Admissions Eligibility (One-year break rule)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia School of General Studies
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Hi everyone! It’s really nice to see a lot of people who are very serious and passionate about getting that quality education that they deserve! Kudos!

I’m currently a postbacc student at a state university. I obtained my bachelor’s degree overseas and actually spent a year in medical school there but I feel like I wasn’t quite getting the education that my intellectual curiosity required. Two years ago, my family and I came here when our permanent resident status finally got approved. And I’ve decided to pursue another undergrad degree so I could apply for med schools here in the US.

My question is, how strict is the “one or more year break” rule? I’d like to believe that my situation belongs in a gray area but I can’t just assume I’m eligible to apply.

The difference between the time I finished my first year in med school (March 2013; school year typically ends late March in my home country) and my first semester (Spring 2014) at my current school is 11 months BUT technically it was a two-semester break.

I feel like I’d have a fighting chance if I was given the opportunity to apply for such an amazing nontrad program better suited to my needs and interests; but it would really be unfortunate if I weren’t allowed to apply just because of a month’s difference.

Thanks in advance! And never give up on your dreams!!!

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Columbia GS is for students who have had at least one year off from school, those pursuing SECOND bachelor’s degrees, or those pursuing dual undergraduate degrees.

This is all information that is VERY EASILY accessible on Google and Wikipedia, so I’d strongly encourage you to take a stronger initiative in doing the necessary research.

“Prospective Columbia undergraduates who have had a break of a year or more in their education, have already completed an undergraduate degree, or are pursuing dual undergraduate degrees are considered non-traditional and are automatically ineligible for admission to Columbia College.”

Obviously, your ONLY option is Columbia GS. The following are SAT/GPA statistics you should consider.

Columbia GS:
CR: 650-760
M: 670-760
WR: 670-760
GPA: 3.89/4.0

Columbia College/SEAS:
CR: 690-780
M: 700-790
WR: 700-780
GPA: 3.90/4.0

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Hello vertiaslux777,

Thank you very much! And yes, I knew I was going to apply to Columbia GS and I have been doing research about it since I heard about it a year ago. I never said I had plans of getting into the College. While, by definition, I am indeed nontrad, that “second degree as nontrad” bit isn’t explicitly stated on the GS website and hence, my question. But really, that was really helpful, thanks and have a great day!

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No problem. :slight_smile: It’s actually on the GS website, though (as well as the CC/SEAS site): “Columbia GS students are… [those who] have completed some or no college coursework or are professionals who wish to complete a second bachelor’s degree in a discipline different from their first.”

Good luck! :slight_smile: