| Location: | Northeast |
| Setting: | Large City Setting |
| Type: | Private |
| Size: | Large (5,000 to 10,000 Undergrad) |
From its beginnings in a schoolhouse in lower Manhattan, Columbia University has grown to encompass two principal campuses: the historic, neoclassical campus in the Morningside Heights neighborhood and the modern Medical Center further uptown, in Washington Heights. Today, Columbia is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world, conducting pathbreaking research in medicine, science, the arts, and the humanities. It includes three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, and a school of continuing education.
< CollapseColumbia University is a private university in the United States and a member of the Ivy League. Columbia's main campus lies in the Morningside Heights neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, in New York City. The university is now legally known as Columbia University in the City of New York. The institution was established as King's College by the Church of England, receiving a Royal Charter in 1754 from George II of Great Britain. It was the first college established in New York, and the fifth college established in the Thirteen Colonies. After the American Revolution it was briefly chartered as a New York State entity from 1784-1787, however the university now operates under a 1787 charter that places the institution under a private board of trustees.
Columbia University is home to the Pulitzer Prize, which has rewarded outstanding achievement in journalism, literature and music for over a century. Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism was founded by Joseph Pulitzer.
87 Nobel Prize winners have been affiliated with Columbia, more than any other institution in the world. (See Nobel laureates by university affiliation).
Columbia was the birthplace of FM radio, the first American university to offer historic preservation, anthropology and political science as academic disciplines, the first American school to grant the M.D. degree, and the birthplace of modern genetics. An early research center for Manhattan Project development of the atomic bomb, its Morningside Heights campus was the first North American site where the uranium atom was split. Literary and artistic movements as varied as the Harlem Renaissance, the Beat movement and postcolonialism all took shape within Columbia's gates in the 20th century.
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| Percent of Students International: | 18% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 25% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | Yes |
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Football (Ivy Group) Basketball (Ivy Group) Baseball (Ivy Group) Track (Ivy Group) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 33,246 | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 31,924 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 1,322 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 4,879 | 15% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 3,461 | 11% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 21,232 | 45% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 3,495 | 51% | |
Any Aid: |
59% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 13% (Most Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 94% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 670, Math: 670 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 760, Math: 780 |
| ACT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting ACT Scores: | 14% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Composite: 28, Verbal: 28, Math: 27 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Composite: 33, Verbal: 34, Math: 33 |
| Application Fee: | $ 65.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Recommended |
| High School GPA: | Recommended |
| High School Rank: | Recommended |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Recommended |
| Test Scores: | Required |
College Advice
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Best Answer
Columbia has a far better reputation, but it does depend on what you're studying/what kind of atmosphere you like I guess.
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or Columbia University.
requirements.
13 months ago
Best Answer
I got accepted to both but I opted to matriculate at Columbia University because the challenge of "making it in New York" was an exciting prospect. (class of '05) As I reflect on my Columbia experience, I can tell you that the eclectic mix of people that make up the student body (as well as the people that live in the morningside heights community) made for a rewarding and deeply enriching education. Needless to say, you will need excellent standardized test scores and grade point average.
I encourage you to take advantage of the interview process and be grounded in who you are and what you have to offer. Don't give them generic answers that they've heard before. My interviewer asked a number of questions that focused on my ability to adapt to unusual or new situations/surroundings. (Adapting to life in New York, in itself, is a challenge...trust me!)
Just about every candidate that applies will have excellent scores but it is up to you to reveal to the review board that your character, personality, and talents will contribute to the University community. One of the more significant criticisms that professional academics have about college applicants is communication skills (or rather, the lack thereof). Make sure your writing sample/essay is thoughtful, elegant, and sincere.
In the end, don't stress too much about getting into college. A quality undergraduate experience can be acquired at just about any academic institution. Graduate school....that's a different story.
Good Luck!
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If one is a student at Barnard, are they a student at Columbia?
13 months ago
Best Answer
Q. What are the origins of Barnard's affiliation with Columbia?
A. Barnard was founded after Frederick A.P. Barnard, Columbia's president from 1864 to 1889, argued unsuccessfully for the admission of women to the University. A key player in the founding of Barnard was Annie Nathan Meyer, who had enrolled in Columbia's "Collegiate Course for Women" and found it decidedly inferior to the education men received at the University.
