<p>Hi, everyone. I’m a mom but also a General Studies student as well at Columbia University. As the NY Times mentioned, the term “General Studies” means many things. Their article was focused on the efforts of many colleges to bring in traditionally aged students (18 years old) graduating from high school and transition them through a general studies program to ascertain their success at college. The General Studies program at Columbia University is a totally different concept. There are four undergraduate schools at CU and General Studies is one of them. Student at GS have had a break in their education from high school, typically one year or more. I had a 27 year break as I obtained my masters degree in 1985 and decided to return to school as an undergraduate in 2008 for a degree in Art History. As a GS student, I am fully integrated into the college community and in all of my classes I sit right next to students from Barnard, School of Engineering, and Columbia College (students straight out of high school). This is not a program structured to transition high school students into college. It’s been a really great experience for me!</p>