<p>I’ll answer both of you, Hal and Carrot. First, Hal:</p>
<p>“Jan, you said earlier that you would be much keener on getting a free ride to a public school than borrowing your way through GS.”</p>
<p>Careful, I didn’t say that. In fact, I was offered multiple full-ride scholarships in Pennsylvania. I turned down the lot of them in favor of a Columbia education.</p>
<p>“So do you have any thoughts on getting student loans without co-signers or collateral? I have a good credit history, at least.”</p>
<p>I don’t. Luckily, I haven’t had to do this. I’d ask the financial aid office when you set up your appointment.</p>
<p>And you, Carrot:</p>
<p>“I have to keep in mind that my situation is VERY different from most- taking a full course load, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, volunteering in the community, raising kids, and keeping a clean house, making healthy meals, etc., just doesn’t leave enough hours in the day to hold down a job as well. Sometimes it doesn’t leave enough time in the day to sleep…”</p>
<p>Here’s a wake-up call, Carrot:</p>
<p>This situation, at a university like Columbia, isn’t out of the ordinary. In fact, I have friends who are single moms at Columbia, work two jobs, go to school full-time, and get stellar grades. One of them is the president of a club and another I know from working out in the gym (yes, she finds time to work out, too). Both of them volunteer with the school so you might meet them at orientation.</p>
<p>I know younger students who have full-time jobs, take care of physically disabled or elderly family members, volunteer, and have time to publish their research in academic journals and make the dean’s list. </p>
<p>The point is that this is a different paradigm, Carrot. This university attracts over-achievers, super-over-achievers. People here have extraordinary personal responsibilities and the university - meaning the faculty, administration, and your peers - will expect that you be able to do it all.</p>