BCC in NYC! Next stop on my college tour: Columbia University.
Unfortunately my visit's timing was poor as the skies opened up upon my arrival and the rain/wind only increased in intensity throughout the campus tour. Let's just say that my San Diego quality umbrella was a bit flustered :)
A few take-aways from my visit:
- Columbia prides itself for being a small college and a major research university at once: an "Ivy League education on a human scale". Additional points of pride include the signature Core Curriculum program (small, discussion based seminars comprising about 1/4-1/3 of a student's schedule over 4 years) and many undergraduate research and internship opportunities.
- Unlike NYU, Columbia's campus is gated and contained, providing a "bubble" of student life in the heart of NYC. The campus is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, bordered by two parks, coffee shops, restaurants, and several other colleges. It even has its own subway stop.
- Worried about finding housing in the city? The university provides 4 years of guaranteed on-campus housing, and 95% of students take advantage of this for all four years.
Columbia is a strong addition to the college list of a competitive, high-achieving student in search of an intimate college community, while still experiencing all the opportunities of life in New York City.