Barnard College opened its doors in 1889, and moved from a rented midtown brownstone to its own Morningside Heights campus in 1897, the same year Columbia moved uptown. Barnard formally affiliated with the University in 1900.
Q. Is Barnard an independent college?
A. Yes. We are legally separate and financially independent from Columbia University. Specifically, we have our own campus, administration, faculty, students, trustees, endowment, operating budget, and degree requirements, and we are accredited separately by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. We pay annual fees to Columbia to cover the costs of library use, faculty exchange, instruction, telecommunications and other services. And we are on our own when it comes to fundraising; in other words, we must raise our own money for everything from faculty research to campus renovation.
Q. How do Barnard and Columbia students benefit from the affiliation?
A. Obviously, Barnard students derive tremendous social and academic benefits from their college's partnership with a great coeducational research university. It is widely known that Barnard students can take classes at Columbia, and that they have full access to Butler Library and other University resources. When they graduate, they receive a Columbia University degree, as do students of Columbia College, because degrees are granted only by the University, not by the undergraduate colleges of the University. Barnard students who meet the relevant qualifications can enroll in accelerated graduate-degree programs that Barnard sponsors with Columbia's School of International & Public Affairs and the Columbia Law School. In athletics, Barnard students can join the University's varsity teams and compete at the NCAA Division I level.
Unfortunately, much less attention is publicly paid to the benefits Columbia students derive from this partnership. Cross-registration flows both ways across Broadway, and in an average year, Columbia undergraduates attend 6,300 courses at Barnard. Columbia students majoring in or otherwise interested in dance, theater, architecture and urban studies benefit enormously from the Barnard connection, because in these disciplines, Barnard runs the official undergraduate programs for the entire University. Barnard also offers a program in teacher education for all University undergraduates.
Q. How does the affiliation with Columbia affect the Barnard faculty?
A. It profoundly affects our faculty members through all stages of their careers. Barnard and Columbia collaborate on faculty hiring in order to avoid duplication of resources, and Barnard faculty members teach about 40 graduate courses a year at Columbia. Barnard faculty members who are up for tenure must pass a review by the University once they have passed successfully through the College's own review process. It's a difficult double trial for our professors, but successful candidates join the tenured faculty ranks of both a superior liberal arts college and an Ivy League research university. So while our Columbia affiliation presents unique challenges to our faculty, it also helps Barnard attract top scholars-those who might otherwise not be attracted to a small liberal arts college, however excellent its reputation.
Q. How has the relationship between the two institutions changed over time?
A. Of course, the most significant changes occurred immediately before and after Columbia went co-ed in 1983. That was a very difficult period for Barnard, and thanks to the wisdom, strength and resolve of my predecessors -whose words and actions represented the overwhelming sentiment of the alumnae, the trustees, and the rest of the Barnard community-Barnard maintained its autonomy and successfully renegotiated its position within the University. I have made it a priority to build on that great accomplishment, and since I came to Barnard in 1994, I have worked with Columbia's president to continually raise the level of communication, coordination and reciprocity between our two institutions.
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Question:
Columbia University in New York?
Can anybody tell me how hard is it to get into Columbia U? Like, what are the requirements because I live in Florida and I'm a sophomore in high school. I have A/B grades. What is the most important thing I should work on to increase my chance at getting admitted? Please help!
14 months ago
Best Answer
Columbia is one of the more difficult universities to get into. They reject people who are perfect for them - they simply get so many applicants. So what can you do? Try to stand out from the crowd.
- First, you'll need to improve your grades. You'll want more As than Bs. But don't let that stop you from taking difficult classes! Work hard. Do well on your SATs.
- Second, what activities are you involved in at school or outside it? Is there anything that you're really good at, or that you simply love to do? If so, begin to focus on that now. If, for example, you love art, take extra art classes, get involved in art shows, etc. If you enjoy volunteering, find one volunteer group that you can focus on and do something that you enjoy, and that is meaningful. If you are quite religious, get really involved with that, volunteer to teach the kids, what have you. If you love chemistry, or a particular sport... you get the idea.
- Third, don't drop other activities if you like them. That's the "well rounded" part that others have spoken of. But do, again, try to find one special area of focus and put some effort into that.
