southernazn918

Hey guys. So I'm basically a math/sci beast, going premed. I don't really have any interest in studying art or music, and I hate literature with a passion. The only parts of the core curriculum i think i would like are the frontiers of science class, and philosophy. I really want to take many upper-level science courses in college years. To me, college is about doing what you WANT to do. Nonetheless, Columbia students almost always advocate the core curriculum, and how it makes you a more "complete" human.

So how long does the core generally take to complete? Also, for a person like me, do you see any benefit in the core?

mantiz24

wow how cliche are you....i do see a benefit of the core for you since it'll open up your mind and make you from an asian math/sci beast going premed to a more complete individual b/c it'll force you to take courses in music, art, and lit. there's a lot more to this world than just what career you are going to follow up on. if you aren't someone who's willing to take advantage of expanding your mind, and learning about other ways of thinking through art or music or literature or w/e which are great outlets, via the Core curriculum, then I dont see Columbia as a fit for you. thats just my opinion, i think people go to Columbia b/c they are excited by the Core and WANT to do it to better themselves in an intellectually stimulating and very different environment. i dont know how long this takes, I'm assuming the first two years, columbia students i'm sure could comment on this more, but I think, that if you are willing to change your mindset a little bit and be more open to the Core and what it advocates, you will surely benefit.

sac

The core takes up about a third of your classes. It's not for everyone. I definitely would not recommend Columbia for someone who resents the curriculum, as I think it will be a miserable experience for you. There are a ton of other colleges.

Denzera

The core was perfect for me because I happen to be good at math/science, but have interests all across the academic spectrum, from history to literature to law to music to sociology, etc. What the core gave me was:

1) A well-developed and carefully considered curriculum in many of the above
2) No competitive disadvantage to taking those classes.

Point 2 is somewhat subtle: basically, at, say, Brown, anyone taking classes outside their area of expertise gets somewhat penalized competitively, because mostly they will be in classes with students who are specializing there, and will not be as prepared to excel. As a result, your GPA may suffer if you take academic risks. However, in a core curriculum, EVERYONE has to take those classes, so if you like the subject matter, it is not a competitive disadvantage to take them - because your class is full of people who also are not passionate about, say, classical music.

The core also gives some people:

3) An eye-opening experience that jump-starts newfound passion for a particular subject, one they wouldn't have had if they had stuck to what they had always known and excelled at.

College is a place for taking risks, and the Core nudges you in that direction. If you find the idea of required classes offensive, other schools may suit you more.

Skraylor

i you dont like the humanities dont go to columbia. i'd say that's pretty clear cut

viva_sweet_love

Um, if you don't want to study those things, I can't possibly see how it would be beneficial if you're just going to think about what a waste of time it is.

Shraf

i agree with the above, dont bother applying to columbia.....also, there r more things out there u can do other than becoming a doctor, u dont have to do what ur parents want u to do or what u think is the pinnacle of achievement.

southernazn918

yea, except i want to be a doctor...a pediatric hematologist, to be specific...my parents dont really care what i am as long as im moderately successful..and to me the pinnacle of achievement is Hugh Hefner...i'm just sick of bs-ing my way through english and history papers about random crap that doesn't hold any practical significance...i mean who gives a damn about Willy Lowman and his psychiatric problems (he's not REAL)...i'd rather spend my college years on something significant and useful

davidng1

I'm an engineering student and I used to think exactly like you as an undergrad. History, writing, and reading classes do come in handy later on. It broadens your views and your mind.

viva_sweet_love

If that's the way you see things, then I don't think Columbia, or New York City for that matter, is the place for you.

southernazn918

so what your are saying is, if i would rather spend my college years on something significant and useful, then Columbia isn't the place for me...that's hilarious...way to diss your school viva..haha... that's just brilliant

Columbia2002

Because there's no random crap that is totally useless in math and science, like memorizing the steps or the Kreb's Cycle or all the reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry, right?

southernazn918

hey man...the krebs cycle is very important...the stages of substrate-level phosphorylation is quite important in research involving oxygen transport efficiency, with applications in current biotechnology

GS_Banding

You completely missed the point.

voguepanda

I think what is trying to be said is that Columbia is very liberal arts-geared, and NYC is relatively liberal. Columbia definately would not be a top school if it was a terrible school, but if you are not a liberal arts-geared person, it's just not a good match. Different people fit in at different schools--nothing wrong with the person or the school, and different people think different things are important. No offense to the person or the school! (And this really isn't meant to be condescending, it might just sound that way, cuz a lot of typed things do)