Columbia students taking questions Forum

[Theopliske8711]

Are there any employment opportunities during the break between semesters? What do people usually do?

[jbagelboy]

Are there any employment opportunities during the break between semesters? What do people usually do?

I guarantee you will want to do anything but "work" in any of its nefarious manifestations after finishing your 1L exams in December. I went straight to the beach for three weeks and barely felt healed when I landed back in the city for the next semester. For your own sanity , use the time off as least productively as possible- if you must work, be a bartender.

The spring caravans during the march break are pretty cool opportunities to do some legal work and get a little pro bono exposure before summer.

[the_phoenix612]

Hey guys, filling out the housing application now. Without consideration of price, how would you rate Lenfest vs the 400 block? Is there a certain building on the 400 block you would recommend? Thanks in advance

Also, what would you recommend for moving in dates?

IMO, if Lenfest fits into your budget it is hands-down the best housing option at the law school.

Not sure what you mean about the "400 block". There is a "400 block" on each street...

[moonman157]

Hey guys, filling out the housing application now. Without consideration of price, how would you rate Lenfest vs the 400 block? Is there a certain building on the 400 block you would recommend? Thanks in advance

Also, what would you recommend for moving in dates?

IMO, if Lenfest fits into your budget it is hands-down the best housing option at the law school.

Not sure what you mean about the "400 block". There is a "400 block" on each street...

The 400 block is the group of 3 buildings on 115th. I live in one of them. They're alright. The furniture they come with is pretty awful. They're very standard, no AC or a dish washer. The best thing is definitely the convenience. I'll probably be staying in my place all three years. PM me if you have any specific questions.

[FOM]

Hey guys, filling out the housing application now. Without consideration of price, how would you rate Lenfest vs the 400 block? Is there a certain building on the 400 block you would recommend? Thanks in advance

Also, what would you recommend for moving in dates?

IMO, if Lenfest fits into your budget it is hands-down the best housing option at the law school.

Not sure what you mean about the "400 block". There is a "400 block" on each street...

The 400 block is the group of 3 buildings on 115th. I live in one of them. They're alright. The furniture they come with is pretty awful. They're very standard, no AC or a dish washer. The best thing is definitely the convenience. I'll probably be staying in my place all three years. PM me if you have any specific questions.

Thanks for the help!

[girlmonster]

Hey guys, filling out the housing application now. Without consideration of price, how would you rate Lenfest vs the 400 block? Is there a certain building on the 400 block you would recommend? Thanks in advance

Also, what would you recommend for moving in dates?

IMO, if Lenfest fits into your budget it is hands-down the best housing option at the law school.

Not sure what you mean about the "400 block". There is a "400 block" on each street...

The 400 block is the group of 3 buildings on 115th. I live in one of them. They're alright. The furniture they come with is pretty awful. They're very standard, no AC or a dish washer. The best thing is definitely the convenience. I'll probably be staying in my place all three years. PM me if you have any specific questions.

It's standard for the apartments to have no AC? How do y'all survive the summers? I know this is typical non-New Yorker naivete.

[ph5354a]

It's standard for the apartments to have no AC? How do y'all survive the summers? I know this is typical non-New Yorker naivete.

Yup, pretty standard, especially in the older buildings. It's manageable. Most people get a window unit. Since my bedroom doesn't get a lot of sun anyways, I got away with just a couple fans last year.

[the_phoenix612]

Hey guys, filling out the housing application now. Without consideration of price, how would you rate Lenfest vs the 400 block? Is there a certain building on the 400 block you would recommend? Thanks in advance

Also, what would you recommend for moving in dates?

IMO, if Lenfest fits into your budget it is hands-down the best housing option at the law school.

Not sure what you mean about the "400 block". There is a "400 block" on each street...

The 400 block is the group of 3 buildings on 115th. I live in one of them. They're alright. The furniture they come with is pretty awful. They're very standard, no AC or a dish washer. The best thing is definitely the convenience. I'll probably be staying in my place all three years. PM me if you have any specific questions.

It's standard for the apartments to have no AC? How do y'all survive the summers? I know this is typical non-New Yorker naivete.

Very standard. I don't think any of the UAH options come with A/C, so people who don't want to sweat when they sleep buy a window unit.

[lunaraeon]

Does anyone have experience with I-House? Is this a viable option (even for US students)?

