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I thought I'd take some courses at Columbia

posted 14 years ago by Noir-It-All
9 replies | jump to latest

Can someone just "take some courses at Columbia" University, an Ivy League school? A community college or night school, perhaps, but can someone who is down to the last of her unemployment do this?

"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne

[–] Fleur_de_lis 13 years ago

I thought I'd take some courses at Columbia
by - Noir-It-All on Tue Feb 15 2011 11:03:17

Can someone just "take some courses at Columbia" University, an Ivy League school? A community college or night school, perhaps, but can someone who is down to the last of her unemployment do this?

Yes. Many universities in cities have what are often called "continuing education" programs where there are no enrollment requirements. You pay, you're in. The faculty may be people hired from outside the university to teach the specific class.

However, you aren't pursuing a degree or earning credits. All you're getting is the satisfaction of taking the class. The school gets to bring in money by trading on its name, and the students get some limited further education.

In this case, Lee might have been returning to complete a degree she started as an undergraduate, but it sounds more like an adult ed thing where she just wanted to get into classes.

Remember Annie Hall where Woody's character encouraged her to take similar courses, and it turned into an argument?

[–] Noir-It-All 13 years ago

No, I didn't remember that scene in Annie Hall. Thanks for the explanation.

"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] eelb 12 years ago

Woody always has down on their luck characters, living upscale lifestyles. Every restaurant, store, and even educational institution is always high-end. Despite the fact that these people are unemployed and running out of money.

[–] Quartz44 11 years ago

Yeah that really bothered me. Surely you can't just turn up to an Ivy League school and start taking classes. It isn't a night school.

[–] deb-taylor128 11 years ago

Many, many New Yorkers take courses at Columbia...whatever your interest, there's a course to match...here is a link to the site if you are interested...
http://ce.columbia.edu/prospective-students/find-your-program

[–] sirjeremy 11 years ago

Here in the U.K, anyone can take certain classes at the 'elite' universities, at least some of them (U.C.L, Kings College, I don't know about Oxbridge). It's rare, though - most people take classes at adult education centres or further education colleges. I can imagine Holly wanting to take classes at Columbia rather than her local place for the snob factor, taking out loans or something to pay for it.

[–] Noir-It-All 11 years ago

I appreciate everyone's feedback.

Since I started the thread, I have learned from people face-to-face about the concept. An older woman was profiled in our local paper. She said that when she lived in NYC, she took courses at Columbia! A friend said, yes you can do this!

"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne

[–] archer1267 10 years ago

Yes. I did just that at Harvard Extension School. You can take courses for credit, or just audit. If you want to enroll in a degree program, there's an admissions process, but otherwise, yes, everyone is welcome.