Columbia University

New York, New York, United States

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Columbia University - Overview & Background:

A private Ivy League research university, Columbia University (Fu Foundation) was established in 1754. It has an acceptance rate of 5.8%, which makes it the third most selective college in the country and the second most selective college in the Ivy League. The university offers various undergraduate and graduate programs through its 20 schools.

Undergraduate schools such as:

  • list items The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science
  • list items Columbia College
  • list items The School of General Studies
  • Graduate schools such as: Columbia Law School, Columbia Journalism School, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Columbia Business School are some of its world-renowned schools.

    Its Engineering school, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering, was started in 1896 and is counted amongst the Ivy League colleges.

     

    Established May 25, 1754
    Founder George II of Great Britain
    University Motto In Thy light shall we see light
    University Type  Royal College (1754–1776) Public Research University  (1776–present)
    University City New York
    Student to Faculty Ratio 6:1
    Campus Size 299 acres (1.21 km2)
    Endowment $14.35 billion (2021)
    Acceptance Rate 5.5%
    Graduation Rate 95.8%
    Employment Rate 95%
    Official Website Link Columbia University, New York
    Contact Detail +1 212-854-1754

     

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    Columbia University Virtual Tour

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    Infrastructure

    The main campus of the University is located in Morningside Heights and is spread over 36 acres. The campus has excellent facilities for students. The largest building on the campus is the Butler library. Students also have access to 20 other major libraries.

    The campus also has two wind tunnels, a nanotechnology laboratory, a machine shop, a nuclear fission reactor, and a General Dynamics TRIGA Mk. II amongst other facilities.

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    Student diversity & preferred profile

    In education, diversity is an important and transforming component. It benefits us as individuals as well as our community and society at large. At Columbia, students and faculty from all walks of life will always find opportunities to develop and excel. Columbia University is known for having the first African American advocacy group on a multi-racial campus in the United States, as well as having the fourth highest international student population in the U.S.

    Columbia University awarded 12,920 degrees in 2019 across all undergraduate and graduate programmes. Women received 52.8 percent of these degrees, while males received 47.2 percent. Whites (3,705 degrees) were the most prevalent race/ethnicity group among degree recipients, with 2.67 times more than the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asians (1387 degrees).

    In 2019, Columbia University received 42,823 undergraduate applications, a 5.55 percent increase over the previous year. 2.332 students were approved for enrollment out of 42,823 applicants, reflecting a 5.45 percent acceptance rate. In 2019, Columbia University had 31,456 students enrolled, with 65 percent of first-time students submitting SAT scores with their applications. The overall enrollment yield at Columbia University is 62.8 percent, which measures the number of admitted students who actually enroll.

    Columbia University has a total of 31,456 students enrolled. Columbia University has a full-time enrollment of 26,487 students and a part-time enrollment of 4,969. This means that 84.2 percent of Columbia University students are enrolled full-time.

    At Columbia University, 30.1 percent of undergraduate and graduate students are white, 12.3 percent are Asian, 7.84 percent are Hispanic or Latino, 4.75 percent are Black or African American, 2.66 percent are Two or More Races, 0.181 percent are American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0922 percent are Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

    Students enrolling full-time at Columbia University White Males (19.4%) account for the majority of undergraduate programmes, followed by White Females (14.5%) and Asian Females (9.84 percent). White Females (15.4 percent) are the most prevalent students enrolled in full-time Graduate programmes, followed by White Males (12.8 percent) and Asian Females (6.14 percent).

    White (9,456), Asian (3,865), and Hispanic or Latino (2,467) are the most frequent races or ethnicities at Columbia University. Columbia University awarded 724 more degrees to women than to males in 2019. White (3,705 degrees awarded) is the most frequent race/ethnicity category among Columbia University degree recipients. Whites graduated 2.67 times more than the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asians.

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    Campus & Accommodation

    The University offers a remarkable and comprehensive array of academic programmes that are both global and local in focus. Three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, a world-renowned medical institution, four affiliated colleges and seminaries, twenty-five libraries, arts centers, and over a hundred research centers and institutes are among them.

