Yale or Columbia

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
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<p>Hello everyone.</p>

<p>I probably should have posted this a little earlier, as I am running out of time to make preliminary decisions. But pretty much I was accepted EA to Yale and got a likely letter to Columbia, and was named a Rabi Scholar, which ~10 kids per year get. (It guaruntees funding and stipends for research, and allows you access to top labs/faculty to conduct your research, as well as providing you with another group of science-specific couselors). And now I am torn. (tl;dr at bottom... sorry for wall of text!)</p>

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<p>My first encounter with Columbia was in 8th grade when I was dragged along on my brother's college visit, and even then I knew I loved it. Theater is a huge part of my life, so New York and easy/cheap access to Broadway are huge boons. But I'm not sure if New York kind of detracts from life/activities on campus, in which case there would be less theater for me to get involved in. My area(s) of interest are Biophysics/Biochem as of now, and potentially Math. Having gaurunteed access to researchers and paid funding/stipends/housing is SO incredible to come by. But I've always been kind of "eh" towards the Core; I like humanities, but am not sure I want so much of it mandatory, especially because that leaves less room for exploring the sciences.</p>

<p>Yale is, of course, the pinnacle of undergraduate theater, and since being accepted in December I've learned SO much about all of the various groups and stayed for 2 nights this past weekend. Yale is also really good for their "Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry" major, which is what I'd like to go for. After speaking with other students (my host also was named a Rabi and seemed to dismiss it -- but not haughtily/snootily -- as not as good as Yale), it seems that the opportunities that being a Rabi Scholar affords me are also available at Yale, there's just not a default "structure" to them, and I get to go pick the specifics of what research, etc. I'd want to do</p>

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<p>Shorter version: I feel nostalgic towards Columbia because I've imagined myself there for years, but nostalgic towards Yale because I've REALLY imagined myself there for a few months. Columbia is exciting and has the dazzle of NYC & me being a 'special' student. But it has the Core and seems to overlook certain general facets of student life. I'll be 'normal' at Yale, but everything about it is palatial, there's TONS of theater, and they give you funding and opportunities for anything you can imagine.</p>

<p>Any advice is welcome. Thank you SO much in advance; I know ultimately it will be my decision and mine alone, but I'm interested to see what others have to say.
<strong>I'll also be posting this in the Columbia forum</strong></p>

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<p>There is no dearth of research opportunities at Yale. In the past you had abundant options at both the college and medical school but now you have access to the West campus too. The New Haven arts scene is vibrant and although it takes longer to get to the lights of Broadway from Elm street than Amsterdam avenue, I would travel to NYC at least once a semester for a day trip only about 90 minutes away.</p>

<p>The ready access to the wonders of NYC from Columbia always struck me as a double edged sword. Who wouldn’t be attracted to world-class theater, museums, and restaurants but in what way does that pull people from campus and make the college itself less dynamic? Your lack of enthusiasm for the Columbia core would be a bigger concern of mine since that is an important part of that campus’ culture and a bigger difference than research opportunities +/- Rabi fellowship.</p>

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<p>Based on your post, I would think Yale is a better fit. Theater is definitely amazing here (and that’s not even my area of interest). I received something similar to the Rabi scholarship from Cornell, but I’m so glad I chose Yale when it felt like the “right” place to be. (I was also turning down a huge scholarship from JHU for biomedical engineering.) I agree with YaleGradandDad that your qualms about the Columbia core are a pretty serious concern. And you will certainly have access to a wide variety of labs at Yale - MB&B is top-notch. There are fellowships that pay you to do research at Yale over the summer, and even if you somehow aren’t able to get one, most labs should have enough funding to be able to cover you. Some might be willing to pay you during the year as well if you’re really productive and aren’t taking research for credit.</p>