there's a GREAT balance at Northwestern between studying and having fun. People here are REALLY active (both physically and extracurricular-ly) but we all joke around that "we all have a little 'nerd' in us since we're at Northwestern." That means people really understand when you need to study, which you'll probably have to do a lot. Because Northwestern's on the quarter system, you'll get about 2-3 midterms and a final for every class each quarter which equates to a test every 2-3 weeks. Classes go at a fast pace so it's definitely no piece of cake. People here work hard and party hard. There's never a shortage of anything to do (esp with Evanston and Chicago so close by, and the greek scene is pretty big), but there's never a shortage of people studying/doing research/playing music/etc too. No college is perfect, but Northwestern's really a great place to be. I love it here.</p>
<p>i don't think the percentage of frats indicates the quality/ quantity of a school's social life. i'm sure the majority of columbia undergrads party but why be confined to the campus/ frat parties when you have manhattan to party in? or maybe the students dislike the exclusive nature of frats? i don't think that fact detracts from columbia's social life
i'm not biased/ even applying to columbia, but just thought i'd put that out there. i think columbia is plenty social..
and i thought NU was a good school / a LOT of work? is that wrong?</p>