<p>Hi everyone, I have been a lurker at this forum and have been reading mostly everything about Columbia and especially the stickies which have been very useful. I am currently in LA and moving to NY seems like a logistics nightmare. A short intro of myself. I'm from Singapore, 24, male, applied to GS because it is the most appealing program to me. Intending to major in Philosophy or Economics; and I have a crazy interest in Rational Decision and Choice Theory and Pragmatism. Hence where else is a better place to study than at where Dewey taught? :) Trust me, I have been through the GS vs CC thread that spans 35 pages and I understand the drawbacks of the program. </p>
<p>My main concern, however, is that I have not been to New York before. Having been born and bred in a large urban city myself, the city does not intimidate me. What is most bothering me right now, and hopefully all of you can chip in and give me some of your valued opinions, is as goes:</p>
<p>1) Housing - I intend to lease an apartment off campus. Budget of around 2000-3000 per month. I know that there are many options available but my main point is, and I hope to find out a little before my intended visit, if I were to say lease a condo unit around the lower part of the city, how difficult is it to get to school? Is renting a place near say Madison Square putting me at a 30 mins trip away by sub to school than somewhere say near Central Park or Morning side. What are the pros and cons between living at the two other than distance? </p>
<p>2) Academic Schedule - What time does school normally start and end? How many hours of classes, not how much time I must put in for studying, are there in a normal say 12 or 15 credit term. I'm British-system educated and only recently exposed to the American style and by 12 or 15 i mean 4 or 5 different subjects or modules. </p>
<p>Lastly, if there's anyone on the board who is willing to be some what of a friend I would love to get to know you. Any advise and help is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>to 1) With your budget you are more than set, you can get a 2 bedroom apt at that price, and a nice one in UWS or even as far down as Chelsea all along the 1 subway train so well within your rate. I think that it depends what kind of experience you want - if you want more of the city, better food, more hustle/bustle, then living further south is best. But this means commuting, waking up early, staying on campus later. If you want more campus life, then at your budget you can do very well for yourself near Columbia’s campus at your budget, stay near campus, walk back and forth pretty easily during the day, participate in activities if that is your fancy. There are some Singaporeans who after doing military time will come to GS and could definitely help you. Start by looking up the SSA (Singapore Students Association - [Columbia</a> University SSA - About Us](<a href=“http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssa/aboutus.html]Columbia”>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssa/aboutus.html)) to find a good niche. I would suggest though wherever you live to live near the 1 subway train as Columbia as a stop on 116th street on this line and it goes all the way to the Financial District ([MTA</a> NYC Transit - Subway Service Information](<a href=“http://mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm]MTA”>http://mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm)). It is about 20 minutes to Times Square, 30 minutes to the West Village, 45 minutes to Financial District. Be wary of rush hour when the trains are packed. If your budget is what it is - you should be more than fine to find a good home. Let me know and I can definitely help, I know some brokers right now that are not charging brokers fees and sometimes free first months rent.</p>
<p>2) Courses at Columbia are either 3 or 4 credits for the most part. Most 3 credit courses meet two times a week for 1.15 hours (2.30hrs total a week). If you take 4 courses then you are only in class for 10 hrs a week, 5 you are in for 12h30m a week. Students can choose to cram things in however they please. Please note that most lecture courses in any field have smaller discussion or recitation sections that could meet at another time and is 50min long. Thinking back on it, I would say that at most I was in class was 15hrs out of the week and was off the rest doing any number of things. You can also make your schedule out to be however you want. Some people like to only take morning classes, some people want all classes on the same day and free other days. You have full option here.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. No I didn’t go to GS, but know it rather well, would definitely be up for helping you out. Let me know.</p>
<p>i meant a 1 bedroom apt (hell, with these prices, you could get a 2 bedroom for 3k or so).</p>
<p>Hi admissionsgeek, doesn’t sound quite right addressing you this way but I have no better alternative, thank you for the tips. I’ll pay attention to your suggestion and look for housing close to the No.1 line. Is there any way I could send you an email so that I may get to know you and those brokers better?</p>