Columbia: The Big Picture
Columbia has many different aspects that are grouped into 2 categories: social and academic. The academic side seems ridiculously rigorous. The amount of homework I am assigned per class is basically impossible to finish and when you add up all the homework for every class you get an amount so large that it would drive 99% of people insane. The teachers seem to not care about the student but then a very small percentage care enough to make it worthwhile. You cannot get too into your work or you will go crazy and you need to realize that college is more than just grades it is the entire experience that makes it what it is. The social aspect can seem very lame at a distance, but if you find the right people and make your own fun, it can be a great time. However, you certainly need to know how to find fun on your own because it most definately does not come to you. At the end of the day if you do not take yourself to seriously Columbia can be a decent experience.
Columbia Academic Life
As I said before, the courseload is beyond ridiculous. The amount of reading is mindblowing and I am sure most of the professors could not even do it. Ya they could probably finish the readings for their individual class. But if they took an entire semester worth of classes and tried to keep up on the readings in every class simultaneously they would realize they are completely out of line with what they assign. No wonder Columbia used to have one of the highest suicide rates. And the core, is completely too big. It is more credits than most of the majors and the teachers expect more in Core classes than the major requirements. Not to mention since we have no choice in the classes it makes them that much crappier. The reading for these classes is beyond insane and there are way too many classes. The language requirement of 2 years is completely reidiculous and they manage to make the easiest subjects impossible.
Columbia's Student Body
The student body here is vicious. As seen from a recent website JuicyCampus.com our student body can be seen as incredibly hateful. Of all the ivy league schools Columbia names the most full names and says the nastiest things. While the student body is obviously driven, as a whole they are very out for themselves and pretty unwilling to help. While there are some great kids, they get bad reputations because they know how to balance school and enjoying themselves. The school as a whole is incredibly judgemental and for being so diverse it is incredibly racist as well. Overall I would say the majority of people here are mean spirited, jealous, and malicious, while thinking way too highly of themselves.
Columbia Student Activities + Social Life
Columbia social life is what you make of it. At a glance it is incredibly lame, but if you meet the right people and can make your own fun it is a great time. The Greek life seems to be run but neonazi's as there is basically no such thing as a frat party anymore. There seems to be a war on fun at our school and I hear people complaining all the time. There are ways around it and as I said if you know the right people and put yourself out there, a good time can be had.
Columbia Naked Truth
I feel like I have covered most of it in my rants above. All I have left is the athletes here have the egos of professionals with the talents of amateurs and it is really obnoxious and annoying. This being said I am a former athlete so I am not just saying that with no clout. I do not have respect for a lot of the athletes as they seem to walk around with a stigma that they are better than everyone yet their records say the opposite. Between football and volleyball they have zero wins in they ivy at all this past year and they are two of the snottier teams. I don't appreciate the way I am looked down upon. However, despite all my bashing on this school, I personally have had a great time, I just don't like being or seeing people subject to the cruelty of other students and the ridiculous demands of teachers.
