<p>Okay, so I really like Columbia and its Financial Economics program. I feel the whole NYC scene is pretty cool too. </p>
<p>My sister told me that her friend visited NYC and claimed she saw rats/mice everywhere (considering the garbage cans are in the front of the buildings). </p>
<p>How true is this?</p>
<p>This is an exaggerated statement. NYC is a big place; there may be places with rat problems (as there may be places in your home state) but I assure you the whole city is not overrun with rats. I have lived in NYC all my life and have never seen rats outside the subway tracks, but that’s the norm for an underground place such as this.</p>
<p>That is comforting! Rats are my biggest phobia… Lol.</p>
<p>Funny.
Columbia in 2000 hosted the first rat summit ([Columbia</a> Hosts First Rat Summit; Experts Seek to Control Citys Rodent Population](<a href=“Columbia University in the City of New York”>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/vol26/vol26_iss9/2609_CU_Rat_Summit.html))
Apparently, not quite what you think - not a high-level rendezvous of top rats, but a gathering of experts to control the rodents. Notably, the Deputy Mayor at that time was referred to as a Rat Czar.
Anyway, it is not bad, trust me - it is not the biggest NY problem. Think of it as a feature :)…You can always bring a cat with you. Good luck!</p>
<p>Just don’t live in Nussbaum and you’ll be fine - apparently they have a bit of a rat problem.</p>
<p>Other than that, I’ve seen a rat only once or twice outside of the subway tracks (where I’ve only seen two or three anyway).</p>
<p>NYC native here. Rats are really not an issue. You might see them in the subway a handful of times. But other than that, not really. It’s not as big of a deal as people make it out to be.</p>
<p>Lol. I am disgusted of rats, so… yeah. But thanks for the input, guys! (:</p>
<p>Is it just me or was anyone else reminded of “The Plague” upon reading the thread title?</p>