Columbia students taking questions Forum

[Tiago Splitter]

Is there any time between graduation and bar study? Like a week period when you can maybe do a short trip? How quickly do you need to head into studying so that you can be ready by time of the exam?

You got plenty of time. I had to move out to the west coast and didn't start studying until around June 10th. Earlier is always better but as long as you put in a good 4 or 5 weeks you'll be fine.

[Thelaw23]

Do most people stay in their housing/apartments during the summer? The school doesn't give you loans to cover that time, right? So otherwise you just sublet it for the 3/4 month period?

I feel like it would be really uncomfortable having to move all your furniture and stuff out and then back in after a few months.

[Nebby]

Do most people stay in their housing/apartments during the summer? The school doesn't give you loans to cover that time, right? So otherwise you just sublet it for the 3/4 month period?

I feel like it would be really uncomfortable having to move all your furniture and stuff out and then back in after a few months.

Depends on what you do in the summer. If you're interning in NY then it makes sense to stay in your place

[Thelaw23]

Do most people stay in their housing/apartments during the summer? The school doesn't give you loans to cover that time, right? So otherwise you just sublet it for the 3/4 month period?

I feel like it would be really uncomfortable having to move all your furniture and stuff out and then back in after a few months.

Depends on what you do in the summer. If you're interning in NY then it makes sense to stay in your place

How to pay off the rent, though? Have you guys been able to get some sort of stipends/ are the internships paid at all?

[Nebby]

Do most people stay in their housing/apartments during the summer? The school doesn't give you loans to cover that time, right? So otherwise you just sublet it for the 3/4 month period?

I feel like it would be really uncomfortable having to move all your furniture and stuff out and then back in after a few months.

Depends on what you do in the summer. If you're interning in NY then it makes sense to stay in your place

How to pay off the rent, though? Have you guys been able to get some sort of stipends/ are the internships paid at all?

You get a summer stipend if you're doing summer/PI and if you're doing law firm... well then you're getting paid.

[Thelaw23]

Do most people stay in their housing/apartments during the summer? The school doesn't give you loans to cover that time, right? So otherwise you just sublet it for the 3/4 month period?

I feel like it would be really uncomfortable having to move all your furniture and stuff out and then back in after a few months.

Depends on what you do in the summer. If you're interning in NY then it makes sense to stay in your place

How to pay off the rent, though? Have you guys been able to get some sort of stipends/ are the internships paid at all?

You get a summer stipend if you're doing summer/PI and if you're doing law firm... well then you're getting paid.

Thanks for the info!

I am realistic about 1L and know chances of an SA position are very minimal, how are the stipends for fed internships? Where do most people internship/work at their first summer?

[White Dwarf]

1L summer funding is $4500, but after taxes I only got ~$3900, which didn't even cover my rent for the summer. Definitely try to have some savings built up if you're planning to go the NYC PI route 1L summer.

[Thelaw23]

1L summer funding is $4500, but after taxes I only got ~$3900, which didn't even cover my rent for the summer. Definitely try to have some savings built up if you're planning to go the NYC PI route 1L summer.

There isn't much choice though, no? 1L SA will be available to very few people. Are there other, in-between options?

[Tiago Splitter]

1L summer funding is $4500, but after taxes I only got ~$3900, which didn't even cover my rent for the summer. Definitely try to have some savings built up if you're planning to go the NYC PI route 1L summer.

There isn't much choice though, no? 1L SA will be available to very few people. Are there other, in-between options?

I made like 7500 working in house. A decent variety of stuff comes available especially if you are willing to wait into March. But people tend to understandably panic so that they have something lined up and can be done with the job search early.

[Nebby]

1L summer funding is $4500, but after taxes I only got ~$3900, which didn't even cover my rent for the summer. Definitely try to have some savings built up if you're planning to go the NYC PI route 1L summer.

There isn't much choice though, no? 1L SA will be available to very few people. Are there other, in-between options?

You have about $21.5k in cost of living loans. I have faith you're competent enough to figure out how to budget accordingly to ensure you have rent covered throughout the year

[candlemantel]

Hey guys,

How feasible is it for a 1L (who is single) to get a studio for housing?

Are the chances higher applying for law school housing vs only doing UAH?

And for that matter, does anyone know if there is a way to denote on the housing app that my first priority is having a studio, over which kind of building I am in, even if I do apply for law school housing?

Thanks!

[Nebby]

Hey guys,

How feasible is it for a 1L (who is single) to get a studio for housing?

Are the chances higher applying for law school housing vs only doing UAH?

And for that matter, does anyone know if there is a way to denote on the housing app that my first priority is having a studio, over which kind of building I am in, even if I do apply for law school housing?

Thanks!

Likelihood of a studio is pretty low, because (1) couples are prioritized; and (2) demand generally exceeds availability.

You can denote that a studio is your first priority on the housing app.

Also look for studios via craigslist if you really want one.

[ugg]

Hey guys,

How feasible is it for a 1L (who is single) to get a studio for housing?

Are the chances higher applying for law school housing vs only doing UAH?

And for that matter, does anyone know if there is a way to denote on the housing app that my first priority is having a studio, over which kind of building I am in, even if I do apply for law school housing?

Thanks!

I got a studio and I know a couple other 1Ls that got one as well. I applied UAH. You can designate your preference but that doesn't guarantee anything at all. Your chances definitely aren't great, though.

[RSN]

Hey guys,

How feasible is it for a 1L (who is single) to get a studio for housing?

Are the chances higher applying for law school housing vs only doing UAH?

And for that matter, does anyone know if there is a way to denote on the housing app that my first priority is having a studio, over which kind of building I am in, even if I do apply for law school housing?

