Prospective student, a few questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>Hello, until very recently, I was pretty set on going to Brown, but now I’m having second thoughts and am doing a bit of research into Columbia. But a few questions that I haven’t seen asked very often yet: </p>

<li><p>How is the race/class interaction at Columbia? </p></li>
<li><p>Is the jadedness really an endearing quality in Columbia students (read this in another thread)</p></li>
<li><p>Any Urban Studies majors around here like to describe the department?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there somewhat of a cycling scene at Columbia?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it very cliquey or when people say “groups” they are still fairly fluid?</p></li>
<li><p>Do overbearing pretentious Williamsburg-type hipsters abound?</p></li>
<li><p>How are discussions in the classes?</p></li>
</ol>

2

<ol>
<li>How is the race/class interaction at Columbia?</li>
</ol>

<p>We have a really diverse student body, although honestly there is some of what I guess you could call self-segregation, but it’s…to a degree sorta. You will see groups of people of the same race hanging out together, and a lot of times people have a majority of their friends that’re the same race as they are, but I think most of us end up with friends from every background. For example, freshmen year I was pretty shy, and one of my neighbors who ended up becoming a really good friend is Asian and’s also pretty popular, so once at John Jay (the cafeteria where most of the freshmen eat) I didn’t go with anyone to whatever meal it was so I ended up sitting with him and the group he was with, so it was me a “white kid” and him and about 8 to 10 other Asian kids. Actually now that I think about it the people I’m closest friends with probably look a bit like the It’s a Small World exhibit, race-wise and class-wise. So yeah, a lot of people do hang out with their own “type” but you’ll have friends from every race and class.</p>

<ol>
<li>Is the jadedness really an endearing quality in Columbia students (read this in another thread)</li>
</ol>

<p>There are definitely some kids at Columbia that’re jaded, there’s no denying that, but it’s certainly not the majority of us. And pretty much wherever you go there’ll be at least a few snobs that think they’re better than everyone, but most of the people at Columbia are really nice, friendly, down-to-earth people.</p>

<ol>
<li>Any Urban Studies majors around here like to describe the department?</li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry can’t help I’m math.</p>

<ol>
<li>Is there somewhat of a cycling scene at Columbia?</li>
</ol>

<p>Definitely, yeah. I know there’s a triathalon club, and I’m 99% sure there’s a cycling/biking club.</p>

<ol>
<li>Is it very cliquey or when people say “groups” they are still fairly fluid?</li>
</ol>

<p>A bit cliquey but it’s really not bad at all, you’ll make new friends and grow closer to old ones all four years at Columbia. People will hang out with their groups of friends they formed freshmen year, but just about everybody’s open to hanging out with new people.</p>

<ol>
<li>Do overbearing pretentious Williamsburg-type hipsters abound?</li>
</ol>

<p>Ehh, there are some I guess but not really that many if I correctly understand the type of people about which you’re talking.</p>

<ol>
<li>How are discussions in the classes? </li>
</ol>

<p>As with every college, depends on the professor and the class. I’ve had mostly really great professors (in small classes like Lit Hum and Contemporary Civilizations this leads often to really great class discussions, although in huge lectures like General Chemistry and Intro Physics, it just means you’re more likely to stay aawake for class), and only a couple ******bags, so on the whole, Columbia offers a pretty darn good classroom environment.</p>

3

<p>Thanks! Anyone else?</p>

4

<ol>
<li>How is the race/class interaction at Columbia?</li>
</ol>

<p>It’s a very diverse school, rest assured. Every ethnicity is represented and through clubs every culture or so is celebrated. Like mentioned self-segregation is present though. Asians and hardcore Jews are the most visible by my experience. The most visible ‘divide’ is that 99.8% of the cleaning and security staff is black with some latinos lol. Leads to some interesting displays of white guilt.</p>

<ol>
<li>Is the jadedness really an endearing quality in Columbia students (read this in another thread)</li>
</ol>

<p>I don’t know if it’s endearing but it’s there. Exhibit A: <a href=“mailto:Bored@Butler”>Bored@Butler</a>. Anonymous blog in which students complain about having work, being miserable and lonely. 24/7. It’s not a status quo or anything but *****ing is a common activity like anywhere. There are still plenty of peppy and cherry folks though.</p>

<ol>
<li>Any Urban Studies majors around here like to describe the department?</li>
</ol>

<p>English & Socio. Sorry can’t help ya.</p>

<ol>
<li>Is there somewhat of a cycling scene at Columbia?</li>
</ol>

<p>Not that I’ve noticed. Few bikers (5-7 I’d say) but it’s no Stanford. If you just want to bike we’re relatively close to a Central Pak, right next to Mornignside park and there are billboards all over for starting a new group. Assuming there’s not already one. </p>

