<p>So I decided to attend Columbia this fall, I don't really know why, it just sounded like a good school. Now I feel like i made the biggest <strong><em>ing blunder of my life. For one, I'm going to major in physics, and it seems like columbia suddenly turned into a non-science school (contrary to their record, ie. the largest number of affiliated noble laureates are in physics). I went to the stupid orientation *</em></strong><strong><em>, and there were 2 science students in total, with 40 or so other polisci/english/history majors. What the *</em></strong>?</p>
<p>Apart from that, I'm starting to really dislike the core curriculm. I thought the core curriculm would be good...then at orientation, I realized it's really all bull. I really can't stand the fact that they actually tell you exactly what classes you have to take. That's retarded. They should give you a set of classes for each requirement to choose from. That's what most other colleges do. And what's with everything being focused on western studies...Western Art, Western Music, Western Literature, Western Civilization. Are they ****ing joking? I thought colleges are supposed to be open-minded, worldly, and supposed to extend your horizons.</p>
<p>And, it feels like every <strong><em>ing person decided to come to columbia for the city. I think NYC pretty much epitomizes all that makes the world suck. (And I also think the city is *</em></strong>ing ugly as hell.) It seems like I'm the only one who didn't. Everyone is so extroverted and happy and bubbly...by end of orientation I was so *<strong><em>ing sick of smiling and *</em></strong>*** smalltalk, I wanted to shoot myself. I feel like I'm going to be the only introverted guy at columbia. </p>
<p>Will my perceptions change? Or should I start considering applying for transfer to some other schools?</p>
<p>i think you may be overgeneralizing a tad bit. there are plenty of science majors. trust me. maybe even more so than humanities people. you're session was probably just a skewed sample. as far as the core goes, you may change your mind once classes start. you never know what you will gain from the experience. i'd say try it out for a year and see how it goes. if you feel the same, transfering is always an option.</p>
<p>Yeah, there was probably something wrong with your orientation. To be fair, maybe most of the people who were smiling and bubbly are actually just trying to be nice and fit in (rather awkwardly), which could be indicative of their introvertedness. Maybe the reason there weren't very many science majors is because they tend to be quite introverted in comparison to humanities majors and aren't as willing to go to a function like this. The possibilities are endless; don't let a sample of 40 keep you from potentially making good relationships with the other 1000+.</p>
<p>About half the Core Curriculum is a list of seminar courses that you must take some time during your college career. The other half is a distribution requirement (choose from among the sciences, or among the foreign languages, etc.). You seem to have a problem with it now, but Columbia's spent many decades designing and redesigning these courses, and they do have a lot of faith that most students will get something out of it (at the very least, a list of very good books to read).</p>
<p>In terms of broadening your horizons, Columbia does a very interesting thing in having fewer requirements for your major in comparison to most colleges (although you could always take more if you want). This gives you ample room to pursue subjects of passion that may be outside of your major. In fact, you don't have to have a major really; you can graduate with a concentration (which is a little more than minor), but I'm not sure how much that's advised.</p>
<p>While at the heart Columbia is a liberal arts institution, its sciences are particularly strong, especially physics. The student-faculty ratio in the physics department is 1.7:1, which makes it extremely easy to find undergraduate research, something held very importantly in the department.</p>
<p>If you honestly don't like Columbia (this sentiment happens upon many students about their respective colleges), transfer probably wouldn't be a bad idea. But you definitely shouldn't judge the book by the cover, wait a few months when you get there before you lock yourself into a decision.</p>
<p>I have actually heard most students at Columbia (including myself) are fairly introverted and independent.</p>
<p>I didn't like the Core at first, but the more I think about it, the more I love it. There is actually a very good portion of non-Western thought classes in Major Cultures, which requires you to study a non-Western region and country more indepth for a semester each. </p>
<p>Science is not as big as it used to be 65 years ago at Columbia, but it still has a big presence and the research opportunities are amazing.</p>
<p>For my personal experience, I love NYC, but it was not the reason I chose to apply there ED. NYC has its benefits and its pitfalls, just as any other location does. Try to make the best of the city and what it has to offer because the major benefit is the amount of opportunity it allows younger members of its society.</p>
