Columbia University in the City of New York

Many aspects of the Columbia experience were way different than I thought they would be. I was surprised that the students overall are not near as smart or driven as I had hoped. I was expecting to be struggling in the middle of the pack, but I haven't been in a class yet where I wasn't one of the smartest 1-2 people there. Now, I'm not going to complain about my position, but I think that CU could be so much more if they would ditch affirmative action crap, legacies, and trying to field their (mostly) pathetic athletic squads. There are so many dumb/unmotivated people, which really puts a damper on things. The sad thing is I think any other Ivy, even Harvard or whatever, is most likely the same way. Don't get me wrong, I have some brilliant friends, but you have to look for them in a sea of more "normal" people. All of that might sound arrogant, but it's the truth, take it or leave it.

The liberalism is insane. I'm not a conservative, but I'm not a liberal either... and I must say, I was constantly offended by the liberal brainwashing that is encouraged by both the faculty AND students. Yikes. That said, there are a few people out there who don't think they are bad*sses because they were Bob Dylan shirts with buttons that say "F*ck you, I'm a liberal!" and "I'm a PROTESTING LIBERAL, DEAL WITH IT!" The sad thing is that most of those people don't even know what they are fighting for. Oh well, I just keep telling myself that they are the idiots.

I had some great teachers this year and some terrible ones. My University Writing teacher was a total moron and I completely gave up in the class. I had an outstanding philosophy professor, on the other hand, and I am now considering majoring in the subject. It's really hit or miss, but I think you can get solid teachers if you do enough research on www.culpa.info

Grading has been a mixed bag so far. My grades ranged from B-A, and I ended up with a 3.6 for the year. Two times I was almost sure I had earned an A+ only to be denied that crucial plus. I feel like most teachers use the +/- system only to give a 3.7 (A-) where a 4.0 would be given at most schools, and there aren't near enough A+'s to balance it out. I'm not sure if I've experienced enough to fully comprehend typical Columbia grading, but it doesn't seem like there is as much grade inflation as there is at some schools. That said, the average person I know only works a pitiful handful of hours per week, so I don't feel bad when he/she ends up with mostly B's. C's seem pretty rare, so don't worry about flunking out or anything.

Now, New York City was even better than I imagined. I decided that I would go to CU again given the choice, and my decision was mostly based on NYC. I am constantly amazed at what I find while living in the most exciting city in the entire WORLD. NYC can teach you more than Columbia ever could, and I mean that in a good way.Overall, my freshman experience was interesting. I must say overall I was a little disappointed in Columbia - the students and teachers weren't the quality I was expecting. However, I think that I would've been disappointed at any college, perhaps even more by Harvard or Princeton, because I truly believe that American education is in such a sad state that my expectations can't be reached right now.