<ol>
<li>Is it very cliquey or when people say “groups” they are still fairly fluid?</li>
</ol>

<p>Freshmen are very social creatures and want to befriend everyone. Especially the first semester. Eventually groups emerge but I wouldn’t say it’s overtly high schooly, no.</p>

<ol>
<li>Do overbearing pretentious Williamsburg-type hipsters abound?</li>
</ol>

<p>I don’t get the reference but yeah there is a noticeable population of hipsters. Just enough to make fun of them with friends or befriend them…if that’s your thing. They have their niche, you’ll see them outside Butler smoking and complaining but take their fair share of flack don’t worry. Vile, vile creatures…It’s almost ecstasy to knock one down during a class discussion though. </p>

<p>(On BWOG comments they are just outright reviled).</p>

<ol>
<li>How are discussions in the classes? </li>
</ol>

<p>It depends on the class. Don’t expect every hand up participating and a none-stop flow. There is dead air. Most core seminars naturally seem to have a core of 4-9 frequent speakers and the rest occasionally chimes in. This isn’t high school; you won’t get chastised in any way for participating a lot. </p>

<p>IF it’s heavily graded however it can become a bit of a competition. Everyone wanting to get their word in to impress the professor, etc. Some (the dreaded literati hipster) just like hearing their own voices.</p>

<p>There is no clear-cut pattern. Though in my opinion, discussions in higher level courses are much more involved with the majority of actually wanting to chim in on the subject matter. Some English classes like creative writing workshops are built on this.</p>

5

<ol>
<li>How is the race/class interaction at Columbia?</li>
</ol>

<p>It’s one of the best I’ve seen. there is natural self-selection, in that you have people from the same race hanging out with their own race a fair bit. I don’t mind this and actually see it as a positive because it is usually indicative of kids having strong cultural bonds. I am regularly the odd kid out hanging out with race X whatever X maybe. there are no problems, no one looks at you funny and there is a lot of inter-race interaction. the same goes for class, there is some natural self-selection but honestly I’m not very sure what “class” some of my friends are from. If I am sure, it’s not something that impedes our friendship</p>

<ol>
<li>Is the jadedness really an endearing quality in Columbia students (read this in another thread)</li>
</ol>

<p>more than jaded, I’d say people are cynical a$$holes, and you’ll come to love it. It creates an unmatchable sense of realism on campus. I generally consider myself a bluntly critical guy, usually untrusting and anti-naive but I would never call myself jaded. I’m still deeply enthusiastic about life, academics, biking, school spirit, clubs, politics, camaraderie etc etc. there will obviously be jaded folks around, but it’s no U chicago :p.</p>

<ol>
<li>Any Urban Studies majors around here like to describe the department?</li>
</ol>

<p>seas btch, can’t help you. But I do have a friend who just graduated urban studies, and she loved her profs and classes, she tried to sell me on many of them. I think she was happy with the way her classes were graded also.</p>

<ol>
<li>Is there somewhat of a cycling scene at Columbia?</li>
</ol>

<p>well not on campus, but many kids have bikes and bike in the city. i’m one of them (i miss her already). there is a cycling club, don’t know what they do or how big they are. it makes a lot of sense to get a bike, it’s a quick(est) way around the city, it often saves you subway money and you can usually sell the bike for the same price you bought it at, paying $5-10 for repairs along the way. Exercise + save money + save time + utility + you can tell chicks it’s your way of helping the environment.</p>

<ol>
<li>Is it very cliquey or when people say “groups” they are still fairly fluid?</li>
</ol>

<p>groups are fluid. I’m part of too many for anyone to call them cliques. NYU would have some serious cliques because there is no real central campus. At columbia your friends know your friends a lot, and you keep bumping into too many other groups.</p>

<ol>
<li>Do overbearing pretentious Williamsburg-type hipsters abound?</li>
</ol>

<p>there are the hipsters, some are overbearing, few are pretentious, all can safely be made fun of.</p>

<ol>
<li>How are discussions in the classes?</li>
</ol>

<p>generally great. Columbia applicants are already excited to debate and take different courses, then the university selects kids who they feel will be enthusiastic about the curriculum and learning. I’ve learned a lot from my peers, on some days their insights outdo the professor’s by a sizable margin. discussion is often a portion of the grade even in a mundane class like accounting. Quite a few times, I’ve managed to up my grade simply by blabbering on about my feelings, it’s wonderful.</p>