<p>*Please, only chance me if you're familiar with Columbia's School of General Studies. Thank you.</p>
<p>I am 22 (23 in early September), a first generation college student, a man of color, and from Brooklyn, NY. </p>
<p>High School GPA: 2.0</p>
<p>GPA at NYU's SCPS: 3.9</p>
<p>I began my undergraduate studies at NYU in the fall of 2008. I made the Dean's List that fall semester and this past spring semester.</p>
<p>GS Essay: Very strong. I make sure to explain why my high school GPA is so low. </p>
<p>Recommendations: From three professors, eloquently written.</p>
<p>Test Scores: I will be taking the GS exam. I plan to do well, maybe even great. </p>
<p>Extracurricular Activities: Nonexistent throughout my time at NYU, however, while in high school, I was a community organizer (3 years) in Harlem. </p>
<p>I would appreciate your constructive response. Thank you.</p>
<p>I agree with Jose, those would be 2 questions to address in your essay (though it sounds like you already submitted it). For me, I was being beaten in high school and junior college and my grades the first time I was in school without that worry were As and Bs, not As, Bs, Cs, Ds and Incompletes. So the difference was very pronounced on my transcripts.</p>
<p>It seems like you did have a break, of about 4 years. Address that – the reason for the break, what you did during the break and why you went back. Also, why the switch from NYU to Columbia. Go beyond the Ivy prestige…probably something along the lines of the greater challenge, the opportunity to study with the best professors, etc.</p>
<p>Not to put words into your mouth, but I hope that helps. Since it sounds like you’ve already submitted your materials/essay, I hope you anticipated those questions. I’d say your chances are good. My GPA wasn’t that high, I was most likely admitted based on my essay and the fact that my grades in my major were almost always As.</p>
<p>Also, if funding is an issue, send me a private message, I have some advice about that.</p>
<p>I worked during my break. The reasons are too personal to post on this site. The reason for my low high school GPA is also personal. I thoroughly explain my break and GPA in my essay.</p>
<p>CI,</p>
<p>Yes, I had a four year break. In my essay, I do indeed explain why the switch from NYU to Columbia. Congratulations on being accepted! Have you begun your studies yet? Thanks for chancing me.</p>
<p>Too personal to post? Then it must make for an interesting story. As long as you weren’t sitting around playing video games and working at Micky D’s during your break, I’d say you have a pretty good chance (in my opinion anyhow). Your NYU GPA is strong and a low high school GPA isn’t an application killer if there is a good explanation behind it.</p>
<p>I don’t think URMs really exist in GS. As for the first gen. college student, I’m not sure how much it helps… anyone else know?</p>
<p>Haha! Neither video games nor Mickey D’s. Trade school and the construction field, interesting indeed. </p>
<p>“I don’t think URMs really exist in GS.” Really? What are you basing this statement on? Yes, I too would like to know if first generation status helps. Thanks for you input!</p>
<p>Actually, the PALS scholarship (which offers an award of full tuition, room/board, and modest living expenses) is geared exclusively toward URMs.</p>
<p>Im probably just mistaken about the URM. I was thinking that since the school has such a high percentage of URM it wouldnt stake for much, but its actually still lower than the percentage that CC has.</p>
<p>I guess marking that Hispanic block did pay off :P</p>
<p>Of course you were offered admission. The idea is that GS takes many, but few make it thorough the four years (or more). It’s a rigorous education–getting in is the easy part.</p>