<p>From observing my kid, I think Columbia students tend to have a tough load, especially science majors. First, Columbia students usually take five academic classes a semester rather than the four typical at other Ivies. Second, they all must take the core which is a hefty amount of reading and writing and demands that students take courses in areas they might otherwise avoid. Third, there is a culture of loading on more units. There is grade inflation – few Cs and many classes curved to Bs – but to get those Bs or better you have to do a significant amount of work.
They still seem to enjoy NYC an awful lot though, which is why I have the sense that they sleep less than at other colleges.</p>