<p>Hello everyone, I will be most likely attending grad school at Columbia next year and I was hoping I can hear about your experiences studying there as either undergraduate or graduate students.</p>
<p>Obviously it is in the city so there will be tons of stuff to do. I was wondering about stuff like all the different facilities available to students, computing (there is wireless across campus right?), and about Morningside Heights. It has a good campus feel, right? Do a lot of people stay on campus for all 4 years? Your thoughts and feelings about the University?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance and who knows, I might be one of your TAs next year :)</p>
<p>campus housing is guaranteed all four years. when i visited i felt really comfortable and i've stayed in touch with a couple people i met there. i think the libraries can get pretty empty late at night and have somewhat lax security, eg. i've heard of a certain friend of mine smoking hookah in the library late at night, nobody cared. however, i think most people take their studies and the school in general more seriously than he does, but with the same fun twist to typical aspects of college life like late night study sessions.</p>
<p>The majority of students stay on campus all 4 years (I'd say 90%). Campus feel? Well yeah it's an urban campus. You can get around fairly easily and quickly. Wireless is available but it could be a lot better. They have it in most of the main libraries and around where students gather (Lerner Hall, the steps etc). The gym can get pretty packed around the early eavening hours and it sucks because sometimes since they have classes (PE is mandatory for Columbia College students). Dining options around campus get old after two years or so but that happens nearly anywhere.</p>
<p>There is this pervasive sense that Columbia wraps everything in red tape. It can be a bother to deal with some of the administration. Grad students definitely dominate in terms of number and presence, and so as an undergrad, there can be lack of a traditional sense of college community. </p>
<p>I really don't know what else you want to know.</p>