<p>Hey gang. I mostly lurk, but as the time of decision approaches for all us potential transfer students, I wanted a little anonymous collective wisdom about an important decision. Im not looking for advice, per se, but more for irresponsible knee-jerk reactions. Ive been admitted to every UC under the sun, with a full ride plus offered by Berkeley (Im also a bay area resident), to Amherst college, which I presume will offer me generous financial aid, and Columbia School of General Studies, which offered excellent aid by GS standards, but will still require significant borrowing.</p>
<p>Im not asking for advice, because everyone will try to think strategically based on what they know about my personal situation. If thats what you want to do, no problem, but Id rather know what you would do if youd applied to these schools and had to make this decision, and Id like to know why.</p>
<p>So again, if you had to choose, whats your knee jerk reaction? What would you do?</p>
<p>Amherst gave me an early, unofficial decision (the Dean and Registrar has to approve the decisions first) because I thought, mistakenly, that I needed to commit to Columbia in order to claim my scholarship. I was wrong, but I'd already asked for an early notice.</p>
<p>It's a separate college on the same campus, just as SEAS and Columbia College are distinct undergraduate schools at Columbia University (correct me if I'm wrong, Columbia people). SEAS is for engineers, CC is for our future elites, and General Studies is for veterans and old people, or ideally old veteran people. General Studies fulfills approximately the same purpose as Eli Whitney at Yale, RUE... or is it REU?... at Brown, etc. It's for "non-traditional" students, but the biggest difference between GS and Columbia College is in the admissions process. It's absurdly difficult to get into CC, while the standards for GS are rather elastic. Once you're in at GS, you take the same classes as CC, and have an opportunity to take the same core as they do. I get the sense CC kids resent this back door into Columbia, but they should feel consoled by the fact that, if I end up going, I'll still be paying off loans years from now while they go shopping for index funds. I believe a part of my tuition will also be shredded and used to stuff pillows in the CC dorms.</p>
<p>can u explain an early, unofficial decision ? thanx alot
and btw, how to get an early notice?I mean,do u need to contact with the AO to request an early notice?</p>
<p>I called the admissions office a little over a week ago, and explained that I needed to respond to another school's offer of admissions before the 15th. I asked them if they could let me know about my decision by last friday, and they said "email ______ on friday, and we'll see." I emailed that person on thursday, and I saw.</p>
<p>CAtoNY, I think a lot of prospective GS students face the same question. What do you think is the maximum amount of additional money you'd pay to go to GS over Berkeley? This is what I've been struggling to come up with. Five thousand dollars more per year? More? Less?</p>
<p>Congratulations, that is a great decision to be faced with! I hope to be in the same position within the near future. I am just finishing up my GS application.</p>
<p>From my research, I do not think you can go wrong with any of the three. UCB is a research institution while Amherst and Columbia are LACs. The locations and campuses of all three are very different I am sure. Columbia is very expensive, I hear you on that. That is a really tough call. </p>
<p>Maybe try to come up with a total cost of attending both schools and compare them apples to apples? Also, try to guess what kind of salary you will likely get after graduating. $20,000 is a huge burden for someone making $45,000 per year, but not quite so bad for someone making $200,000. Know what I mean? </p>
<p>At least that is the way I have tried to look at it.</p>
<p>No problem, liek. I'm glad I was confused, because I never would have thought of making up an excuse to get an early decision.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your responses. I wonder if the lack of prestige attached to Columbia GS versus that of Columbia College, Amherst, and UC Berkeley? Do you guys and galls think that I should worry about that?</p>
<p>es four, good luck on your GS application. Don't worry about a long essay. Just make sure you create a strong story that would end well with ..."and then I transfered to Columbia." Perhaps I'll see you there this fall!</p>
<p>i don't think you get a cc degree, because you don't have to do the core, you get a columbia degree, and on your diploma, it might not specify gs vs. cc, but its not a cc degree</p>
<p>Congratulations on your choices. Without knowing anything about how old you are, or what your field of study might be, I'd just raise these questions for you:
1. I don't think Columbia GS (as opposed to Columbia College) guarantees housing. Have you looked into the housing situation -- where you could afford to live, how far away that might be from the Upper West Side, and also how that would affect your social life? As for the value of the degree, a Columbia degree is a Columbia degree.
2. How many students at Amherst are around your age? As a small liberal arts college, it will have a more homogeneous campus culture than your other choices. Do you see yourself fitting in well there?
3. Berkeley would get my knee-jerk nod, but only if you are confident you can deal with huge classes and less faculty interaction. This also depends a lot on your field of study. Econ would be a mob scene. Have you investigated this aspect of Berkeley specific to your intended major?</p>
<p>I got into Berkeley and GS and went with Berkeley, but I'm from NYC. Thanks to the +20,000 out-of-state fee (and no eligibility for cal grants), they're pretty comparable after aid (though GS is STILL more!). I figured if I had to pay a bunch of money, I'd rather live in a new place. Since you're from the bay area, you should go to Columbia. Change it up!</p>