Please respond :)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Hey Guys,</p>

<p>So while I visited Columbia i was instantly enamored with the campus and their mission statement. I honestly and wholeheartedly believe that the core curriculum will enrich my overall learning experience and allow for personal development, however the core is undeniably weighted towards the humanities. my dilemma stems from the fact that I am not necessarily the brightest or greatest with humanities and tend to struggle.
That being said, I was wondering if anyone could be so kind to share any advice and thoughts on the situations. I constantly thank god and am forever grateful for getting in Early Decision, and i am committed (At first i was skeptical but now i do not wither) to Columbia, but i was wondering if someone could express the relative hardness and grading in the core classes? is there a schedule or any pointers where i do not overwhelm myself with so many courses?</p>

<p>From what i hear the average student takes 5 classes and so i was thinking (sept 2014 1st year) frontiers of science, university writing, PE, math, and then hopefully a science class. I want to major in biochemistry and so if anyone could tell me how hard it is? what classes should i take in the shopping period to really get a good choice of classes? any specific, easy classes?</p>

<p>Any tips on preparing? I have really tried to subside my English-lacking skills by picking up reading and am starting to experience the benefits, but do you guys have any suggestions on what i can do in the summer? How many hours a day does a typical columbianite spend studying a day (a biochemist major)? Is the core reading and classes as insane as it is perceived? How harsh is the grading? Finally do you guys have any general advice on anything related - I am an insane basketball fan and am wondering whether Columbia subsidizes knicks/nets tickets like they do broadway?</p>

<p>Thank you all for taking scarce time to read this as it does mean a lot.</p>

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<p>Read because you want to, not because you want an edge in class. I spent much of the summer before my first year reading.</p>

<p>The Core reading is fine, and the grading is generous. They vary with the professor, of course, but I don’t think any section is “[overwhelming]”.</p>

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<p>Thanks for a response. could you (or anyone) please elaborate on your experience and like a typical day? how many course are you taking? is biochemistry a hard major there? I know a lot of is arbitrary, but if you could still respond i would be more than grateful.</p>

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<p>@umeedali My alumni interviewer told me “If you’re accepted, you can handle the classes”</p>

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<p>thanks @mermaidgirl for your response, as that has eased my anxiety, and I hope you also get accepted too</p>

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<p>Congrats at getting into Columbia! My S went to a STEM high school and liked Columbia particularly because of the core. He felt like he missed out on “fun classes” in high school. </p>