Columbia Class of 2020 Forum

[palalc]

Maybe a neurotic question, but does anyone know if it's normal for a successful scholarship reconsideration response to come in the form of an email and not a new award letter? Just making sure I don't need to cover my bases

[Dr_OIT]

Went to NYU ASD today just to get a better sense of the difference between the two schools.

CLS and NYU couldn't be more different. That neighborhood is like something out of RENT. If I needed signs that it isn't for me, the last things I saw before I left "campus" were: a guy walking barefoot on a city sidewalk (wow), and another guy who I thought was homeless based on his appearance until I realized he was clearly carrying school books.

Cash me uptown how bow dah.

Lol where are you from? If you come to NYC, I feel like you'll come to find that completely normal regardless of which school you pick.

[MrJD2020]

Went to NYU ASD today just to get a better sense of the difference between the two schools.

CLS and NYU couldn't be more different. That neighborhood is like something out of RENT. If I needed signs that it isn't for me, the last things I saw before I left "campus" were: a guy walking barefoot on a city sidewalk (wow), and another guy who I thought was homeless based on his appearance until I realized he was clearly carrying school books.

Cash me uptown how bow dah.

Lol where are you from? If you come to NYC, I feel like you'll come to find that completely normal regardless of which school you pick.

I'm from New York/greater New York and have lived here continuously since college, which I graduated from many years ago.

My comment was a bit dick-ish, but my point is that the two schools definitely have different cultures. NYU is to CLS as Williamsburg or Astoria is to Murray Hill or FiDi.

At NYU, my sense is, that barefoot guy could be a student. At CLS, on the other hand, a hobo-looking person is just a hobo.

Also, NYU's housing is a rip-off. The pricing is well above-market, fact. Doesn't even compare to what we'll have at CLS for a much better price.

Also, CLS's ASD water bottle > NYU's ASD t-shirt.

[quigleyest]

Went to NYU ASD today just to get a better sense of the difference between the two schools.

CLS and NYU couldn't be more different. That neighborhood is like something out of RENT. If I needed signs that it isn't for me, the last things I saw before I left "campus" were: a guy walking barefoot on a city sidewalk (wow), and another guy who I thought was homeless based on his appearance until I realized he was clearly carrying school books.

Cash me uptown how bow dah.

Lol where are you from? If you come to NYC, I feel like you'll come to find that completely normal regardless of which school you pick.

I'm from New York/greater New York and have lived here continuously since college, which I graduated from many years ago.

My comment was a bit dick-ish, but my point is that the two schools definitely have different cultures. NYU is to CLS as Williamsburg or Astoria is to Murray Hill or FiDi.

At NYU, my sense is, that barefoot guy could be a student. At CLS, on the other hand, a hobo-looking person is just a hobo.

Also, NYU's housing is a rip-off. The pricing is well above-market, fact. Doesn't even compare to what we'll have at CLS for a much better price.

Also, CLS's ASD water bottle > NYU's ASD t-shirt.

Lol at either of the two things you pointed out mattering

Hobo-ish looking people on the sidewalk
A free water bottle

And if you point out the difference in rent (nyu above market?) then why not point out the difference in tuition, something like 59k to 65k

[MrJD2020]

Went to NYU ASD today just to get a better sense of the difference between the two schools.

CLS and NYU couldn't be more different. That neighborhood is like something out of RENT. If I needed signs that it isn't for me, the last things I saw before I left "campus" were: a guy walking barefoot on a city sidewalk (wow), and another guy who I thought was homeless based on his appearance until I realized he was clearly carrying school books.

Cash me uptown how bow dah.

Lol where are you from? If you come to NYC, I feel like you'll come to find that completely normal regardless of which school you pick.

I'm from New York/greater New York and have lived here continuously since college, which I graduated from many years ago.

My comment was a bit dick-ish, but my point is that the two schools definitely have different cultures. NYU is to CLS as Williamsburg or Astoria is to Murray Hill or FiDi.

At NYU, my sense is, that barefoot guy could be a student. At CLS, on the other hand, a hobo-looking person is just a hobo.

Also, NYU's housing is a rip-off. The pricing is well above-market, fact. Doesn't even compare to what we'll have at CLS for a much better price.

