Columbia University

Here’s a free collection of resources about the Columbia University in the City of New York– Columbia University blogs, videos, groups, first-hand experiences and advice from people who attend(ed) Columbia, etc.

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Columbia University Blogs

Here’s a list of Columbia University blogs- blogs written by people who attend Columbia, or are about Columbia.

****Email alexbalinski@gmail.com to submit your blog to this list.***

Columbia University Website	columbia.edu	2017
Columbia University News	news.columbia.edu	2017
Columbia Athletics	gocolumbialions.com	2017
Columbia Student News	bwog.com	2017
Columbia University Facebook	facebook.com/columbia	2017
Columbia University YouTube	youtube.com/user/columbiauniversity	2017
Columbia University Twitter	twitter.com/columbia	2017
Columbia edX Courses	edx.org/school/columbiax	2017
Columbia Coursera Courses	coursera.org/columbia	2017
College Confidential Forum	talk.collegeconfidential.com/columbia-university	2017
U.S. News School Profile	usnews.com/best-colleges/columbia-university	2017
Wikipedia Article	en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_University	2017

Columbia University Groups

Columbia University Groups On Facebook

Other Columbia University Groups And Forums

Columbia University Survey

We’re surveying people who attend(ed) Columbia University. Here will be a collection of their responses.

*The information gathered via surveys may or may not be correct. Hopefully it will be helpful to you!

*Response format = Answer (Your first name, Years you attended Columbia University)

**Click here to share your experience at Columbia University**

Columbia University: Favorites

What’s your favorite thing about Columbia University?

The endless opportunities! (Eileen, 2016-2020)
Libraries, certain classes, convenience, plenty of available resources, lots of opportunities to do things. (Anonymous, 2016-2020)
The connections you make. (Nicole, 2016-2018)
My parents think I’m smart because I go there. (Hannah, 2016-2017)
The vibe. I loved the accessibility of New York City, the fast-paced intensity of Columbia, and the persistent social and cultural awareness that most of the Columbia community members had toward the world around them. I find Columbia students very open to engaging and interacting with the world of politics, business and other fields, while still being students. (Samantha, 2016-2017)
Its location in Manhattan, the beautiful campus, the activist atmosphere. (Sarah, 2016-2017)
The self-deprecating sense of humor (e.g. Orgo Night). (Anonymous, 2013-2017)
The people! (Anonymous, 2017)
My professors (at Barnard). (Kelsey, 2011-2015)
The scenery. (Hana, 2012-2014)
The location. (Alexis, 2005-2007)
Community spirit. (Margaret, 1996-1997)
Adjunct faculty from the “real world”. (Steve, 1977-1978)

Columbia University: Least Favorites

What’s your least favorite thing about Columbia University?

Entitled people. (Eileen, 2016-2020)
It’s between some of the hyper-competitive students who attend and the new credit limit. (Anonymous, 2016-2020)
The student base is not really international. (Nicole, 2016-2018)
The neighborhood it’s in. (Hannah, 2016-2017)
The fact that despite my efforts, nearly 80% of my time is spent in the same buildings: my dorm, Butler Library and the dining halls. (Samantha, 2016-2017)
The fact that the administration has not taken concrete steps to make students’ mental health a priority. (Sarah, 2016-2017)
NSOP (new student orientation program). (Anonymous, 2013-2017)
The stress… (Anonymous, 2017)
Some of the professors weren’t helpful. (Hana, 2012-2014)
The overall cost to attend. (Alexis, 2005-2007)
The grad dorms – but it’s been a while. (Steve, 1977-1978)

Columbia University: Things To Do

What are fun things to do while at Columbia University? Hidden gems, etc.