- Lastly, if you can do it, get a part-time job. Honestly. So many students apply to these school having never actually worked, that admissions officers tend to smile just a bit on those who have.
This will give you something to talk about in your application packet. It's not that you're so great at, say, figure skating that you've won the Olympic gold medal, it's that you love figure skating so much that you're willing to work hard at it despite the fact that you know you'll never win that medal, and you've volunteered at your skating club, and taught classes for the little kids, etc.
If you can do these things, you'll be improving your chances of admissions not only to Columbia, but to other strong schools.
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i'm an international student from singapore. how different are the cities where these universities are located? to what extent will the difference affect my university experience there?
14 months ago
Best Answer
Out of the schools you listed above. I applied to Columbia. Columbia is tough getting in; I got wait-listed.
Here are parts of my application:
I got 800 for reading, 800 for math, and 710 for writing on the SAT.
3.98 GPA
3rd place at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
One of the 15 Minnesota Scholars of Distinction in Science
Raised $6600 for my local United Way
Captain for some soccer games at my school
50+ volunteer hours/year
These schools differ greatly in their environment. Stanford and Berkeley are close to each other in the greater San Francisco Area. The weather at these two places is fantastic (mild winters and cool summers). Columbia is near downtown NYC in the Morningside Heights district. It has access to the myriad opportunities offered by NYC. Brown is on a hill atop Providence, RI. It has a more relaxed atmosphere of a mid-size city.
Best of luck to you!
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Question:
Is Columbia College in NY good?
From people who have gone there, or are planning on going there I would lik to know if this is a good college... Is it hard to get into? Do they offer good photography classes? Good journalism classes? What kind of classes do you recommend as being the best? Are the proffessors the kind that want to get to know you? Are the living environmants nice? Is it okay to be in the city of New York with all the commotion? Please, answer any of these questions and add to the discussion as well. thank you!
15 months ago
Best Answer
I am currently a junior in highschool and went to Columbia on a college visit over Spring Break. It is a fairly competitive college. Not as competitive as Harvard, Princeton, or Yale, but it's most certainly right up there competitiveness wise. I loved the campus location because although it is right in the middle of NYC the campus has a more secluded feel. You forget that you are in the midst of such chaos. If you want to go into photography and journalism, maybe you should consider NYU too. My tour guide there was in photography and had a great internship. I bet columbia could offer something similar though. As for your questions about specific classes and professors, I obviously cannot answer those.
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Question:
As a working person with a college degree, can I take courses in NYU and Columbia as I work?
I'm interested in taking graduate level economics courses in either universities while I work without the need to be enrolled as full-time students.
16 months ago
Best Answer
Both Columbia University and New York University have active continuing education programs, but the offerings there generally would not include graduate economics.
At Columbia, the graduate economics courses are generally offered during the day, and many are listed for Ph.D students only.
NYU does have some graduate economics courses in the evening, but I am not sure if it is easy to just take individual courses. You may need to be admitted as a special student or something like that.
The best place to look might be the senior colleges of the City University of New York. Some have graduate master's programs in economics, and cater to part time students.
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to be more specific for drawing like an art school and also the best universites in new york
16 months ago
Best Answer
The best university in New York is Columbia. NYU is almost as good. Fordham is decent. There are a lot of other schools that are OK and some that are not.
New York also has some specialty schools (like Julliard for the performing arts and Parsons for design) that are excellent.
The Tisch School at NYU is an excellent school of art, and is most likely the best in the city.
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Best Answer
Depends on which field. Generally being the Columbia is an ivy, it has a bit more prestige but NYU has been becoming more and more prestigious through the years. Both are very good schools and you can't go wrong either way (well besides the fact that both will cost you a fortune!) But best of luck wherever you go!
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My husband just got accepted to an MFA program at Columbia. We are unfamiliar with New York, and the Columbia Area. We have a one-year-old son, and I will be working from home so we would like a "safe" area where he and I won't be scared all day long. The problem is we don't have a lot of money, and will barely be able to make rent.
16 months ago
Best Answer
Columbia does offer family housing, and you should contact their housing deparment to discuss. They can also help you find apartments.
NYC is pretty darn expensive. But Columbia is an excellent school. I think the trade-off is worth it.