    Columbia Housing provides safe and comfortable housing for undergraduate residential students, as well as a friendly person to talk to if they have any issues or concerns. It is in charge of managing Columbia's 30+ undergraduate residence halls' physical integrity, cleanliness, and operations. While Columbia Housing maintains a lot of moving components to keep its buildings in good shape, the undergraduate student tenants are its first focus.

    Columbia Residential maintains 150 apartment buildings, the most of which are located between 103rd and 125th Streets in the Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley, and Manhattanville areas. University accommodation is also available in Riverdale, the Bronx, which is 20 minutes by shuttle bus from campus.

    All of the accommodations listed below are available to students. Student accommodation comprises shared flats and dormitory suites, as well as a small number of studio and one-bedroom homes reserved for couples and families. For students with children, a small number of larger units are provided.

    The following are examples of different types of residences:

    Shared Apartment:

    The majority of students live in shared apartments. Only single students are housed in apartment sharing. The majority of apartment shares are furnished, and the cost of gas and electricity is included. Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley, Manhattanville, and The Arbor (constructed in 2008), which is a short bus, subway, or shuttle ride from campus in Riverdale, the Bronx, offer apartment share accommodation.

    The average rent for a two- or three-bedroom share is $1,280, with rents ranging from $1,100 to $1,750. Each apartment tenant has their own bedroom; nevertheless, all unit occupants share common areas (kitchen, bathroom, living area, etc.).

    Studio:

    The quantity of studio units is extremely restricted, and demand outnumbers supply. These are usually one-room flats with a private toilet and kitchen equipment. Single students and couples are both welcome to reside in studios, however couples are given preference. The majority of these apartments are unfurnished, and utilities are usually included in the rent.

    The average studio rent is $1,750, with prices ranging from $1,400 to $2,500. Studios are one-room apartments with a private bathroom and kitchen; they are usually reserved for couples, but some are allotted to singles.

    One-Bedroom:

    The number of one-bedroom apartments is quite restricted, and demand outnumbers supply. There is a living area, a kitchen, a separate bedroom, and a bathroom in these flats. They come in a variety of sizes and are mostly unfurnished. In most cases, utilities are included in the rent. When it comes to one-bedroom apartments, couples and students with children are given first preference.

    The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,900, with prices ranging from $1,600 to $2,800.

    Two-Bedroom:

    There are a few larger units available that are appropriate for families with children. These apartments are only available to students with dependent children. The majority of these apartments are unfurnished. In most cases, utilities are included in the rent.

    The average two-bedroom rent is $2,400, with prices ranging from $1,700 to $3,500.

    Specific to the school:

    Some housing is reserved for students who attend specific schools. Only Columbia Law School students have access to a number of buildings. Students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of General Studies can live in the new residence hall at Teachers College. Union Theological Seminary offers dormitory rooms and studio apartments to students in the School of General Studies, as well as residences in three Manhattan Valley buildings.

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    Notable Alumni

    Some famous alumni from Columbia University include:

  • list items Madeleine Albright, 64th United States Secretary of State; first female Secretary of State
  • list items Alan Greenspan, 13th Chair of the Federal Reserve 
  • list items Herman Hollerith, Inventor; co-founder of IBM
  • list items Allen Ginsberg, Poet; Founder of the Beat Generation 
  • list items Jack Kerouac, Poet; Founder of the Beat Generation 
  • list items J. D. Salinger, Novelist, The Catcher in the Rye
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    Comparison with other Universities

    That is debatable. If you want to be secluded somewhere where you can lock yourself up in a study career and focus solely on academics for several years, Columbia is probably not the place for you. Columbia is a location where students can get involved in school affairs, politics, service initiatives, research activities, the arts, clubs and groups, athletics, and the city's life.

    Unprecedented variety:

    In contrast to many of its peers, Columbia is known for breaking down the barriers that divide academia's "ivory towers" from the rest of the world. Columbia stands out as a lively, multicultural center of life, learning, and diversity of all kinds — geographic, ethnic, religious, and economical. The students come from all fifty states and more than thirty countries, and the admissions process is "need-blind."

