Home Sweet Home

Introduction
Being a high school Junior and being forced to choose the place you will spend the next four or five years isn't easy...in fact, it's damn near impossible. This fact is the reason why I am so amazed at how much I love Columbia campus life. I knew that I wanted a great education (yeah, I know, sounds lame), but I also knew that I couldn't spend the next four years in a "no man's land" ghost-town. New York is the complete opposite and it's one of the biggest draws of coming here. I didn't think much about the Core Curriculum (Ed. Note: the Core Curriculum is an intense program of courses focusing on the canons of Western Literature and Philosophy and required of all Columbia College undergrads) before I came, so I'll say this: if you hate the classics, this is NOT the school for you. However, if you're like me, you'll enjoy the fact that there's no Math requirement...SWEET!

Campus Life and Social Life
Social life? Hmmm...what comes to mind? Well, if you are looking for hot campus parties, this isn't the place. The Caribbean Student Association throws some of the best parties! I've heard that the Basketball team's Frat throws great parties too, but I've never been. If you are looking to get drunk, and go to a party where the walls and ceiling are sweating along with you, then you'll find parties in East Campus to be amazing...BEFORE they are shut down by campus security!

I guess the party life on campus doesn't really matter...you're in NYC! NYC has some of the best clubs in the world, BUT this means either need to start college as a 21-year-old or have an AMAZING fake id, that swipes. if it gets swiped and it's fake, you could risk it getting confiscated if the particular bouncer is nice, or having the cops called if he's not. Of course, it's always a lot easier for girls to get in...sorry guys. 18-and-over parties tend to draw an immature crowd that gets drunk and passes out, which sucks, because nine times outta ten, the club gets shut down if security is paying attention.

Sports...I don't really pay much attention to intercollegiate sports on campus. I went to the Homecoming Football game...and that was so lame: half of the bleachers were empty and we lost! It was so lame! I've been to one Basketball game...it's a good social event because lots of either people go, but I'm not a B-ball fan. I haven't been to any other sporting events, but I do play Rugby and it's great.

FYI, though: when you play a club sport, Columbia doesn't give a crap about you. You have to come with a lot of money in your pocket if you want to play, and you have to do crazy fundraisers if you want the season to be fulfilling. Sometimes, they don't even provide adequate playing/practice space. So pretty much, your team and it's e-board is on its own!

Clubs...clubs are great, but there are so many, so brace yourself. Don't get too involved or it will affect your grades. But yeah, we have every club you can think of, from Dance Dance Revolution to the Chicano Caucus. Whether you are looking for an activist or cultural group, or some other group, it's probably here! Overall, the campus is amazing! Not only is it beautiful, but everything is pretty much within reach...food, class, friends, it's all there! Advertisement
Academics
I'm a Freshman...so far, classes aren't too bad. However, I've had a run-in or two with TAs who suck! I don't know if they just don't have the time or if they just don't care. On the other hand, professors have made themselves very accessible and they're really nice. I'm looking into the History department and so far, my encounters with that department's professors have been great! : )

The workload isn't too bad...it all depends on the type of person you are. Some people finish the work days in advance, while others finish it ten minutes before it's due. For the most part, professors are willing to give an extension on an assignments IF you have a good excuse. But no worries, you won't flunk out (unless you try really hard to).

Student Body
One of the things I love about Columbia is that there is no "one type" of student. I have friends from as close as Washington Heights (that's right up the 1 train line), to as far as Turkey and Tel Aviv...the campus really is diverse! It's awesome! I've met people here that are so like me it's scary, and so different that I find them intriguing. There is a good mix, and yet, there's a good balance.

In Closing...
All in all, Columbia's a perfect fit for me. I've been enjoying my classes with the exception for University Writing (it's pointless, but I guess it's one of those things that you've got to put up with). I've met great people. But I will say: not everyone is going to be nice to you. You have to realize that people are coming here from all walks of life, and can come to Columbia as some of the most closed-minded people you've ever met. But I love that I can have a part in getting to know different people with different ideas/views. Overall, these past few months at Columbia have been the best few months of my life and I am realizing that Columbia is a place that I can call home.

One more thing: people always complain about how dangerous Columbia's neighborhood is, and how Columbia is in the ghetto.....THAT IS SOOOOOOOOOOOO NOT TRUE. Everywhere in the city is dangerous at night, and that's just common sense. Yes, Harlem is right in our back door, but keep in mind that Harlem is a cultural haven, and venturing pass 124th Street from time to time isn't as bad as you think!