<p>Would it be better to buy the Lit Hum book set from the CU campus bookstore or to buy them separately online? I want to get them now so I can start reading them over the summer seeing as I won't have much else to do.</p>
<p>Is there anyway to find out what the required books are for the classes that we're interested in taking next year so we can buy them ahead of time? I want to take Honors Math A-B, Intermediate Micro and Macro, Intro to Probability, and Intro to Statistical Inference.</p>
<p>Also, if we're interested in doing research with professors during the school year, would emailing them this summer before school starts be a good idea or would the professors just find that annoying?</p>
<p>Ive heard that we get one of the Lit hum books (the iliad), mailed to us free over the summer.</p>
<p>how bout u enjoy ur last summer with ur family?</p>
<p>You know i think we are actually supposed to read the illiad before we arrive at columbia. I think the first class meets during orientation or something like that. Ive heard though that its not really a big issue if u dont.</p>
<p>Reading never hurt anyone, but why take the chance…?</p>
<p>you mean not bothering to read it? I definitely will read the book they send us…it will make life easier, instead of postponing it for during the semester and ill have free time.</p>
<p>Okay, so I think that I’m going to email some of the professors to express interest in their research, and ask for some pointers and book/article recommendations to read before I get to campus next year. What do you guys think of this plan?</p>
<p>Wow, you people are frightening. I guess there will be some tough competition…ahhhhhh.</p>
<p>No, it’s just me. I also graduated a year early from high school. ;)</p>
<p>MyBlsflHrt,
If you’re interested in assisting in research with said professors next year, it might make sense. But simply contacting professors and asking for advice on what to read solely because they’re Columbia professors is probably overkill and won’t end up benefiting you much next year. Again, if you want to get to know these professors and do research with them, then go ahead, but don’t do it just because they’re Columbia professors and you’re a Columbia student.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m definitely interested in becoming a research assistant or a teaching assistant. I want to eventually get a PhD in Econ.</p>
<p>did i hear you correctly? teaching assistant?..</p>
<p>this is not high school anymore, i can only help teach if you are a graduate student…
its not just another extracurricular you can sign up for ;)</p>
<p>Actually, undergraduates can be teaching assistants. For example, see here: [Columbia</a> University - Economics](<a href=“http://www.columbia.edu/cu/economics/undergraduate/s5_4_6.html]Columbia”>Columbia | Economics |)</p>
<p>Columbia has graduate AND undergraduate teaching assistants in pretty much all the science and math departments. This is standard practice at most other schools, not to mention that I’ve worked as a research assistant and a teaching assistant before at Lehigh University over the summer.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if we can buy the Lit Hum books at the summer advising sessions?</p>
<p>Pro-tip: Columbia is REALLY REALLY cold. REALLY. Especially if you’re not from here. Be ready to freeze. But as much as you complain, you won’t be able to deny that you love the weather. :)</p>
<p>Already started prefrosh… or I fear that it’s gonna be too hard for non native English speakers…</p>
<p>It’s true you can be a TA as an undergrad, but they are mostly filled by seniors and upperclassmen. The chance of a freshman TA is practically zero.</p>
<p>And you can buy Lit Hum books in the first few weeks of school:
- at the Columbia Bookstore. All Core books there are in abundance, and they sell lit hum packages of all the books needed for one semester. Not sure if the package is cheaper.
- at Book Culture. They have all lit hum books and prob sell packages. Since prices are pretty similar at the two stores, I recommend Book Culture, because you get way better treatment.
- used from a former student. You will see lots of ads either selling the entire curriculum or certain books. Obviously used is cheaper.</p>
<p>Or if you like to buy new but at a lower cost, get the books online (Amazon) either in the summer or as the course progresses. Factor in delivery time and the fact that you got to lug a whole box of books if you buy during the summer.</p>