Extracurricular Activities
Students in the Dual BA Program have the option to join a wide variety of extracurricular activities at Columbia University and Sciences Po.
Dual BA Program students will have the opportunity to participate in arts, cultural, sports, and other diverse types of clubs. Some current examples of student activity opportunities include: arts (cinema, concerts, dance, music, open mic, theatre outings), cultural exchange groups, debate societies, newspaper, sports competition, and sports practice (basketball, bowling, boxing, cycling, equestrian, gold, tennis, soccer, swimming, tennis, yoga, and others).
Students at Sciences Po are encouraged to create and organize new associations, clubs, conferences, and seminars to engage with their fellow students and enrich the campus community. All Sciences Po campuses have a student union, which helps to foster connections among students and serves as a meeting space for clubs, associations, and cultural activities.
Several organizations and events are available to students wishing to connect with students from other Sciences Po campuses. The Mini Crit/Collégiades is an annual intercampus sporting and arts competition that brings together the seven campuses of Sciences Po, and the Critérium is an inter-IEP (Institut d'Études Politiques) sporting competition.
Sciences Po has a very strong relationship with the communities around each campus. Students will have the opportunity to pursue internships and participate in civic and cultural events in the community outside their campus.
For more information about organizations and events, please visit the Student Associations and Initiatives page on the Sciences Po website.
Since learning continues beyond the classroom, Columbia encourages students to become involved in extracurricular programs and activities that enhance their educational experience and personal growth. A wide range of student organizations address both personal and professional interests in the arts, politics, identity, culture, sports and recreation, and religion, all of which provide opportunities to enrich student life, the Columbia community, and Columbia's New York neighbors.
Student Organizations
Over 200 student organizations are open to Dual BA Program students. Students are also encouraged to attend the annual Activities Day event held at the beginning of each fall semester on Low Plaza, which provides an opportunity to find out more about campus organizations and meet with representatives.
Student activities at Columbia are primarily created and managed by students. In addition, the GS Dean of Students Office hosts a number of events and programs each semester to foster campus involvement and community. Student events are hosted both on and off campus and Lerner Hall, the Columbia University Student Center, is the venue for many student activities. Any student interested in forming a new organization is encouraged to contact the Dean of Students Office.
The General Studies Student Lounge, on the 3rd floor of Lewisohn Hall, serves as a gathering place for some GS student events. The Lounge, which contains six computer terminals and printers, also provides GS students with a space to study and socialize.
Student Government
Every spring the undergraduate population of GS elects members to represent them in the General Studies Student Council (GSSC). The GSSC pursues academic, political, social, and administrative initiatives, and serves as a liaison between the student body and the GS administration as well as other University offices and student organizations.
Mentorship and Peer Advising
In addition to the comprehensive advising offered by their GS academic advisors through all four years of the program, Dual BA students in years three and four also have access to the GS Peer Advisors. Peer Advisors are undergraduate students who wish to provide support and advice for other GS undergrads about the opportunities and challenges at Columbia. Peer Advisors are available to discuss academics, campus resources, personal concerns, and the transition to the School of General Studies.
Peer Advisors are available to meet with students by appointment, and they also hold weekly walk-in hours in the GS Lounge.
Students also have access to the GS Mentor Program, which pairs specially-trained continuing undergraduate and Postbac Premed students with incoming students on the basis of several criteria including majors or premedical tracks, interests, and backgrounds. Mentors meet with their mentees at regular intervals throughout their first semester.
Dual BA Program students may apply to become Peer Advisors or Mentors in advance of their fourth year.
Greek Life
Greek life has been part of Columbia for more than 160 years. Today, more than twenty single-sex and coed Greek chapters can be found on campus, most of which are affiliated with national organizations. Sororities and fraternities at Columbia are open to every full-time undergraduate in any division of the University. Students have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with various chapters on campus during each organization's recruiting program.
Athletics and Fitness
Dodge Physical Fitness Center serves the recreational, instructional, and competitive interests and needs of the Columbia University community. It includes a tri-level cardiovascular and strength training center with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a 0.1-mile indoor track, two gymnasiums suitable for basketball, volleyball, badminton, indoor soccer, and floor hockey, an 8-lane, 25-yard pool and diving area, squash and handball courts, two tennis courts, and locker and sauna facilities. A staff of qualified personal trainers can help students design and implement an individualized exercise program.
Physical Education courses are offered every semester, and students may elect to take up to two points of Physical Education for academic credit.
Columbia competes at the NCAA Division I level, and Dual BA students are eligible to try out for the varsity teams, provided they meet NCAA eligibility requirements. Students are also eligible to play on any of Columbia’s club or intramural sports teams, including rugby, lacrosse, water polo, and sailing, among many others.