What is Columbia Known For?

What if someone told you that you could attend an Ivy League school without having to declare a major to graduate? At Columbia University, this is a reality. Columbia’s name has long been associated with academic rigor, but many people don’t know that sets Columbia apart from other top universities.

From the famous Core Curriculum, 24-hour dining halls, movie cameos, free broadway tickets, student protests, and a one-of-a-kind school color — Columbia has it all.

In this blog post, we’ll cover everything Columbia is known for. Whether you are interested in learning more about the Core Curriculum, want to know about the secret school traditions, or looking for a glimpse of student life — we’ve got you covered!

Let’s start with a subway ride from Times Square 42nd Street to Columbia University 116th Street.

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Columbia University: Morningside Heights and New York City

Welcome to New York, The Big Apple, The Concrete Jungle, or as Columbia likes to say, “Welcome to the greatest College, in the greatest University, in the greatest city in the world!” Just a quick subway ride Uptown to 116th and Broadway, Columbia University finds its home in Morningside Heights. While NYC is known for the hustle and bustle, just beyond Columbia’s gates you will find a sanctuary for academic minds to flourish.

As you step onto Columbia’s campus, you’ll be greeted by two mascots: The Alma Mater statue and Roar-ee, the scholarly lion. Just beyond the gates of College Walk, you will see students en route to classes, neighborhood families playing on the lawns, and alumni lounging on the steps of Low Library. If you take a look above the towering architecture, you’ll notice flags and banners flying high with the iconic Columbia Blue, or as students prefer, Pantone 292.

Columbia’s campus sits on the highest point in New York City, overlooking West Harlem and the Hudson River. Columbia has earned the nickname, “The Acropolis of Manhattan,” partly due to its history of studying Greek philosophers.

Columbia’s Academic Offerings: Majors + Core Curriculum

Remember how Columbia’a doesn’t require students to graduate with a major? Let’s dive into the specifics of Columbia’s unique and famous curriculum.

First, here is an overview of the schools that make up Columbia’s undergraduate experience.

Columbia’s Undergraduate Schools

Columbia undergraduate population is divided into two main schools:

• Columbia College
  • The larger of the two undergraduate schools
  • Home of the Core Curriculum.
• The School of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Combines the benefits of a small program with the extensive resources of a major research university.
  • Offers a blend of engineering, applied science, humanities courses, hands-on projects, and faculty-mentored research.

Within both of the undergraduate programs, students complete Columbia’s one-of-a-kind “Core Curriculum.”

The Core Curriculum: Columbia’s Pride and Joy

You probably have heard the terms “core curriculum” and “required courses,” but did you know that Columbia is home to the original, most famous Core Curriculum?

All students who graduate from Columbia must successfully complete the core Curriculum to graduate — this is no easy task. The Core Curriculum takes up well over half of all the classes students take at Columbia.

The Core Curriculum’s foundational principles are considered “intellectually expansive” and “personally transformative.” One of the distinct features of the Core is that it bridges the gaps between disciplines. It introduces cornerstone ideas and theories across literature, philosophy, history, science, and the arts. In turn, it encourages creativity, reflection, critique, and conversation for all students.

Students work with their peers to study some of the most profound texts that enlighten today’s understanding of the world and its progress. From Homer to Toni Morrison, Plato to Ghandi, Raphael to Andy Warhol, and the composers of Gregorian Chants to pop icon Taylor Swift, the Core Curriculum engages students with timeless works.

The main goal of the Core Curriculum is to grapple with the joys and trials of what it means to be human.

Take a look at an overview of the components that make up the Core Curriculum. Note: Students enrolled in the School of Engineering may not be required to complete all sections of the Core Curriculum

Yes, you read that correctly. You do in fact have to pass a swim test to graduate! 

Simply put, the Core Curriculum sets you up for success in academia and life. From debating iconic Greek philosophers, to uncovering mysteries of Ancient Empires - the Core Curriculum inspires all minds.

Columbia Fast Fact: Did you know that Columbia students read on average over 1,000 pages a week? Don’t let this scare you. You may find yourself wanting to read even more.

What is a Columbia Concentration? 

Due to the size of the Core Curriculum and the breadth of topics covered, Columbia believes that the Core alone prepares students to enter the world. As a result, Columbia students are not required to complete a full major to graduate. Instead, they can opt to take a concentration or two.

A Columbia Concentration is similar to other universities’ minors. It is a smaller set of course requirements in one field of study. For example, students interested in Psychology can complete the 11+ class major or the 7 class concentration. The purpose of the Columbia Concentration is to grant students more time to be able to explore various fields of study. One may choose to supplement the Core Curriculum with concentrations in Public Health and Theatre or a major in Philosophy and a concentration in Applied Mathematics. If you wish to study Engineering and Theatre at the same time — you can.

