What Makes Columbia Unique?

<p>Core curriculum, NYC, what else?</p>

<p>My view of it: classical education offered to liberal student body, highly theoretical university in highly practical city, highly elite (royalist beginnings) and yet highly democratic and accessible (gateway for immigrants), a “European” university in America’s most international city, launching pad for many unusual and extraordinary individuals (from Alexander Hamilton to Barack Obama), a “voice” for the highest intellectual ideals and practices in a country increasingly addicted to commercialism and sensationalism</p>

<p>^^ People who are writing their essays at the last minute shouldn’t look for others to give them ideas.</p>

<p>Sounds like someone needs some seeding for the “why Columbia” essay?</p>

<p>Thanks harrisdw! Good stuff bud.</p>

<p>@friedokra20
I really hope you didn’t just copy or use the same words/stuff as harrisdw did in your why columbia essay. First of all, even though it is immoral it could really screw you up if both you and harrisdw are RD applicants to Columbia and secondly, its just pathetic. But then again I could be wrong and you are just asking for your personal sakes instead of info for the essay.
I just thought I might just say that.</p>

<p>matrixsurgeon, I graduated in June from Northwestern, haha. I’ve got a relative who applied to Columbia, though. Honestly didn’t even check this thread until yesterday.</p>

<p>Oh @friedokra20 I guess I was right in including the last part about I could be wrong haha. Just my bad. I have seen too many people on CC lately on the individual college forums that basically are asking for the answers to the essay questions.
BTW im guessing u like friedokra?? haha</p>

<p>I went years ago, and in my view, the place is a nonpareil in American higher education. Nothing quite like it, for the reasons I mentioned above. I forgot to mention that it is also the smallest college in (I think) the largest university in the Ivy League – another of its interesting “contradictions.”</p>

<p>NYC is the distinguishing feature of Columbia. Anything academic Columbia College has the University of Chicago has but does a better job of it.</p>

<p>U of C – my alma mater, by the way – dropped in the rankings this year. So I am not sure what it is doing better by objective standards, except lowering its admissions rate with marketing schemes that I will grant are effective, if distasteful. </p>

<p>No need to ■■■■■ further, OK. Chicago’s praises can be more appropriately sung on its own forum. See you there. Cheers!</p>

<p>I’m a bit curious as well, why do students choose Columbia? (I got accepted Brown ED so it’s not for the essay) Location and prestige are the two that come to mind when I think about it.</p>

<p>The core curriculum at Columbia is very appealing. Atleast to me it is. And they have a lot of resources and centers for. My prospective majors and interests. And it’s in the middle of NYC!!!</p>