Also, CLS's ASD water bottle > NYU's ASD t-shirt.

Lol at either of the two things you pointed out mattering

Hobo-ish looking people on the sidewalk
A free water bottle

And if you point out the difference in rent (nyu above market?) then why not point out the difference in tuition, something like 59k to 65k

Lol. I think you get the broader point I was trying to make.

It's not really about the water bottle, or even the two grungy-looking students I passed.

The student bodies, campuses, environment/"vibe", are quite different (despite so many people saying they're so similar), and seeing that in person makes me even happier that I'm heading to Columbia. Makes it a lot easier to know I'm making the right choice.

Also, yes, the rent NYU charges is above-market and just a craiglist apartment search will make that clear quickly. Then add in the QUALITY of NYU's law/grad housing (below Columbia's, which was impossible to ignore once I had seen both), and the fact that most Columbia students CHOOSE to live on-campus all three years vs having to move after 1L, and it's game, set, match.

They are totally different schools and I'm mostly just shocked that people don't write more about how different they are.

As for the tuition difference, a few grand is eaten up by the housing cost, and the balance very well may be made up for by name recognition/prestige and other intangibles (like ability to cross-register in a better B school's classes, actually having a campus, etc.).

[hellohalo]

Anybody still waiting for the fin aid decision like me?

[quigleyest]

Went to NYU ASD today just to get a better sense of the difference between the two schools.

CLS and NYU couldn't be more different. That neighborhood is like something out of RENT. If I needed signs that it isn't for me, the last things I saw before I left "campus" were: a guy walking barefoot on a city sidewalk (wow), and another guy who I thought was homeless based on his appearance until I realized he was clearly carrying school books.

Cash me uptown how bow dah.

Lol where are you from? If you come to NYC, I feel like you'll come to find that completely normal regardless of which school you pick.

I'm from New York/greater New York and have lived here continuously since college, which I graduated from many years ago.

My comment was a bit dick-ish, but my point is that the two schools definitely have different cultures. NYU is to CLS as Williamsburg or Astoria is to Murray Hill or FiDi.

At NYU, my sense is, that barefoot guy could be a student. At CLS, on the other hand, a hobo-looking person is just a hobo.

Also, NYU's housing is a rip-off. The pricing is well above-market, fact. Doesn't even compare to what we'll have at CLS for a much better price.

Also, CLS's ASD water bottle > NYU's ASD t-shirt.

Lol at either of the two things you pointed out mattering

Hobo-ish looking people on the sidewalk
A free water bottle

And if you point out the difference in rent (nyu above market?) then why not point out the difference in tuition, something like 59k to 65k

Lol. I think you get the broader point I was trying to make.

It's not really about the water bottle, or even the two grungy-looking students I passed.

The student bodies, campuses, environment/"vibe", are quite different (despite so many people saying they're so similar), and seeing that in person makes me even happier that I'm heading to Columbia. Makes it a lot easier to know I'm making the right choice.

Curious, besides the vibes, what in your opinion are CLS' strengths over peer schools?

I'm about to pick NYU at even money

[MrJD2020]

Curious, besides the vibes, what in your opinion are CLS' strengths over peer schools?

I'm about to pick NYU at even money

Ability to cross-register in a better B school's classes (or SIPA, or the J school, which NYU doesn't even have or really measure up to). You have to think about the quality of the other grad schools and the effect that has in your options of study in 2L/3L when you might discover other interests or want to bolster your resume by showing a certain interest by taking a class offered at another Columbia grad school, for whatever reason.

Actually having a campus. NYU has no campus and students live all over the city in 2L/3L.

CLS housing better by FAR. "Studios" at CLS are basically one-bedrooms in some of the buildings, and they are nice. AKA you're getting a one-bedroom, not a studio. They just call it a studio.

Better biglaw placement, especially at the very top of the Vault rankings (FACT), though NYU still places very well. Firms will definitely dig into the CLS class (GPA-wise) further than they would at NYU and other T14 schools (apart from HYS in certain respects, though I'm pretty sure C is sometimes better than H in NYC biglaw placement. Will try to dig up the stats).

MOAR: to the extent you interact with undergrads (little, but you will), CLS>>>>>>>>>>>>NYU obviously. NYU is a good school for UG, but Columbia is truly first-tier and it shows.

