Columbia University – Full Review

Overview

Columbia University is a private Ivy League university located in New York City. Founded in 1754 as King’s College, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in New York and the fifth-oldest in the United States. Columbia consistently ranks among the top universities in the world and is renowned for its academic rigor, research prowess, and influential alumni.

History

King’s College was established in 1754 by royal charter of King George II of England, and was renamed Columbia College in 1784 after the American Revolution. The university grew in size and reputation throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming coeducational in 1983 and expanding its research programs and international partnerships in the 21st century.

Organization

Columbia University is organized into 20 schools and colleges, including the undergraduate Columbia College, the graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the professional schools of law, business, journalism, and engineering. The university is governed by a board of trustees and President Lee C. Bollinger.

Campus

Columbia’s main campus is located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, overlooking the Hudson River. The campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including Low Memorial Library, Butler Library, and the iconic Alma Mater statue. The university also has several satellite campuses across the city, including the Columbia University Medical Center in Washington Heights.

Academics

Columbia University offers over 350 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across a diverse range of fields, including the arts, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering. The university is known for its rigorous academic standards and emphasis on interdisciplinary study and research. Columbia faculty have won numerous Nobel Prizes, Pulitzers, and other prestigious awards.

Colleges and Schools

Columbia University is composed of the following schools and colleges:

• Columbia College
• School of General Studies
• School of Engineering and Applied Science
• School of International and Public Affairs
• School of Journalism
• School of Law
• School of Medicine
• School of Nursing
• School of Professional Studies
• School of Social Work
• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
• Graduate School of Business
• Graduate School of Education
• Graduate School of Journalism
• Graduate School of Public Health
• Mailman School of Public Health
• Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
• Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute
• Nevis Laboratories

Student Life

Columbia University has a diverse and dynamic student body of over 32,000 students from all 50 states and over 150 countries. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including over 500 student organizations, 31 varsity sports teams, and numerous cultural and social events. Columbia is also committed to community service and social justice, with many students participating in volunteer projects and activism initiatives.

Athletics

Columbia University is a member of the prestigious Ivy League athletic conference and fields 31 varsity sports teams. The university’s mascot is the lion, and its school colors are blue and white. Columbia has a rich athletic tradition, with notable alumni including Lou Gehrig, Sid Luckman, and Marcellus Wiley.

Notable Alumni

Columbia University has educated many influential figures from a variety of fields, including:

• Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States
• Warren Buffett, business magnate and philanthropist
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice
• Langston Hughes, poet and writer
• Fran Lebowitz, author and essayist
• Tommy Lee Jones, actor and filmmaker
• Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and science communicator
• Mae Jemison, astronaut and physician
• Maggie Gyllenhaal, actor

University Profile