It's coming to the fact that Columbia is where it ought to be, and once was: at the top of the heap in American higher education. This is a reclamation of Columbia's historical position. When it displaces Yale and Princeton in that group, it'll be fully restored.
I wouldn't say it's a "reclamation of a historical position." I remember a professor during my first semester telling us quite clearly that Columbia is now better off than it's ever been - academically, financially, etc.
The lower acceptance rate is due mostly to switching to the Common Application (a 32% increase over last year). More broadly, there's also the factor of Columbia's location. As demand for urban lifestyles has surged in the younger generations, schools in major cities have seen a significant uptick in applications. I wouldn't read too much into it. NYU has seen a similar surge.
That's why they call it Columbia University in the City of New York - marketing to the audience.
^
I'm not quite clear what your point was, but your post reinforced my point that schools in NYC use the city as a selling point and that plays a large factor in applicant pools. So, no need to beat yourself up.
I think the school has been using this way back in the early 1900s, way before schools had to use slick marketing gimmicks to get applications. Also, there are quite a few schools named "Columbia" in case you don't know...
Also,
Quote:
schools in major cities have seen a significant uptick in applications.
. The opposite can also be said. I know many people who would never apply to a college like Columbia because of its location in a city. This argument works both ways...
It was actually chartered as "Columbia College in the City of New York" in 1784, when it was reopened and renamed from King's College after the revolutionary war.
Columbia certainly has a metropolitan appeal.. I think any aspiring student would easily find it a match because of its liberal studies, financial aid, location, prestige, etc.
The opposite can also be said. I know many people who would never apply to a college like Columbia because of its location in a city. This argument works both ways...
I'm not sure why you're being defensive, Smart Guy. Columbia itself said the 32% increase in applications was due in large part to its switch to the common app and its location in New York City.
You can speak anecdotally, but there's no denying the fact that urban schools' reputations have fallen and risen over the years with the fate of their cities. Rural or small town schools struggle to attract and retain top faculty and students because, especially with the new generation, people want to live in cities. It's a long-standing issue - nothing new. The fact that it's now safe to live near campus has a huge impact on who decides to apply and attend.
