Columbia University-ETP

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Hey everyone. I was just wondering who applied to Columbia University's ETP program.

I got an email today telling me to keep logging into the website where I applied to check on the status of my application. Has anyone else got this email? And does anyone know approximately when they begin to post decisions?

I'm nervous as this was my #2 school.

Hi everyone,

I just booked my flight to attend the Visiting Day March 6, and I'm so excited! However, I am not from the NYC area...so could anyone recommend a good hotel to stay in that is near the campus? Thanks!

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I just deposited my $500 today. :D I hope I made the right choice. It took me a whole weekend to convince myself and my parents that the money problem will be solved, eventually (...hopefully)

I cant wait to see everyone in may (I cant attend the visiting thing due to the time conflict with my midterm)

Hi freyalisa - congratulations on marquette!

Hi karibo - I am thinking about the school dorm for the first summer. I heard it is cheaper than the off-campus housing. Do you know if that's true?

Hi Tanguera - Since you live in NYC, can you tell me how safe do you think nyc is? on the scale of 1 to 10. (1- safety is in serious threat, 10- absolutely no worry walking on the street even at night) Currently, I am living in Berkeley, which is pretty ghetto in my perspective. I am hoping nyc is a little better than Berkeley but I wont get my hope high. Thanks in advance.

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Planet 612, my sister is a law student at UC Berkeley right now, and she loves California I think maybe mostly due to the fact that she thinks it's NOT ghetto. We grew up in urban NY so Berkeley is 180 turnaround, I think. I really love NYC and was born and raised here but at the same time, whenever I take a trip outside of NYC, I realize when I come back here how dangerous and dreary it might seem to people outside. I ran into my ex at the med center the other day who said he doesn't want to do his residency at Columbia b/c he's just tired of being in the neighborhood.

I don't think Washington Heights is a terrible neighborhood but others might have their own ideas about it. My neighborhood is similar to Washington Heights in some respects so I feel like I won't feel unsafe there. Still, it isn't too far from Harlem or the South Bronx and I'll guess you have heard of those neighborhoods and the safety issues there.

That said, you don't have to LIVE in Washington Heights and might opt for an apartment on the Upper West Side but that will be a lot more expensive. As far as the rating scale... hmm...I haven't and wouldn't walk there alone at night, but still that could just be the way I was raised!

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Well, I'll add some thoughts about the neighborhood. I work at Columbia now (the hospital), and during the day the neighborhood is fine. There are thousands of employees and students around and the place is very busy. But there are homeless people around (there's a homeless shelter right next to the nursing school actually). There are some homeless people who ask for money at the subway stop, but they don't really bother me much. You get that in many New York neighborhoods which are perfectly safe.

Sometimes I go home from work late, and since I'm only walking directly from the building to the subway (maybe 15 feet) it's fine. But I wouldn't want to wander around alone at night, even a few blocks from the main hospital area. Lots of people do it I'm sure, but the neighborhood is not great. I might be overestimating the risk, but that's just how I feel. I will tell you though that during our safety orientation the head of the police there told us that Columbia is the safest of the Ivy Leagues in terms of lowest number of violent crimes. I wonder if that only includes crimes that occur directly on campus. But the campus public safety seemed pretty efficient and proactive, so that's a plus.

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tanguera - thank you for your input. I really should visit the place before making the final decision, but due to the time conflict, it wont happen. Right now, I am just crossing my finger that I will handle the city life fine.

karibo - I am worrying that some clinical classes will require us to stay at the hospital late. In that case, it will be really suck to go home in the middle of night. :no:

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Don't worry about staying late -- I think security will escort you to your car or subway if you call them. And there are often cops at the subway station just hanging around making sure things are ok. Plus I imagine that you won't be the only one staying late and people can walk together to the subway or wherever!

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I put in my 500 today as well. I have to say yes to the financial aid package tomorrow. I think I'm just going to say yes to everything they provided. I crunched the numbers myself and they seemed to have everything already figured out. Going to hurt for a couple years but I think it'll be worth it.

Still working on the off campus housing issue, is anyone deciding to live on campus at all? Is there really a big price difference between the two, I wonder why no one wants to live on campus, is it an age thing?

Visiting day is closer and closer.

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Humanhelper21 -- Have you booked a hotel yet? I'm also trying to figure out where to stay for the visiting day weekend.

Does anybody else have any suggestions for hotels close to the campus?

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I've been following this thread pretty closely, and I recently read last year's ETP thread. I found everyone's comments to be very helpful.

I'll be there for Visitor's Day. I'm also looking for hotels (free night with my credit card points!) after I plan out my itinerary for the week I'll be in NY. I'm getting a hotel for myself on Thursday night (March 5th) probably around Times Square. For the rest of the week I'll be staying with my friend at his uncle's place in Flushings. If anyone wants to meet up for drinks or just hang out on Thursday, send me a PM. I've never been to NY but I'm excited to explore all day on Thursday.

I'm also very hesitant about enrolling at Columbia because of the cost, but I decided to check it out anyway and use it as an excuse to explore NY for a week. In the meantime, I'm waiting on a decision from UCSF, which I will probably get on that week while I'm in NY...

I'm looking forward to meeting those of you who are going to Visitor's Day!

-Vince

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Hi dohzenoff-

No, I haven't booked a hotel yet!! But I'm thinking I'll just get one by Timesquare or another interesting area, and just take the subway to the school in the morning.

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I'm staying at the Hilton in Times Square. I figure I can just take the subway up to Columbia since it looks like it's right off the line. Anyone else will be in that area? How long are you guys all staying around? I'll be in NYC from thursday-sunday and I'd love someone to go exploring with! I've been to New York a couple of times, but this will be my first time without a native to guide me around~

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SAFETY- To add to the safety issue- I have never had a problem in NY. Use common sense, hold your bag extra closely in crowds to avoid being mugged, there are always homeless & beggars on the subway just avoid eye contact. I often take the train at night but usually not alone. There are cops almost everywhere in the city, so that should help you feel safer. For those of you from San Francisco- I kinda felt like there were more homeless/mentally ill people wandering the streets in SF than NY when I visited... anyone agree?

HOTELS- a good place to start looking is hotels.com you can check out ratings,prices etc. If you are coming for more than a day I definitely suggest staying around midtown and taking the subway to the campus on March 6. it's really quick and easy to get there.

Also, i got an email abt supplies etc. How are we supposed to know which package and extras to buy?

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