New York City deserves more credit as an academic capital in the US. People mostly think of the Big Apple as the home of intellectual elites, but it's also a great haven for scholars worldwide. Why? Because the city has some of the top universities in the world. One of which is the prestigious
Columbia University in Manhattan. Ranked as one of the country's world-famous Ivy League Schools, it's one of those respected institutions that just about anybody would kill to get into. It's best known for its world-class research facilities and more.
Source: Columbia University Facebook Page
History of Columbia University
Columbia University may have been established on May 15, 1754, but its history extends a little beyond that. Talks about its construction started as early as 1704 when the chief justice of
New York at the time, Colonel Lewis Morris, persuaded the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts that the city would be a great place to establish a college. In 1746, the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) was established, which further convinced the society that New York would benefit from its own academic institution too. Thus, in 1754, King's College was established. The school's name would then be changed to Columbia College in 1784.
What Does Columbia University Look Like?
Columbia University is located at 116th and Broadway, right at the heart of Manhattan. The campus itself is pretty massive, spread throughout many of
New York City's central neighborhoods. The majority of the school is in Upper Manhattan, specifically spanning Morningside Heights. Occupying six city blocks of the area, it's safe to say that this part is the heartbeat of the university. Among the school's most famous facilities is the Butler Library, the largest of the Columbia University Libraries. Its Neoclassical architectural design makes it an underrated sight for tourists, a common alternative to the more famous New York Public Library.
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The Columbia University Student Body
Since Columbia University is among the most prestigious universities in the world, it's no surprise that countless students want to study here. Hence, the school also boasts one of the biggest student bodies among the city's top schools. Columbia welcomes over 36,000 students per year. This is already tens of thousands more than the number of students in the
top universities in London, which are largely regarded as the best of the best. To break this down even further, about 10,000 undergraduates and 26,000 graduate students go here, further proving how much of a research facility the school truly is.
Columbia University's Best Programs and Courses
Part of what makes Columbia University one of the world's best schools is its vast array of top majors. Usually, universities are known for specific programs or departments, from medical & law schools to all sorts of artistic courses. Columbia University, on the other hand, is best known for its diverse educational offerings. Among them include its Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and Master's Degrees in Applied Analytics, Enterprise Risk Management, and Development Economics, among many others. No matter your field, there's a good chance you'll find the right course for you here.
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Columbia University's Prerequisites
It's easy to assume that it's hard to get into Columbia University and, for the most part, it truly is challenging. However, it's a bit different when it comes to its prerequisites. For undergraduate applicants, for instance, having a secondary education (high school) diploma is oftentimes enough (with good grades, of course!). This should entail that you've studied about four years of English, four years of mathematics, three/four years of history & social studies, and three/four years of laboratory science. For graduate applicants, you'll need at least a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or anything equivalent in your country's educational system.
How Much Does It Cost to Study at Columbia University?
Unsurprisingly, studying at Columbia University is pretty expensive. Currently, its tuition fee is $71,170.00 per year, regardless of whether you're an undergraduate or postgraduate. New students also have to pay an additional $675.00 for their admission, which is a lot but at least it's a one-time payment. If you choose to live in the university's dorms instead of renting a
luxury apartment in New York City, you'll then have to pay an additional $17,580.00 per year. Additionally, your study materials can total as high as $3,992.00. Add all that up together and you're looking to pay about $93,417.00 for your first year alone.
Source: Columbia University Facebook Page
Where is Columbia University in New York City?
As already mentioned, Columbia University is spread throughout various neighborhoods in Upper Manhattan. Though Brooklyn is technically the most populous
borough of New York City, Manhattan is often regarded as the busiest. This is where you'll find the city's main business and financial hubs, after all, which encompass several industries. From finance and fashion to food and healthcare, the borough has a lot going for it. Though Manhattan is also notoriously hectic, the university campus itself is tucked away in one of the quieter parts of the island. Whether living in a dorm or a place nearby, students won't have any trouble studying in peace here.
Columbia University's Famous Graduates
Did you know that Columbia University produced a couple of US presidents throughout its centuries-long legacy? Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt both attended the university's prestigious law school while Barack Obama studied as an undergraduate here. Staying in the realm of politics, the university also produced the late US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, and U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr., among many others. Moreover, some of its influential business graduates include iconic investor Warren Buffet, New York Stock Exchange president Lynn Martin, and former CEO of PBS and NBC Lawrence K. Grossman
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Proper high-quality education and freedom of thought define Columbia University. It's the only Ivy League school in New York City—that alone should tell you just how prestigious it is as a valued academic institution.
