Moving to new york city?

hey everyone, ok, so the time is soon that I will grad. from school, and will soon start college. So I now need to start looking for me an apartment in manhattan. ok, so i will either be going to NYU, Pace University, or City University of New York. Now, I really, really want to be in the city and not anywhere like Brooklyn, queens, bronx and etc. But if it came to it, I would move to brooklyn, queens, or harlem. Ok, now I have a maximum rent payment of $1,500.00. So, do you think I will be able to find an ok sized studio in Manhattan at that price. Will craigslist have some stuff in my price range? What do you all suggest? Do you think I will be better off coming to new york and looking for something myself than on the internet?? All advice is accepted. Also, how much money should I bring when I move. So far, I have $4,800.00 saved up, and my dad will give me like an extra $1,500.00 or so. Thanks you all!!!