<p>As a current student in the class of 2018 and a member of the URC (Columbia’s outreach program), I’ll address the two concerns voiced by the OP (party/social life and vibe) and not other aspects, simply because there’s too much to say and most of the other top points have already been voiced. </p>
<p>Vibe:
Columbia is filled with high-achieving, always-busy people. The spirit of the city infuses into the campus, everyone always has something to do or somewhere to be. Personally, I can’t remember the last time I watched television (by choice, I do know people who watch lots of TV but I’d rather be doing other things). Everyone is in constant motion, and stress-culture is something that both exists and we thrive on. If you’re an early bird you may feel excluded from some things, it’s certainly a late night environment here and events starting at 10 or 11pm are not at all unusual (I used to stay up until 12 or 1 back home, now I’m generally awake until 3 or 4am). There is a palpable tension between the administration and student body, but that’s mostly a result of the activist culture on campus. There’s usually a protest going on, and most students are liberal (ranging from voting mostly democratic to writing facebook statuses about ableism and heteronormativity every other day). From my experience with the student body, people are opinionated and fiercely intelligent, but humbly so. I think this is what sets columbia apart, I’ve traveled to some of the other ivies for clubs and visiting friends, and a “holier than thou” pretentiousness feels prevalent within the student body. For example, I recently learned that a floor mate gave a TED talk a few years back. This incredible fact never once came up in conversation, people here generally aren’t braggy and tend to downplay their accomplishments (of which they have many). There certainly isn’t a sporty/fratty/ra-ra go columbia culture but people here are very loyal to our school and do genuinely love the place, while still acknowledging places where it can be improved. </p>
<p>Party scene:
As evidenced in vibe, frat culture isn’t a big deal here. Yes there are fraternities, located in brownstones on two rows along 114th and 113th street (right below the official lower edge of campus). Yes they throw parties, and I’ve been to a number of them. However, I do find that when students want to let loose, they tend to do so with their friend groups by either a) drinking/smoking/whatnot with their friends in a large dorm room, or b) going out to the bars in columbia area with friends and drinking there. Alcohol is the drug of choice here (beyond caffeine which is nearly universal and adderall which is somewhat common), easy to come across, and plentiful. Fake IDs are also a way of life, also easy to obtain in the first few weeks of school, and accepted at most bars in the area. Due to all the attention Columbia has gotten about rape culture, consent is taken VERY seriously here, which as a female I find reassuring. If you so choose, you can go out and drink every night of the weekend (and some nights of the week), but that’s not the norm. Among the social group I am usually with, drinking usually happens one or two nights a weekend, and mostly among friends. Drinking a glass of wine or a cocktail while doing homework isn’t uncommon either. Personally, I’m very close with my floor mates in my dorm (John Jay represent), and they are my closest friends/family/confidants/study partners, but I know many others who have friend groups spread across campus. People are generally fairly social while also taking their studying seriously, hanging out listening to music and doing work is a common experience. </p>
<p>Overall, I love it here. While the course load is assuredly difficult and you should by no means come here if you don’t want to work hard (taking 6 classes isn’t uncommon and grading is not inflated), the people you’ll be going through the next four years with are absolutely incredible. As a side note, while I’m neuroscience major and not taking any of the econ classes here, I know we are absolutely renown for our econ department and have nobel-prize winners teaching intro classes. Additionally, NYC is the center of the financial world and many wall-street firms recruit directly from us for internships/jobs/etc, so going into econ here is definently a good choice. If you have any other questions (either the OP or anyone else reading this thread) feel free to reach out. I promise it’ll all sort itself out!</p>