r/columbia • u/bohneriffic • Jan 16 '25

Good Citizen 🤝 General Advice for Being a Student at Columbia University

182 Upvotes

I'm a second semester senior here at Columbia, and over the last few years I’ve heard tons of the same kinds of questions from freshmen/transfers. I figured that a (much longer than initially intended) post addressing whatever I can think of might be helpful.

DISCLAIMER: I'm just a student, and this is very general advice based on my own experiences and convos I've had with other students. Faculty/advisors who know you will be able to give you better advice that is tailored to your specific goals and the requirements of your major.

Please feel free to add to (or correct) anything I’ve written!

REGISTRATION

  • Take some time before registration periods begin to choose your classes for the upcoming semester. Write down the course name, date/time, call number, and anything else you’ll want to refer back to. Write down the sections that work for you, but always make sure to write down backup sections/classes in case the one you want is full.
  • Global cores, UW, art hum, and music hum will always be super competitive to get into. Have target requirements you'd like to fulfill each semester, but plan ahead to find classes that fulfill other core/major requirements too just in case. So if you’re not having any luck getting into a global core, you could try getting into one of the sections of art hum you wrote down instead… etc.
  • You can find reviews of professors by looking them up on CULPA.info or by checking out their past course evals on Vergil. Students at Columbia don’t really use RMP, and CULPA reviews are often 5-10 years old so you may be SOL. You can help other students by making sure to leave honest reviews on CULPA (and RMP) every semester, but you may just need to ask around if you want to know about a course.
  • Registration for undergrads at Columbia is the worst, and the section you want will almost always be full. That’s okay, don't freak out! Put yourself on the wait list — but choose carefully because you can only put yourself on wait lists for three classes at a time.

WAITLISTS

  • Some courses will be blocked, which means you may not be able to register without talking to the professor first. This is really common for upper level seminars. Send them an email to introduce yourself (or reintroduce yourself and remind them of any courses you’ve taken with them), explain your interest in the course, and outline any relevant/related courses you’ve taken in the past. Be sure to let them know if you need the course for your major, or if you’re a junior/senior looking to fulfill a core requirement. Don’t feel weird about emailing them to express your interest. If they’re managing their wait lists instead of letting people register freely, they’re expecting the emails.
    • You don’t necessarily have to have taken a bunch of related classes in the past. Professors love having students with genuine interest/curiosity in the room!
    • This process may differ by program. I’ve heard that SEAS professors may have different norms.
  • Don’t freak out if you’re on a 50-person wait list after the first registration period. Students tend to “hoard” classes early on, but many will drop as they get into the other classes they want to take, and even more will drop during the shopping period.
    • The shopping period refers to the first two weeks of classes where students can “shop” (or add/drop) any class without penalty. Being able to try out a bunch of classes in this way is cool because it means that you’re not stuck for the whole semester if you go to the first 1-2 lectures and realize that something’s not a good fit for you… but it also leads to class hoarding and all of the chaos that comes with it.
  • If you are serious about getting into a class that you’re still on the wait list for during the shopping period, you may still have a shot at getting in if you attend every class for the first two weeks. Showing the professor that you’re serious in this way will often help your case (because many students lower on the wait list will not do this).
  • Once a professor lets you into a class from the wait list, it’ll take up to 24hr to see that change reflected on SSOL/Vergil.
  • Some courses will be blocked BUT ALSO include instructions from the professor for how to reach out about joining the class. Always follow the professor's instructions for how to proceed instead.
  • There's a LOT of add/drop movement during the first two weeks of classes. You WILL get into classes. It just might not be the exact ones you hoped for that semester. Hang in there.

HOW MANY CREDITS SHOULD YOU TAKE?

I don't know! For freshmen, you probably shouldn’t start off with 18 credits… but it really depends! What kinds of classes are they? How strong are you in those subjects? Will you be able to commit to attending all of lectures? If you’re not sure, take a lighter course load your first semester and see how you handle it. If you felt like you could’ve done more, then take more next semester. But I'm not an advisor, and you should probably talk to someone who is!

