<p>my brother and I are heading to the states (we're from canada) late january to look at some american universities (application season looming on the horizon) as well as doing doing some travelling. </p>
<p>from what it looks like now, we'll probably be heading to NYC first, arriving in the late evening, and head out to boston via greyhound(?) the next night or hte night after. we'll return to new york on the fourth or fifth day for our return flight. </p>
<p>what are some good things to do and see in the two cities? we'll be making a trip to harvard and possibly MIT at boston and any combination of NYU, columbia, cornell's med school, julliard at new york. so anything that fits in between those would be perfect. </p>
<p>a few questions:
1. how accesible are the schools from the airport or the bus terminals? (we wont be driving) how is the public transportation in BOston? I've heard the one in new york is more than enough to get me around the city. from what I take it from the maps, the schools are pretty close to each other. should i consider taxis? time and energy, as well as money are factors.
2. how dangerous are the two cities?is harlem really dangerous as I've heard it is? </p>
<p>Actually, in NYC one acan take the airtrain from JFK for $ (vs the 45 flat rate fare to NYC). The air train will let student off at the subway which he can take into NYC for $2, The Long Island railroad (17 minutes to midtown $8 peak, $5 off peak, $3 saturday)</p>
<p>There is also mass transit that runs from LGA into NYC also.</p>
<p>As a New York resident, I can tell you that the area around Columbia is VERY safe...and technically it's not Harlem..it' Morningside Heights which I believe is the second safest precinct in the whole city. </p>
<p>A lot of people of all different backgrounds, ethnicities and races walking around so no one feels out of place... a lot of campus security and a good police presence. You won't have any problem but of course in any big city, use common sense, don't go walking around off campus too far into unknown areas, around campus is great but don't stray too far north away from the Columbia area... also, obviously at night, you don't wan't to walk too far either, if you don't have a chaperone who knows the city areas well...</p>
<p>Personally, I won't go into ANY NYC parks after Dark, some people actually do...jogging or whatever..I think thats just crazy,lol... During the day...if you are in a well travelled and open area in Morningside park or Central park..thats ok but I wouldn't go into the interior of a park in a big city where it's more isolated....but that's just my own preference when living in the city...</p>
<p>The subway station is right next to campus on Broadway and the trains are always packed, even at night so its pretty safe too..a quick ride into midtown or downtown is always fun and you'll have no worries, especially if you travel in a group..</p>
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one acan take the airtrain from JFK for $
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<p>Meant to say one can take the airtrain from JFK for $ 5. The air train will let student off at the Sutphin Blvd station on the "E" line which he can take into NYC for $2 which is also the Jamaica station on the LIRR (17 minutes to midtown- 34th Street Penn Station $8 peak, $5 off peak, $3 weekends)</p>
<p>Public transportation in Boston is relatively good, but be aware that it doesn't run late at night. Harvard and MIT are both right on the Red Line, quite easily accessible.</p>
<p>As cities go, Boston/Cambridge is not terribly dangerous. The Roxbury and Dorcester areas of Boston are considered bad, but Harvard and MIT are nowhere near them. Area 4 of Cambridge, which is just north of MIT, is considered by some to be bad, and it's probably a bit rougher than average, but I've walked through it, sometimes alone and/or in the dark, dozens of times without a problem. Walking through Central Square can be a little sketchy at night.</p>
<p>As for things to do/see, Faneuil Hall (marketplace) is nice. Food in the North End is good if you like Italian food. The Freedom Trail is fun if you're interested in learning about early American history, though I admit that this is not the best time of year to take long walks outside.</p>
<p>Yeah, NYC really isn't dangerous if you're careful. Don't walk around too much, especially in more isolated areas like parks, after dusk, but other than that you should be fine. All the schools you mentioned are in fine neighborhoods. Just look like you know where you're going; in short, don't look like a tourist if you can help it. You're less likely to get mugged or something then.</p>
<p>Yeah, I live right next to Harvard, and the Harvard Square area is very safe. Central Square is pretty sketchy, but as long as you're not there late at night, you should be fine (other than some aggressive panhandlers and mentally ill people). I don't see why you would need to be there anyway, though. I think Kendall Square (MIT area) is pretty nice, though I don't head down there too often.</p>
<p>Public transport in Boston is very straightforward for where you want to go. Bus Station is at South Station. Take the Red Line to Kendall Square for MIT, Harvard Square for Harvard Square.</p>
<p>Start by going to the websites of the schools you are visiting, to see what they have going on. MIT has a great tech museum, and a lot of performing arts, and Harvard has several world class art museums. It also has a great natural history museum, if that's your sort of thing. Try to attend some events at the schools - it will give you a good feel for the people at the school, and there are many free events at both schools. </p>
<p>Also check out activities at other local schools - BU, Emerson, and Northeastern are all easy to walk to or get on the MBTA (public transport). One of Boston's attractions is that it is a college town.</p>
<p>Other, typical Boston things - Faneuil Hall - touristy old area. North End - good food, Italian area. Chinatown - good food, interesting shops. These are all within easy walking distance of one another. There's hockey & basketball - Bruins/Celtics. I'm partial to the Copley Square area, which has the Boston Public Library, Trinity Church (neat 19th century church), and the John Hancock tower. Also big shopping mall, and just a few blocks from Newbury Street, which is sort of Boston's version of Rodeo Drive in LA.</p>
<p>Actually, depending on your interests, it might be worth looking at some of the other schools in the area - Tufts is a good school, as is BU. Since you are looking at Juillard, Emerson or Boston Conservatory might be relevant.</p>
<p>In addition to Juilliard, there are the other two major NYC conservatories, Manhattan School of Music and Mannes. They may not have the name recognition of Juilliard, but they are both world class institutions. Depending on the instrument or concentration, their are numerous instructors on faculty at more than one of these schools.</p>