<p>gshak – I really think it is an individual thing. Don’t base your expectations on anecdotal reports from other people. The real question is what do you want from college life? Do you envision a strong sense of college camaraderie, with your social life based around campus and campus events, your best friends being fellow Columbians? Or do you envision yourself making new friends, but keeping old ones as well as old habits for socializing in the city? </p>
<p>There are many students who are more outwardly focused who find the traditional college life on a small campus to be suffocating – they may find various college events to be lame, typical student social behavior embarrassingly childish (drinking games, freshman hijinks, etc. ), and very much want a social life that is more diverse than always hanging out with other privileged 18-20 year olds. (Even kids from poorer backgrounds become “privileged” when they happen to be attending an Ivy League college on full financial aid – so by “privileged” I mean the twin elements of not having to work full time and attending an elite college on someone else’s dime). </p>
<p>So those students might be much happier at an urban campus like Columbia, precisely because they can leave and continue to enjoy a broader social network.</p>
<p>There may also be students who want a more campus-centered social life who also opt to join frats or sororities, and they probably find the social connection they are looking for in Greek life. So that may be a good option for some. </p>
<p>Hopefully as an RD applicant you will have some great choices in the spring (including Columbia) and can make your decision then. Even if Columbia is your 1st choice and you get in, take a serious look at your other schools before making a deposit.</p>
<p>I think a thread like this one is good because of the honesty. Too many kids arrive at their “dream” colleges with rose colored expectations and then are disappointed when they are confronted with the less-than-perfect reality. A student who arrives at any college with a more nuanced, realistic perspective - having considered the possible drawbacks and then chosen that college despite them - is likely to have an easier time coping with any areas of disappointment.</p>