1. You hate the cold.
Being that Columbia is set in the Midwest, it's no surprise that come winter, you are bound to get a bit closer to frostbite than you would have ever liked. So if you're coming from a nice tropical warm climate, and you hate the cold, you're best advised to STAY AWAY FROM CHICAGO. At least from December to March, and possibly April too. But feel free to visit in the summer.
2. You're not a very open and accepting person.
Columbia students come in every race, religion, sexual orientation, gender and any other identifying word that comes to mind. Because of that, Columbia students also happen to be very accepting to all kinds of people and ideas. So if you're less than open minded it might be best to choose one of the lovely state schools with those football game thingy's.
3. You hate people.
In addition to the cold, Chicago is a city with thousands upon thousands of inhabitants. So if you can't even stand being in a crowded mall, it may be in your best interest stay away from Chicago, or any city for that matter.
4. You don't do public transportation.
Due to the fact that you will be a student, you most likely won't have money to call for an Uber every time your class is more than a few blocks away. So if you didn't like taking the bus to school and you don't think you can handle the task of using the CTA, then maybe go to one of those schools where you can drive a car and not get run off the road by a taxi.
5. You don't like improv.
As odd as this one may sound, it's kind of true. Some of the best people to make friends with at Columbia are the actors and/or improv people. If you are lucky enough to befriend these wonderful people they can and will ask you to come to all of their shows. As you should, because it's great, cheap entertainment. Plus, what's better than watching your friends do funny and/or embarrassing things on stage.
6. You want to party.
Make no mistake Columbia students definitely have their fair share of parties, just not the ones you're probably used to hearing about. If you're looking for those raunchy, sloppy, drunken messes you've seen in movies then please look elsewhere. While it's true that those parties do exist, they definitely don't at Columbia.
7. You want to be Greek.
Greek life does not and will never exist at Columbia. It's actually one thing that a lot of students love about Columbia. So if you wanna pledge for Alpha Gamma Phi Zeta Omega Chi Beta...... best apply elsewhere.
8. You want sports.
Make no mistake, Columbia does in fact have sports. However, if you've wanted to go to those huge football games where people paint their bodies head to toe and tailgate for hours, maybe check out other schools. I hear Mizzou has a cool football stadium.
9. Money.
Take one look at Columbia's cost of attendance and you'll figure out very quickly why everyone is a "starving artist." While it may cost less to go to other schools, they won't have our aesthetic, and trust me, aesthetic isn't cheap.
10. You just want to sit in your room.
If your goal at school is to just do your homework and maybe go out with your friends once in a while then you might want to stay out of Chicago. The city offers so much to its citizens including, clubs, museums, shops, parks, bars, restaurants, and the list goes on. With all of these amazing things outside your door, if you're just sitting around, you'll just feel like you're missing out.
11. You're a math major.
Yeah..... um that probably won't be happening at Columbia.....