Columbia Majors + Unforgettable Classes

Outside of the Core, there are so many diverse interests among the student body that “Top Majors” are not highly relevant.  The number of students enrolled in each major are set apart by a marginal number, so it wouldn’t be right to characterize slightly larger majors as “Top Majors.”. There are over 80 distinct fields of study beyond the Core, so students are engaging with material that aligns with their passions, whether they be niche fields or popular lines of research. Many students apply undecided to Columbia or end up changing their major after being accepted. 

Here are some of the classes students never forget after graduating:

Columbia Alumni: Once a Lion, Always a Lion

Columbia’s extensive history has produced an impressive list of alumni. The beautiful thing about the Columbia community is that everyone is connected by the Core Curriculum. All graduates have read the same books for over 100 years! So put two Columbia Lions in a room and they are equipped to talk for hours about the canon. While some books have been updated, the Canon of Literature continues to grow. Current students have a running debate on whether past alumni really did all of the required reading.

Which of the following alumni do you think did all of their required reading?

• President Obama (CC’83) - 44th President of the United States whose time at Columbia played a significant role in shaping his political views and future career in public service.
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg (CL’59) - Supreme Court Justice who is remembered for her fight for reproductive and equal rights. She also  graduated first in her class at Columbia.
• Richard Rodgers (CC’23) and Oscar Hammerstein (CC’16) - Legendary musical theater composer and lyricist duo. Wrote countless shows including: “The Sound of Music,” “Oklahoma!,” and “Cinderella.”
• Poppy Harlow (CC’05) - CNN Newsroom anchor and political journalist. Known for her coverage of breaking news.
• Alexander Hamilton (King’s College) - One of the Founding Fathers of the U.S. and first Secretary of the Treasury. And of course, the inspiration for the smash-hit Broadway musical “Hamilton.”
• Kate McKinnon (CC’06) - A comedian legend and actress known for her work on “Saturday Night Live.” While at Columbia she participated in The Varsity Show.

Columbia’s History: King’s College to the Present Day

Take a look over the 270 year history of Columbia University and its relation to the founding of America.

1754 - King’s College is charted by King George II and the first classes are held.

1775 - The American Revolution begins and classes are suspended to allow students to fight for the cause.

1784 - King’s College is renamed Columbia College.

1825 - The Alumni Association of Columbia is Founded.

1860 - Intercollegiate sports begin.

1877 - The Columbia Daily Spectator is first printed.

1894 - The very first Varsity Show takes place. What began as an athletics fundraiser has gone on to become a satirical musical extravaganza!

1919 - The Columbia Curriculum is changed for the 4th time, and this would become the Core Curriculum.

1941 - Research begins on the atom, and WKCR Student Radio begins broadcasting.

1948 - Eisenhower becomes President of Columbia.

1968 - Students occupy buildings on campus to protest the Vietnam War.

2002 - Lee C. Bollinger begins his 22 year tenure as President of Columbia University.

2008 - Barack Obama CC ‘83 is elected President of the United States.

2020 - Columbia cancels its first graduating ceremony in history due to the pandemic.

2023 - Columbia elects Minouche Shafik as the first female President.

2024 - Columbia students occupy campus buildings in light of the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, reflecting that of the Vietnam War Student Protests.

Columbia’s Campus Life: Lions in the Big Apple

With its connection to West Harlem, Columbia’s campus is rich in cultural and political history.  Over the years, Columbia has been — and remains — the epicenter for political activism that goes on to inspire movements all across the country. The success of protests and calls for change all would have failed if it weren’t for the students. Every year, students gather on College Walk to debate topics, march in solidarity, and relish the history of all Columbia Lions that came before them. This is the Columbia Community.

Columbia’s campus houses many famous landmarks that have been captured in Hollywood films, news coverage, student selfies, and of course young students posing in front of Alma Mater hoping to get accepted to the Ivy League. Commonly visited sites include: Low Steps, Butler Library, The Thinker Statue, and The Sundial.

Columbia Fast Fact: One other landmark that many people don’t get the chance to see in person is Havemeyer 309. More commonly known as the most filmed classroom in Hollywood. Films and TV shows including “Ghostbusters,” ‘West Side Story,” “Spiderman,” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” If you are lucky enough to have class in 309, it may be canceled because of ongoing film shoots.

Being in the heart of New York City, you surely will not run out of things to do. This is even true within the gates of Columbia. With over 500 student clubs and organizations, students at Columbia know how to get involved and stay active. The running stereotype about Columbia students is that they never rest.