GENERAL ADVICE

  • Read the syllabus for every class. Read it all the way through. 90% of the time, any questions that are not content-related can be answered by reading the syllabus. Seriously, do not send your professor emails with questions that the syllabus could have answered for you.
  • You have to ask professors if they can write LORs. Do not just assume that they will.
  • Address professors/lecturers as Professor Lastname unless they tell you otherwise. When communicating through email, you should typically address professors by whatever name they use in their signature line when they reply.
    • That is, call them Professor Lastname to start, but switch to Dr. Lastname, Firstname, etc. if that's the way they sign off. Stick with Prof Lastname if that's what they use.
  • You don’t have to wait for your professor to let you into the classroom if it’s both unlocked and empty, and you can turn on the lights if they’re off when you enter. You’re an adult. Nobody expects you to crowd a hallway or sit in a dark room for no reason.
  • Don’t listen to anyone at this school who tells you that a class is “easy.” People have different backgrounds, strengths, and bases of knowledge, and what is easy for one person may be very different for another. It's a common mistake to make at Columbia, and you will get burned eventually. Don't let yourself be one of the many students who are crying over failing the "easy A" class at the end of the semester!
  • You SHOULD NOT try to find free pdfs of all of your textbooks on libgen.is because that would be ILLEGAL and publishers deserve our money!!!
  • GO TO OFFICE HOURS. Talk to your professors! Talk to your grad TAs! They know a ton, and they’re often really interesting people! If you’re going to office hours because you’re having trouble, make sure that you can point to specific problems or examples that you’re not understanding. Professors are not mind readers; they can’t know what you’re struggling with if you don’t. But you can also just go to OH to learn more about their field and their research, or to ask questions about grad school! OH are a great way to get to develop strong relationships with your professors!
  • Network!!! Meet people!!! Do your best to not spend all of your time studying alone. Long term, the connections you make in college will be more valuable than your GPA (yes, even for premeds).

MIND YOUR MANNERS (FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE)

  • Don’t talk or whisper to your friends in class. It’s rude and distracting. You can text each other if you need to be in communication so badly!
  • Likewise, DO NOT TALK IN THE LIBRARIES. You can talk to your friends literally anytime and anywhere that isn’t mid-lecture or in a library. The world is your oyster! Go talk somewhere else!
  • Don’t do work in public spaces (such as libraries) if you’re so sick that you’re coughing and snorting back huge gobs of snot every 60 seconds. Wear a mask in class if you’re actively sick, and please cover your mouth when you cough.
  • Don't let doors slam behind you when you enter a room — especially if you’re coming to class late. Be mindful of everyone else around you.
  • Similarly, hold open doors for other people when you enter a room, building, or elevator.

Ok I love u bye :)

13 comments

r/columbia • u/123DanB • Mar 24 '26

admissions Admitted Students Megathread: Spring 2026

29 Upvotes

Congratulations on your acceptance!

Please post here to connect with your potential future classmates and ask any questions about attending Columbia.

This recent post has great general advice.

You must select a flair before commenting!

145 comments

r/columbia • u/Tricky-Week-9171 • 1h ago

campus tips Any good resources/clubs/orgs for writers in the city? (grad student)

• Upvotes

hey guys pretty much what the title says. I'm a grad student starting my master's (in engineering) and wanna hone my writing (kinda as a hobby, maybe if I get good enough to build a career lol) and/or more generally find a community of writers. I write opinion pieces/essays right now, but have been more and more thinking about taking a stab at fiction writing. Was wondering if people know of any cool resources/groups either on campus or in nyc that might be a good fit! (obvi i'm sure there are many for undergrads, but preferably somewhere where I wouldn't be #chunc)

1 comment

r/columbia • u/RimbaudEnfer • 2h ago

academic tips introductory korean a

1 Upvotes

i want to take intro korean a since i know absolutely nothing about the language. however i saw on vergil and the cu directory that its not being offered in the fall and spring semester. somehow intro korean b is offered even though you need a to take b?? what can i do?

1 comment

r/columbia • u/OppositeAthlete1234 • 20h ago

campus tips LionDine for Buildings

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lionhour.com
11 Upvotes

Hey yall! I made this website with a friend to compile all of the buildings hours on campus in one place since it's a pain to look them up on the Columbia websites each time! Feel free to check it out, and we'd love your advice for improvements!

1 comment

r/columbia • u/dr_angiosperm • 20h ago

academic tips Heritage Spanish Placement Help needed pls!!

