Differences between Columbia College and Columbia Engineering?

I'm a bit confused about the difference between Columbia College and Columbia Engineering. Can anyone explain the main distinctions, especially related to academic programs and admission processes?

Sure, happy to help clarify this for you. Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), also known as Columbia Engineering, are two distinct schools within Columbia University, each with its own focus.

Columbia College is primarily for students interested in the liberal arts and sciences. It offers bachelor's degrees in more than 70 areas of study which cover a vast range of disciplines like history, economics, political science, English, Philosophy, music, and so on. It also includes pre-med and pre-law programs.

On the other hand, Columbia Engineering is specifically dedicated to engineering and applied sciences. It offers bachelor's degrees in a variety of engineering fields such as electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and biomedical engineering, among others. It also includes applied physics and applied mathematics programs.

In terms of the admissions process, both schools are extremely competitive and follow a holistic review process. This means they look at everything from your academic achievements and rigor of curriculum to your essays and letters of recommendation. However, the schools do look for different things. For Columbia Engineering, a strong foundation in math and science is very important, and your interest in engineering and applied sciences should be clearly articulated in your application.

In terms of culture, Columbia College has a larger student body and might appeal to students looking for a broader liberal arts education and an open curriculum, while Columbia Engineering might appeal more to those looking for smaller classes within the larger university, a more specialized focus on math and science, and a more structured curriculum.

Remember, whichever school you apply to, once you’re in, you're part of Columbia University and can benefit from all that it offers, which means access to general education requirements, elective courses, resources, clubs, and opportunities from across the university.

I hope this clears up the differences between the two schools!