An admissions representative traveled from “The Big Apple” to City College to speak about one of the best American private Ivy League universities.

The City College transfer center welcomed Columbia University to give a brief presentation about transfer admissions at 1 p.m., Monday, February 10, in the renovated Humanities Building. Diana O’Donnell, admissions manager at Columbia University, spoke to more than 40 interested City College students.

“We are looking for motivation, academic excellence, and a fit with our program,” said O’Donnell.

Columbia University was founded in 1754. It has a reputation for famous alumni and is seen as an academic big shot. Thus, QS World University Rankings 2013 to 2014 placed Columbia University at 14. Located in New York City, the campus is in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan. The university is known as the oldest institution of higher learning in New York and is a member of the Ivy Leagues.

“The Morningside Heights is right in the middle of Manhattan, but it is not as crazy as Times Square or other parts of New York that you may have seen,” said O’Donnell. “There are professors who encourage you to use New York City as a classroom.”

There are 16 graduate schools and four undergraduate colleges at Columbia University. They share the same identity and academically integrated but also very independent. Therefore, each of them has its own different process and admission policy.

“I thought it was incredibly informative and very helpful information for students,” said Kathie L. Adams, director of transfer center at City College. “It is important for City College students to understand the difference between the different undergraduate colleges that Columbia University offers.”

Columbia University is still accepting applications for the Fall 2014. The application deadline is March 1.