What do u like and hate about Columbia? - Page 3

Roger_Dooley · 10-10-2005, 11:21 AM

I don't know how the free ticket program has changed in the last few years, but the attractions used to be VERY diverse. Students could queue up for anything from Yankee tickets to Lincoln Center jazz, and just about anything in between. Quantities of tickets for each event or activity were limited, and were available on a first-come, first-served basis. I'm pretty sure everyone who showed up got something, even if not their first choice. The program was designed to get new CU students out into NYC, and they did it once or twice a year. Pretty cool, and a great deal for students on a budget. Definitely one for the plus column.

garland · 10-10-2005, 01:47 PM

It still works the same way. My son went to the New York Philharmonic last year at Lincoln Center. It was his number two choice; his first choice was tickets to see Wicked, but of course that was a lot of people's first choice! They don't have to literally queue up now; it's done on-line. As far as I understood, each first-year got to at least one event.

sac · 10-10-2005, 03:00 PM

I believe that the first semester, the program is limited to first years. The second semester, it is open to any students who sign up.

Columbia students also get free admission to many museums, including the Met. As of today, the university has launched a new arts site on the Columbia webpage which lists on-campus and off-campus arts groups and events. (CUarts.com) I notice there is also a link on it listing freebies.

No argument, NYC is expensive. But, rather than sketchy hot dogs, I think the student cheap food of choice is a huge slice of Koronet pizza. ($2.50?)

Columbia2002 · 10-10-2005, 07:56 PM

I think Koronets is $2.25. Smokin' deal. There's a sketcy hot dog place (Mike's Papaya) -- 2 dogs and a drink will run you $3 or so.

The Met is free to anyone, of course. It is a "suggested donation." You can just walk right in.

tunetherainbow · 10-23-2005, 02:46 PM

i think mardad was talking about the metropolitan opera, not the museum of art...

imiracle911 · 10-23-2005, 03:45 PM

anyone know LOAF? An organic grocery store started by a Columbia sophomore?

agnodice2006 · 10-23-2005, 08:36 PM

Is Greek Life really big at Columbia? I really like Harvard's house system.

sac · 10-23-2005, 10:31 PM

imiracle -- have you looked at the archives of the Spectator? I think I read about it there.

agnodice -- Greek life is not big. I think about 10 percent or a little more. Given NYC, no one really needs to belong to a frat or sorority to have something to do on a weekend at Columbia. I agree with you that there are definitely nice things to be said on behalf of Harvard's house system.

ivyathlete3 · 10-23-2005, 11:09 PM

i just went to koronet's $2.75 for a 15" slice of pizza, and $1.10 for a bottle of water. the best deal in town.

Columbia2002 · 10-23-2005, 11:26 PM

You got ripped off on the bottle of water. Ask for tap water..or bring your own.

cody18 · 11-02-2005, 09:10 PM

I feel my classes in general are stimulating and challenging . However, socially this school is very strange. Like most colleges there are plenty of drinkers and pot heads but a very unfriendly attitude is the norm among most of the students I've meet. There seems to be little if no school spirit possibly due to the lack of great sports teams and the uptown location. One thing that really annoys me is the overwhelming presence of Barnard students on campus. The library and gym are always overcrowded due to Barnard students. Many of the various clubs are also full of Barnard students.The editor of the spectator is a Barnard student.I have nothing against Barnard students but this campus should really be primarily for Columbia students. Also many of the dorms are subject to a high level of noise due to ambulance sirens and constant garbage pickups at night. So far and I know its still very early Columbia has been a disappointment.

s snack · 11-02-2005, 09:57 PM

Like:
-Pretty much everything

Hate:
-crapshoot, luck based admissions (unless it works to my advantage, then I'll love it)

JohnnyK · 11-02-2005, 10:21 PM

I think Columbia is in a real bind when it comes to being overcrowded. They can't really do anything about it. They've got a 32 acre campus (this is small even by urban campus standards...by comparison, Penn's is 269 acres with another 24 acres to be added in 2007 when Penn purchases a large swath of parking lots to be abandoned by the US Post Office).

As for sirens and such, well any urban campus is going to have those problems. I kind of like them in a way....

JohnnyK · 11-02-2005, 10:22 PM

Columbia will eventually be expanding into Manhattanville, but I worry that in doing this they are going to destroy the unity of having every school on one tight campus. This of course will all be done long after any current high schooler browsing CC graduates from Columbia, so I guess it's all moot...

Columbia2002 · 11-02-2005, 11:32 PM

Columbia isn't "overcrowded." People aren't piled in triples because there isn't enough housing. There is plenty of classroom space.

The problem is more of a long-term thing. They're looking 50-100 years into the future. The main problem now is the lack of facilities for the sciences.