Also, this is anecdotal but I think people from my UG (T25 non-Ivy) or similar schools who think CLS and NYU are interchangeable are often peoplefrom wealthier backgrounds for whom it doesn't matter where they go to law school because they are already taken care of. Two people I can think of are the child of a HBS grad (millionaire) and the son of an almost-billionaire. Like, of course they think CLS and NYU have the same outcomes. For THEM, it's probably true. They aren't seeking an edge when it comes to getting a job at Cravath or Wachtell because they don't give a f***k about either. If they end up not getting a V20 spot at all, they'll take a V50 and be fine with it, and to top it off, they'll probably quit earlier to open up a bakery or whatever or go into public service -- because they can. And I honestly feel like that is why they think NYU and CLS are interchangeable. For people from that background, the schools probably ARE interchangeable.

[VA2lawschool]

Curious, besides the vibes, what in your opinion are CLS' strengths over peer schools?

I'm about to pick NYU at even money

Ability to cross-register in a better B school's classes (or SIPA, or the J school, which NYU doesn't even have or really measure up to). You have to think about the quality of the other grad schools and the effect that has in your options of study in 2L/3L when you might discover other interests or want to bolster your resume by showing a certain interest by taking a class offered at another Columbia grad school, for whatever reason.

Actually having a campus. NYU has no campus and students live all over the city in 2L/3L.

CLS housing better by FAR. "Studios" at CLS are basically one-bedrooms in some of the buildings, and they are nice. AKA you're getting a one-bedroom, not a studio. They just call it a studio.

Better biglaw placement, especially at the very top of the Vault rankings (FACT), though NYU still places very well. But at the same time, firms will definitely dig into the CLS class (GPA-wise) further than they would at NYU and other T14 schools (apart from HYS in certain respects, and I'm pretty sure C is sometimes better than HYS in NYC biglaw placement. Will try to dig up the stats).

MOAR: to the extent you interact with undergrads (little, but you will), CLS>>>>>>>>>>>>NYU obviously. NYU is a good school for UG, but Columbia is truly first-tier and it shows.

Also, this is anecdotal but people from my UG (T25 non-Ivy) who think CLS and NYU are the same are often children from wealthier backgrounds for whom it doesn't matter where they go to law school because they are already taken care of. Two people I can think of are the child of a HBS grad and the son of an almost-billionaire. Like, of course they think CLS and NYU have the same outcomes. For THEM, it's probably true. They aren't seeking an edge when it comes to getting a job at Cravath or Wachtell because they don't give a f***k about either. If they end up not getting a V20 spot at all, they'll take a V50 and be fine with it, and to top it off, they'll probably quit earlier to open up a bakery or whatever or go into public service because they can. And I honestly feel like THAT is why THEY think NYU is fine. For them, it is.

No offense, but literally everything you have said is the reason why I preferred NYU to CLS (because you remind me of the semi-tools I met at CLS).

[MrJD2020]

No offense, but literally everything you have said is the reason why I preferred NYU to CLS (because you remind me of the semi-tools I met at CLS).

No offense, but none taken.

Edit: also, I obviously think NYU is a good school. I just think there are real, serious differences between the two schools and people who are admitted to both schools need to really hear some straight talk on the subject instead of papering over it as if choosing a law school is NBD. I could be chill about this, but there is nothing "chill" about this process or about choosing, and the lax attitude people have toward the NYU vs. CLS debate, to me, just seems so insincere.

[lawdude31]

Anybody still waiting for the fin aid decision like me?

Waiting and waiting...

[GreenEggs]

No offense, but literally everything you have said is the reason why I preferred NYU to CLS (because you remind me of the semi-tools I met at CLS).

I'm a current 2L, and I would be surprised if MrJDJD2020 is real (and not trying to be a stereotype). I thankfully haven't met anyone like him here. That being said, while I love CLS, I don't really think there's going to be a meaningful distinction between the two for most people. If you felt more comfortable and thought NYU was a better place to be for 3 years then great. But don't let other posters enforce stereotypes that aren't real.

[VA2lawschool]

No offense, but literally everything you have said is the reason why I preferred NYU to CLS (because you remind me of the semi-tools I met at CLS).

