Columbia 1Ls taking questions Forum

[CapHillLove]

I posted this in the housing thread, but here are pics of my UAH unfurnished 2-bedroom share. I pay $975 and my roommate pays a little over $900:

Living room: --LinkRemoved--

Living room #2 (from entrance - our living room is an L-shape): --LinkRemoved--

Kitchen: --LinkRemoved--

Bedroom: --LinkRemoved--

90% of our furniture is from Ikea - so, like, extremely cheap ($200 for the bedframe, $60 for the bookshelf, etc.). Plus, we don't have to worry about finding furniture when we graduate (longterm investment ftw). We're about four blocks from the law school, and on the corner is a supermarket and 1-train stop.

Would you mind saying which UAH share this is (like which building)? I would love to list it as my preference if possible!

I might be totally missing something, but it seems like from the list on the website that Lionsgate and 115th are the only viable options for reasonable shares. Am I missing something?

Unfortunately, this isn't in a UAH-only building, so I don't think you can list this as a "preference." Columbia maintains a number of individual UAH apartments in buildings that also house undergrads, general grads, and non-affiliated tenants. I've found that these apartments generally appear to be nicer than exclusively-student buildings.

Ooooh ok. I see. So the ones on the site are the law-school affiliated ones and then there are other mixed ones that they might throw you in if it meets your preferences?

So is the deal that you can list 115th/Lionsgate as a preference or list specifications of what you want out of an apartment and then hope to get something good?

[Lem37]

I posted this in the housing thread, but here are pics of my UAH unfurnished 2-bedroom share. I pay $975 and my roommate pays a little over $900:

Living room: --LinkRemoved--

Living room #2 (from entrance - our living room is an L-shape): --LinkRemoved--

Kitchen: --LinkRemoved--

Bedroom: --LinkRemoved--

90% of our furniture is from Ikea - so, like, extremely cheap ($200 for the bedframe, $60 for the bookshelf, etc.). Plus, we don't have to worry about finding furniture when we graduate (longterm investment ftw). We're about four blocks from the law school, and on the corner is a supermarket and 1-train stop.

Would you mind saying which UAH share this is (like which building)? I would love to list it as my preference if possible!

I might be totally missing something, but it seems like from the list on the website that Lionsgate and 115th are the only viable options for reasonable shares. Am I missing something?

Unfortunately, this isn't in a UAH-only building, so I don't think you can list this as a "preference." Columbia maintains a number of individual UAH apartments in buildings that also house undergrads, general grads, and non-affiliated tenants. I've found that these apartments generally appear to be nicer than exclusively-student buildings.

Ooooh ok. I see. So the ones on the site are the law-school affiliated ones and then there are other mixed ones that they might throw you in if it meets your preferences?

So is the deal that you can list 115th/Lionsgate as a preference or list specifications of what you want out of an apartment and then hope to get something good?

Yes. And I posted this in another thread, but just FYI, the chances of a 1L getting Lionsgate are very slim, since it's largely reserved for upperclassmen and professors.

[CapHillLove]

Yes. And I posted this in another thread, but just FYI, the chances of a 1L getting Lionsgate are very slim, since it's largely reserved for upperclassmen and professors.

Thanks so much for explaining all of this to me! You are ridiculously helpful.

[LinzerTorte]

Yes. And I posted this in another thread, but just FYI, the chances of a 1L getting Lionsgate are very slim, since it's largely reserved for upperclassmen and professors.

Thanks so much for explaining all of this to me! You are ridiculously helpful.

+1, seriously Lem, you have been wonderful in these Columbia threads.

[Lem37]

Yes. And I posted this in another thread, but just FYI, the chances of a 1L getting Lionsgate are very slim, since it's largely reserved for upperclassmen and professors.

Thanks so much for explaining all of this to me! You are ridiculously helpful.

+1, seriously Lem, you have been wonderful in these Columbia threads.

Aw, you guys.

Blame it on me locking myself in my apartment to work on my Note (a 40-page thesis you write for your law journal). Seriously though, TLS was ridiculously helpful when I was applying for law school two years ago, and I'm more than happy to give back to all the admits. Also, I legitimately love CLS.

[lw2011]

Thanks for taking questions! This has been really helpful.

