<p>I'm deciding between like four schools and leaning towards Columbia because the film program is incredible and I want to be in New York City, among other reasons. What's really holding me back though is my concern about the core curriculum! I keep hearing that you definitely have to know that you really want the core if you want to go to Columbia. I'm unsure about it and don't really have a preference but I'm worried that being uncertain at all precludes me from being a good fit for the school. I also can't tell if my general exhaustion of being in school and being a senior is a sign that I should go to a less rigorous school or if it's just typical senioritis. Obviously no one can answer these questions for me, I'm just looking to hear from anyone with personal insights or anyone who goes to Columbia whose had these same concerns and how it worked out.</p>
<p>Hi maryland13. I am a current undergraduate student at Columbia. There is nothing to be worried about regarding the Core Curriculum. Yes, it is true that it is a central part of your Columbia education, but many students, including myself, consider the Core the most rewarding part of your Columbia education. These classes are discussion based, usually only about 20 students, which makes it great for intimate intellectual conversation and discussion. Although some of the classes contain a lot of reading, every student in your class is taking the same Core classes, so all of you are going through the experience of the class together. The Core creates a bond amongst the student body; you’d be surprised how often the books in these classes are brought up in everyday conversation. However, again, do not be worried about these courses stressing you out. The workload is very manageable, and balances nicely with the rest of your classes. And I’m sure every students’ senioritis follows them to every school. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Your Lit Hum experience will depend entirely on your professor. If your prof. is engaging and appreciates the views and opinions of others, then you’ll have a great time in that class even though it’s a shot ton of reading. If you have my professor, who is nothing short of a conceited a-hole, then you’ll be lectured at for 110 minutes with no opportunity to discuss your own views. And If you’re Christian/Catholic/Jewish prepare to hear a bunch of stuff about your God that isn’t true every once in a while. </p>
<p>I haven’t taken Art/Music Hum, but I have never heard a bad thing about it.</p>
<p>UWriting is a lot of work but very manageable if you start early. Also the topics can be quite interesting.</p>
<p>FroSci is the dumbest class you’ll ever take, period. </p>
<p>IMO the Core is a lot of work but definitely not a deal-breaker when it comes to choosing Columbia. And the senioritis will disappear come August.</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much! That makes me feel a lot better about it all actually. But on the same note, how much truth is there to Columbia being consistently ranked as one of the most stressful colleges? Is it based on your major and the decisions you make with scheduling or would you say students are all generally pretty stressed all the time?</p>
<p>@maryland13 </p>
<p>As an aspiring film student I think the “Core,” should benefit you greatly. Classes such as Lit Hum, Art Hum, Music hum and CC should help to broaden your perspective and open up inspirations for film topics you never thought you’d have. This is all dependant on whether you take those classes seriously and try to get the most out of them. Many a Columbia student just “X-off boxes on the calendar,” with regards to their “Core,” experiences but as a Film student it might be just what you need to make you a more well-rounded storyteller.</p>
<p>PS - don’t worry about your senior fatigue, it’s natural and you’ll overcome it, hopefully.</p>
<p>Being a pre med prospect, with mostly a science background in HS, would I be able to cope with the core curr? What’s the average gpa for just the classes in the core curr? Being pre med I am concerned about any grade deflation in the core? Thanks</p>
<p>there’s no grade deflation in the core. While the rumors insisting that professors have to petition to give you a grade lower than a B- aren’t true, grading in the core is generally very easy. There’s a kid in my lit hum class who hasn’t done any of the reading and he gets easy Bs and B+s, and I’ve turned in solidly bad essays for Lit Hum and received nothing but As. I believe the means are curved to a B+, so if you hit the mean on your Frontiers midterm/final, your grade will likely be a B+ (instead of a C). I know a lot of pre-med undergrads who have no problem with the Core (your science requirement for the Core can be double counted with your major, so you don’t have to take two random science classes in addition to your science major, which is good), and frankly, I’ve really enjoyed my experience in it (with the exception of Frontiers–the class is ridiculous).</p>