Columbia College vs. School of General Studies - Page 51

ohnoez · 10-19-2009, 04:14 PM

I'm curious to hear what people's thoughts are regarding my profile.

I didn't do too well in HS, as I withdrew from public school and enrolled in private school in 9th grade because my honors course-load got to be too much for my level of motivation. I re-enrolled in public school in 10th grade and graduated in '07 with a cumulative GPA of about 2.75 because I just didn't care very much; I didn't really plan on going to college, because I had marketable skills and already had a pretty good job. I'd worked 25-35 hours per week the bulk of my high school career after 10th grade, and not standard adolescent jobs, either--sales, marketing, and I.T. SAT scores weren't great, either. M: 560; R: 640; W: 730. For some reason I bombed math, even though I've always been in fairly advanced math classes. Same with reading, but I digress.

Just before graduation in June '07, I decided to get my feet wet by taking a CC course in the summer session. I took Accounting 211 and got an A. Next semester I took introduction to business and principles of macroeconomics and got As. However, the following semester was rough, to say the least... I was going through some personal issues and although I managed to eek out a "B" in Accounting 212 and the CC-equivalent (slightly more academic, but just a glorified version of the much exalted class we took for the majority of our K-12 lives) of P.E., I failed both English 111 and History 101, because I didn't turn in the final papers, which was an automatic failure.

I took over a year off to get my **** together and came back this semester refreshed and ready to go. I'm retaking English 111 and History 101, and I should have no problem getting an A in both.

So, my question to you all is, do I have a shot this semester if I get As in these two classes? Or should I take another one or two semesters of hard(er) classes and get straight As in those? My CC supposedly only factors into your GPA the last grade in a particular course if you repeat it, not an average of both of them. However, I know colleges will sometimes use their own method to calculate GPAs. Nonetheless, I'm hoping Columbia will be somewhat understanding about my situation at the time, since it'll still show up on my transcript. Maybe it would be better to take another semester, at a minimum, of more challenging courses.

Thanks in advance for people's insight and advice.

Columbia_Insider · 10-19-2009, 09:13 PM

I think it's pretty cut and dried that, when you take a year or more off, you are a candidate for GS. Maybe not, definitely check with the admissions offices of both colleges. I suspect GS will be more forgiving about the GPA and test scores. They want to know why now? why Columbia? Why GS? They want to know -- what's your story?

As I understand it, CC accepts very few transfer students. I've heard about half a dozen. I'm sure you can confirm (or disprove) this on the Columbia website or a rankings book/site.

One word of advice -- don't be in a hurry to go to Columbia, no matter which program. It's expensive, it's a TON of work, the quantity of work just seems endless at times. Students in GS are often encouraged to spend an extra year or more -- to take fewer classes each semester in order to maximize their grades. Obviously, not everyone can afford to do this.

One of the most important things to do is to take as many classes as you can to fulfill the core requirements BEFORE going to Columbia. Columbia will accept up to 60 transfer credits completed or in progress at the time of application. This will free up your schedule when you do arrive at Columbia. For example, if you aren't fluent enough to test out of the language requirement, take 2 years of a foreign language before attending Columbia. I didn't know to do this and it meant having 2-3 core classes every semester, instead of being able to focus on my major (I came in as a Junior). If, for some reason, you must take a language at Columbia instead of before, take them at Barnard. It fulfills the same core requirement for 12 credits instead of 16 at Columbia. There are all kinds of tricks like this to maximize your time.

Not fulfilling the language requirement before Columbia also meant I had no electives available to take classes with some of the world-class professors I was interested in studying with. Not the end of the world, but certainly one of the main reasons one wants to study at an institution like Columbia.

Also check into areas where you can double count Core with prerequisites for your intended major, if you have one. Make sure it's possible. Check, doublecheck, get it in writing!

Dor1987 · 10-21-2009, 09:13 AM

Hello everybody!
I am from Israel, 23 years old and interested in studying in the States.
I am not sure what college to go to- and kind of concerned about the age difference. Would you people recommend Columbia General School of Studies? Do you think I could transfer to Columbia or some other institution if I started studying at the general school of studies and did not find it suitable for me? I really want to pass the amazing diverse college experience in the States- but a bit unsure with the age difference.
I would be grateful for you advice.
Dor

ziv_2k · 10-22-2009, 12:21 AM

Ma Kore Dor,

You and I are in a similar situation.
The first question you need to ask yourself is why Columbia?
I wouldnt worry about the age difference, I am 25 years old, came to NY after my shichrur worked and went to school for a while and I recently applied for the school of gen. studies.
Few things you must take into account.
first this school is no joke. you need to be prepared to work hard and at a high level. I dont know if english presents a problem for you or not, but if it is, I would take that into consideration.
But the academic rigor is the only thing you should have on your mind in my opinion. This is for 2 reasons. First, at 23 years old, you wont look THAT much older than everyone else. Secondly, there is an entire school (school of general studies) within the Columbia family (Columbia College, School of Gen Studies, Barnard, Fu foundation) that is designated for "older students"