I'm a current 2L, and I would be surprised if MrJDJD2020 is real (and not trying to be a stereotype). I thankfully haven't met anyone like him here. That being said, while I love CLS, I don't really think there's going to be a meaningful distinction between the two for most people. If you felt more comfortable and thought NYU was a better place to be for 3 years then great. But don't let other posters enforce stereotypes that aren't real.

Fair enough! Thanks for your input. I did meet great people at CLS, just frustrating when you meet the ones that draw truly ridiculous distinctions between the two schools when so many people choose between the two and have the same opportunities.

[Thelaw23]

No offense, but literally everything you have said is the reason why I preferred NYU to CLS (because you remind me of the semi-tools I met at CLS).

I'm a current 2L, and I would be surprised if MrJDJD2020 is real (and not trying to be a stereotype). I thankfully haven't met anyone like him here. That being said, while I love CLS, I don't really think there's going to be a meaningful distinction between the two for most people. If you felt more comfortable and thought NYU was a better place to be for 3 years then great. But don't let other posters enforce stereotypes that aren't real.

Fair enough! Thanks for your input. I did meet great people at CLS, just frustrating when you meet the ones that draw truly ridiculous distinctions between the two schools when so many people choose between the two and have the same opportunities.

Regardless, it would be insane to say there wasn't a difference in the student bodies of both academic institutions. I lived my whole life in NYC and there is some truth for the stereotypical alluded differences between the two schools. I am talking about the school as a whole (UG+Grad), but I can't speak for just the law school as I haven't been to NYU Law. Neither stereotype is subjectively better, but every person has his or her own fit.

Also, living in Morningside Heights vs living in midtown is a huge difference.

Didn't meet any tools at CLS though, everybody seemed pretty chill and down to earth. In general though I think around Columbia you see more students who look like they're from wealth, wearing expensive clothes and etc... While in NYU people just seem to be dressed all over the place (which might be what MRJDJD2020 meant with the whole hobo comment)

Opportunities are pretty equal, but I do hear about the v10/v20 giving CLS an edge.

[lnsl123]

No offense, but literally everything you have said is the reason why I preferred NYU to CLS (because you remind me of the semi-tools I met at CLS).

I'm a current 2L, and I would be surprised if MrJDJD2020 is real (and not trying to be a stereotype). I thankfully haven't met anyone like him here. That being said, while I love CLS, I don't really think there's going to be a meaningful distinction between the two for most people. If you felt more comfortable and thought NYU was a better place to be for 3 years then great. But don't let other posters enforce stereotypes that aren't real.

Fair enough! Thanks for your input. I did meet great people at CLS, just frustrating when you meet the ones that draw truly ridiculous distinctions between the two schools when so many people choose between the two and have the same opportunities.

Regardless, it would be insane to say there wasn't a difference in the student bodies of both academic institutions. I lived my whole life in NY and there is some truth for the stereotypical alluded differences between the two schools. I am talking about the school as a whole (UG+Grad), but I can't speak for just the law school as I haven't been to NYU Law. Neither stereotype is subjectively better, but every person has his or her own fit.

Also, living in Morningside Heights vs living in midtown is a huge difference.

Didn't meet any tools at CLS though, everybody seemed pretty chill and down to earth. In general though I think around Columbia you see more students who look like they're from wealth, wearing expensive clothes and etc... While in NYU people just seem to be dressed all over the place (which might be what MRJDJD2020 meant with the whole hobo comment)

Opportunities are pretty equal, but I do hear about the v10/v20 giving CLS an edge.

Just for the record, NYU is in downtown Manhattan.

I do think there are substantial differences between CLS and NYU. While employment outcomes and quality of education seem to be virtually equal, that is a graduate of either school is well-positioned in the NYC big law market, the location of the school, the parent university, and the general atmosphere seem very different.

NYU is a huge school with roughly 50k total students. Columbia has roughly half. While law students live in their own bubble, they are still part of the greater university community.

I think Morningside Heights vs. Greenwich Village is the key difference. I've been living in NYC for four years and I cannot see myself being happy living in the Village, or even going to school there everyday. But I can easily see why so many people would love to be in the Village. And so it's nice that CLS and NYU are in such different locations in the same city, both with their pros and cons, because it makes the decision that much easier.

