<p>For those of you that go there, is it more dive right in to the field that you want to study? Or more try stuff out first? </p>
<p>I know at Penn you get started right away on what you want to do, say economics, but at other schools you don't even declare a major until junior year. So how is it at Columbia? I couldnt find it anywhere.</p>
<p>I don’t know if you’re applying to CC or SEAS, but both have pretty extensive general ed requirements. I’m in CC so I am more familiar with their curriculum, and will focus on that. If you don’t already know about it, the Core Curriculum is kinda a big part of Columbia academics.</p>
<p>The Core basically an intensive liberal arts program and takes up much of your time freshman and sophomore year. All freshmen have to take a class called Literature Humanities (a year long course) as well as two semester-long courses, Frontiers of Science and University Writing. All sophomores have to take Contemporary Civilizations, which is like a follow-up to Lit Hum. There are also a language requirement, a science requirement, a “global core” requirement (because Lit Hum and CC focus almost solely on old, white men literature), two other required classes called Art and Music Humanities, and a PE requirement. If you like reading (there is a lot of it) and are really into the liberal arts its a big plus, but it does have take up much of your time freshman and sophomore year, but that’s just like most gen ed at other schools; however, even those who think they will not like the Core tend to end enjoying it. I personally thought I was going to hate the Core, but now I actually think it’s a great thing and is going to contribute extensively to my education. The Core is why Columbia has one of the best undergraduate liberal arts educations in the country and does cause you to expand your horizons and discover new interests, even if you think you’re dead-set on becoming a ______ major. It also does great things for community building (you can talk to anyone in the College about the Core classes because everyone has to take them). The Core is a lot of time and work (Columbia is ranked most rigorous in the country for a reason), but def worth it. You can find more official information on the Core at Columbia’s website: <a href=“https://www.college.columbia.edu/core[/url]”>https://www.college.columbia.edu/core</a>.</p>
<p>For SEAS, they have their own gen ed requirements, obviously focused more on engineering. I don’t think it’s as extensive as the College’s, but the academic path is definitely more on the structured side, although you start engineering courses right away. I know all SEAS freshman have to take Art of Engineering, and that there is some overlap between SEAS’ core and the College’s (I know they have to take University Writing), but that’s pretty much the extent of my knowledge. You can find more info about their core here: [Curriculum</a> | Columbia Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/learn/academiclife/engineering/curriculum]Curriculum”>Engineering Undergraduate Experience | Columbia Undergraduate Admissions).</p>
<p>So basically, you can start taking major classes your first semester, but the majority of your classes until junior year are going to be core-related. But the Core is actually a great thing, don’t let the extensive requirements scare you, the classes are def enjoyable; however, if you really do want to just go head on into your major, Columbia might not be the choice for you (Brown might be more up your alley). Also, pro tip: def mention the Core in your “Why Columbia” essay–it’s pretty much the defining feature of Columbia academically. Sorry for the long post, but I hope it was helpful!</p>
<p>Oh, and at Columbia you don’t usually declare your major until junior year as well, but you can take major classes before then (and should, especially if you plan to pursue a double major).</p>
<p>Actually, SEAS students declare their major in the Fall of sophomore year and CC students declare their major in the Spring of sophomore year. Of course, you can change it after that.</p>
<p>hey agent5263 thank you very much! That was exactly what I was looking for and very helpful. Thank you very much for the links, I am actually currently writing the essentially ‘why columbia’ essay and was trying to do some research first. Thanks again!</p>
<p>When I was applying last year, I found it helpful to check the bulletins for typical schedules of the majors I was interested in. </p>
<p>[Columbia</a> College Bulletin | Columbia College](<a href=“Columbia College Bulletin < Columbia College | Columbia University”>Columbia College Bulletin < Columbia College | Columbia University)
[SEAS</a> Bulletin](<a href=“http://bulletin.engineering.columbia.edu%5DSEAS”>http://bulletin.engineering.columbia.edu)</p>
<p>In general, how many students are in each of these core courses? Are they lectures or seminars? Taught by TA’s, or undergrad professors themselves? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Core classes (Literature Humanities, Contemporary Civilization, Art Humanities, Music Humanities) are small seminars, with about 20 students each, and are taught by either professors or grad students.</p>