Overall Experience

I am really happy with Columbia. I love pretty much everything about it! I don’t think that I could be happier anywhere else. The school is awesome, classes are hard but not impossible, and the core is a pain but a blessing in disguise—I have learned so much because of it, and sometimes, it can actually be fun.

Parking

It’s pretty impossible to have a car in the first place. The subway, buses, and cabs are the best way to go. Living in New York City really makes you appreciate the convenience of public transportation.

Safety & Security

There is a safe haven program where various shops and such around the area can call Columbia directly to get you an escort back to campus should you ever feel uneasy about heading back on your own. You can call for an escort at any point if you don’t feel it’s safe for you to return by yourself.

Transportation

The subway and bus lines take some getting used to, especially for people who love the independence associated with having access to a car, but they are simple to use. Public transportation in New York is cheap, and it takes you within a block or two of where you want to go at any time. The only problem is that Murphy’s Law often comes into play when waiting for a subway. When you are running late, so is the train. When you have all the time in the world, the train is there to greet you. This makes planing meeting times a bit difficult. You need to give yourself a 15-minute time cushion to get anywhere because you never know if the trains will be on time. Cabs are a good alternative for those who hate to wait for the subway. If you have a few people with you, splitting a cab ride downtown is not a great expense.

Weather

New York can be freezing in the winter, and it’s hot and humid in the summer. Layering clothing is essential to winter survival because you are constantly moving in and out of heated classrooms to cold halls. Bring a coat that is waterproof and easy to put on and take off. Hats, scarves and gloves are a must, too.

Academics

The professors here are generally great. They are very knowledgeable. They all have high degrees and come from top institutions. There are some, however, that can be really smart but can’t teach. But overall, professors are great. Take advantage of them. They’re really interesting! They’re always willing to meet up with students outside of class. Their availability is pretty good, depending on the professors. Most of them live nearby, so they’re on campus pretty late.

Athletics

Many people are surprised to learn that Columbia even has football, basketball, baseball, and soccer teams. They are there for those who enjoy watching and competing in collegiate sports, but not many people attend these events. This is due in part to the fact that the fields and stadiums are nowhere near campus, and the activities are not widely publicized.

Campus Dining

The first-year meal plans at Columbia are terrible. They are way overpriced for what you get. Get the meal plan with the fewest meals and the most points, trust me. However, after the first year, most students opt out of the plans and just put dining dollars on their student cards.

Campus Housing

Carman is a freshman favorite. If you want the roommate experience or have a tough time meeting people, then it is totally the dorm for you because you are guaranteed to know three people—your suitemates. Whatever you do, don’t go for a John Jay double; you could get a walkthrough and those are nice, but you could get an L shape and those are not so nice, so don’t risk it. For a double, pick Carman. Furnald is also a really nice dorm, though it’s less social than the others because it is half sophomores.

Campus Strictness

I’d say the campus police are pretty lax about drugs and drinking and stuff. When dorm parties get busted, no one ever really gets in trouble. The worst thing that will happen is that the people who live in the suite throwing the party might get probation, so they can’t throw another party for the rest of the semester . . . but even that’s rare. A lot of it depends on your RA. Some RAs are stricter than others about drinking and drugs. However, I think it’s mainly the freshman RAs that are strict.

Computers

Having not owned a computer for my first year at Columbia, I can say with some authority, bring or buy a computer, even if it’s old. The worst thing is having to run to campus at 4 a.m. to finish a paper in a lab, then realizing that others procrastinated as much as you did, and the room is packed.

Diversity

With hundreds of clubs and activities, Columbia has something for everyone, from debate to fencing. Columbia attracts students from all over the globe. There are no dominant ethnic groups. The common denominator here is achievement—not race, culture, religion, or social class.

Drug Scene

Marijuana is the illegal drug of choice, and it is almost always available, as it’s tough not to be exposed to a possible contact high at most parties. There’s very little peer pressure, though. The potheads would rather keep their stash than waste it on someone who does not even want to try it. This drug is highly visible in the social scene, but it is the individual’s choice on whether or not to partake in this vice.

Facilities

There’s a pretty good-sized gym with lots of weights, cardio machines, basketball courts, and pretty much everything else you can think of. The gym can be kind of crowded, though, and you usually have to sign up in advance for a cardio machine. At peak times, the weight room can be quite crowded, too. The student center has lots of stuff in it, like student mail services, restaurants, computer labs, auditoriums, and a movie theater. Overall, I’d say the facilities on campus are pretty decent, although some of the classrooms are still kind of old.

Greek Life

Greek life is a complete joke at Columbia. Fraternities and sororities definitely do not have the same meaning and clout that they do at other universities. Houses that try to act like those at state universities get laughed at.

Guys & Girls

Both the men and women of Columbia tend to fall into one of two categories regarding personal style: fashionistas or it-looks/smells-ok-so-I’ll-just-wear-my-jeans mode. Each type is easy to spot. Men tend to wear more hair products than the women do, and it is rare to find girls who wear a lot of makeup. Low maintenance appearance seems to rule the day.

Local Atmosphere

Here’s a valuable New York survival tip: if you ever see a crowd running away from something, don’t be an individual; join the crowd, get out of the street, and run away with them!

Nightlife

Some parties suck because there are a few kegs of cheap beer, but there is not even a bag of chips to share, so you have lots of hungry drunken students. Not a good combination. A word to the wise—have a snack before you go to a party unless you know that the host supplies grub for their guests.

Off-Campus Dining

Any place in New York City has to be good or else it won’t survive. There are so many great places within a few blocks or a short subway ride away. Pasta Presto is a great Italian place. Sophia’s is another Italian place that is cheaper and has great Monday night specials. Mama Mexico is awesome; it’s down a bit farther but worth the walk. Koronet Pizzeria has great cheap and huge pizza—I mean it’s huge—something that you have to see for yourself! There is also Indian Café, a wrap place, and a ton of Asian spots for take out or eat in. My favorite for take out Chinese is Empire Corner because it’s yummy, quick, and pretty inexpensive!

Off-Campus Housing

Expect to pay at least $1000 per month for a tiny studio apartment. Sometimes you can luck out, but it usually takes a few months to find a suitable space. Rental brokers are very expensive (10-20 percent of the first year’s rent must be paid to these people who help you find an apartment), and it is difficult to find an apartment without one. Some students choose to live in cheaper areas of Manhattan or Brooklyn, but the commute makes this situation less than ideal for the busy student.