<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I’m 21 years old from Israel. I was wondering if I should apply to Columbia GS or Columbia?</p>
<p>I heard that it’s way easier to get into GS but that there is almost no financial aid for intl’ students. And financial aid is an issue for me.</p>
<p>What’s the difference between those schools and where do you think I should apply?</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>if financial aid is a problem then…neither. columbia gs gives no financial aid to students, regardless of international or US. columbia college gives no financial aid to international students or transfers.</p>
<p>also you cant apply to GS without having taken years off school and you can’t apply to CC if you took years off school (stupid policies imo)</p>
<p>“I heard that it’s way easier to get into GS” </p>
<p>It’s certainly easier to get into GS than CC, but getting into GS is not EASY by any stretch of the imagination. Columbia GS (23%) has a lower acceptance rate than Barnard (28%), and equal to Northwestern (23%). </p>
<p>Columbia GS (23%): [College</a> Search - Columbia University: School of General Studies - GS - Admission](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)</p>
<p>Northwestern (23%): [College</a> Search - Northwestern University - NU - Admission](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)</p>
<p>Barnard (28%): [College</a> Search - Barnard College - Admission](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)</p>
<p>My understanding is GS does give financial aid to international students, but it’s ****… just like the aid they give to US students. If you need substantial aid, I sadly agree that Columbia University, in any form, is probably not right for you :(</p>
<p>Did you take a break from school? GS is where you’d apply to. If the only break was for mandatory military service, you could probably do either.</p>
<p>It was for a 3 year mandatory military service.
I thought that CC gives merit based financial aid…?
I know that the chances are really small but still…</p>
<p>CC is need based only. </p>
<p>GS is primarily merit based.</p>
<p>I’d call the CC admissions office and talk, because you might actually be able to decide where to play.</p>
<p>CC website:</p>
<p>Is financial aid available for foreign students?</p>
<p>Though Columbia is not need-blind in its admission of foreign students, if you are admitted then we will meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need. If you plan on applying for financial at any point during your four years of study then you must apply for financial aid at the time you apply for admission.</p>
<p>GS website:</p>
<p>Aid For International Students</p>
<p>International students are eligible to apply for GS institutional scholarships. In order to apply for institutional aid, all international students must complete the GS Scholarship Application.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what that really means but it seems that CC financial aid is way better than GS’s .</p>
<p>campaigner- okay, let’s say that I can apply to both. Where I SHOULD apply? What are the advantages of applying here and not there?</p>
<p>PS I’m gonna sent an email to CC to ask if I’m eligible to apply there.</p>
<p>You need to apply to GS, not CC. GS is for “non-traditional students” who have had an interruption in their education for more than a year. CC is for “traditional” college students who go to college right after finishing high school or taking a one-year gap year. Columbia has a lot of students who are veterans (mostly US Military and IDF), but they’re in GS, not CC.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, GS doesn’t offer much financial aid because they receive much less money than CC from the University.</p>
<p>[First-Year</a> Admission | Columbia University Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/applications/firstyear]First-Year”>http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/applications/firstyear)</p>
<p>"Potential applicants to Columbia College who have taken a break of more than a year in their education (with the exception of those in mandatory military service) should consider instead Columbia’s School of General Studies; the same is true for all students who wish to attend a part-time program. "</p>
<p>EDIT: Which is why I say, call. This is a grey area, as far as I can tell.</p>
<p>Have just received this by email:</p>
<p>Potential applicants to Columbia College who have taken a break of more than a year in their education (with the exception of those in mandatory military service) should consider instead Columbia’s School of General Studies. Given your military service, you may elect to apply to Columbia College.</p>
<p>So I can apply to CC…</p>
<p>how generous is the financial aid for intl’ students there?</p>
<p>Oh wow, mandatory military service is exempted? That’s interesting…</p>