Columbia University, the oldest college in New York, was founded in 1754 and is a member of the Ivy League. The University is comprised of Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of General Studies (for returning or non-traditional students). A close affiliate of Columbia is Barnard College, a top all-female liberal arts college, which is located across the street. (Both the School of General Studies and Barnard College have a separate application and admissions process.) Columbia offers more than 100 areas of study, from anthropology to visual arts, creating a vast array of academic possibilities. In addition, Columbia is one of the top research institutions in the country, with over $1 billion in sponsored research projects each year. The University boasts a world-famous faculty that includes 79 Nobel laureates. Since the student ratio is 6:1 and 80% of classes have 20 students or fewer, interaction with faculty is very accessible for undergraduates.
As evidenced by the 99% retention rate from the first to second year, students are very happy with the University, its resources, and its location. Columbia is situated in the heart of New York City. Despite the busy urban setting, there is still an intimate sense of community among Columbia students. Nearly 95% of all undergraduates live on campus, and all students participate in the renowned Core Curriculum, a set of required classes in literature, philosophy, history, music, art, and science.