Unique Aspects of Columbia University: What Makes It Stand Out

With an admissions percentage of just 6%, Columbia University is among the most esteemed and elite academic institutions worldwide. With a rich history and culture, it is also among the most venerable and diversified universities in the country. However, what distinguishes Columbia University from other colleges, and why should you apply? The location, core curriculum, research possibilities, student life, alumni network, and community influence are just a few of the distinctive features of Columbia University.

Location: The Heart of New York City

The fact that Columbia University is situated in the center of one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic cities—New York City—is among its most notable characteristics. Surrounded by cultural, historical, and artistic monuments including Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Apollo Theater, Columbia’s main campus, Morningside Heights, is situated in Upper Manhattan. The Manhattanville Campus in West Harlem, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, and the Medical Center in Washington Heights are just a few of Columbia’s additional campuses.

Columbia students have access to a wealth of resources and possibilities because of their location in New York City, including research facilities, cultural institutions, networking events, and internship chances. Students may engage with people of all origins, cultures, and viewpoints in New York City’s varied and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Students may follow their ideas and interests and change the world by studying in New York City, which is a center for innovation and business.

Core Curriculum: A Foundation in the Classics and Western Thought

The core curriculum of Columbia University is another distinctive feature. It consists of a collection of courses that all undergraduate students, regardless of major or school, must take. The core curriculum covers subjects like literature, philosophy, history, art, music, and science to provide pupils with a foundation in the classics and Western ideas. Additionally, the core curriculum seeks to promote intellectual curiosity and engagement in addition to helping students improve their communication, analytical, and critical thinking abilities..

The core curriculum consists of nine courses, which are:

•  An overview of the greatest works of Western literature, ranging from Homer to Virginia Woolf.
• A study of the key works and concepts in Western political and social theory, ranging from Plato to Foucault, is presented in Contemporary Civilization.
• Art Humanities: An overview of the main Western art trends and works, ranging from modernism to ancient Greece.
•  An Overview of the Main Pieces and Styles of Western Music in the Field of Music Humanities.
• An overview of the basic ideas and procedures used in fields including astronomy, biology, chemistry, and physics in contemporary science.
• A course that covers the fundamentals and conventions of academic writing, including style, argumentation, and supporting data.
• A course that teaches pupils the fundamentals of a foreign language—such as Arabic, Chinese, French, or Spanish—is called a foreign language course.
• Physical education is any course—yoga, martial arts, swimming, or yoga—that teaches pupils the value of physical health and fitness.
• A course that instructs students about civilizations and cultures that are not associated with Western heritage, such as those found in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, or Latin America.
• The core curriculum is taught in small seminars, where students and professors engage in lively discussions and debates, and share their insights and opinions. The core curriculum is also integrated with other aspects of Columbia’s academic and student life, such as lectures, events, clubs, and publications.

Research Opportunities: A World-Class Research Institution

With more than 200 research centers and institutes, as well as more than $1 billion in funding for research each year, Columbia University is a top research university. Some of the most well-known and significant academics and researchers in a variety of disciplines, including MacArthur Fellows, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Nobel laureates, call Columbia home. In addition, Columbia is renowned for its inventive and ground-breaking research, which includes the genome project, the Manhattan Project, and the laser.

Undergraduate students at Columbia have several options to work with faculty members and take part in research initiatives. Undergraduate Research and Fellowship Program (URAF), Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), and Presidential Global Fellowship (PGF) are among the research grants and fellowships for which students can apply. Additionally, students can publish their research articles in journals and magazines like the Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal (CUSJ) and discuss their results at conferences and symposiums like the Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS).

Student Life: A Vibrant and Diverse Community

At Columbia University, there are more than 8,000 undergraduate students representing more than 150 nations and backgrounds, contributing to a lively and varied student body. Students at Columbia are renowned for their social activity, academic prowess, and intellectual curiosity. In addition, Columbia students participate in a vast array of extracurricular groups and activities, including clubs, athletics, the arts, media, and volunteer work.

There are about 500 student organizations at Columbia that cater to a variety of passions and interests, such as political, religious, cultural, intellectual, and recreational. Some of the most popular and well-known clubs and associations are:

• A student-run publication, The Columbia Spectator covers events, opinions, sports, and the arts both on campus and in the community.
• The Columbia Political Union hosts talks, seminars, and speaker series on current topics. It also serves as the governing body for political clubs and groups.
• Columbia University’s student-run Marching Band is well renowned for its lighthearted and disrespectful demeanor. They perform at athletic events, parties on campus, and other events.
• The premier organization for performing arts groups that showcase a range of artistic forms, such as comedy, dance, theater, and music, is the Columbia University Performing Arts League.
• The primary center for outreach and service organizations is the Columbia University Volunteer Service Center. It organizes and provides funding for a variety of occasions and initiatives, such as tutoring, mentoring, and advocacy.

Columbia also has 29 varsity sports teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I Ivy League. Some of the most popular and successful sports teams are:

• The Columbia Lions football team is a multi-champion Ivy League squad that plays its home games at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.
• The men’s basketball team from Columbia, known as the Lions, is based in the Levien Gymnasium. They have participated in two NCAA tournaments and won three Ivy League titles.
• With 15 NCAA championships and 35 individual crowns, the fencing team from Columbia University is among the most accomplished and renowned in the country.
• With four IRA championships and twelve Olympic medals, the Columbia Lions Rowing Team is one of the oldest and most prominent teams in the country.

Columbia also has a rich and diverse campus culture and traditions, such as:

• Annual events that herald the arrival of the Christmas season are the Yule Log and Tree-Lighting Ceremonies. Students congregate at College Walk to sing carols and light trees, and afterward, they head to John Jay Lounge to burn the Yule log and indulge in cookies and hot chocolate.
• The marching band invades Butler Library and puts on a comedy show that makes fun of campus and global events on the semi-annual Orgo Night, which happens the night before the organic chemistry test.
• Every year, students enjoy live music, food, and games on the South Lawn and the steps of the Low Library during the Bacchanal, an annual spring concert and festival.
• The King’s Crown is the emblem of Columbia, found on the university’s flag, buildings, and logo. It is modeled after the old King’s College seal. At several events, including commencement, homecoming, and convocation, students also don the King’s Crown.

Alumni Network: A Legacy of Leaders and Innovators

With more than 350,000 graduates worldwide who have made noteworthy contributions and accomplishments in a variety of disciplines and sectors, including politics, business, science, the arts, and media, Columbia University also boasts a robust and powerful alumni network. Among the important and well-known former students are:

•  The first African American to assume the position of president of the United States, he is the 44th president. In 1983, he earned a political science degree from Columbia College.
• One of the most renowned and successful investors in the world is Warren Buffett, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. In 1951, he earned his master’s degree in economics from Columbia Business School.
• Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a trailblazer and defender of gender equality and women’s rights. In 1959, she became the first female member of two prominent law reviews after graduating from Columbia Law School.
• Astrophysicist, writer, media personality, and director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History is Neil deGrasse Tyson. In 1991, he earned his Ph.D. in astrophysics from Columbia University.
• The creator and star of the Broadway musicals Hamilton and In the Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda is also a composer, songwriter, producer, actor, and creator. In 2002, he earned a theatrical arts degree from Columbia College.
• Columbia alumni also have a strong sense of community and connection, and support each other and the university through various programs and events, such as:
• The official association for all Columbia alumni, provides various benefits and services, such as networking, mentoring, career development, lifelong learning, and travel opportunities.