Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a private Ivy League research university located in New York City. It was founded in 1754 as King's College by royal charter of King George II of England, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York and the fifth oldest in the United States.
Campus:
Columbia's main campus is in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, covering 36 acres (14.5 hectares) and featuring neoclassical architecture. The university also has other campuses, such as the medical campus in the Washington Heights neighborhood and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, New York.
Academics:
Columbia is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and distinguished faculty. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across a wide range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and professional schools such as journalism, business, law, and medicine.
The university is organized into 20 schools, including Columbia College (the undergraduate liberal arts college), the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of General Studies (for non-traditional students).
Research:
Columbia is a leading research institution, with numerous research centers and institutes. The university has a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, and many of its faculty members are involved in cutting-edge research in various fields.
Rankings and reputation:
Columbia University consistently ranks among the top universities in the United States and globally. It is a member of the prestigious Ivy League and is well-regarded for its academic programs, research output, and the quality of its faculty and students.
Student life:
Columbia has a diverse student population, with students coming from all 50 states and over 150 countries. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including over 500 student clubs and organizations. Columbia's athletics teams, known as the Lions, compete in the NCAA Division I Ivy League conference.
Notable alumni and faculty:
Columbia has a long history of producing accomplished alumni and faculty members, including 96 Nobel laureates, 3 U.S. Presidents (Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Barack Obama), and numerous other influential figures in various fields, such as science, arts, law, journalism, and business.
Columbia University is also known for its Core Curriculum, which is a set of required courses for all undergraduate students. The Core Curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the liberal arts, and it includes courses in literature, philosophy, history, science, art, and music.
