<p>Danzera - I agree completely, If a student has to ask if Columbia is competitive or laid back, CU is definitely not for you. No offense to the OP, however if you were fit for a prestigious university such as CU, one would believe that question would be irrelevant due to the nature of the student body. If you plan on applying for any engineering program or applied science (Fu Foundation) take into consideration how competitive Fu Foundation is. Although a lot of the SEAS courses require a ton of group work during your time as an undergrad, The student body is extremely competitive. To be honest, I'm frightened to even ask how competitive The Graduate Schools are.</p>
<p>Most of the OP's questions can be answered with simply researching school selectivity and quality of student body. Is Columbia easy? I don't think anyone (with a few snobby rich jock exceptions) makes a decision to attend an ultra-selective school and plans on flying by. Given the grade inflation at schools like Columbia is evident to anyone here, it is still difficult to be able to keep up with the super resourceful and intelligent faculty, Let alone succeed in academic studies. </p>
<p>It's not just CU that is fast-paced and no BS, It is NYC in general, Especially when it comes times to join the corporate band-wagon (sigh.)</p>
<p>UriA702: Yeah, I did some more research on the college, and it does seem like Columbia and NYC is really fast-paced, and you have to be very independent and aggressive. That's definitely not me! So I've pretty much decided not to apply. So, even though this discussion didn't go the way I intended, I still decided whether I want to apply or not, so things have worked out well. OK, Columbia is off my list! Thanks to those who gave helpful responses.</p>
<p>although Columbia's being "fast-paced" and "aggressive" intimidates me a little, I feel like all my life I've been sheltered and now is THE time to get out of my ****ing bubble...if I don't learn to be independent in college, w t f will happen to me when I get a job? I'm pretty sure I'll just spontaneously combust or something</p>
<p>idontcare, then I think Columbia is a good choice for you. :) I don't think it's as fast paced and aggressive as everyone makes it seem, but then again, I can only speak from the impressions I have gotten this past year as a pre-frosh. I personally don't find Columbia very intimidating and what I liked about it is that the students were truly warm and loved where they were and what they were doing. I think the biggest thing about Columbia is that if you need help or advice, you have to actively seek it, but it's certainly available in addition to a wide variety of other resources. I prefer things that way because I don't like to be babied or told what to do, I like to research things and find out what's best for me.</p>