Question about tours and visits

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I'm applying RD and I really just haven't had the time to visit Columbia yet (only decided I was going to apply last month). I live just a one hour train ride away from the city, but my parent's are concerned about me going to the city alone and they're always busy with work etc.</p>

<p>I only have 15 days left in the year and I'm pretty sure COlumbia isn't gonna be in session in a few days.</p>

<p>Is there any point in visiting? On the application, it asks if you've visited or been to any info sessions yet. I want to be able to say I've visited-both for the application and for myself-but is it necessarily going to hurt me that I didn't visit and I'm so close to Columbia?</p>

<p>If I do visit, what exactly should I do if school isnt in session there?</p>

2

<p>It might hurt you. if you live an hour away (NJ, westchester, CT, or LI I assume?) and you’ve never visited, they might think you’re not serious about the school. And even if they don’t hold it against you, making the effort to check out the campus would definitely help you.</p>

<p>You’re absolutely right that it’s a bit late, since this week is finals week and then there’s a long winter break. In fact, according to the Columbia.edu’s “Visitor Info” section:</p>

<p>"The last general tour for the fall semester will be Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. The last undergraduate tour will be Friday, Dec. 4, 2009. General tours will resume Monday, Jan. 25, 2010. "</p>

<p>However, “Maps and other materials for self-guided tours are available in the Visitors Center, located in room 213 of Low Memorial Library. The Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No registration is required.”</p>

<p>So if you want, you can pick up information and just walk around campus. Walking around campus when everyone’s left for winter break won’t be terribly fun and probably won’t lead you to fall in love with the school, but it WOULD give you a chance to check out the size of the school and location, some of the surrounding area, and the length of time it would take you to get to the campus and back. It would also give you a nice taste of the city, since it sounds like you haven’t spent much time in New York. And who knows, maybe it will inspire you to finish up your application or give you ideas for the “Why Columbia?” question!</p>

<p>Ultimately, it’s your choice. You certainly missed the boat to a degree and going wouldn’t be a huge benefit to you, but if you really like the school and want to say that you’ve seen it before you apply (and be able to check that box off while having a clean conscience), go for it!</p>

<p>Directions from LI or NJ:
Take LIRR or NJ Transit to Penn Station.
From Penn Station, take 1 train uptown to 116th Street/Columbia.</p>

<p>Directions from Westchester/CT:
Take Metro-North to Grand Central Station.
Take the S from Grand Central to Times Square.
Take the 1 from Times Square to 116th Street/Columbia. </p>

<p>If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I also live about an hour outside the city, but I’ve been commuting to high school in Manhattan for the last four years. Like you, I was very intimidated by the city at first, but over time I fell in love. That’s (one reason) why I applied to Columbia ED.</p>