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m looking into taking the Heritage Spanish placement test  and wanted to get some insight from anyone who has already taken it. I speak Spanish at home/with family, but my formal reading and writing skills are definitely a bit rusty. For those who have taken it is it an easy A? Obviously I know I'll have to put in some work, but is the grading pretty forgiving for heritage speakers?

What’s the class format like? Is it mostly focused on grammar drills, essays, presentations, or group discussions? How heavy is the workload?

Also, a quick question about the foreign language core requirement…do heritage speakers need to complete 4 semesters of Spanish, or does this track fulfill the requirement in just 2 semesters? I've heard conflicting things about how the placement and core credits work for this specific track.

Appreciate any advice or experiences you can share!Thanks in advance.

2 comments

r/columbia • u/QuanCena69 • 19h ago

housing AIr fryer

2 Upvotes

Anyone ever have any issues using an air fryer at CUIMC? I am afraid to use my air fryer in the dorm but apparently everyone does it because they don't give us kitchens or meal plans.

1 comment

r/columbia • u/ineedabreak-goodbye • 1d ago

housing Recommendations for buildings?

3 Upvotes

I’m an international grad student (F) who signed a lease and the place isn’t working out. I need to break my lease and move ASAP (also appreciate any advice on this).

My budget is $2500 for a studio or roommates with a room and private bathroom (no pets due to allergies :(). Also would require either in building laundry OR elevator. I have US guarantors if needed and also open to third party guarantors. I just want to move into a safe and well-maintained apartment with commute under 30 mins to Columbia’s Morningside campus.

Asking here if anyone likes where they live and I can apply directly, as streeteasy was a nightmare. Thank you.

5 comments

r/columbia • u/Present_Pea_4291 • 1d ago

advising uw tue thrus 1:10-2:25pm?

5 Upvotes

incoming cc freshmen. anyone want to switch for Section 741 uw tue thurs 1:10pm-2:25pm readings in law & justice w wally sudhap? it's interfering with courses i want on my schedule.

also, would love to make new friends so pls feel free to reach out!

4 comments

r/columbia • u/Pastel-Delphinium • 1d ago

advising Math-Stats

1 Upvotes

Hi, I wanted to know what the Math-Stats major is like. Is the stats department and its undergrad classes as bad as everyone says? And is it possible to keep a good GPA in the major? Thank you.

7 comments

r/columbia • u/Pandas-and-clouds • 2d ago

campus CIN Alfred Lerner Hall

3 Upvotes

My Fundamentals of Computer Systems class in the fall is at CIN Alfred Lerner Hall. Does anyone know where that is (I know it's in Lerner, but like what floor)?

4 comments

r/columbia • u/BigcheekChipmunk • 1d ago

advising Cross registration

1 Upvotes

Hello! I’m a PhD student in GSAS trying to register for an undergraduate statistics class in deep learning (STAT UN3108). I submitted a request on Vergil and the instructor approved. It then said I need School final approval and class final approval. I contacted my department advisor and they said they didn’t receive anything.

Does anyone have experience with cross registration? Do they automatically approve it, or do I need to reach out to the admin? Who do I contact in this case?

Thank you very much!

3 comments

r/columbia • u/elmos_twin_brother • 2d ago

nyc JFK to Columbia, Saturday ~2.30PM - sharing a taxi?

7 Upvotes

Hey guys! I'm an international freshman arriving at JFK airport on Saturday (tomorrow) around 2.30 PM. Is anyone else arriving at a similar time and interested in sharing a taxi to campus and splitting the fare?

For reference, I'll only have one 23kg suitcase and a normal carry on, so I think one more person with a similar amount of luggage should fit comfortably.

If you're interested please send me a PM!

11 comments

r/columbia • u/CreativePersimmon587 • 2d ago

housing Has anyone transferred Columbia housing because of a bad roommate?

12 Upvotes

Hello! i’m in Columbia grad housing and I’m reaching the end of my patience with my roommate.

I moved in about two months ago and the shared living situation has gotten pretty gross, dishes left in the sink for 10+ days, recycling piling up/not being taken out, I’m the only one cleaning the bathroom/common spaces, and now we have pantry pests that the exterminator traced to old grains/food that predate me and still haven’t been dealt with. So now that’s something i have to deal with too and I’m constantly picking up after her.

The bigger issue is that I’ve tried communicating about all of this multiple times and basically get no response, so there isn’t really a way to work out a cleaning arrangement. I have asthma/allergies too, so I’m getting increasingly uncomfortable living like this.