I've only ever been there to deal with the ISSO, but my impression was that it was kind of dormy, and it's definitely further from the school than most other options. I don't know what cost is like but I bet you can find something for cheaper in either law school or UAH housing that you will prefer. (Especially if you're non-international, since the exposure to other international students is probably the biggest selling point.)
Sorry that that's mostly conjecture. If you face Sakura Park you get cherry blossoms and a nice church view I guess?


As for best building on the 400 block, easily 419. One, you're closest to the law school by 5 seconds. Two, you could end up on the floor with me and moonman. Otherwise they are the same in every imaginable way.

[girlmonster]

Yup, pretty standard, especially in the older buildings. It's manageable. Most people get a window unit. Since my bedroom doesn't get a lot of sun anyways, I got away with just a couple fans last year.

Very standard. I don't think any of the UAH options come with A/C, so people who don't want to sweat when they sleep buy a window unit.

Thanks for letting me know! I know that's pretty basic, but I honestly had no idea before your posts. I can already tell I'm going to seem like an idiot when I move. Appreciate the help!

[buffalo_]

I think this has probably been asked but I can't seem to find it. On the housing application, you can apply for LS housing and UAH or just UAH.

If I select LS housing, I can rank shared @ $1100/month and then Studio @ $WE. But if I select UAH I can rank shared @ $900/month and then Studio @ $WE-$200.

Is there a way I can tell them I prefer UAH @ $900/month, but if I can't get $900/month and can only get $1050-$1100 I would obviously prefer LS housing @ $1100?

Also, what are the chances if I put UAH at $900 (the cheapest option) that I will be able to find something at that price range? If they don't have it for me do I have to peruse Craigslist?

Does putting unfurnished or furnished help either way with UAH or LS housing option (or impact price). I really don't care much. I have crappy furniture I could bring with me, or I could use their crappy furniture. I just want the cheapest rent I can find.

[Tiago Splitter]

I seem to remember there being a free form section on the housing app where you could write in the things you wanted, and I feel like I got pretty much everything I asked for. If that section still exists I'd say just write out in full sentences what exactly it is you want and they'll do what they can to accommodate you.

[neprep]

I seem to remember there being a free form section on the housing app where you could write in the things you wanted, and I feel like I got pretty much everything I asked for. If that section still exists I'd say just write out in full sentences what exactly it is you want and they'll do what they can to accommodate you.

The free response field — at least for 0Ls — doesn't exist. I think someone in one of the admitted student webinars said to call/email Housing then proceeded to talk for 5 minutes about how the CLS housing liaison was God's gift to the law school and she would accommodate all of your needs. Hope that's true!

[ph5354a]

I think this has probably been asked but I can't seem to find it. On the housing application, you can apply for LS housing and UAH or just UAH.

If I select LS housing, I can rank shared @ $1100/month and then Studio @ $WE. But if I select UAH I can rank shared @ $900/month and then Studio @ $WE-$200.

Is there a way I can tell them I prefer UAH @ $900/month, but if I can't get $900/month and can only get $1050-$1100 I would obviously prefer LS housing @ $1100?

Also, what are the chances if I put UAH at $900 (the cheapest option) that I will be able to find something at that price range? If they don't have it for me do I have to peruse Craigslist?

Does putting unfurnished or furnished help either way with UAH or LS housing option (or impact price). I really don't care much. I have crappy furniture I could bring with me, or I could use their crappy furniture. I just want the cheapest rent I can find.

I had a weird priority list too because my first choice was LS studio but second choice was cheapest possible anything, which would be shared UAH. Email Juliana and she'll add your preferences to your application. Some people say that she's god's gift to the law school...

In terms of price, $900 is probably rare, but $1000 certainly isn't. Most people I know in UAH 3 bedrooms are paying close to $1000; $900 might be realistic for some of the smaller bedrooms. I don't think unfurnished makes a difference. All they do if you request furnished is haul some shitty dorm room furniture up from the basement and put it in your room, so that probably won't determine your actual apartment assignment much.

[drevo]

Quick question that I didn't find an answer to using the search function: has anyone gone through the process of getting Columbia to waive your health insurance fee if you have coverage that meets their criteria? Just curious if it's really as easy as showing your insurance meets the list of 8 minimum requirements on Columbia's website. Or if you jump through a few more hoops.

[jbagelboy]

Quick question that I didn't find an answer to using the search function: has anyone gone through the process of getting Columbia to waive your health insurance fee if you have coverage that meets their criteria? Just curious if it's really as easy as showing your insurance meets the list of 8 minimum requirements on Columbia's website. Or if you jump through a few more hoops.