The neighborhood right around Columbia, Morningside Heights, is safe and studenty. Above 125th street on the west side gets kind of dodgy in some areas. For a family, you'd do best sticking to the Upper West Side (the area from around 59th Street to around 103rd Street), Morningside Heights (around 103 to 120ish), or going north to Riverdale, which is part of the Bronx. Riverdale feels quite suburban, in an urban way :grins:, and the apartments there tend to be larger than those found elsewhere in NYC. I also like Inwood, just below Riverdale, but that area feels very urban. In Inwood, I like the "Park East" and "Park West" complexes quite specifically. Lots of families in these neighborhoods, especially the Upper West Side and Riverdale.
Less expensive areas of NYC include parts of Queens and Brooklyn and Staten Island, but those would be one heck of a commute to Columbia, so I don't recommend them. Inwood and Riverdale are also considered less expensive options.
You could consider some areas of Westchester County, although that increases your commute. Yonkers has some decent neighborhoods, lots of rental apartments, is cheaper than NYC, and is commutable to Columbia. Tarrytown has rental apartments, is stunningly beautiful, and very safe, but is a bit further.
If you have a car, then Westchester County is a very good option, because there tends to be lots of parking, relatively speaking, and drive from the towns along the Hudson River (the west side of Westchester) down to the west side of NYC isn't too bad, depending. There are trains into town as well - he could get off at 125th street, on the east side, and bus over to Columbia.
You can also consider parts of northestern New Jersey, near the George Washington Bridge, but the commute to Columbia may be difficult - more awkward train connections and more traffic if driving.
NYC is a lot safer than the films and tv make it seem. Once you get used to the feel of the city, you'll be surprised - hopefully pleasantly. When I moved there, I had to get over my own fear, and I did so, very quickly. But you're right - you want to live in a decent neighborhood, and that will take some research. Start with the resources Columbia offers, and go from there.
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This is a question to college grads, current high school students, etc.
If you were accepted into the engineering programs of Columbia University, Cornell University, and Penn State Schreyers (in state), which college would you choose?
Tough decision? or not?
To any one that doesn't know: Penn State, even though looks inferior, has an honors program called Schreyers, which is extremely prestigious; schreyers gives benefits like priority seating and beatiful dorm rooms, compared to the rest of the university.
Any one living in Pennsylvania probably knows what i'm talking about?
So, what is your decision? Remember to take into account the cost of each college: 40K, 40K, 18K
give me details and reasons too
17 months ago
Best Answer
Columbia hands down. Its the best school and the one everyone will recognize which is worth a lot. Plus you get to live in NY which is way better than Philly or Ithaca.
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Does ANYONE have information AND knowlege of either/both schools. Our daughter is considering Columbia College Chicago & Temple University, both for Acting/Theatre. Which offers more oppurtunities for theatre majors in their freshman year, etc. Which has a better program in general, and what have your experiences been with either school (on campus living experiences, professors quality/availability, etc). ANYTHING will be greatly appreciated. ONLY PERSONS WITH REAL EXPERIENCES AT EITHER/BOTH SCHOOLS SHOULD ANSWER! THANKS SO MUCH!!!!
Answers like Melanie's are NOT what we need. We are merely asking a ? to make an informed descision that will be where our daughter spends the next 4 years. Since when is that a crime? She/we are extremely creative and open minded in MANY areas of our lives.Choosing a college is a big descision and also very stressful so please people hold off the Rude comments& just answer the ? People are so quick to judge others when they know NOTHING about the person asking the ? We love and accept everyone it's just that we are only after real info on the 2 schools mentioned. NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT
Anyone can e-mail me at eeshakitana@yahoo.com. THANKS (almost) EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for nothing BrentS!!! Some people have no clue when it comes to answering a serious question.After an easy 2 pts are you? You're rude too.
17 months ago
Best Answer
Years ago I looked into Columbia. I have not heard of Temple so I cannot comment on that institution. I would recommend Columbia. Not only can your daughter take acting classes but she can also take courses in other fields (to aid in future employment).
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Question:
Columbia University?
I have like a 3.2 GPA and havent taken SAT or ACT and I've done research at Columbia University before and I plan on doing it again this year. Im captain of tennis team and secretary of Quiz Bowl Team.. IM A JUNIOR By the way
Does anyone think that I have any chance of getting into it for Undergraduate Medicine?