    The student body is roughly evenly split between males and females, with Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American students accounting for considerably over 30% of the total. Each year, the University receives an incredibly diverse and fascinating set of students. Differentiation has a place here, and Columbia is comfortable with it. For you, this means that no matter where you want to go, Columbia will push you to develop as a unique individual.

    The Basic Curriculum:

    In reality, you should expect to learn and grow from talks with students who share your viewpoints as well as many others whose beliefs and life experiences are vastly different from yours. The seminar format of core curriculum courses promotes active debate and discussion.

    Columbia considers its core curriculum to be more than a body of knowledge, a survey of Great Books, a canon, or a set of universal distribution standards. The core represents a manner of thinking at Columbia, a challenge to engage with texts and each other, to agree or disagree. Nothing is taken for granted, whether it be an idea or a philosophy. One goal is to raise you and your viewpoint to that of the authors you read.

    The impact of the core on your academics:

    The core curriculum, New York City as a living laboratory, Columbia's superb professors, varied student body, and a six-to-one student-to-faculty ratio combine to create a one-of-a-kind collegiate experience. The core curriculum, which is required of all Columbia College students, has brought the Columbia community together since its inception in 1919.

    It will help you to form a common academic and personal link with your classmates, a bond that will extend beyond the classrooms to its resident halls, dining halls, libraries, and athletic fields. At the same time, the core will prepare you to start your chosen field of study with a solid foundation in Western civilization, a grasp of the sciences, a greater understanding of major cultures, a skilled command of a foreign language, and improved writing abilities.

    The core as well as student life:

    At Columbia, striking a balance between academic work and life outside of the classroom is second nature. When you're finished with your work, you'll find a slew of students eager to join you in seeing New York City or hanging out on campus. Columbia students live on a campus that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in a city open 24 hours a day.

    Restaurants, clubs, and taverns, as well as the college library, are open throughout a day. Students hosting symposia on religion, science, or philosophy have produced many entertaining evenings. Concerts, musicals, and club meetings on campus, as well as late nights in the Village, provide other enjoyable evenings. The possibilities are nearly limitless, and the decision is entirely yours.

    A head start on globalization and a global outlook:

    Columbia has taken advantage of its ideal location in a city that is both a world capital and a bustling center of international business for generations.

    Columbia has long championed the wisdom and value of enlightened globalism and vigorous multicultural scholarship, as evidenced by the early emphasis on the teaching of languages, its early development of regional studies programmes, and the early movement to introduce an international dimension to courses throughout the curriculum.

    New York City, an ideal home:

    New York City is the ideal home base. All things considered, Columbia campus residence halls provide one of the most cost-effective and practical ways to live in Manhattan, in addition to providing convenient access to everything at Columbia.

    You may go out and about in the city whenever you like, seeing a few sites, visiting a museum, theater, or concert hall, seeing a movie, exploring a new area, attending a sporting event, or doing some serious shopping. Then return to campus when you're ready. You'll never be far from home in the city, no matter where you go.

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    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    Scholarships, grants, and fellowships are referred to as "gift aid" because they are not repaid. Governments, colleges, and private organizations are all possible sources. Academic or athletic skill, enthusiasm in a particular subject, or volunteer work may all be factors in receiving a scholarship. Some scholarships may be awarded based on ethnic or religious affiliation. Companies may also provide you or your child a scholarship. The majority of grants are need-based, meaning they are awarded based on your or your family's financial situation.

    The Federal Work-Study programme is a type of financial aid granted to students in exchange for part-time work. The quantity and availability of this aid varies each school, and it is provided depending on need.

    Fellowships: "Institutional aid" refers to financial help administered and distributed by Columbia University as a whole or separately by each of the university's schools. Although most institutional aid is controlled and distributed on a school-by-school basis, some institutional aid is managed centrally. Interschool fellowships are one form of centrally coordinated assistance. These fellowships are merit-based prizes open to students from any Columbia school or institution.

