Visit Report by karen61990 (Member since July 01 2006 with 1552 posts) Visit Date - July 2007
Visit to Columbia University in July 2007 by karen61990 (Student, HS Class of 2008)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - engineering invitational=different information session
focused on differences between FU and other top engineering schools: not a hard core engineering degree. emphasized columbia's idea of soci Campus Tour:
Yes - Very nice tour. We went into a room in Carmen which was huge compared to most places. We also went into the really nice gym. Only bad part was a lot of construction. Gorgeous green campus though
Columbia University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
Everyone seemed so down to earth. They loved the school and werent afraid to show it. They showed us the ins and outs of student life aswellas all the things they couldnt tell us if parents were there
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 4 - Very Good -
All profs were making jokes at every moment and seemed very relaxed. some of the grad students showing us the labs seemed to be annoyed with us because we were bother them. no profs did do this though
Appearance of Campus: 4 - Very Good -
It was gorgeous. the grass is always taken care of and the landscape is serene. it was very clean. A lot of construction though. =( would have given a great first impression. (wasn't my 1st visit
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Everything looked great. It was summer so it might be a little less clean during the year though. The buildings are old but in good shape and maintenance seems constant.
Dormitories: 5 - Excellent -
The doubles seemed huge compared to what i'm used to. Senior year housing is amazing. where else can you get a two bedroom flat with river view in manhattan + food for 10grand a year. Best deal
Security/Safety: 4 - Very Good -
I didn't get a feel of safety this time though it seemed fine. from the past visits: very good. carded at every door and lights all over. The campus is very self-contained so it's okay.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
I absolutely loved it. During the school year there is nothing nicer than getting a good book and reading on the steps of low library w/ 100 other students. It feels like home.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
The area immediatly around campus is great. Normal college town atmosphere. Nice restaurants/bookstores/shops. Just don't go east across the park or above 125th and you're safe.
City/Town/Community: 5 - Excellent -
What is there to say about NY? If I were to begin I would need way more than 200 characters.
Oh and giving it a 5 for excellent is an understatement.
Campus Visit Notes for Columbia University:
Visit Description:
I knew mostly everything that they presented during the invitational. The three things that stood apart from the others though really made an impression on me.
1) the food. Columbia's catering service is amazing. That morning i went to go get a cannoli for breakfast but i decided i should since it was breakfast after all. Then at the reception afterwards, i was able to get my cannoli. This time for free. All the food was great and as much perrier as you'd like. I was in heaven.
2) Professors. All the professors were amazing. One lab we toured was the carbon nanotube lab which i loved. The prof working there was so down to earth and was joking about everything. he even had his timer alert when the nanotube was done forming in homer simpsons voice. All the machinery they had was awesome including an electron discharge microscope we were able to see and a machine that brings the temperature down to 4 degrees above absolute zero. Great lab.
3) Money. Our tour guide decided to give us an abridged tour since our parents weren't with us. Now, i've had this same tour guide before so I know this was a different one. The one thing she said that stood out the most in my mind was how students get spending money. Ever see the beginning of ghostbusters where the students are participating in a psych study? Well that's how they do it. The psych department (and other departments too) post signs all around campus asking people to participate in their surveys for money. She said sometimes you can earn $10 just for giving up 10 minutes of your life to a bunch of stupid questions.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
I don't normally spend the night there. The only hotel I can rec. is the StRegis since that's the only one I've stayed in. If you can afford it, its worth it. close to the subway too.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Near campus? I've only eaten at Tom's near campus. that's the seinfeld diner. The place has great food at really a really good price. If you go there get the milkshakes. They'
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
transportation= subway. I've walked it from SoHo before but I wouldn't suggest doing that.
Parking= uh....take the subway. Don't drive.
Loc. attractions= everything ny has to off
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Everyone seemed so down to earth. They loved the school and werent afraid to show it. They showed us the ins and outs of student life aswellas all the things they couldnt tell us if parents were there
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All profs were making jokes at every moment and seemed very relaxed. some of the grad students showing us the labs seemed to be annoyed with us because we were bother them. no profs did do this though