Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Can freshman only stay in certain dorms? Which ones? Would one have to transfer after the first year? Which dorm is the worst?

By Elleneast (Elleneast) on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 12:35 pm: Edit

Hi Ineedcolumbia,

Here is a link that will answer many of your questions about housing and life in general at Columbia.

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/reshalls/firstyr/

You are guaranteed housing for all four years. As an incoming first year (freshman) you will be sent a form that you return to Columbia where you will list your housing preferences. Eventually Columbia will process all of the information from your incoming class and send you your housing info.

As a rising sophomore, junior or senior you will participate in a lottery each spring to select your housing for the following year.

By Garland (Garland) on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - 12:43 pm: Edit

Elleneast, now that your D has been at Col. a full year, could you write a bit about her experience--negatives, positives, etc.?

I'd be particularly interested in the advising process, dorms (and dorm choices for her next year), social life, how much she went out in the city, how much that costs (!), etc.

Also, how was Lit. Hum.? How do they do all that reading???

I realize this is a lot, but any info would be most appreciated! Thanks!

By Elleneast (Elleneast) on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 09:50 am: Edit

Hi Garland,

I specifically asked the D about Lit. Hum. I am not an educator so perhaps this will not be worded properly. This is only one parent/student's point of view.

I get the impression that (in her section, at least) it is taught as a "Great Books" course where discussion is directed more by the students than the instructor. This is not the D's favorite classroom style. She responds to a more instructor-directed approach in the classroom. As the year has gone on she has learned to appreciate this type of class more. I am especially pleased that she is opening up to a style that her initial instincts told her was not one that she could enjoy. Welcome to college.

When I asked her whether all of the reading can be covered, she indicated that the purpose of the course is to understand the place in literary history that each book holds. Yes, she has finished some of the books and some she had read before. There are some books that, once the student gets the gist of the book and realizes it's place in the flow, they move on. Her instructor has also occasionally said to read a particular chunk of a book rather than the whole thing. She says that her instructor (who is a Phd candidate) is quirky and brilliant.

General Pro's and Cons after one year?......let me think about that and I will post again.

By Garland (Garland) on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 02:50 pm: Edit

Thanks so much, this is really helpful!