Columbia Law Class of 2011 Forum

[RCT2.0]

Hi guys! I'm still waiting on Harvard, but it looks like it'll be a rejection/waitlist by now. I'm still struggling in regards to the Columbia/NYU decision, but I'm heavily leaning towards Columbia...I also did my undergrad there, and I liked the neighborhood so I think it'll be a good fit. If you guys have any questions about the campus, let me know -- I hope I can be of some help!

What factors are keeping you from committing to CLS at this point?

I'm curious what classes people are planning on sitting in on for the Mondays at CLS thing.

[Singiesling]

Well I made my decision, it'll be CLS for me! I'll be seeing you guys on the 28th!

Just a question, I'm not sure if anyone will know this, but I plan on being out of the country and completely inaccessible for June. Will this be a problem? Are there things we need to deal with in this time period?

[marshalthekid]

looks like i'm following my avatar to Columbia! not going to be able to make it to the last Monday at Columbia, hoping one of you will post an update of anything important...btw, congrats guys and gals

[curious]

Count me in! CLS Class of 2011!!

[M51]

Well I made my decision, it'll be CLS for me! I'll be seeing you guys on the 28th!

Just a question, I'm not sure if anyone will know this, but I plan on being out of the country and completely inaccessible for June. Will this be a problem? Are there things we need to deal with in this time period?

I've been out of the country since March. You should have nothing to worry about.

Things to send Columbia before you leave:
- Dean's Cert
- Final Transcripts
- MMR Immunization Proof

[MissElle]

Hey all! I have made my decision and am officially a part of the CLS Class of 2011!

I was wondering if I could get some input on housing. I really want to live by myself because I have had bad roommate experiences in the past. Is Lenfest my best option? Anyone have helpful info about this?

[boston101]

Hey all! I have made my decision and am officially a part of the CLS Class of 2011!

I was wondering if I could get some input on housing. I really want to live by myself because I have had bad roommate experiences in the past. Is Lenfest my best option? Anyone have helpful info about this?

Miss, Im wondering the same thing. Ive had really bad roomates, one of them I dubbed "the devil." Having 5 roomates freshmen year suuuucks. And now Im forever scared of rooming with people I dont know.
How much do rooms in Lenfest cost? Is there a difference and cost? If so, what is it based on? Are they nice? Does everyone get their own bathroom or shared bathrooms?

Most CLS are probably studying for exams, so anyone who answers clearly is an angel and/or procrastinating.

PS. the friendliness and helpfullness of the CLS posters definitely was a point I thought about when reconsidering my options. You guys are great!

[NewHere]

Copying some stuff by various posters from other threads (because indeed we are all studying):

Housing is great, but you shouldn't forget to 1) be specific about what you'd like, but at the same time (prioritize). If you say you want something under $1500, but you need a 2 BR on the corner of broadway with a dishwasher and a spacious kitchen, you'll get maybe one of those things. So list your important stuff. I said I wanted the cheapest possible 2 BR and if it couldn't be under $1500, the largest 1 BR that I could get for that. I was really happy, and I'm extremely close to the law school (though everyone is also pretty close). My living situation is pretty common except for other couples seem to have nicer apartments that cost more. If cheap is your biggest priority, make that clear!

It costs between $725 and $1100 per month for your own bedroom in a shared 2, 3 or 4 bedroom apartment.

The vast majority of CLS students live with other law students. Some live in singles or couples housing. A small minority lives with non-law grad students (and only because they requested it.) Theoretically it's possible to live in undergrad dorms, I think, but you'd have to specifically ask for it.

And some pictures someone made.
http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~senrique/p ... apartment/

There are some singles and couples apartments, but they are scarce, and most people don't get them (unless they are, in fact, part of a couple). (And if they do get them, they're usually a bit further from the school, though still not really far.) Lenfest is supposed to be better quality than the other apartment housing (better furniture, larger rooms), but it's also several hundreds of dollars more expensive. Some who live there say it's worth it to them, others who live there say that in hindsight they wouldn't have minded sharing an apartment and saving the money.

If you search for "Lenfest" on this board, you'll probably find more info.

