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Columbia University Visit Report by B52sfreak
Visit to Columbia University in June 2013 by B52sfreak (Student, HS Class of 2012)
(Member since May 08 2011 with 21 posts)
2 of 6 people found this visit report helpful
Visit Activities:
Information Session: Yes - Did not go well. See visit description for grueling details.
Campus Tour: Yes - Left after five minutes - the negative information session experience and rain left us with little patience for the school.
Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff:
Appearance of Campus:
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness:
Overall Campus Impression:
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus:
City/Town/Community:
Campus Visit Notes for Columbia University
Visit Description:
Overall, it was not a positive experience. Following the overly-crowded information session we left after the first five minutes of the tour.
My main issue with the session was that it did not highlight anything about the university besides the (certifiably insane) core curriculum, other academics, and a brief overview of the admissions process. I have now been on ten information sessions/campus tours and most of them, or at least the enjoyable and truly informational ones, went over campus clubs/organizations, athletics, school philosophy, life on campus, the surrounding area, dorms, meal plans, and just general positive information about the university. I was left with a feeling of "We're the best because we're the smartest, so we shouldn't even have to try to get you to come here. You should be begging to come here."
On a side note, I was extremely entertained that the school offers what they call a "gift" of The Iliad to all incoming freshman, the first book for the 1-book-a-week required freshman course. Who needs to enjoy NYC when you have THE ILIAD?!!!
With that in mind, this is coming from someone who is extremely academically competitive (top of class, 2260 SATs...). I am looking for a challenging, academically-oriented school, but I am not looking for a school associated with cocky, arrogant intellectuals (not that everyone associated with the school is such a person, but you get the idea).
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
We stayed at the Warwick in Manhattan - not as expensive as some of the other hotels but extremely comfortable.BUT Warning: breakfast buffet for two at the hotel cost 70 bucks. SEVENTY BUCKS!
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
China Town: delicious and cheap!
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
Don't get hit by a taxi.