It is that easy, if you actually meet the requirements. A couple are non-standard; my family kaiser permanente plan was initially denied a waiver. But theoretically yes it's that easy.

[the_phoenix612]

I seem to remember there being a free form section on the housing app where you could write in the things you wanted, and I feel like I got pretty much everything I asked for. If that section still exists I'd say just write out in full sentences what exactly it is you want and they'll do what they can to accommodate you.

The free response field — at least for 0Ls — doesn't exist. I think someone in one of the admitted student webinars said to call/email Housing then proceeded to talk for 5 minutes about how the CLS housing liaison was God's gift to the law school and she would accommodate all of your needs. Hope that's true!

Haha that was me, actually. Juliana is great and she will do everything she can to get you what you want!

[Humbert Humbert]

Just out of curiosity, how hard is it to get a 1L SA (in NYC) at CLS? Assume non URM. I realize most firms don't even hire 1Ls, but I'm just curious how many students actually get them (vs. how many want them). And is it basically contingent on first semester grades, or do other things (besides URM status) factor in?

[Theopliske8711]

Just out of curiosity, how hard is it to get a 1L SA (in NYC) at CLS? Assume non URM. I realize most firms don't even hire 1Ls, but I'm just curious how many students actually get them (vs. how many want them). And is it basically contingent on first semester grades, or do other things (besides URM status) factor in?

Wouldn't 1L summer hiring happen before your 1L grades come through?

[jbagelboy]

Just out of curiosity, how hard is it to get a 1L SA (in NYC) at CLS? Assume non URM. I realize most firms don't even hire 1Ls, but I'm just curious how many students actually get them (vs. how many want them). And is it basically contingent on first semester grades, or do other things (besides URM status) factor in?

Wouldn't 1L summer hiring happen before your 1L grades come through?

No, you'll have your fall grades for almost all summer job apps except some of the judicial internships and foreign tribunal positions. Every summer employer I interviewed with asked for my fall grades.

I didn't even try to get a 1L SA in NYC, except one or two interviews at Spring OCI. I targeted my home market and that worked out a lot better. The vast majority of 1L SA's are diversity positions though; I wouldn't count on it otherwise (unless you have decent patent qualifications).

Statistically speaking, ~20% of the class will get a 1L SA. I'm guessing these are mostly diversity related.

[FOM]

What would you classify as "decent" patent qualifications?

[jbagelboy]

What would you classify as "decent" patent qualifications?

See pgs 4-6

--LinkRemoved--

[FOM]

What would you classify as "decent" patent qualifications?

See pgs 4-6

--LinkRemoved--

Thanks, just wasn't sure if you were talking exclusively about EE degrees or biochem PHDs. Do you think it would be beneficial to take the patent bar before school starts to give myself a better chance for 1L SAs?

[KingFish]

Just out of curiosity, how hard is it to get a 1L SA (in NYC) at CLS? Assume non URM. I realize most firms don't even hire 1Ls, but I'm just curious how many students actually get them (vs. how many want them). And is it basically contingent on first semester grades, or do other things (besides URM status) factor in?

Wouldn't 1L summer hiring happen before your 1L grades come through?

No, you'll have your fall grades for almost all summer job apps except some of the judicial internships and foreign tribunal positions. Every summer employer I interviewed with asked for my fall grades.

I didn't even try to get a 1L SA in NYC, except one or two interviews at Spring OCI. I targeted my home market and that worked out a lot better. The vast majority of 1L SA's are diversity positions though; I wouldn't count on it otherwise (unless you have decent patent qualifications).

Statistically speaking, ~20% of the class will get a 1L SA. I'm guessing these are mostly diversity related.

I know a handful of people with non "biglaw" 1L SA's in NYC. They're smaller firms that might pay 1/3 that of a normal biglaw SA. So those are probably included in the 20% number that the school puts out. Almost all of the people I know with real biglaw SA's are diversity related. HTH

[scoobysnax]

I seem to remember there being a free form section on the housing app where you could write in the things you wanted, and I feel like I got pretty much everything I asked for. If that section still exists I'd say just write out in full sentences what exactly it is you want and they'll do what they can to accommodate you.

The free response field — at least for 0Ls — doesn't exist. I think someone in one of the admitted student webinars said to call/email Housing then proceeded to talk for 5 minutes about how the CLS housing liaison was God's gift to the law school and she would accommodate all of your needs. Hope that's true!

Haha that was me, actually. Juliana is great and she will do everything she can to get you what you want!

Has anyone done this yet?