[brink123]

when/how do I get my cls email address?

[VWRescue]

I think a bunch of people who put down deposits earlier just got their columbia e-mails yesterday.

[lawduck]

Hello.

It looks increasingly like I'll be joining the rest of you guys at CLS this fall. I'm not 100% committed yet but I'm close.

e: deposit sent

[Soulofheaven8]

.

[caits]

Everyone told me that studios and 1 bedrooms are hard to come by, so I think you're fine . Did you do law housing or university housing?

[Soulofheaven8]

I did UAH. I think you're right about the studio being hard to come by, though I kinda regret putting the Dorm Suite as my 3rd choice (I have a feeling nobody wants those and they're just gonna assign whoever that has it as one of his choices to them). Oh well, I hope I get the apt share.

What about you?

[caits]

I asked for a UAH share as well, the only thing I'm worried about now is getting my first choice of move-in date... I'm hoping to make friends in the housing office this spring

[NewHere]

Law housing is UAH housing. Most law students who live in apartment shares live with other law students, but you can request to live with non-law grad students.

[Soulofheaven8]

do most people who request an apt share get an apt share? or is it common for people to be put in dorms/suites even though they have apt share as their first choice?

[Soulofheaven8]

I asked for a UAH share as well, the only thing I'm worried about now is getting my first choice of move-in date... I'm hoping to make friends in the housing office this spring

What did you put down as your first choice? I chose 8/4 to 8/8; I figure that's when most people are moving in since orientations starts the following week.

[caits]

Yeah, that's the date I put- I'm worried because it's the only time I can move in and I'm sure it will be the most popular date. Although I'm sure the 1L law student class move in days are a lot less crowded than the end of August when the entire school comes back...

[Dark Knight]

Hey guys I just had a question. I am about to submit my housing application and was wondering if you could take a look at what I am about to put in my comments section. What do you think?

First choice: 1 bedroom in 420 West 116th St. Not more than $1500/month.
Second choice: 1 bedroom in UAH (112 to 115 streets), no more than $1400/month.
Third choice: 2 bedroom apartment share in Lionsgate. No more than $1400.
Fourth choice: 2 bedroom share in UAH (112 to 115 Streets), preferably between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, range of $1100-$1500.

Overall: NO dormitory-style rooms; No more than 2 person apartment share; if share, preference for fellow law student; furnished and clean, spacious apartment a strong preference - more important than price. The apartment itself MUST be single-gender, although it can be a COED building or floor. Strongly prefer apartment between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, unless 420 116th Street.

[o_0]

Wow -- I didn't put nearly that much information on mine.

Which now I think might have been a poor decision on my part?

[Soulofheaven8]

Likewise. I only put down a couple points and they were very general; wasn't there a 500 character limit for the comment box?

[chris0805]

Wow -- I didn't put nearly that much information on mine.

Which now I think might have been a poor decision on my part?

It shouldn't be a problem at all. Sometimes, I think it even helps to give more general preferences. It's easier for them to accommodate you, and it's more likely you'll get everything you asked for... opposed to making a lot of specific requests that can't be satisfied and then they have to guess as to what is most important.

do most people who request an apt share get an apt share? or is it common for people to be put in dorms/suites even though they have apt share as their first choice?

I know of ONE person in the dorm/suite situation. She's not too fond of it, but she's also the only person I know that is in the situation so it probably isn't too common.

I did UAH. I think you're right about the studio being hard to come by, though I kinda regret putting the Dorm Suite as my 3rd choice (I have a feeling nobody wants those and they're just gonna assign whoever that has it as one of his choices to them). Oh well, I hope I get the apt share.

If you don't think you'd be happy in the Dorm Suite situation just call them and see if you can adjust your application. You can ask for another assignment if you don't like your first one, BUT it's probably easier to address the dorm/suite issue now. They should be accommodating, and it will give you a better chance of having a happy living situation next year .

anyone who answers clearly is an angel and/or procrastinating.

I'm definitely the latter

Glad to know that we can be helpful though

[lawstudent86]

Sent in my deposit last night!

[trunksalot]

CLS 2011! I'll see you all there in August.