If anyone needs help finding an apt in NYC, I have a good friend who does real estate. He's lived in NYC his whole life, so he's well acquainted with the safety/cost/ease of transportation of various neighborhoods. He's helping me find a place when I move this summer. You can PM me for his info.
I had a friend who did Columbia housing and said it was rather small, but then again she purposely chose a smaller room because it cost less. Otherwise, she had no complaints. If you need to find non-Columbia housing, I have a good friend who does real estate in NYC- he's actually finding me a place when I move this summer. You can PM me for his info.