<p>Hahahaha!! Look what I got people discussing on the "College Search" board.. in the "easiest ivy to get into" thread.. lol</p>
<p>Oh how I love Columbia so dearly...</p>
<p>"Anyone who mistakes Morningside Heights for Harlem has insufficient experience with cities or else is reaching snap judgments based on skin color of the pedestrians.
I'd say that the neighborhood around Columbia is better than that around USC in Los Angeles and <em>that</em> neighborhood is not the ghetto that its detractors would like you to believe." --> I like this person! lol :)</p>
<p>"Columbia had been my D's #1 on paper but decided not to even apply after visiting it but the neighborhood had nothing to do with it. She did apply to Barnard and was admitted but chose Smith instead." --> Aww.. that's a shame.. I'd go to Columbia hands down...</p>
<p>"It's not a matter of mistaking Morningside Heights for Harlem; it's a matter of proximity. The point is that Harlem is right on it's doorstep, and I think many people could do without that added worry in what is already a very stressful transition (high school/home life to college/dorm life.)"</p>
<p>"Morningside Heights was a middle class neighborhood, but no area in Manhattan can remain middle class because it makes no economic sense. People are either bought out, or the area goes to Hell with crime. So while the area immediately surrounding Columbia is somewhat gentrified due to the University, it's still too close for comfort."</p>
<p>"That said, I am extremely partial to New York City and would encourage everyone to spend some time there, particularly for grad school or a first job. It is truly amazing!"</p>
<p>"You can spend all four years in teh campus if you're so prejudiced and terrified of a neighborhood that isn't even part of Harlem. And if you decide to venture out into the city, the subway station is right outside of the campus, so you just get in and then get out in a different part of the city without even having to ever step foot in Harlem. I don't see how Columbia's locat"ion isn't safe."</p>
<p>Wow a lot of people have A LOT of opinions about Columbia and its location! :)</p>