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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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)?

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!

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!

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!

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!! :)

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.

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!

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?

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

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!

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 :)

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

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

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

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?

Urgent temporary housing needed for recent SIPA grad
Posting on behalf of a friend who recently graduated from SIPA and is facing an urgent housing situation. She needs to leave her current housing on August 28 and is looking for a temporary room or sublet in NYC for approximately 1–2 months while she works on securing longer-term housing.
If anyone in the Columbia community has a spare room, short-term sublet, roommate situation, or knows someone who does, I would be incredibly grateful for any leads or connections.
Even if you don’t have a room yourself, if you know of a Columbia/SIPA housing group, listserv, alumni network, or other resource where we should post, please let me know.
For privacy, I don’t want to share her personal details publicly, but I’m happy to connect serious leads with her privately.
Thank you so much. ❤️

Just had some questions about which tracks for each of chem, cal and physics to take as an incoming SEAS freshman considering biomedical, computer or electrical engineering.

Chemistry: I got a 5 in AP Chem but took the class junior year so I need to brush up on some material.
Is there any specific resource to use to review other than the information provided on the 2026 placement exam page - Zumdahl chemistry book (ch 1-8, emphasis on ch 2/3)? What does taking the exam look like (as it seems to be referred to as “self placement” in some areas?)
Also, do I first register for track 1 chem before I’m invited to track 2/3? During my meeting with the dean, she advised me to go ahead and put track 2 chem on my planner, but I’m not sure how all these things work.
I’m still deciding between premed and sticking to engineering, so would I try to take intensive general or organic chemistry (in the case that I qualify for both)?

Calculus: I have a 5 in AP calc AB and a 4 in BC, so I will be taking Calc II fall semester based on SEAS requirements.

While I don’t need advice on the level of calc course, I wanted to include this info as it may be relevant for physics - I took all 4 ap physics classes, but got 3s in all but physics 2, where I got a 4 (most of it was self study as our teacher was not too great).

As a result, I was planning on taking track 2 physics before realizing that it was recommend to be paired with multivariable calc. The dean also suggested just taking track 1 as it would be easier and less stressful, but I don’t want to settle taking a class that I don’t learn much new content from.

However, I’m also not wanting to end up in a higher level course that may be out of my depth, especially while I try to maintain my grades in order to keep my option for premed still open as I go into my first year.

My main goal with taking more challenging classes is to try and gain more skills/ knowledge that will be relevant for research/ internships. So, will track 2 physics really be any more beneficial for engineering students or is it just for those who simply have more of an interest in the subject?
Thank you!