Summer Program for High School Students

Frequently Answered Questions

Residential Life (Session I Only)

If I am under 16, may I live in the dormitories?
You need to speak with Dean McNeil or Ms. Giraitis to obtain permission.

If I live in New York or the surrounding area, may I live in the dormitory?
Yes. We house students who cannot commute first and then local students in the order in which their application is submitted.

Are the dormitories air conditioned?
No. However, you can rent a window unit for your room for approximately $300. Rental information will be sent with letters of acceptance.

May I check into the dormitory before July 1st and check out after July 27th?
No. Unfortunately, no exceptions to this rule may be made.

Is there a curfew in the dormitories?
Yes. During the week students must be in their suites by 11:00 p.m. and on the weekend by 12 midnight, unless students are participating in a supervised activity. Curfew is strictly observed, with exceptions made only in consultation with parents or legal guardians. Additional questions about curfews should be addressed to Dean McNeil or Ms. Giraitis.

What is the physical layout of the dormitory?
Students residing in Hartley or Wallach are housed in single sex suites of mostly single rooms. Each suite has a kitchen, common living area, and dormitory style bathroom. Each suite houses approximately 10 high school students and one residential adviser. Should the program grow beyond the capacity of Hartley and Wallach, additional students are housed in John Jay, which is a corridor style dormitory. Students are assigned to single rooms on single-sex corridors, with a few double rooms available for those interested in them. Common areas are available for students as are dormitory style bathrooms. Two to three residential advisers are assigned to each corridor.

How much supervision is provided?
Live-in residential advisers provide supervision evenings and weekends. Scheduled group activities are not mandatory, but students are asked to account for their whereabouts by means of sign-out procedures.

Is there security in the dormitories?
Yes, there is a guard on duty 24 hours per day. No one is allowed entry to the dormitory without a proper Columbia ID card. All suites are kept locked. Students are issued suite keys and room keys upon checking in.

Do I need to bring my computer?
Although it is not necessary, students are allowed to bring computers.

What kinds of activities are available in the evenings and on weekends?
Special evening and weekend activities include both on-campus social and athletic events and off-campus supervised trips to various recreational and cultural events in New York City, including: museums, guided walking tours, Broadway and off-Broadway theater, films, Central Park and concerts.

Do I need spending money?
Yes, students are expected to cover expenses such as transportation, admission fees, laundry, and personal items. We suggest a budget @ $50.00 per week.

What is the schedule for the dining hall?
Meals are served three times a day, Monday through Friday according to the following schedule:

Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

Meals are not served on weekends; students may purchase food or dine at a reasonable rate in one of the neighborhood restaurants.

Is there a kosher meal plan?
Upon acceptance, residential students are given the opportunity to elect a kosher meal plan. Please see "Dining Options" for more information.

Is there a vegetarian meal option?
The Columbia meal plan consists of a wide variety of food that is served cafeteria style and includes vegetarian options.

May I request to room with a friend?
Yes. Although the number of double rooms is limited, every effort will be made to accommodate your request. Rooming requests must be made in writing at the time that students send in their program deposit.

May I be away from the dormitory overnight?
Parents must submit written permission to the residential adviser in order for a student to be away overnight. The permission note must include the dates and times that a student will be away as well as the location and phone number of where he or she will be staying. Permission notes must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to departure and may be faxed to (212) 854-7400.

Are there telephones in the rooms?
Yes, each room has a phone that can receive all calls and can make campus outgoing calls. Students may use calling cards for non-campus outgoing calls or pay phones found in the dormitory lobbies.

Who are the resident advisers?
The resident advisers are trained undergraduate and graduate college students who represent colleges from all over the United States and who have demonstrated a strong interest in working with secondary school students. In addition to supervising the residential students in the dormitories, they lead extracurricular activities, and serve as teaching assistants.