<p>The OP’s friend didn’t make such a bad choice. (1) Columbia’s polysci and economics are definitely on par with harvard’s - perhaps not by common reputation, but among their peers and professors. (2) I know many people who preferred columbia law to harvard law, after being admitted to both. To paraphse some of their arguments, HLS is a bit of a factory mentality (much larger), and by several estimates i’ve heard, about 50% of people are totally insufferable and have sticks up their arse - as opposed to about 10-20% at CLS.</p>
<p>in any event, his choice is highly defensible. and as for crew, he probably won’t end up doing crew all 4 years anyway, the average half-life is about 3 semesters before your lower back muscles give out or you find better things to do with your time.</p>