Visit Report by blondie625 (Member since March 25 2007 with 524 posts) Visit Date - June 2007
Visit to Columbia University in June 2007 by blondie625 (Student, HS Class of 2008)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - The information session was really helpful. The adcom helped tell us what they look for in apps, and also said that she would be worried if you took the SAT more than 3 times. Campus Tour:
Yes - It was raining, but our campus tour guide was still up beat. The buildings are really pretty, and the campus is secluded from NY so you can focus on schooling, and not be distracted.
Columbia University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 3 - Good -
It was during summer, so there were not that many students there. However, the seemed friendly, but very busy.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
The staff were all very friendly. They also were very helpful when dealing with questions.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
So unbelievably pretty. The pictures online don't even do it justice.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Sparkling clean-- even in NYC!
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
The dormitory they showed us was a suite with two doubles and a shared bathroom. It was pretty small. Also, some of the dorms don't have AC.
Security/Safety: 4 - Very Good -
Columbia is very safe. They have the blue light system, safe havens, and an escort system if you need them. However, the tour guide said she had never heard of anyone actually using them.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
It was amazing. Seriously.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
I didn't really have much time to look around, but it was mostly residential, and more laid back than Manhatten.
City/Town/Community: 4 - Very Good
Campus Visit Notes for Columbia University:
Visit Description:
The adcom was really helpful with what to expect from the college process. For essays: use your own ideas. Proofreading is important, but don't let an adult change your voice. They're looking for excited, passionate 17 and 18 year olds, not a 40 year old. Testing: If you take the SAT more than 3 times, the adcom said she would wonder why you are not using your time for better things. She said testing is really a small part of the app, and there are no cutoffs. GPA is far more important than testing, because it reflects 4 years of work versus one morning's worth of work. Rigor of curriculum: you should have a rigorous curriculum, especially in your strong subjects. However, she said you would be crazy if your school offered 24 APs and you took them all. She said 6 would be more normal. For example, if you are an English whiz, then take AP English and related APs, but you don't have to take AP Math. You can also not take 4 years of Math if you want to focus on more English in your senior year. Extracurriculars: Very important given the strength of the application pool. They need to know that you will bring something to the school. But it is extremely important that you show consistency throughout your high school career, and don't randomly change ECs. Recommendations: get someone who knows you really well to write them. This might not be the person who gave you the best grade, but the person who made you work really hard to learn. Also, it might be useful to give them a list of your accomplishments, so your recs can glow.
Columbia really is looking for leaders who will keep the atmosphere alive. It's not enough to be good at testing; you really have to be a wonderful person too.
Also, as for once you're there, you have access to the top profs in the world. You also have opportunities to research with profs during your first year at Columbia. You can also take advantage of office hours to get to know the profs better.
My tour guide kept emphasizing how there are over 300 clubs at columbia, so every one can find a niche. She also said that she was really happy there, and couldn't imagine herself anywere else. When I asked if she had any complaints, she couldn't think of anything besides the fact that her heels used to get stuck in the brick walkways (Columbia is redoing those now, though).
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Don't go to touristy places. They are overpriced, and the food is not as good as normal places. Try little Italy or little China, or anywhere that's not along tourist shops!
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
You can easily use the subway to get to Columbia. Take the one, and it has its own stop!
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It was during summer, so there were not that many students there. However, the seemed friendly, but very busy.
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The staff were all very friendly. They also were very helpful when dealing with questions.
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The dormitory they showed us was a suite with two doubles and a shared bathroom. It was pretty small. Also, some of the dorms don't have AC.