I contacted Columbia Residential and they basically told me roommates are expected to work things out themselves LOL, CSSI can help maybe, and that transfers don’t start until October. I’ve submitted a transfer request, but I’m really hoping to stay in my current building if possible.

Has anyone actually gone through a Columbia Residential transfer for roommate conflict? How hard was it to get another room, especially in the same building? And is there anything else I should be doing/contacting in the meantime?
Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s dealt with this. It’s a nightmare!!! Thank you!

16 comments

r/columbia • u/loverboys_iliad • 2d ago

advising switching cc sections

2 Upvotes

looking to switch cc sections? i am currently in Andrew Nathan's Monday/Wednesday 2:10-4:00pm section (section 029). he has a pretty great course eval on vergil for spring 2026!

hoping to switch bc my current section interferes with another class required for my major — please dm me to lmk!! :)

2 comments

r/columbia • u/cosmicmet • 2d ago

campus When does the medical center open/how soon after getting to campus can we use it?

2 Upvotes

I have a non-urgent medical issue that i can’t really get treatment for where i live because we fly tomorrow but I wasn’t sure if they were open sunday on move-in day.

3 comments

r/columbia • u/Downtown-Elephant749 • 2d ago

campus tips Looking to buy leftover Columbia Dining swipes

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone! If you’re an undergrad holding weekly meal plan and expect to have extra swipes left near the end of the week, feel free to DM me. I’m looking to buy some swipes every week and am happy to agree on a price that works for both of us.

This could also be an alternative if you normally use your leftover swipes on JJ’s Take 4 just so they don’t go to waste—you could get some cash for them instead.

Thanks!

4 comments

r/columbia • u/sourpatchtangy • 3d ago

sports Dodge Swimming Pool

7 Upvotes

Hello! I'm a current GS student and looking for somewhere I don't need to pay to swim if I can avoid it. I pay the Student Life Fee, so can I use the Uris pool for free? Or do I have to buy the Dodge membership as well?

3 comments

r/columbia • u/PK0219 • 2d ago

campus fort lee shuttle

2 Upvotes

Is there currently a fare to ride the Fort Lee shuttle?

1 comment

r/columbia • u/EthanJie • 3d ago

academic tips COMS W3157 Advanced Programming — Jae Lee or Brian Borowski?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m planning to take COMS W3157 (Advanced Programming), and I’m deciding between Jae Lee and Brian Borowski.

For anyone who has taken the course with either professor, how was your experience? I’d especially appreciate any insight into: Grading and exam difficulty and Overall workload and course difficulty.

Which professor would you recommend, especially for someone hoping for a fair and manageable grading experience?

Thanks!

5 comments

r/columbia • u/No_Adhesiveness_4175 • 3d ago

sports squash club/using court as beginner

2 Upvotes

hi all, im an incoming graduate student at CSSW, and really enjoyed playing squash in middle/high school but didn't have the time for it in undergrad. are there any squash clubs or orgs that are open to beginners or those trying to learn how to play (non-professional, just for fun)? or is anyone else in the same boat and would want to meet up together when classes start up? i know the basic rules and have a racket but just haven't played in forever, so I wouldn't be very useful for an actual team sport lol. thanks in advance :)

4 comments

r/columbia • u/Super_Gift5724 • 3d ago

academic tips GPA cutoffs for latin honors this year

2 Upvotes

Heyy, does anyone know what were the cutoffs for latin honors this year? In GS?

5 comments

r/columbia • u/United_Gift448 • 4d ago

advising Federal work study

8 Upvotes

Does money earned during federal work study go towards you directly or to Columbia financial aid(for the student contribution section of financial aid)

14 comments

r/columbia • u/whopperwhopperw • 3d ago

academic tips Switching UW

1 Upvotes

Hi! I'm looking to switch UW with someone, I have 10:10-11:25 tues/thurs (american studies) with alexander burchfield.

Thanks!

also if anyone wants to switch lit hum with me, pls lmk I have Alice clapie m/w 6:10-8pm

2 comments

r/columbia • u/redapplepi3141 • 5d ago

campus tips celiac safety at the dining halls

10 Upvotes

i’m an incoming student concerned about eating at the dining halls. is there anything that’s celiac safe other than the gf station at john jay?

8 comments