Visit Report by skylandsmom (Member since February 17 2006 with 20 posts) Visit Date - July 2007
Visit to Columbia University in July 2007 by skylandsmom (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2008)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - Covered all the bases, with a good explanation of Columbia's core curriculum, of financial aid, ED. Nothing surprising, sometimes hard to hear (large room). Campus Tour:
Yes - Both the standard tour and the engineering tour--both student guides were excellent.
Columbia University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: -
Didn't interact with any, though was surprised to see so many on campus in July.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 3 - Good Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
Gorgeous self-contained campus with buildings designed by some our most talented architects.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
All was clean, well lit, freshly painted.
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
Decent size, nice freshman options.
Security/Safety: 3 - Good Overall Campus Impression: 4 - Very Good
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
Seemed safe, clean, with a number of student-oriented stores (coffee shops, food, bookstores, etc.) Greek houses along 114th St.
City/Town/Community: 4 - Very Good
Campus Visit Notes for Columbia University:
Visit Description:
A school that's easy to fall in love with. Columbia has a beautiful, manageable campus: by the end of our tours, I could give directions to visitors who asked about particular buildings, though I'd never been on campus before and am "directionally challenged." Son is rising senior interested in engineering; daughter is rising junior interested in music & math--both put Columbia on their lists after our visit. We liked the variety of freshman living options (possibilities include singles in freshman dorm; 4-person suites in freshman dorm; suites in dorms integrated with upperclassmen); size of dorm rooms (saw Carman suite--didn't seem cramped, like other dorms we've seen); the access Columbia gives to NYC culture (not just by its location but by actively encouraging and in some classes requiring students to be involved--discount access, attendance at performances and exhibits, etc.). Engineering tour guide emphasized being able to enter classes at the appropriate level. Gateway program (community service design with impressive computer lab) and pre-professional program (introduction to an enginering discipline) both seem designed to give hands-on experience in a variety of skills. Core curriculum did not seem oppressive and especially appealed to daughter, who liked having art and music as integral components.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Ate lunch at Tom's Restaurant, a diner on Broadway at maybe 110th? Good service, reasonable prices, decent diner food.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
Columbia's website gives excellent directions, list of parking garages ($$).
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Didn't interact with any, though was surprised to see so many on campus in July.
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Gorgeous self-contained campus with buildings designed by some our most talented architects.
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Decent size, nice freshman options.