Columbia University, established in 1754 as King’s College, is a private Ivy League research university located in the heart of Upper Manhattan, New York City—making it one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in the United States[4]. Renamed Columbia College after the American Revolution, the university moved to its present Morningside Heights campus in 1896 and has since grown into a global academic powerhouse[4]. Columbia’s mission centers on advancing knowledge through research, teaching, and public engagement. The university’s academic structure includes three undergraduate schools (Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of General Studies) and sixteen graduate and professional schools, spanning fields from journalism and law to business and medicine[3][4]. Columbia is especially renowned for its rigorous Core Curriculum, which emphasizes interdisciplinary liberal arts education, critical thinking, and engagement with classic texts[2]. The university’s location in New York City serves as an extended classroom, offering students unparalleled access to internships, research opportunities, and cultural experiences[2]. Key achievements include the establishment of the Pulitzer Prize, which Columbia administers annually, and its role as a founding member of the Association of American Universities[4]. The university boasts a distinguished alumni network, including U.S. presidents, Nobel laureates, Supreme Court justices, and leaders in business, technology, and the arts[3]. Columbia’s research initiatives are equally impressive, with major facilities such as the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory and partnerships with tech giants like Amazon and IBM[4]. Currently, Columbia is ranked among the top 25 universities globally, with a 3.9% acceptance rate and a 95% placement rate for graduates, many of whom secure positions at leading firms such as Google, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs[1]. The student body is highly diverse, with representation from over 100 countries and a strong commitment to inclusion[1][6].