Student review [#37557] for Art and Design
at Columbia University

Life in Columbia’s housing is a mixed bag. For one thing, unless you have a trust fund, living in a guaranteed apartment in New York is exceptional. It is conveniently located near all classy buildings (mostly) and is generally clean. Freshman Housing is beautiful and conveniently located next to the main library and above the three dining rooms. Sophomore year sucks, but it gets better, and having singles every four years isn’t impossible. The housing lottery (after first year) is confusing, but any high school student can explain it, and people get a weird thrill when calculating their chances of getting different rooms, so it ends up being an experience unifying. On the other hand, if you’re stuck in a bad dorm, that really sucks. McBain and Nussbaum both have pest issues and many dorms lack air conditioning which sucks in September. But even then, you’re joining a tradition of Columbia students who have struggled with the same issues for decades. The social scene in dorms varies greatly depending on who you live with. I lived in the “antisocial” dormitory, Furnald, and had a very good social life. So that’s what you make of it.