<p>Nothing is an absolute. Yes, being at Columbia does mean NYC is our background, therefore a lot of campus life happens in bars down the block from campus (1020, Cannon’s, etc,), however “camaraderie” never lacks. Generally, you’ll spend the first part of the night ‘hanging out’ in your dorms and then head out around 12/1 (if it leads to that). Often students actually prefer hanging out in the various dorms instead of going out.</p>
<p>To the other point. After talking to President Bollinger and Dean Valentini, the overwhelming attitude about ‘breaking into HYP’ isn’t one of great concern. They’re more than happy with letting “that H school, Y school, and P school”, as Dean Valentini says, do whatever they do. Columbia will continue doing what it does, and if it happens to break into the top 3, then awesome. But it doesn’t seem that the University is actively trying to throw a coup and break into HYP.</p>