<p>As for your advising session, I am sorry it did not turn out all too well. I met some great people at mine and a good amount of science majors were there. You are not alone in where you stand at Columbia and don't be afraid to make new friends because I can guarantee you that there will be a group of people right for you.</p>
<p>I wish you the best of luck and I look forward to meeting you on campus in the fall.</p>
<p>-Jaug1
Columbia College, Class of 2009</p>
<p>P.S. Where are you living next year? I'm in JJ 730. Maybe we'll be floor mates.</p>
<p>well, i don't feel like your perception of the school will change, b/c it seems like you've already decided what to think haha. to begin with, give the place a chance; if you dislike it after that, then think about transferring. columbia doesn't retain some 98 percent of its students for no reason. in regard to your concern about there being so few science majors...you're going to an ivy league school, and humanities are generally more popular. at columbia in particular, the student body is very intellectual. with that said, there are plenty of science majors at columbia. perhaps there aren't that many pure physics or chemistry majors, but there are, for example, many students who major in neuroscience and behavior. and in any case, what's wrong w/majoring in a field which attracts a smaller percentage of the student body? you'll have smaller classes and more one-on-one attention from professors. or if you want to look at it from another perspective...the fact that you're so introverted means you'll have to deal w/fewer people. </p>
<p>it's too bad you dislike the core curriculum, as you'll be spending a lot of time w/it : (. it's not bs, though. the classes are highly structured and interesting if you engage yourself with the material. the core is western based b/c you live in the united states--a western nation. there are certain western works that you should read as a student in a western nation. no one is saying that non western works are inferior; there simply isn't time to cover literature from everywhere around the world. anyway, that's a whole debate in itself.</p>
<p>also, don't judge people based on what they seem like at orientation. no one knows anyone else, so everyone is very friendly. it'll be like that the first few weeks of school, too. most ppl will change after a while. finally, ppl don't go to columbia just b/c it's in new york. it's a great school in its own right.</p>
<p>Of course there are plenty of science majors at Columbia. I think there is a lot of fear in your posting. Think about why you chose it in the first place and give it a chance.</p>
<p>I can see what you're saying. I don't agree about NYC or orientation, but a few months ago you had all these choices of colleges, and now you're going to one for the next four years. It's kind of like getting cold feet before you get married--I have a bit of them too even though Columbia was my first choice. I worry that the core will take up too much time and I won't me able to double major, study abroad, learn another language, etc, all the things I imagined myself doing in college; I worry about living in a big city being from the opposite environment, etc. If you're feeling closed in, there's always the option to transfer if your fears come true, or you can always think about grad school--still plenty of choices there.</p>
<p>" my friends who are going to columbia tell me orientation starts like august 25th, what the hell did you go to? " post#8</p>
<p>Orientation is at the end of August, beginning 8/29. My daughter is attending COROP, a pre-orientation activity that begins 8/24. I think the OP was referring to summer advising sessions that have been held around the country. </p>
<p>I agree with many of the posters here. There is a certain nervousness and I certainly believe, cold feet. I commend my daughter for taking a huge step in leaving home far behind and starting something brand new. It has to be scary and there are many high school graduates who are simply not ready to make that leap. There is nothing wrong with that. When it was my turn, there was no way I would even consider leaving my hometown. I had the chance to attend a school about one hour away and it was way too far from my comfort zone for me. And I am not even talking about such an imposing institution as Columbia.</p>
<p>Mooserman, you were picked out of a huge pool of wannabe Columbians. Admissions people saw in you something that they didn't in lots of other applicants. And they thought that you and Columbia were a good match. I hope your perception changes when you get there and the nerves calm themselves down like they will for many of you young people once you settle in. That 98% rate mentioned about must mean most freshman will.</p>
<p>What my daughter and I have taken notice of is the 200+ history that is behind Columbia. Our perception is that they must be doing something right.</p>