Thanks!

I got a studio and I know a couple other 1Ls that got one as well. I applied UAH. You can designate your preference but that doesn't guarantee anything at all. Your chances definitely aren't great, though.

If you do law school housing, email Juliana Utley, the housing coordinator, when you send in your housing questionnaire. She doesn't respond usually but she does read the emails (so I'm told at least). Also, if you're willing to pay more for it, Lenfest is mostly studios (and the 1-bedrooms aren't typically available to single students), so if you specify you want to be there in your email, you definitely increase your chances of getting one.

[GoneSouth]

Hey guys,

How feasible is it for a 1L (who is single) to get a studio for housing?

Are the chances higher applying for law school housing vs only doing UAH?

And for that matter, does anyone know if there is a way to denote on the housing app that my first priority is having a studio, over which kind of building I am in, even if I do apply for law school housing?

Thanks!

I put a studio in Lenfest #1 and got it. And I don't know anyone who tried to get Lenfest that didn't get it.

[Orion311]

Hello,
HLS student here. A friend and I are looking for a summer sublet in New York. We are interested in 2BR and 3BR places and are hoping to find somewhere for mid-May through early August (but dates are flexible). If you are looking to sublet or know of someone who's looking to sublet, please pm me.

Thank you!

[Thelaw23]

So I went to the Columbia bookstore today and guess what - they didn't have ANY Columbia Law hoodies and said they aren't sure when they are getting them.

All they had was two different types of Columbia Law t shirts.

[Dr_OIT]

So I went to the Columbia bookstore today and guess what - they didn't have ANY Columbia Law hoodies and said they aren't sure when they are getting them.

All they had was two different types of Columbia Law t shirts.

Boooo

[Thelaw23]

Right =/

Anyway guys, anyone have advice on if asking for Law School Housing on the housing application? The proximity to the school seems great, but I really want to try and maximize my chances of getting a studio. Should I not ask for Law School Housing then?

[Dr_OIT]

Hi all - Accepted student and very likely incoming 1L here (still waiting on some other responses, but CLS was my #1). Another question about housing...

I've been living in NYC for a few years now but pretty far away from Columbia, so I'm planning on moving. Would you recommend taking advantage of the guaranteed housing, or would it be worth it to look for off-campus housing nearby, since I have the time (if not the motivation) to do an apartment search? I figure the pros for CLS housing include cheaper relative rent (is this corroborated?), proximity to JG, and (maybe?) a greater sense of community -- but the con is being unable to meet potential roommates or see/choose the apartment in advance. I guess I'm just a bit wary about jumping in blind...

And for those who do choose CLS housing, would you recommend going with law school-only or general UAH? I'm thinking the 400 block, with Lionsgate as a second preference. Would love to be PM'ed photos too, if possible!

Thanks everyone for all your advice on the thread, by the way! So helpful!

[Tiago Splitter]

Hi all - Accepted student and very likely incoming 1L here (still waiting on some other responses, but CLS was my #1). Another question about housing...

I've been living in NYC for a few years now but pretty far away from Columbia, so I'm planning on moving. Would you recommend taking advantage of the guaranteed housing, or would it be worth it to look for off-campus housing nearby, since I have the time (if not the motivation) to do an apartment search? I figure the pros for CLS housing include cheaper relative rent (is this corroborated?), proximity to JG, and (maybe?) a greater sense of community -- but the con is being unable to meet potential roommates or see/choose the apartment in advance. I guess I'm just a bit wary about jumping in blind...

And for those who do choose CLS housing, would you recommend going with law school-only or general UAH? I'm thinking the 400 block, with Lionsgate as a second preference. Would love to be PM'ed photos too, if possible!

Thanks everyone for all your advice on the thread, by the way! So helpful!

UAH is the better deal in my opinion.

If you're familiar with the area and want something outside of law school/UAH housing Harlem is probably the best option. Don't know much about Washington Heights and other areas north. South I really doubt you'll get anything nearly as cheap.

[dabigchina]

I put a studio in Lenfest #1 and got it. And I don't know anyone who tried to get Lenfest that didn't get it.

+1. Getting a studio is more or less just contingent on you willing to pay for a studio.

[dabigchina]

Hi all - Accepted student and very likely incoming 1L here (still waiting on some other responses, but CLS was my #1). Another question about housing...

I've been living in NYC for a few years now but pretty far away from Columbia, so I'm planning on moving. Would you recommend taking advantage of the guaranteed housing, or would it be worth it to look for off-campus housing nearby, since I have the time (if not the motivation) to do an apartment search? I figure the pros for CLS housing include cheaper relative rent (is this corroborated?), proximity to JG, and (maybe?) a greater sense of community -- but the con is being unable to meet potential roommates or see/choose the apartment in advance. I guess I'm just a bit wary about jumping in blind...

And for those who do choose CLS housing, would you recommend going with law school-only or general UAH? I'm thinking the 400 block, with Lionsgate as a second preference. Would love to be PM'ed photos too, if possible!

Thanks everyone for all your advice on the thread, by the way! So helpful!

UAH is the better deal in my opinion.

If you're familiar with the area and want something outside of law school/UAH housing Harlem is probably the best option. Don't know much about Washington Heights and other areas north. South I really doubt you'll get anything nearly as cheap.

Don't be like me. Go UAH. I have literally never met anybody who was glad he/she went with law school housing on the 400 block. Most people stay because of inertia but most people are also at least somewhat dissatisfied.

[Thelaw23]

Lenfest and Lionsgate studio pricing is insane....

[Dr_OIT]

Lenfest and Lionsgate studio pricing is insane....

+1