Here is a quick look at some of the campus offerings:

• WKCR: Columbia’s student-run radio station that has been broadcasting since 1941.
• Columbia Daily Spectator: Columbia’s independent student newspaper that provides in-depth coverage of campus events and issues since 1877.
• Society of Women Engineers: A group dedicated to empowering female engineering students. They offer professional development and community outreach programming.
• Columbia Pops: Student-run orchestra that performs multiple genres of music including video game scores, pop music, and Broadway musicals .
• The Federalist: Commonly known as The Feds. This is Columbia’s satire newspaper that provides humor for the events that take place on campus. 
• CU Records: Columbia’s student-run recording studio offering resources for aspiring musicians and producers.
• Columbia Musical Theatre Society: Columbia’s student-run theater group dedicated to staging hit musical revivals.

Columbia Fast Fact: Every Columbia student gets free access to almost every museum in NYC for free! This is not true about all schools in NYC. Columbia believes learning doesn’t  just occur in the classroom. 

Traditions the Columbia Way

Traditions on Columbia’s campus are abundant thanks to the numerous clubs and organizations. Take a look over a handful of Columbia traditions, and decide which ones you would attend.

Columbia Traditions: 

1. Tree Lighting - Annual festive event to watch the lighting of the trees on College Walk. There are live performances and hot chocolate. 
   1. Tip: Get there early if you want a souvenir holiday mug.
2. Glass House Rocks - Lerner Hall, recognized for its glass walls, becomes a multi-floor dance party with food and games.
3. NSOP - Week-long events welcoming new students with tours of the city, workshops, and events to get to know other Columbia freshmen.
4. Bacchanal - Annual spring concert on Low Steps featuring popular artists.
5. The Varsity Show - Student-written and produced musical comedy satirizing Columbia life.
6. Battle of the Dining Halls - Culinary competition where dining halls compete and students vote.
7. World Leaders Forum - Annual event hosting global leaders for discussing pressing issues.
8. Urban Lottery - Students enter year round lotteries for free tickets to Broadway shows, concerts, dance performances, movie screenings, and more.
9. Protest - Daily event that upholds the long-standing tradition of student activism to advocate for social justice and change.

Columbia Dining: The Best of the Best

Yes, even Columbia’s Dining services are notable. They consecutively rank in the top of dining services for all universities in the U.S.. With over 14 dining locations, students never go hungry.

Columbia Dining Highlights: 

1. Each year dozens of famous chefs come to Columbia to cook specialty dishes for students followed by a “Meet and Greet and Eat.” 
2. One of Columbia’s dining halls, JJ’s, is open nearly 24 hours a day. Perfect for late night study snacks like 3:00 AM pancakes.
3. Chef Mike, the head chef of John Jay Dining Hall and campus celebrity, made famous by Columbia Dining’s Instagram greet students with coveted Chef Mike merchandise. 

Wondering how to stand out to Columbia Admissions Officers?

Columbia seeks students who have defined aspirations, are up-to-date with global issues, and are eager to join the history of student activism. With its home in New York City, the admissions committees look to accept students who wish to engage with both the Columbia and New York City communities. 

To stand out in the admissions process, it’s critical to show intellectual curiosity, develop a compelling narrative in your essays, and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in your academic pursuits. 

Final Thoughts: Boost Your Chances of Becoming a Columbia Lion Today

Columbia’s application process is challenging. But with Crimson’s expert guidance, you’re set up for success. 

Crimson students increase their odds of getting into top schools like Columbia by over 9.8x times. Our unique strategy for success is personalized to your specific profile. Whether you are looking to bolster your extracurricular profile by adding a capstone project, write out a powerful essay, or ensure you don’t make a common mistake on the application — our team is ready for you! 

• Common Mistake Check - We’ll review your application to make sure you’re not making errors that can make or break your application.
• Extracurricular Bolstering - Work closely with a mentor to make sure your extracurriculars show leadership and quantifiable impact. 
• Well-Paced Preparation: - Be well prepared for application season with polished essays, a stellar extracurricular profile, and top-university-worthy academics.
• Application Theme Creation - Work closely with a strategist to find an application theme that unifies your academic interests with your achievements, hobbies, and goals.

Using our expertise and resources, Crimson students stand out and get accepted to top universities like Columbia. Book a free consultation to start building your application for acceptance for Columbia! Roar Lion Roar!

Additional Resources:

**BLOG: **How to Answer Columbia’s Supplemental Essays

**VIDEO: How Dasha Got Into Columbia University **

**VIDEO: **The Essay That Got Me Into Columbia