Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

Classes are casual and relatively small. Some professors are definitely better than others. You often have to research professors ahead of time. I enjoy taking classes in other departments as electives and learning all about those whole new art worlds, which is a rare opportunity. There are some professors that I've been able to get close to, and almost all go by their first name, which is great. It's a fairly easy school too, if you do your work.

Class sizes at Columbia are usually small. There are hardly ever classes that have more than 25 students. Columbia offers a lot of classes that I don't think you would find at many other schools. Classes are mainly geared toward getting students ready for the life after college. Classes are usually hands on and project based, getting you prepared for what will be expected of you in the work place. Each department kind of has their own building and their own space. You will really get to know the people in your department. The school does a good job of creating oppertunities for you to become involved with your department.

The relationship with the teachers within your major is amazing, but in terms of general education, Columbia has many many faults. Because we are an "art" school, there's not nearly enough emphasis on academia.

The academics at my school are great. I love the small class size, and if I can't get into a class I need, professors are almost always willing to make an exception for you. All of my professors work hard at the beginning of each semester to learn all of the student's names. I really like this because it makes the classroom more personable and easy going. My favorite classes have been the Holocaust and Contemporary Euro. I have learned so much in those classes, and the teachers were great. They both gave us quizzes every week so we would stay on top of things and the mid-term and finals were manageable. I was not overwhelmed and because of this i tried really hard and actually learned a lot. Students aren't really competitive unless they are in their "major" courses. In my major, music business, there really isn't any need for competition but in vocal, theater, dance, and fashion, there is a lot. I love my department. They are very organized and the classes they offer are great. There are many choices to choose from, and there is always someone from my department willing to assist me if I need help with anything. As far as academic requirements, Columbia is not really hard to get into. Its pretty much open enrollment. To be on the Dean's list you have to have a 3.5 I think. It is definitely geared towards getting student's jobs in their career of choice. They push internships and encourage students to work in their field while attending Columbia.

The Fiction Writing workshop classes are very bizarre at first. You sit in a semi-circle of about twelve people with no desks and you all play word games and read to each other. It's weird to get used to, but once you do, they're a lot of fun. You're bound to develop close relationships with your teacher and other students. The teachers are very supportive and take the time to get to know your work, which becomes apparent in the midterm one-on-one conferences. As for the LAS core credits, they are usually very discussion oriented. Some of them are painful to sit through if the class doesn't have much to say. Most of them grade pretty easily too, as long as you do all the work. The basic understanding at Columbia is that the focus is on your major classes and if you're lucky, your teachers will understand that.

In the Fiction Writing Department, everyone is very helpful. The class size never exceeds 15 and sitting in a semi circle reading your work to your peers not only helps your writing but it helps to develop your speech and presentation skills. Another great hing which is unusual at most Colleges and Universities is that your professors know you and WANT to help you. If they see you in the hallway, they will speak or if you ever need to meet with them for whatever reason they are available. The Fiction Department is community in its own and can serve as great support.

All of my professors know my name, particularly due to the relative small class sizes and notable work that I produce for each class. Class participation is strongly emphasized throughout all curriculum. I reside in the photography department, which is my major area of study. The school's academic requirements are far unique than many other colleges and universities across the country due to having a liberal arts education.

The classes are super small which is really fantastic and helpful because you are able to get one on one help from your teacher. Most of my teachers are extremely knowledgeable in the field they are teaching and all the teachers really encourage participation so much student do participate well and we usually have really great discussions. The small classes also help to become good friends and possible career partners with people.

Every class you take at Columbia should relate in some way back to your major. Graduates should be renaissance men or women in an attempt to create well-rounded art or entertainment. A Columbia education includes a focus on the Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). Each student will be required to complete classes related to math, science, history, literature, etc, alongside their major-specific courses. Typically, the LAS classes have not been as intensive as my major-specific classes, but still provide an appropriate amount of new information each semester. In many cases, the final project (or at least one assignment) can be presented via a written essay or creative project, allowing students to use their major in a different way. I've created videos, poster designs, and photo projects for a variety of classes in the LAS department. Columbia also offers a recently-launched Honors Program. A handful of classes are now offered to students that have reached at least a 3.5 GPA. These classes allow students in the Honors Program to be surrounded by other engaged students, and to participate in more involved and intellectually-stimulating course discussions. Class time is personal and informal. All of my instructors have preferred a first-name relationship and class sizes rarely exceed 18 students (40 for lecture classes).

