How do I choose a college when I don't know what I want to do with my life?

Honestly, a lot of people don't really decide on a career into they're well into their college experience. I think you should major in whatever floats your boat, but be aware that each field has its limitations. The one thing I would strongly advise is to try to avoid racking up a lot of debt. Unless your folks are paying for everything and/or Columbia feels like giving you a free ride, you will spend tens of thousands to go there. All the schools you picked are fine institutions and you would not be missing out on anything by attending any one of them. Just keep on eye on the bottom line. Seriously, nothing hobbles recent grads more than debt. If you can come out debt-free, the world is, in many ways, your oyster. Good luck. :)

Its up to you what you want to be in life, it's always been up to you. Go to a school that you like, that you can see yourself doing something that you love. If you like photography, then go to colledge to be a photographer. You can always go back to school to change it. Just go to a colledge where your comfortable and feel like your making the right decision for you and not for anyone else. In colledge your on your on, no one to tell you to get out of bed because your let for school or no one to cook your breakfast. Your in independent person in colledge, with independence comes wise decisions that sometimes you don't want to make. Here's my advice to you, make the right decisions, because your future may depend on it. I hope you figure out what you want to do and have a great future ahead of you. Really hoped i helped!

You should pick something that is usefull. Not sociollogy, art history, philosophy... take business classes... don't ever change your major

Unless you come from money, I wouldn't go to an Ivy league school. They're too expensive. You can obtain a quality education at a public school like UCLA for a fraction of the cost.

First of all, relax! You aren't actually supposed to know what you are doing with the rest of your life, that's what college is FOR. Find one that meets your needs and interests and make sure it has a good liberal studies program. You want to be well-rounded, and take a variety of subjects until you find what really interests you, what you are passionate about. The criteria you list may be enough to go on, if those schools also provide excellent liberal studies options (and they do, of course). You don't have to declare a major until you get into the 2nd year, iirc, and even then, yuou can switch majors. Check out sites like collegeconfidential.com and search "how to choose a college quiz" and test your interests against the list of colleges and their features. Have a great college experience, and then all you have to do when you graduate is decide what you want to be when you grow up (lots of adults I know are still trying to decide)!

Your description of why you want Columbia fits many colleges. Don't get too fixed on one option because if you don't get accepted then you need to find another option. Focus on colleges that have a good reputation on the things you like. UCLA is the most applied college in the US with over 50,000 applications. It is one of the most difficult colleges to attend. I would look into smaller colleges that fit what you are looking for. UCI has a great bio program that fits many of the things you are looking for and will be easier to get into than the other colleges you are considering. If your grades and sat's are not strong you may not get into any of the places you are considering so be open to other options.