GrenadeJumper

people always talk about how Columbia has no campus life but isn't there always people on the steps of low when it is nice out and aren't their always people either petitioning for something or asking you to join their club? Isn't that what makes up campus life, clubs, sports, and people having fun? Please help me understand.

ses

Some people feel that because CU is in NYC lots of kids are active in the city instead of on the campus, which detracts from the sense of community. The weekly protests against the administration can also be seen as negative.

But I agree with you, the campus, as small as it is, is nice and cozy.

Columbia2002

It's nice out for maybe the first three weeks and the last two weeks that you're there. Nobody's sitting on the steps the rest of the year.

Campus life isn't having to fight off the commies shoving the Daily Worker (or whatever their rag is called) in your face.

Denzera

I disagree with C02 - there are people on the steps all times of the year. they may not be hanging out there the entire afternoon the way they do in september and april, but late at night throughout the fall, there's a big Zen thing with just sitting on the steps with a friend and chatting.

And with that tying into the larger campus community thing, a lot of the community experience is indoors. Your freshman-year floor will probably be the biggest hotbed of freelance socializing that you come across, but there are many many opportunities to meet people and feel like you're a part of something.

Columbia2009

The perception by some that Columbia has no campus life is, in my experience, sorely misguided. First, most everyone lives in campus housing, so we see each other all the time, and the dorms generally provide a fun, communal environment. There are parties and other social events in various dorms on a regular basis, especially in some first-year dorms and upper-class suites. (There's also the obligatory Greek scene, if you're into that.) Second, Morningside is a very student-friendly neighborhood, and the majority of people that you'll see on campus and on surrounding streets at any given time during the year are students. There are also a few good restaurants, coffee shops (well, maybe just two--Hungarian and Max Cafe), and bars that consistently draw in students by virtue of being local stand-bys, so a lot of people are hanging out in the neighborhood or on campus at any given time. (People don't just disappear one by one off into some other part of the city on weekends, as some would have you believe.) Third, the campus and neighborhood are dense enough that you'll constantly run into friends in the course of your daily routine.

It's important to realize that Columbia is not your generic state school, so you won't find an overwhelming party scene. Also, since Columbia's more of an intellectual school, you won't find a culture that encourages the widespread celebration/veneration of college athletics. (Most people are sympathetic to the athletes, though. They try so hard...) That said, you'll find your share of parties, and various student groups are always holding social events and performances open to everyone.

So Columbia provides a pretty decent on-campus scene. The main distinction between it and most other schools is that if you want to partake in any of the myriad activities or cool locales that the city has to offer (including bars, restaurants, museums, concerts/performances, shopping, professional sporting events, exploring different neighborhoods, etc.), all of those things are readily available to students. NYC is obviously amazing, and it's the perfect complement to Columbia's more low-key campus life. (Notice I didn't say "non-existent campus life"...)

Finally, people at Columbia are not anti-social robots, and if you're capable of making friends during orientation and beyond, then you'll have no trouble coming up with something to do when you want to relax or party.

All in all, life on campus and the excitement of New York make for a great combination, and that was one of the main features that caused Columbia to be my top choice (aside from the academic component, obviously). Personally, I think it has the best set-up of any of the Ivies, and it certainly outdoes just about every urban school I can think of.

Achilleus

And what, exactly, is "that?" How is a frat party so fundamentally different from a suite party that it requires some sort of disclaimer?

UriA702

Columbia2009 - Except for NYU. NYU's in your face NYC lifestyle really prepares you for life in the big city. I love Columbia's campus but have always wondered what it would be like to go to a school like NYU which technically, has no campus. Columbia is far superior in almost every other conceivable aspect, of course.

Achilleus - I believe that Columbia2009 didn't put that in the right context, he didn't mean it as an insult to the fraternities or sororities, rather just extending the students options as far as social activities and clubs go. Frats aren't for everyone - so if you're into that type of thing there is plenty of opportunity to socialize.

confidentialcoll

columbia 2009 - spot on

campus is fantastic, hopefully with a little more global warming and 70 degree days in january, the steps will be packed all year through :P. but really for atleast half - two thirds of the academic year people are hanging out on the lawns and steps,

never forget you can wake up 10 mins before class and be there early

viva_sweet_love

Thank you for that wonderful post, Columbia2009!