Hey everyone! I was recently admitted to the Columbia class of 2022 (I’m still in shock). I’ve been looking into the school and what entering as a Freshmen is like, and I have some questions.
In terms of housing, I desperately want a single in John Jay-- how likely is it that I’ll get one?
In terms of the social scene, how easy is it to make friends and meet people in general? Do clubs tend to be selective?
How big will Freshmen classes be?
Thanks for your insight!
bump
It should be fairly easy to get a single in John Jay since its mostly singles. You also have the option to put some particular reason why you want a certain choice in the form. I always wrote something about religious practice and have always gotten a single whenever it was a form process (freshman/summer housing).
I think freshmen tend to make friends pretty easily. Clubs are kind of selective (depends on the club) and they have applications and interviews but people usually get into some stuff. Freshmen classes depend on your major, 2 classes for sure (if you’re in the college) will be seminars. If you’re in STEM, those classes tend to be bigger but they are never insanely big like my local university’s.
If you put all singles as your top choices you have a good chance of getting one of them but may not be JJ. Easy to make friends especially at NSOP and with the floor activities at the beginning of the year. Many activities and clubs are open to anyone but the competitive application ones can be ridiculously competitive. First year STEM and Intro type classes (like Psych, Econ) tended to be 150-250 people but plenty of office hours and recitations. U Writing is 15 people (but lots of grad student teachers (mostly GREAT ones). Even in the big classes Profs tried to get to know people who tried to get to know them by going to office hours, emailing, participating, etc.
What are some of the hardest clubs to get into at Columbia!
Probably the hardest organization to get into is the Columbia Spectator, a student run newspaper / magazine. Many, many people apply for various positions, and only a small minority get admitted.
I don’t know about Spec lol my year they were constantly recruiting and a bunch of people left after they realized how much work they’d be doing without any profit. I think that finance clubs can be hard, also some performing arts groups too. Most things have ‘applications’ but I think if you’re really keen on something, you probably can do something related to it.
I lived in JJ freshman year. As long as you rank JJ as your top choice it’s fairly likely that you will get it.