What else do I need other than SAT and ACT Scores.. I REALLLLLY WANNA GET INTO THIS College
18 months ago
Best Answer
With a 3.2, you would need almost perfect scores on your SAT or ACT to be considered competitive for Columbia. Especially medicine.... Try to pull your GPA up to take some of the pressure off of your SAT/ACT score.
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HI, I am a Junior in High School and need someone with college wisdom. My majors are art/business, and I am really hoping to get a scholorship for Track and attend a 4 year college. Here is a list of some I am interrested in,
University of Akron, OH
Columbia Universtiy, NY
Lehigh University, PA
Wheaton, MA
Binghamton University, NY
Colgate University, NY
Bucknell University, PA
If you could shine some light on any of these colleges please tell me! Thanx
19 months ago
Best Answer
I put them in this order:
1. Columbia Universtiy, NY
One of the best colleges in America. Unfortunately -- Columbia is in the Ivy League -- which is one of two conferences that don't give out athletic scholarships
2. Lehigh University, PA
2. Colgate University, NY
2. Bucknell University, PA
These schools are all excellent and are roughly comparable. Unfortunately, they are all in the Patriot League -- one of two conferences that don't give out athletic scholarships. There is some talk that this may change -- so check with these schools.
5. Wheaton, MA
Excellent liberal arts college. Do they even have track there?
Binghamton University, NY
University of Akron, OH
Decent regional schools -- don't know much about them.
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I am a junior in high school and I go to a private Christian prep school and here are the classes I have taken so far (and the grades I made each semester in parenthesis):
Freshman year:
English 1 (A & A)
Spanish 1 (A & A)
Bible 1 (A & A)
Geometry (A & A)
World History (A & A)
Drama (A & A)
Sophomore year:
English 2 (A & A)
Spanish 2 (A & A)
Bible 2 (A & B+)
Honors Algebra 2 (B+ & B+)
Honors Biology (B+ & B+)
Junior Year (currently am taking):
Honors American Lit (A)
Spanish 3 (A)
Bible 3 (A)
Honors Math IV (trig/ precal) (B+)
Honors Chem (B+)
U.S. History (A)
Yearbook (A)
Next year I plan to take:
AP Lit
Gov/ Econ
Honors Bible 4
Yearbook
TA
We only have 6 class periods so do you think I need another year of math? (AP Calculus AB or AP Statistics) or should I take Anatamy? OR should I see about taking Spanish 4? My school doesn't currently have it, but I may be able to do independent study.
I am very involved with volunteer work and help plan the volunteer/ missions activities at my high school. I was in drama my freshman and sophomore years (now an officer) and am in key club, pep club (officer), and evangelism club (officer). I also plan on being yearbook editor (and possibly newspaper editor) next year. I hope to be senior class president on student council next year and possibly evangelism vice president.
I hope to be an art history major with a minor in languages.
What do you think are my chances of being accepted to Columbia???
As far as volunteering goes I'd say I'll have at least 200 hours by the end of this school year (in this school year only). Does this play any importance in Columbia's decision?
I took the psats this year and I think I got somewhere between 1500-1600. I'm not very good with testing. Is the SAT really impotant with Columbia's decision?
Any help is great! Thanks so much!!!!
19 months ago
Best Answer
The new SAT, which is graded on a scale of 2400, will be critical for you. Unless you score well above 2100, Columbia will probably be beyond your reach.
No matter where you go to college, getting the AP calculus out of the way now would be a great idea. If you can score a 4 or 5 on the AP exam, you can, depending on the college, eliminate your math requirement at the university level. As a potential art history major, getting done with math while still in high school would be of great value.
Best wishes to you.
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I really want to go to Columbia for college, I've checked out their website and stuff like that, but I was wondering if anybody here had actually gone to school there, and what you thought of it, and how hard you worked in high school to get in. Thanks!
20 months ago
Best Answer
I just transferred to Columbia last semester. I'm very happy with my experience thus far. The professors that I've had have been great and even University Writing wasn't as painful as I'd heard it would be (I got an A without doing much).
I was home schooled, so I can't really say much about high school but at my former college I had a 3.98 GPA but only one extra curricular activity. I think you should focus most on you application essay, really show your personality. Columbia is looking to add interesting people to their student body, so try to make yourself stand out from every other high school kid who applies.
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