I have a rather complex story, but I’ll try to keep it short. I’m a 36 y/o B.S. (Penn State '06) with a family, career, etc. living in NYC. I’m also an Iraq War veteran. I’m smart, driven, disciplined, and I think a generally pretty good guy. The problem is, I grew up in an extremely turbulent home in which I was subject to constant physical and emotional abuse, and as a result, my high school performance was, frankly, awful. I thought joining the reserves and going to college would turn things around but I ended up being lost and depressed. Despite this, I was able to patch together a degree and graduate.
It wasn’t until I went to war in 2007, came back, got married, started a job and family - essentially separating myself from my past - that I was able to realize my potential. The result is that I realize the opportunity I missed in going to college when I wasn’t ready, studying for a degree I didn’t want. I learned of the School of General Studies a few years ago and have been badly desiring to enroll ever since. My family’s circumstance (kids’ ages, earnings, etc.) finally such that I can begin to take steps to go back to school and pursue my goals.
My question is this: Should I apply outright, or should I go to BMCC (or similar) and do well for a year or two and try to transfer in? I think my personal story and growth are compelling, and I know they use a holistic review process, but my grades in both high school and college were really, really bad. As a result, I hope to be able to start from the beginning, build a real foundation with core classes, and go on to study economics. So, I guess this leads to a second question: there are some classes that I passed well, but I think would be best if I took them again; is this possible?
Never do just one application or one dream school. Apply to both options and see what happens.
You don’t state your educational goals, but you should try to apply to 2+ additional schools that would meet your needs if you can. (But School of General Studies is unique, so not sure if you can find multiple options.)
@OIFVet I don’t think it would be a bad idea to apply with what you have at this point and see what happens. I don’t have much experience with the school (besides currently waiting to hear back from admissions and reading all the threads on here) but I personally don’t think it would hurt to try to apply.
I would just be ready to be told that you will need to take classes at a community college to show your true potential right now, at this point in your life. Yes, their admissions are holistic, but you will most likely need to show them some sort of performance that will give them reassurance that you can succeed at Columbia. If you could, I would try to just do a semester at a community college at the least with general classes (even maybe some you took a while ago) to show that you’re able to succeed.
I myself also have a rough academic past (having failed out of college 5 years ago). I am currently active duty military, as well as a full-time night student. I have been able to maintain a 4.0 at my current school. I have read many stories similar to mine on here from past successful applicants. Not doing well in school in the past is apparently a pretty common story at GS. Our situations are obviously different, but I think there are similarities between us and past successful GSers.
So my opinion: apply if you’re ok with the possibility of rejection and won’t be deterred by it. If not, I would go ahead and take some classes at a local community college and then apply with hopefully a strong transcript. I would also request more information about the school on their website or by just calling the office of admissions directly. I have had one of the counselors helping me to build a strong application (they are all very helpful and want to see every applicant do well in admission).Good luck to you with whatever you decide.
Definitely talk to the Admissions office and see what they advise. BMCC is a great way to start though.
One word of caution, CU Gen Studies doesn’t often give great financial aid. Before you get your heart too set on that school, see if you can find out from them what it may cost you.
Also a similar school is University of Pennsylvanials LPS
You may want to look into other sorts of transfers. Cornell has many articulation agreements with NYState community colleges, If you decide to look at that route, be sure to discuss this with the guidance office at BMCC before you enter. Also, schools like Yale and Brown and others have special programs for older “non-traditional” students.
Vassar has a program for vets. You may want to ask them about their Vets program.
I would strongly advise you go to BMCC for at least a semester or two before applying. I imagine admissions would advise the same thing. You have an excellent shot at admission to Columbia GS - I would just recommend doing well for at least one semester to demonstrate to admissions that you’re capable of handling the Columbia course load. Columbia is also outrageously expensive, so you’d save a fair amount of money going down that route as well. You seem like a good writer too, so with a strong essay and a 3.7+ from a community college, I’d say you’re a lock.
Dusty, thanks for the response but as far as a non-traditional Ivy League route, Columbia is my only option. I own a home in NYC, wife has a career here, kids are in 3rd grade and Kindergarten…you get the point!
AroundHere, my educational goals are rather simple: major in Economics and actually use the opportunity to learn, which is why I want to redo even the core classes. I’m not going back to chase any particular career goals, but if I get into the program, I’ll see where it leads me.
Not exactly a sound plan for a 36 y/o married father of 2, but I’m fortunate to have solid support from my wife.
Cost is definitely a concern, since I’ll likely have to walk away from my own career to pursue this, and financial aid being tough to come by for G.S. students is disappointing. So if I have to take a year or two at BMCC to save money, so be it. But, first thing first - let’s see if I can even get in. Thanks for your response.
Perhaps you should take a class or two at a CC while still keeping your job to see how you like school and especially how you like studying math. If your previous college studies were in a completely different field from econ, perhaps you should see how you will really like being an econ student (where you often need to know some calculus and statistics) before you give up your current job. Perhaps take a single math class and see how it goes.