    Loan: Taking out a loan means borrowing money from a bank, the government, or a lending organization. A loan must be repaid with an additional fee known as interest. Students in financial need can apply for low-interest loans from the federal government. Other lenders will charge you a higher interest rate. Loans come in a variety of forms as:

  • list items Columbia Institutional Loans
  • list items Federal Loans
  • list items Private Loans
  • list items Loans for Students in Health Careers
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    Placement Details & Recruiting Companies

    Students at Columbia University have unrivaled access to the world's most innovative companies and executives, as part of an entrepreneurial culture that stimulates innovation and makes a daily impact in the global economy. They form relationships with practitioners and industry leaders, as well as a lifetime network of over 49,000 alumni from over 100 countries who provide mentoring, internships, career guidance, and much more.

    It teaches more students, welcomes more alumni, elevates faculty research and scholarship, attracts new thought leaders and practitioners, expands our theory-practice relationship, and strengthens engagement across the University and New York City.

    Top Job Titles include:

  • list items Data Analyst
  • list items Product Market Analyst
  • list items Professional Services Consultant
  • list items Data Scientist
  • list items Machine Learning Engineer
  • list items Product Manager
  • list items Technical Product Manager
  • list items Marketplace Analytics Manager
  • list items Business Data Analyst
  • list items Data Science Analyst
  • list items Deputy Manager
  • list items Mechanical Engineer
  • list items NATO Rank
  • list items OF-2
  • list items Digital Specialist.
  • Top Recruiters are:

  • list items Amazon Web Services
  • list items C3.ai
  • list items Caissa
  • list items Dell
  • list items eBay
  • list items Facebook
  • list items Lotame
  • list items Motorola Mobility
  • list items Shopee
  • list items Vivo
  • list items J.P.Morgan
  • list items BlackRock
  • list items Goldman Sachs
  • list items Keystone Technology
  • list items Capital One
  • list items McKinsey & Company
  • list items Roland Berger
  • list items Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
  • list items Walmart
  • list items Unilever.
  • Top Industries in which students find their placements are:

  • list items Technology
  • list items Telecom & Internet
  • list items Professional Services/Consulting
  • list items Financial Services
  • list items Entrepreneurship
  • list items Government
  • list items Medical Devices
  • list items Biotechnology
  • list items Energy
  • list items Manufacturing & Construction
  • list items Consumer Goods & Service
  • list items Automotive.
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    Columbia University Map Location


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    Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia University

    Is the subway easily accessible?

    Columbia is conveniently placed near the #1 subway line and a number of bus routes. Students can take the #1 train to Times Square in around 20 minutes, uptown to Columbia's Medical Center in 15 minutes, and to Columbia's Baker Field Athletic Complex on Manhattan's northern edge in 25 minutes.

    Is it possible for me to work while I study here?

    Yes, all Columbia University students are permitted to work while attending classes. Although overseas students are allowed to apply for both on-campus and off-campus jobs, they must follow specific guidelines.

    What is Columbia Uni famous for?

    The "Core Curriculum," which exposes students to a wide range of concepts in the subjects of art, literature, philosophy, history, music, and science, is at the heart of Columbia academics. Core classes are renowned for small class sizes (22 students per class), which enable students to develop great relationships with faculty.

    Is Columbia hard to get into?

    With a 3.73% acceptance rate for the class of 2026, Columbia is this year's second-most challenging school to get into. The undergraduate admissions process at Columbia is holistic, considering each applicant's individual experiences, background, and academic accomplishments.

    How to get into Columbia University?

    If you want to attend Columbia, you must achieve one of the following: Write appealing essays, score highly on your standardized admission test, and engage in extracurricular activities that highlight your skills and attributes in addition to doing well in nearly all of your high school classes.

    What is the difference between Columbia University and Columbia College?

    The original undergraduate liberal arts college of Columbia, Columbia College was established as King's College in 1754, marking the beginning of Columbia University. The undergraduate institution continued to be known as Columbia College even after Columbia College in the City of New York was renamed Columbia University in the City of New York in 1896.

    What SAT score is required for Columbia?

    The acceptance rate at the very competitive Columbia University is just about 5% which means only 5 out of 100 applicants are admitted. Applicants to Columbia University must have an ACT score of 34 to 35 or an SAT score between 1440 and 1570.