Could you discuss more what your class schedule is like? How many classes do you have each day and week/how many hours a week you're in class?

I've read through these pages, but sorry if I missed this and you already answered this question.

[Lem37]

Thanks for taking questions! This has been really helpful.

Could you discuss more what your class schedule is like? How many classes do you have each day and week/how many hours a week you're in class?

I've read through these pages, but sorry if I missed this and you already answered this question.

My personal class schedule this semester is four classes (13 credits). On Mondays and Wednesdays I have one class from 10:40-12 pm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have my other three classes, from 9:10-10:30, 10:40-noon, and 2:50-4:50.

2Ls and 3Ls are able to choose their schedules; 1Ls are given their schedules by the Registrar. As a 1L, you'll probably have 2-3 classes each day. Most of us don't have class on Friday, although some professors hold Friday classes because of other constraints (for example, my CrimLaw professor was a 2nd Cir. judge who had to teach on Friday mornings).

[lw2011]

Thanks for taking questions! This has been really helpful.

Could you discuss more what your class schedule is like? How many classes do you have each day and week/how many hours a week you're in class?

I've read through these pages, but sorry if I missed this and you already answered this question.

My personal class schedule this semester is four classes (13 credits). On Mondays and Wednesdays I have one class from 10:40-12 pm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have my other three classes, from 9:10-10:30, 10:40-noon, and 2:50-4:50.

2Ls and 3Ls are able to choose their schedules; 1Ls are given their schedules by the Registrar. As a 1L, you'll probably have 2-3 classes each day. Most of us don't have class on Friday, although some professors hold Friday classes because of other constraints (for example, my CrimLaw professor was a 2nd Cir. judge who had to teach on Friday mornings).

thank you!

[bellamy]

Yes. And I posted this in another thread, but just FYI, the chances of a 1L getting Lionsgate are very slim, since it's largely reserved for upperclassmen and professors.

Thanks so much for explaining all of this to me! You are ridiculously helpful.

+1, seriously Lem, you have been wonderful in these Columbia threads.

This is certainly very true and many of us are indebted to you. Thank you

[jtemp320]

Yes. And I posted this in another thread, but just FYI, the chances of a 1L getting Lionsgate are very slim, since it's largely reserved for upperclassmen and professors.

Thanks so much for explaining all of this to me! You are ridiculously helpful.

+1, seriously Lem, you have been wonderful in these Columbia threads.

This is certainly very true and many of us are indebted to you. Thank you

+1

[redsoxfan2495]

+1 This thread is significantly more helpful than Columbia's housing site.

[TrustMeI'mAnActress]

Sorry if it's already been covered, but is housing assigned based on a first come first served basis? Aka is it in our best interest to fill out the housing form ASAP?

[Lem37]

Sorry if it's already been covered, but is housing assigned based on a first come first served basis? Aka is it in our best interest to fill out the housing form ASAP?

No and no.

[legalmo]

Did you all see the question I posted a while ago? I wasn't sure whether the lack of an answer was supposed to be my answer or if no one felt comfortable addressing it.

And +1 thank you for all the candid information .

[Lem37]

Hey, 0L here. CLS is my top choice, hands down. I don't really see myself going to any other school, honestly.

With that said, I was curious as to the GLBT crowd at CLS (not saying that active clubs are important to me, but rather what the state of tolerance is like among students). I don't think I saw that on the demographics % that was posted earlier. I also get the sense that people don't generally compare numbers, but as an "Other Hispanic" what kind of numbers should I shoot for (provided a decent PS and great DS). I've noticed predictors don't really have a "sort-of-URM, but it depends" boost option. Seems kind of skeezy, but I'm just trying to give myself the best possible chance to get in with what I've got/still have to work towards.

Thanks!

I think the lack of response may be due to lack of experience for those of us on here answering questions. I, for example, am neither LGBT nor Hispanic. I do know that there is a significant LGBT presence here at Columbia, although I'm not sure exactly of the details (how often they meet, what outreach they engage in, etc.). The name of the organization is "Outlaws," however, so I'm sure if you Google "Columbia Outlaws" you can find more information. As for the URM info, again, I have no idea. I would shoot for the highest LSAT and GPA you can get (170's and ~3.7) regardless, since the application process appears to be getting more and more competitive and unpredictable.