[Nebby]

No offense, but literally everything you have said is the reason why I preferred NYU to CLS (because you remind me of the semi-tools I met at CLS).

I'm a current 2L, and I would be surprised if MrJDJD2020 is real (and not trying to be a stereotype). I thankfully haven't met anyone like him here. That being said, while I love CLS, I don't really think there's going to be a meaningful distinction between the two for most people. If you felt more comfortable and thought NYU was a better place to be for 3 years then great. But don't let other posters enforce stereotypes that aren't real.

Ditto. CLS is chill and the student body is just like all of the students I met at NYU.

MrJD2020 is definitely real, though. CLS, like every school, has a couple of students like MrJD2020. But the moral arc of the universe is long, and it usually bends towards them getting medianpwned.

[texteach]

No offense, but literally everything you have said is the reason why I preferred NYU to CLS (because you remind me of the semi-tools I met at CLS).

I'm a current 2L, and I would be surprised if MrJDJD2020 is real (and not trying to be a stereotype). I thankfully haven't met anyone like him here. That being said, while I love CLS, I don't really think there's going to be a meaningful distinction between the two for most people. If you felt more comfortable and thought NYU was a better place to be for 3 years then great. But don't let other posters enforce stereotypes that aren't real.

Ditto. CLS is chill and the student body is just like all of the students I met at NYU.

MrJD2020 is definitely real, though. CLS, like every school, has a couple of students like MrJD2020. But the moral arc of the universe is long, and it usually bends towards them getting medianpwned.

I almost spat out my coffee at that "medianpwned" comment.

[airwrecka]

No offense, but literally everything you have said is the reason why I preferred NYU to CLS (because you remind me of the semi-tools I met at CLS).

I'm a current 2L, and I would be surprised if MrJDJD2020 is real (and not trying to be a stereotype). I thankfully haven't met anyone like him here. That being said, while I love CLS, I don't really think there's going to be a meaningful distinction between the two for most people. If you felt more comfortable and thought NYU was a better place to be for 3 years then great. But don't let other posters enforce stereotypes that aren't real.

Ditto. CLS is chill and the student body is just like all of the students I met at NYU.

MrJD2020 is definitely real, though. CLS, like every school, has a couple of students like MrJD2020. But the moral arc of the universe is long, and it usually bends towards them getting medianpwned.

I almost spat out my coffee at that "medianpwned" comment.

I'm not even going to Columbia (but yet I still stalk this thread...?), but I had to drop in to appreciate Nebby's comment as well.

[Leliana]

In general though I think around Columbia you see more students who look like they're from wealth, wearing expensive clothes and etc... While in NYU people just seem to be dressed all over the place (which might be what MRJDJD2020 meant with the whole hobo comment)

Eh, IMO this is mostly just a difference in school culture/fashion trends (preppy v. hipster) rather than an actual reflection of the student body demographics. NYU is full of rich kids. In part because it also has less robust finaid than Columbia/other Ivies, at least for undergrad.

[Thelaw23]

In general though I think around Columbia you see more students who look like they're from wealth, wearing expensive clothes and etc... While in NYU people just seem to be dressed all over the place (which might be what MRJDJD2020 meant with the whole hobo comment)

Eh, IMO this is mostly just a difference in school culture/fashion trends (preppy v. hipster) rather than an actual reflection of the student body demographics. NYU is full of rich kids. In part because it also has less robust finaid than Columbia/other Ivies, at least for undergrad.

+1, definitely.

[hellohalo]

Called the office and they said I'd hear in the next few days. The received the offer 4 hours later. Not too shabby. I'll commit on Monday! See you in morning side heights!

[Leliana]

Called the office and they said I'd hear in the next few days. The received the offer 4 hours later. Not too shabby. I'll commit on Monday! See you in morning side heights!

Congrats!

[gizmo1024]

Got my award letter. Just the number I needed to say yes. See you guys in the fall!

[lawdude31]

Also got my letter

[hellohalo]

Called the office and they said I'd hear in the next few days. The received the offer 4 hours later. Not too shabby. I'll commit on Monday! See you in morning side heights!

Congrats!

Thank you! See you there!