<p>I am interested in hearing from alums who worked hard to get into their dream school.
Was it ultimately worth it and did it live up to your expecations and if so how and if not why was it a let down?</p>
<p>worth it. Lots of networking and ambitious men (they give me a hard on). That’s in 2 months two. </p>
<p>Classes are Meh. High school classes are probably of higher quality if you came from a good private one. The people here are fantastic.</p>
1 Like
<p>yes, difficult but rewarding, probably would have been “happier” at a few other colleges, but I don’t think I would have learned the same amount any where else. Thoroughly enjoyed the struggle, made lots of mistakes, left with a good job and well prepared to handle anything thrown at me. Am very happy now, left with lasting friends, good memories and still a little pride / hope to give back.</p>
<p>Definitely, from both an academic and social viewpoint. I never could write a good paper in English when I was in high school, but the Core has somehow managed to make the process fascinating. In all of the classes I’m taking, you really have to work for your grade. As a result, I’ve been motivated to take my projects seriously and be proud of the results I get. The Pass/Fail option really helps if you think a class is going horribly wrong; also, it can be used to take a course outside your field of study, and everyone could use a break from rigorous loads of homework in that one class. </p>
<p>Most importantly, I’ve met so many new people through classes, clubs, events, lectures, etc. The strength of a university relies not on its academics (you can theoretically self-teach yourself in any course, you’ve got books and internet at your disposal) but its teachers and students, and Columbia, with its diversity of talent, excels at that.</p>
<p>Also, you will appreciate having Fridays off and having the entire NYC area to explore. Unless you have intensive gen chem lab on Fridays, but I hear it’s a cool class.</p>
<p>What about other aspects, such as welfare, esprit de corps? I’ve looked at some photos of the campus which I guess sports an art-deco kind of aesthetics… but how is its functionality?</p>
<p>Art Deco? Uh, no. Architecturally it’s mostly classical and Beaux-Arts style. There’s some info here: <a href=“http://www.columbia.edu/files/columbia/content/self-guided-walking-tour.pdf[/url]”>http://www.columbia.edu/files/columbia/content/self-guided-walking-tour.pdf</a></p>
<p>There are 22 great libraries on campus, lots of really good study spaces. It’s quite conveniently located in a good, but boring neighborhood. Very safe, just not too exciting. I’ll let CC students discuss housing and food, but my impression is that it’s all acceptable, but not amazing.</p>
<p>No disrespect CCSniper, but you’re not an alum. You’ve been here less than three months! It’s entirely reasonable for the OP to want to hear from those with greater perspective.</p>
<p>Was it worth it? From a career perspective I got into one of the best law schools in the country, but that had more to do with my GPA and LSAT than anything else. </p>
<p>Socially I made some of my best friends from Columbia. </p>
<p>However, if I had to do it over again I probably would have gone to Princeton or Dartmouth. Frankly they seem to have had a far richer and more connected experience. I just don’t feel part of an deep community, the alums I know from those two schools in particular do. I feel like I missed out on something.</p>
<p>columbia is great but honestly sometimes the ultra liberal-arts slant from my classmates really annoyed me off. bad place to be for hard science/engineering majors. all-in-all, the best memory i had of this place wasn’t the academics or social scene or even my friends, it was the romantic relationships i had lol. </p>
<p>sitting on the steps of low memorial late at night during winter with this girl i used to date was probably one of the best memories ive had of this place. outside of relationships, however, </p>
<p>…meh.</p>
<p>While I’m excited about Columbia’s success, I think its a stretch to say its a great college experience.</p>
1 Like
<p>Pros:</p>
<p>1) Great opportunities in financial services in all divisions.
2) Active cultural organizations - lots of events and close-knit executive board.
3) You’re forced to keep motivated and learn. The teachers may not be great, but you’ll have to learn (i.e. teach yourself) all the material.
4) Lots of smart, engaging people who are fun to hang out with and talk to. On the flip side, also lots of arrogant and self-righteous students.</p>
<p>Cons:</p>
<p>1) No cohesive social body. I don’t even consider myself very social but it definitely feels like a good portion of the school is either studying or in their dorms. The social experience was highly (I repeat highly) lacking.
2) Being a student leader involves being 1/2 campus organizer and 1/2 Columbia bureaucrat. E-Form, DARTS, Virtual EMS, Pre-calendaring, ABC, SACBO, SGA? 2 advisers need to approve rooms after 5 PM, 1 adviser to approve $50 for food, forgetting your ABC account # at Morton Williams…priceless.
3) Almost 0 professional or academic advising. Advisers don’t even know major requirements let alone what fits your academic passion. CCE is a pile of sh_t.
4) HORRIBLE professors in IEOR. Almost made me religious because I prayed for a great textbook or TA’s.
5) Lots of pressure, which influences academic rigor and social scene. You can definitely feel it here more than most schools.
6) It’s seriously not easy transferring between SEAS and CC. I didn’t even get anyone pregnant and I’ve had to pay for 4 years of teenage indiscretion.</p>
<p>Overall:
Was I happy throughout school? (No, I was unhappy for most of it.)
Did I feel that Columbia directly contributed to my achievements, either through teaching me or providing me career advice? (No, Columbia was a name and I survived and fought to get to where I am today. I thank friends, but I studied my ass off and prepared for interviews to land my job.)
Am I more prepared to handle challenges going forward? (Unequivocally yes)
Was it worth it? (Time will tell. Is it worth it to grow up fending for yourself or is it better to have loving parents?)</p>
<p>I got a great job, learned a good deal, and came out with several friends. It’s a mixed bag, but at the moment, I don’t think I would have chosen Columbia again. Perhaps with 20/20 hindsight, I’ll appreciate more things or look at the experience differently.</p>
<p>Finally, just wanted to provide a comment from Bwog following the tragic and recent death of Tina Bu. I also don’t mean to detract from her passing, but this comment struck me as spot on.</p>
<p>[Tian</a> Bu, CC ’13, Has Passed Away – Bwog](<a href=“Tian Bu, CC ’13, Has Passed Away - Bwog”>Tian Bu, CC ’13, Has Passed Away - Bwog)</p>
1 Like