[legalmo]

Hey, 0L here. CLS is my top choice, hands down. I don't really see myself going to any other school, honestly.

With that said, I was curious as to the GLBT crowd at CLS (not saying that active clubs are important to me, but rather what the state of tolerance is like among students). I don't think I saw that on the demographics % that was posted earlier. I also get the sense that people don't generally compare numbers, but as an "Other Hispanic" what kind of numbers should I shoot for (provided a decent PS and great DS). I've noticed predictors don't really have a "sort-of-URM, but it depends" boost option. Seems kind of skeezy, but I'm just trying to give myself the best possible chance to get in with what I've got/still have to work towards.

Thanks!

I think the lack of response may be due to lack of experience for those of us on here answering questions. I, for example, am neither LGBT nor Hispanic. I do know that there is a significant LGBT presence here at Columbia, although I'm not sure exactly of the details (how often they meet, what outreach they engage in, etc.). The name of the organization is "Outlaws," however, so I'm sure if you Google "Columbia Outlaws" you can find more information. As for the URM info, again, I have no idea. I would shoot for the highest LSAT and GPA you can get (170's and ~3.7) regardless, since the application process appears to be getting more and more competitive and unpredictable.

Thanks!

[Sogui]

Wait, seriously? Is need based aid like a scholarship too, or are they loans?

As was noted before, it can be pure need or need + merit based. This question is an interesting one as I recently received a specific letter from a Columbia alumnus congratulating me on my success and the money that I had earned, the description of the money he had given described itself as a "merit based scholarship program" that he had set up.

I wonder if Columbia is handing out this man's money strictly on need-based considerations when he clearly intends it to go for merit reasons... either way, the system is a little odd and it sure doesn't hurt to try for merit money or getting CLS to step up if NYU/Chicago/etc... give you substantially more money.

[viking138]

Wait, seriously? Is need based aid like a scholarship too, or are they loans?

As was noted before, it can be pure need or need + merit based. This question is an interesting one as I recently received a specific letter from a Columbia alumnus congratulating me on my success and the money that I had earned, the description of the money he had given described itself as a "merit based scholarship program" that he had set up.

I wonder if Columbia is handing out this man's money strictly on need-based considerations when he clearly intends it to go for merit reasons... either way, the system is a little odd and it sure doesn't hurt to try for merit money or getting CLS to step up if NYU/Chicago/etc... give you substantially more money.

I had previously had just grants but got a named scholarship after my 1L grades came out. So I think it might be more along the lines of need-based but going to people who do well who have need, if that makes sense.

[JG Hall]

.

[hellome]

hey i was looking into purchasing my (first ever) mac for law school
and was wondering if columbia students get a decent discount through the school store (i can't log in)

i hope to get a macbook air or pro

thanks!

[Hey-O]

Does CLS have wi-fi? Where? Over the whole campus, in the library, in the housing?

[Lem37]

hey i was looking into purchasing my (first ever) mac for law school
and was wondering if columbia students get a decent discount through the school store (i can't log in)

i hope to get a macbook air or pro

thanks!

Yes, we get a decent discount on all Apple laptops - I forget what it is - a few hundred off?

[Lem37]

Does CLS have wi-fi? Where? Over the whole campus, in the library, in the housing?

Yes, CLS has wi-fi that covers the law school building and the adjacent area. Columbia University also has its own wi-fi covering the entire campus. Apartments typically have university ethernet (which I hook into a wireless router to give my apartment wi-fi).

[hellome]

hey i was looking into purchasing my (first ever) mac for law school
and was wondering if columbia students get a decent discount through the school store (i can't log in)

i hope to get a macbook air or pro

thanks!

Yes, we get a decent discount on all Apple laptops - I forget what it is - a few hundred off?

Woot thanks

[JG Hall]

hey i was looking into purchasing my (first ever) mac for law school
and was wondering if columbia students get a decent discount through the school store (i can't log in)

i hope to get a macbook air or pro

thanks!

Yes, we get a decent discount on all Apple laptops - I forget what it is - a few hundred off?

Woot thanks

It's $50 off of airs, $100-200 off of pros.