Rutherfurd Observatory. (Eileen, 2016-2020)
Read books, use the city, interact with dorm mates. (Anonymous, 2016-2020)
Live in Harlem! Go to Coogans and go out with classmates. (Nicole, 2016-2018)
Sitting on low steps in the sun can be relaxing. (Hannah, 2016-2017)
Go biking in Central Park, go to live music bars on the East Side, play volleyball or soccer on Butler Lawns. (Samantha, 2016-2017)
Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on 113th and Amsterdam, go to Tom’s Restaurant, yoga in Riverside park, walk to Central Park, study in Joe’s Coffee Shop. (Sarah, 2016-2017)
Go to the Science Fiction Society Library, attend a Philolexian Society Debate, 3D-print something in the makerspace. (Anonymous, 2013-2017)
Biking along the Hudson. (Anonymous, 2017)
Barnard Babysitting. (Kelsey, 2011-2015)
Low-cost and free opera performances, symphony performances, and other reduced-price cultural events. (Alexis, 2005-2007)
Local restaurants, church of St. John the Divine. (Margaret, 1996-1997)
TDF fund for students. (Kate, 1983-1985)
Head to Times Square during a blizzard and see top Broadway shows for practically nothing. (Steve, 1977-1978)

Columbia University: Recommended Classes/Professors

Any classes or professors you recommend?

Almost any course in the music department. (Eileen, 2016-2020)
Any German class with Jutta Schmiers-Heller, Frosci Discussion with Ivana Hughes. (Anonymous, 2016-2020)
Kathy Pike, Tall Gross, Sharon Shwartz, Ron Bayer. (Nicole, 2016-2018)
Liza Knapp for anything Russian Literature; she’s so passionate! (Samantha, 2016-2017)
Machine learning is difficult, but super useful. (Anonymous, 2013-2017)
Masha Mimran, Deborah Becker, Van Tran (CC). (Kelsey, 2011-2015)
All of the school based classes in the MSW program were amazing. (Hana, 2012-2014)
I went to CUSSW, so my experience is relatively limited. (Alexis, 2005-2007)
All. (Margaret, 1996-1997)

Columbia University: Housing Advice

Any housing tips or recommendations?

Bring fans if you’re living without AC! But pack light. (Eileen, 2016-2020)
Before you choose a dorm, make sure you know about the amenities/facilities. For example, many dorms have no AC and it gets very warm, so be sure to bring a fan. (Anonymous, 2016-2020)
Not really. Live closeby. (Nicole, 2016-2018)
Choose Carman or John Jay your first year, so you actually make friends in your housing group. (Samantha, 2016-2017)
Really do your research about the different dorms (read up on the housing reviews at Bwog.com). (Sarah, 2016-2017)
Don’t live in Carman Hall your first year. (Anonymous, 2013-2017)
Get a single! (Kelsey, 2011-2015)
Use the university’s housing office. (Alexis, 2005-2007)
Pray. (Margaret, 1996-1997)

Columbia University: Places To Eat

What are the best places to eat near Columbia University?

Chokolat Patisserie. (Eileen, 2016-2020)
Halal near Barnard, Famiglia Pizza, Koronets Pizza, Ferris Booth Commons, JJs Place. (Anonymous, 2016-2020)
Flattop, Absolute Bagels. (Nicole, 2016-2018)
Community. (Hannah, 2016-2017)
Milano’s, hands-down. (Samantha, 2016-2017)
Tom’s Restaurant, West Side Market, Amigo’s, Serafina’s, Kitchenette. (Sarah, 2016-2017)
Thai Market, Dino BBQ, Roti Roll, Symposium. (Anonymous, 2013-2017)
Buchetti, Pisticci, The Fat Monk. (Kelsey, 2011-2015)
They’re all good! I really miss the Greek restaurant on, I think it was 112th between B’Way and Amsterdam. Right by the bookstore. (Alexis, 2005-2007)
Metro cafe. (Margaret, 1996-1997)
Tom’s Broadway Restaurant. A classic. (Steve, 1977-1978)

Columbia University: Crime & Safety

How’s crime/safety at Columbia University?