I would prefer classes at Columbia over a big university any day. The average class size is 17 so the students can develop a relationship with the professors and each other easily. Also the professor actually knowns who you are and can remember what work you are capable of creating. This tightness drives participation in class because people feel more comfortable with each other. I am in the photography department and there is very little studying to be done within it because each class is project driven. But in gen-ed classes studying might be required depending on what is taken. One of the most interesting classes I took was Concepts of Biochemistry. All the students in the class were extremely interested in the subject and determined to learn and the professor (Budy) is one of the best I've had at Columbia. She is a funny lady and makes sure each student understands everything before we move on. Outside of class professors are extremely willing to meet up with students they previously had and look at their work and discuss it. Within the photo department I feel as though the curriculum is set up for the sake of learning to be a fine art artist on your own but doesnt teach you how to get a job if you dont want to do fine art. There are a few classes in other departments that are geared towards teaching students how to get jobs.

I would prefer classes at Columbia over a big university any day. The average class size is 17 so the students can develop a relationship with the professors and each other easily. Also the professor actually knowns who you are and can remember what work you are capable of creating. This tightness drives participation in class because people feel more comfortable with each other. I am in the photography department and there is very little studying to be done within it because each class is project driven. But in gen-ed classes studying might be required depending on what is taken. One of the most interesting classes I took was Concepts of Biochemistry. All the students in the class were extremely interested in the subject and determined to learn and the professor (Budy) is one of the best I've had at Columbia. She is a funny lady and makes sure each student understands everything before we move on. Outside of class professors are extremely willing to meet up with students they previously had and look at their work and discuss it. Within the photo department I feel as though the curriculum is set up for the sake of learning to be a fine art artist on your own but doesnt teach you how to get a job if you dont want to do fine art. There are a few classes in other departments that are geared towards teaching students how to get jobs.

I would prefer classes at Columbia over a big university any day. The average class size is 17 so the students can develop a relationship with the professors and each other easily. Also the professor actually knowns who you are and can remember what work you are capable of creating. This tightness drives participation in class because people feel more comfortable with each other. I am in the photography department and there is very little studying to be done within it because each class is project driven. But in gen-ed classes studying might be required depending on what is taken. One of the most interesting classes I took was Concepts of Biochemistry. All the students in the class were extremely interested in the subject and determined to learn and the professor (Budy) is one of the best I've had at Columbia. She is a funny lady and makes sure each student understands everything before we move on. Outside of class professors are extremely willing to meet up with students they previously had and look at their work and discuss it. Within the photo department I feel as though the curriculum is set up for the sake of learning to be a fine art artist on your own but doesnt teach you how to get a job if you dont want to do fine art. There are a few classes in other departments that are geared towards teaching students how to get jobs.

The best thing about some of the LAS Core classes that you have to take is that the profs are really passionate & excited about what they are teaching you. They are also excited to learn about your passions & how you can mesh those with the classes you may not really want to take, like math or science or history.... I have an Ancient Civilization class right now that is going really well, all because of the teacher. His passion for teaching is so encouraging.

An odd thing here is all 'professors' like to be called by their first name. I hear this is more common than I make it out to be, but it certainly isn't typical of college level instructors. I only imagined I would be being taught by people who earned the title of professor, but I guess this is no traditional university. I am trying to major in instrumental performance, with a minor in math. I seemed to have lucked out in that the math department has a lot of gems for teachers in it, and as a percussionist the teachers of that study are amazing as well. Some teachers in the music department too are a little shady, but all around pretty great. I have one who is a Columbia grad, but is much more than just another adjunct-faculty member here. He is very inspiring, and passionate about his teaching. About academic requirements, they are obviously extremely low. They accept mostly everyone into this school. Therefore, the academic standard here is quite similar. You have to go above and beyond to stand above all the mediocrity here sometimes. As far as them getting me a job, I have no idea how that'd work out. Thankfully I've made myself 2 back up plans. If I'm not a working musician by the time I'm out of here, I'll be in grad school getting a degree in math or music to become a teacher.

The courses specific to your major are pretty rigorous, but the LAS (gen ed) courses are pretty easy. There are a lot of unique LAS courses though, very stimulating intellectually, and there are a lot of students who continue the intellectual conversations beyond the classroom, in fact, I'm the treasurer of a group devoted to just that. The professors here are all very chill and not stiff and posh or anything like that; very easy to talk to, even outside of class (which is usually via e-mail). I do admit though, that some teachers, while good people, can't teach, but that comes with a school of 12,500 students. I don't necessarily "study" there's a lot of reading at least for the film program, but you get used to it. There's also a lot of writing, as I imagine there would be at any college. The education here is geared towards getting you a job most definitely, they keep up to date on everything, and have resources galore so you can slide right into your area of study after college, and of course the great internships help with that too.