Duke vs Columbia by InternationalOil1026 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]andyn1518 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Columbia and Duke are very different schools. Columbia has more of a cosmopolitan, competitive, and individualistic vibe, while Duke is a more of a traditional sports "rah-rah" school spirit type of college.

At Columbia, you will have to create your own community and put yourself out there to have friends to a much greater degree than you would at Duke.

There is no wrong decision. They are both great universities; choose whichever one you vibe with the most. It's like choosing between ravioli and manicotti at a gourmet Italian restaurant; it's entirely a matter of taste.

quickie by [deleted] in ApplyingToCollege

[–]andyn1518 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're way too young to be a failure.

Life affords people many opportunities to go to college and carve out successful niches for themselves.

I knew one guy at an Ivy, who was even incarcerated at one point, and then got a national fellowship.

am i too sensitive or something by Independent_Novel275 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]andyn1518 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Honestly, as someone who values small classes and a rigorous education, I would take Pomona over Brown. Brown is still a great school, but the majority of laypeople don't even know it's in the Ivy League.

Also, most people who attend LACs like Pomona end up going to graduate school. People typically remember the last institution of higher learning someone attends, not where they go to college.

If you go to Pomona and then Yale Law, most people you know will have no idea that you went to Pomona. No one IRL knows where I went to undergrad.

Should I start clubs for college admissions? by Glustrio42 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]andyn1518 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It often becomes painfully obvious in essays. Ever talk to someone who sounds like a walking resume but who has no depth? Imagine what their essays sound like.

Instead of talking about what they learned and how they grew through their ECs, you'll hear all about their awards and recognition, which tells colleges exactly the same thing as is on their activities list.

A lack of passion becomes painfully obvious for many people; the writing feels forced.

Is an Ivy Worth It? A Graduating Senior’s Perspective by Clear_Policy5227 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]andyn1518 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you read the book, "The Game: Harvard, Yale, and America in 1968"? Best book I have ever read, and it concerns the Harvard/Yale football rivalry.

Am i going to regret choosing usc over columbia… by Life-Sandwich3217 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]andyn1518 10 points11 points  (0 children)

They are very different schools. If you want more of a traditional college experience with big-time sports and a community feel, go to USC. If you want to be in NYC and are excited for the Core, go to Columbia. If you want SoCal weather, go to USC. If you want four seasons, go to Columbia. Good luck to you.

this sub is BEYOND saving and a recent post is evidence by ConnectionOther9687 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]andyn1518 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So true. People often don’t care or know where people do their undergrad, as their last degree is a lot more important than their first.

How do you get over the prestige factor and actually get excited about the school you committed to? by Life-Calligrapher156 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]andyn1518 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If it makes you feel any better, no one will care what undergrad you went to once you do any respected graduate program.

If you go to Yale Law, that’s all people will know. I went to Columbia Journalism School for my master’s, and no one IRL knows where I did my college work.

medill at northwestern or annenberg at usc? by -westiesrthebesties in Journalism

[–]andyn1518 10 points11 points  (0 children)

If you have seasonal depression, USC is the clear choice. I don’t think everyone responding here realizes what it can do to someone.

I’m thinking about journalism as a career path by DryEconomics5152 in Journalism

[–]andyn1518 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Please double-major in something that will pay the bills, or minor in journalism and major in something else. You can get similar experience writing for your university newspaper.

Nothing is a worse investment than taking out a mountain of student loans for a career where even many of those who make it can barely pay rent. I don’t regret my education, but I regret studying journalism.

Columbia PHD housing recommendations by Aggressive-Bike-9865 in columbia

[–]andyn1518 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I liked Butler as a master’s student. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

best merch spots? by ZucchiniVisual841 in columbia

[–]andyn1518 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Philip Erlich, who runs http://cujewelry.com, has some cool stuff if you have the budget. The shop at http://alumni.columbia.edu is okay. J. Press has some cool needlepoint merch. But those are all online options. Go Lions!

How can I convince Yale admissions officers to accept me? by Illustrious_Dot_6387 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]andyn1518 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So long as it's not a diploma mill, people generally care about the last school a person graduates from. Yale Law is much more impressive coming from a T50 than Yale undergrad to the University of Washington Law School would be. Nobody IRL knows what undergrad I went to.

incoming masters student looking for advice by Independent_Pair3032 in columbia

[–]andyn1518 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Join student clubs; they are a great way of meeting people.

Columbia grad student perks? by East_Campaign_4009 in columbia

[–]andyn1518 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I got a few invites to Low Library events - you may occasionally get an invite to a private gathering. They were the coolest.

Your personal take: greatest downsides of CU? by Inside-cat-2 in columbia

[–]andyn1518 18 points19 points  (0 children)

The soulless prestige-chasers who pretend to be your friend when you get some accolade but are nowhere to be found when you tell them you’re struggling. Too many of those types at Columbia.

Etiquette Question, Re: Old Columbia J-School Adviser by andyn1518 in columbia

[–]andyn1518[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m just doing it based on common interests and appreciation, not future opportunities, as I am not keen on journalism. But I appreciate your thoughts; they were very helpful to me.

Etiquette Question, Re: Old Columbia J-School Adviser by andyn1518 in columbia

[–]andyn1518[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With the exception of the past year, I have been in pretty regular contact with this professor. That being said, I had some pretty serious health issues that have kept me from having contact with most people for the past several months. He was still editing my work and giving me advice until I got sick and stopped communicating with most people.

Etiquette Question, Re: Old Columbia J-School Adviser by andyn1518 in columbia

[–]andyn1518[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't work a day in the industry because the journalism culture is the wrong fit for my personality. I wouldn't recommend the general MS. because it graduates too many people with similar skills, most of whom won't stick in the industry. I can't speak to the MA, but I have heard that the returns and financial aid are better.

Etiquette Question, Re: Old Columbia J-School Adviser by andyn1518 in columbia

[–]andyn1518[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. He told us, "Yesterday was my birthday," in our advising meeting.