Columbia University in the City of New York

What can I say, except Columbia has not lived up to is promise. Columbia is a really ugly and tiny campus in a dangerous part of town. The school is overpriced, as is New York, and everything is crammed on top of each other. Majors vary widely here, so if you are not in one of the better, or known, departments you would do much better at CUNY for a fraction of the cost. In fact, I have had several instructors who teach both at CUNY and Columbia, the exact same course, but you couuld take it there without paying over $1,100 a credit. The "core" program is a complete waste of time and money, and is designed to bilk you should you change your major whch would put you over the 124 credits needed for graduation. As far as the students, well, it's a mix. Some bright, others are here because of nepatism and/or money.

Students tend to be clicky, and if you don't fit in, you will not have a good experience. Lots of lonely, insullated, unhappy people here. Resident halls vary, but you can get a single your junior year if you are lucky. Housing on the east campus is for the most part, disgusting. The dorm looks like a jail from the inside. Like everywhere else, tons of drugs and alcohol Pepole tend to party starting on Thursday night. The administration is in one word HORRIBLE!!!!!! Be warned, they could care less, and are only interested in your $$$$$. In fact, you can not even register for classes on-line without checking off a box saying you will pay for their overrpriced tuition, and if you fail to do so, you must pay Columbia's legal fees (they have over a dozen lawyers on staff who sit right in the middle of the campus in Lowe Hall),

for them to come after you. Truly shameful and disgusting. Given the opportunity again, I would have chosen a different school, and maybe would have enjoyed my college years. I advise you to do the same.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2009

Friendliness: C-, Education Quality: F