AMorrison · 10-22-2009, 02:00 PM

I am 22 and attending a community college in California. I took an exam that gave me the equivalent of a high school diploma in 2003 (when I was 15), moved to Los Angeles on my own and began working at 16. I did not take the SATs. I've been working at a very large media company for the last five years, and have earned a few high profile industry awards. My GPA is a 3.9, and I'm going to apply to GS for Fall of 2010. I'm on a general education plan meant for the UC system to fill lower division requirements, and have taken four classes in my major of choice (History).

I've been reading in this thread that some people have written seven page long essays as part of their application - is this standard practice? Do letters of recommendation help, and would it be better to have one academic and one professional - or is that irrelevant? Someone else in the thread (from a few years back) mentioned that you're in at GS as long as you meet certain requirements - is this still true? Do we know what the requirements are?

Most importantly - do I have a shot?

Thanks everyone! Love this forum

.

ziv_2k · 10-23-2009, 10:49 AM

Hi AMorrison.

Letters of recommendation do not only help, they are REQUIRED. You need at least 2. I attended an info session, and they prefer from Professors youve had who know you well. Your GPA is strong, and regarding 7 page essays, youre admissions essay needs to be between 1600-2000 words. So if youre around the 2000 area youre gonna have about 7 pages...
--Do you have a shot?
the school of GS admits about 300 students each term, which is not a lot but then again the applicant pool is usually very small. THe acceptance rate is a variable 37%.
the essay is very important so make sure its well written, proofread and have someone with a strong English background help you with editing, if need be.

goodluck

mk0673 · 10-23-2009, 07:04 PM

Has anyone who applied early decision for the Spring '10 semester heard anything yet? Or is it way to soon to be expecting decisions?

ziv_2k · 10-24-2009, 12:04 AM

Actually yes...
I got my admissions packet today via FedEx overnight...

still having a hard time believing I am going to Columbia soon....

good luck with your response...!

= )

mk0673 · 10-24-2009, 07:53 AM

Wow Congratulations ziv_2k!!! That is so exciting. When did you apply and did you have an interview? I'm so nervous now because I applied ages and ages ago.

ziv_2k · 10-24-2009, 02:31 PM

I submitted my paperwork in mid september and i attended an info session a few weeks ago. they told me to submit my application for financial aid early (doesn't influence their decision). Was told that they process your request only once youre are accepted.

After that I would use the track my application link almost daily (even though i knew it would takes about 2 months till i get a response) and then a few nights ago i was looking at the financial aid portion of track my application and saw they had written "we have received your request for financial aide". i wasn't sure if they just processed my application now or if was accepted...
sure enough the following day i got that packet from FedEx...

However, Jessica from admissions told me after i took the GSAE that early decision applicants should expect an answer in the first 2 weeks of Nov.
not sure why i got my answer so fast, maybe i was just among the first to have all my paperwork in...

sarah04 · 10-24-2009, 09:05 PM

ziv_2k:
did you interview? and do you have previous college coursework under your belt? thanks! and congrats on getting in!

ohnoez · 10-26-2009, 09:13 AM

Congrats on being accepted ziv_2k!

Can someone please respond to my post above? Thanks in advance.

ziv_2k · 10-26-2009, 09:15 AM

No interview, and I will be going with an Associates degree. I am completing a 30 month Occupational Therapy Assistant degree at my current school

ziv_2k · 10-26-2009, 09:18 AM

To have a shot for this semester you need to submit everything THIS WEEK. Deadline is Nov
bare in mind you must submit ALLL transcripts even the ones from the era you didnt perform well in school. Failure to do so will result in academic dishonesty and your admission will be rescinded.
in your essay explain why your grades were lacking and what has changed since then that you are now getting straight A's

good luck

ziv_2k · 10-26-2009, 09:25 AM

and thanks everyone for the well wishes, let me know if you guys are accepted as well, would be nice seeing all of you on campus...!
= )