Really safe. (Eileen, 2016-2020)
Some sketchy people in the neighborhood, and crime does happen around here. Do exercise caution. (Anonymous, 2016-2020)
Safe. (Nicole, 2016-2018)
I haven’t felt threatened yet. (Hannah, 2016-2017)
I personally feel safe inside the campus boundaries, but not outside- especially when I’m walking alone at night. That being said, I made it through my freshman year without being attacked, or harassed in any way, but I don’t think I’m in the majority of Columbia girls. (Samantha, 2016-2017)
I feel very safe at Columbia. Late at night and on weekends there is always a public safety officer standing on every block around campus. (Sarah, 2016-2017)
Very safe. (Anonymous, 2013-2017)
Columbia University is fairly safe. (Kelsey, 2011-2015)
Good. (Hana, 2012-2014)
Great. Never felt safer on a campus. (Alexis, 2005-2007)
Good. (Margaret, 1996-1997)
Safe. Just remember you’re in a city. (Steve, 1977-1978)

Columbia University: Cool Facts

Any other cool facts about Columbia University?

It’s built on top of a former asylum! There’s still one building remaining on campus. (Eileen, 2016-2020)
Clubs are cool. (Nicole, 2016-2018)
The history. (Hannah, 2016-2017)
The Federalist joke newspaper was founded by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and is still going strong. (Samantha, 2016-2017)
We’re the most fun Ivy League school. (Sarah, 2016-2017)
There’s secret access to many of the rooftops and tunnels running under the school. (Anonymous, 2013-2017)
Please get the Thanksgiving sandwich at the Diana Center any time of year it’s available. (Kelsey, 2011-2015)
There is an original “The Thinker” statue outside Philosophy Hall. (Anonymous, 2017)
Keep an eye out for acts like Patti Smith. Columbia is big-name enough to attract stuff you actually want to see. (Alexis, 2005-2007)
Beautiful campus. (Margaret, 1996-1997)

Columbia University: Advice For Freshmen

Advice for a new Freshman:

Don’t overload yourself your first semester. Make sure you limit your credits so you can have a better starting GPA. (Eileen, 2016-2020)
College isn’t what you expect it to be. You should exercise and sleep properly, and learn how to cut corners when necessary. Manage your time. It’s not easy to do these things, but it’s so necessary and you will suffer if you cannot do these properly. (Anonymous, 2016-2020)
Be vigilant, but open to uncomfortable situations. (Nicole, 2016-2018)
It’ll be ok. A C isn’t the end of the world. (Hannah, 2016-2017)
For all your required classes, sign up for the easiest versions and move up, not the other way around, because you might miss the deadline, and get screwed by the curve. (Samantha, 2016-2017)
Don’t live in Carman Hall. (Anonymous, 2013-2017)
Make friends in your dorm and in your classes. And then explore all of NYC. (Alexis, 2005-2007)
Embrace it all and relax. (Margaret, 1996-1997)

Columbia University: Stories

Share an experience you’ve had at Columbia University (interesting/funny/crazy/dangerous, etc.):

Did the Five Boro Bike Tour with the global mental health program! (Nicole, 2016-2018)
My first day I took the wrong subway from midtown, and had to walk alone through some sketchy areas of Harlem, just to arrive late to class. (Hannah, 2016-2017)
Sneaking onto the rooftops (shh!). (Samantha, 2016-2017)
On Election Night in 2016, I tromped down 5th Ave with the Columbia marching band harassing Fox News and all the Trump supporters. We passed around jugs of spiked apple cider and played “F*** You” by Cee Lo Green in front of Trump Tower. We made local news and many NYC blogs. (Sarah, 2016-2017)
I had a professor who I asked for advice on my (Barnard) research paper tell me that “I don’t research for anyone but myself.” (Kelsey, 2011-2015)
I was boring. (Alexis, 2005-2007)
1997 and most of the graduating class were engaged to get married! Hopefully the 21st Century graduates have other goals. (Margaret, 1996-1997)