rx8anna

I'm hoping to get into one of the graduate dorms at CU, but I've also been obsessive about Craigslist apartment listings. It's interesting to note how many times the pictures of the same apartment get used by different listings. It's hard to sit here 3000 miles away, knowing that I want to go to NYC and find a place to live. I'll be interested in finding a roommate if I don't get into the dorms. I just downsized from a 1800 sq ft house and I would be able to outfit an apartment if necessary, but I'm hoping to just leave everything here in storage for the first year to figure out NYC first.

Well, I'll have to go back on what I posted earlier. Do Not Tell Anyone. In the matter of two weeks, things have completely changed. I will deal with it, but this is definitely a learning experience.

I'm considering Fort Lee or Ridgefield Park if I can't get into campus housing for Columbia. Does anyone have any opinions/info on that area of NJ? I am debating whether or not to sell my car when I get there. I'm also debating whether to sell my house of furniture or keep the bare minimum to take to NY. Housing applications don't start being accepted until April, so I have a long ways off before making any decisions.

I I'm originally from Riverside and I have to say I love it. Maybe you have to grow up in the industrial sprawl and decay of southern california to truly appreciate it. The downtown area where the Mission Inn is located is a pretty nice area to go and have dinner or do some shopping. There's a really great Renn Faire shop on one of the side streets there (if you're into that) as well as alot of cool thrift shops. Also, there's some neighborhoods in that area that are historic neighborhoods with housing from the 1920s-1940s. It used to be very expensive in the last few years, but with the mortgage meltdown, things have gotten much cheaper. My mom lives there on a very small retirement so I'm sure a $16K stipend would be survivable for 2 people. The brown air does come and go. The nice thing about being near the coast is that in the mornings and evenings it's cooler weather. It's a quick trip to Santa Monica or West Hollywood to hang out at. Also, if you're looking for really cheap places to live, check out San Bernardino which is right next to Riverside. Just have to watch your surroundings because there is a bit of crime. As to the job market, I believe (I might be incorrect) that Riverside has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. So not too good for looking for a job, but probably depends on what someone wants to do for work.

Both my manager and the head of the department I work in wrote letters of recommendation for me, so there was no getting around letting them know of my application status. I also had to unexpectedly take a couple days off of work to attend the recruitment weekend. I would have a hard time "not" letting anyone know whether or not I've been accepted. Everyone has been really supportive, and my manager has told me that he appreciates being given months advance notice so that they can go through the process of finding someone to replace me. But then I work at a pretty unique organization. Will it backfire? I guess I'll find out in the coming months....

IvyHope, I was merely providing evidence that your general statement about Columbia was in doubt. I am sorry that you took it as a personal attack and reacted with such emotion. I would suggest taking a breath before responding to replies on a message board. You are making alot of assumptions based solely on written words....words that with the addition of body language could be interpreted completely differently. Take care.

That's like saying...a friend of a friend of a friend of mine knows someone... I have a letter stating that they're going to pay for tuition, health care and a very generous stipend. I received this letter two days ago from Columbia , so I doubt the statement "there's no funding for our students".