Columbia University

Located in New York City, Columbia University is one of the original eight east coast Ivy League colleges known for their high academic standard and lengthy history.  The rest are Brown University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.  Founded in 1754, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in New York State.  The Morningside Heights campus is a sculptured landscape of serenity in the middle of a very busy urban city.  You need never leave the campus; but if you do, you have all that New York City has to offer just a subway ride away.  World class museums, cutting edge shows, vanguard theatre, any cuisine in the world (authentically prepared) are at your disposal. Tickets to many events are discounted with a student ID.  The school pride of our very young student guides was palpable.  We followed the Engineering and Science groups into Havemeyer Hall twice, as no one failed to mention the much photographed lecture hall; as seen in Ghost Busters and all 3 Spiderman movies.

What is the downside?  Over 20,000 apply each year, but less than 10% are admitted.  The odds are against even the smartest and brightest in most U.S. high schools.  There is an elitist air that is slightly oppressive.  With all the Nobel Laureates on campus, one wonders if the undergrads are  given the nurturing attention they need.   



Students who applied to Columbia University, also looked at Harvard University, Princeton University, and University of Pennsylvania.  For more information on Columbia University, visit  http://www.columbia.edu/

Columbia University is located at 116th Street and Broadway, New York, NY  10027 (212) 854-1754