Chances for Spring 2015 Admissions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia School of General Studies
1

<p>I have been working almost a year at an international organization as an executive assistant to the Secretary-General and also as an officer working with interdepartmental activities on an ad-hoc basis. But, the more I work, the more it seems like the clock's ticking and my time's running out...here is why. </p>

<p>I graduated in 2013 with a degree in business administration. I ended up with a cum GPA of around 2.8 (but my last two years' GPA was 3.83) so although I was always on the Dean's List for the latter half of college, my grades from the former half were destructive overall and I was not allowed to apply for a double degree in business and social sciences (which I really wanted to do)</p>

<p>The primary cause for such low motivation and low grade cannot be blamed on something else but myself; however, our family went through serious issues during this time and I also lost my motivation as a result. </p>

<p>It took a long time and effort to put myself together...When I was devastated with my grades and my future with such low grades...I just couldn't give up and also let go of my long-held dream of becoming a lawyer some day (It was always in the back of my head). So I picked up and started taking classes seriously. In the end I got straight A's for two semester and maybe a single B+ or a B in the other two semesters. But that didn't solve my problem. In order to go to law school I need a higher "undergraduate" GPA. While most people already come with high GPAs and apply...I am the odd one out. </p>

<p>So I'm really worried whether I do have a chance at Columbia GS for the upcoming spring admissions or whether I should take classes at another college to boost my academic potentials. Previous discussion thread was also mentioned a low GPA issue and people seemed to suggest taking classes at another college. But I feel like I already showed that I am capable getting good grades with my last two years' GPA. What do you think I should do? </p>

<p>I can take classes...but I just feel like I don't have much time. I want to enter law school by the time I'm 27, and in order to do that...I need to start my second bachelor's degree ASAP... so please if anyone have suggestions or good ideas ...I really need a second opinion on this! </p>

<p>BTW, I'm an international student (female) and I'm also fluent in English, Korean, Japanese and conversational in Chinese (Mandarin). </p>

2

<p>I’m sorry to inform you, but only the grades that you received in pursuant of your first bachelor’s degree will count towards your LSAC GPA. So, if you’re planning on obtaining a second bachelor’s degree to “boost” your LSAC GPA, you’d be wasting your time. Having a second degree with stellar grades might help as a soft factor, but it will not count towards your LSAC GPA. </p>

<p>I was in a similar situation as you - I had very bad grades my first go around in college (I dropped out after two years). Then, a few years later, I started doing very well, particularly after I got to Columbia. I graduated with a 3.89 GPA from Columbia, magna cum laude and phi beta kappa. But my overall gpa was was less than stellar due to the bad grades that I received from first foray in college. As such, when I first saw my cumulative LSAC GPA of 3.19, I was aghast.</p>

<p>Don’t worry, there’s a happy ending to this story.</p>

<p>After graduating in 2013, I started feverishly studying for LSAT. I sometimes put in 8 hours a day. I ended up doing very well on the exam, and, despite my low gpa, gained admission to two t14 law schools: Northwestern and Georgetown (both sticker price though - no scholarship $) and got a full-ride scholarship to Notre Dame Law School, which I accepted, because I really couldn’t turn down a free JD from Notre Dame. </p>

<p>Make sure that you write a compelling admissions essay, and be sure to write an addenda for your upward gpa trend. In your essay, really try to articulate why you want to go to law school. </p>

<p>As for you, your gpa is your gpa. There’s really nothing you can do about it now. Do not waste your time, and more importantly your money (Columbia GS is ridiculously expensive) getting a second bachelor’s degree. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the education that I received at Columbia and found that it aptly prepared me for the rigors of law school, but I’d advice against it. </p>

<p>Just focus on the LSAT, do very well, and you’ll have plenty of law school options. </p>

<p>As for prep books for the LSAT, get the Power Score Logic Games Bible and the Power Score Logic Reasoning Bible. They are seminal books for LSAT preparation, and almost everybody who scores high uses them. </p>

<p>I hope this helps </p>

<p>Best </p>

3

<p>Thanks for the advice tsar10027. I’ll take that into account. Although, I have a few questions regarding the program at CGS. What are some benefits of the program? Did you have better job prospects after graduating? Also, are CGS students allowed to participate in CC student organizations? And how long did it take you to finish your second degree? </p>

<p>Regarding law school application, did you have any other soft qualities that you think might have helped gain admissions to places like Notre Dame, Northwestern and Georgetown? You have a better cum GPA than me…so I’m wondering what your lsat score(s) were, if you don’t mind me asking. </p>

<p>In any case, thanks so much for the help…I really appreciate it…would have never known such info without your advice! </p>

4

<p>You’re quite welcome. with regards to CSG:</p>

<p>What are some benefits of the program?</p>

<p>-You will be fully integrated into the undergraduate curriculum, save for a few core classes, namely Contemporary Civilizations, Literature Humanities and Frontiers of Science - which are all Columbia College specific. It should be noted, that Contemporary Civilizations and Literature Humanities are sort of the cornerstones of the vaunted Columbia Core Curriculum, so not having integrated sections, and, at least when I was there (2010-2013), not mandating GS students to take these courses alienates GS students with regards to the Core. Other than these three courses, however, GS students, at least academically, are fully mainstreamed into undergraduate academic life at Columbia. Same professors, same classes, and a mix of students from all three (four if you count Barnard) undergraduate schools. The real benefit of GS, at least for me, was a chance to compete for grades with some of the brightest students in the country. Doing well at Columbia really boosted my confidence and gave me a kind of work ethic that I never knew was possible. Also, gaining instruction from Columbia’s professors - some of them leading experts in their respective fields - allowed me to get a first rate undergraduate education. Also, outside of the Columbia bubble, and perhaps outside certain college website like CC, people do not really distinguish between the different undergraduate schools. People are impressed that I went to Columbia and automatically assume that I’m smart and capable. </p>

<p>Did you have better job prospects after graduating?</p>

<p>-It all depends on your GPA. If your GPA is average, you’ll have a tough time leaning on the Columbia name to open up doors for you. If, however, your grades are good 3.8+, and you major in something practical like economics, then your job prospects will be good. I know a girl who went to GS who graduated with a 4.0 in econ and beat out several Columbia College, Harvard, and Penn Wharton grads for a highly coveted position at JP Morgan. If you do well, you will get interviews from the big banks and consulting firms, just like students from any other prestigious college. How you do in those interviews is all on you. </p>

<p>Are CGS students allowed to participate in CC student organizations?</p>

<p>-Yes. But there aren’t any CC specific student organizations. Student organizations are open to all undergraduates. Even the prestigious Philolexian Society at Columbia - one of the country’s oldest college literary societies - had, as one of its officers, a GS student. There are, however, separate alumni events, and I get the sense that some of the older Columbia College alumni are less receptive to GS - particularly those who went to Columbia when GS was only a shell of what it is today. </p>

<p>And how long did it take you to finish your second degree?
-I only received one undergraduate degree, I just took many years from when I first entered college and when I finally finished college.</p>

<p>Regarding law school applications:</p>

<p>Did you have any other soft qualities that you think might have helped gain admissions to places like Notre Dame, Northwestern and Georgetown? </p>

<p>-No softs at all. I had some interesting life experiences, but nothing remarkable at all. I also had around 12 W’s on my transcript and was kicked out of college the first time around. During my interview with Georgetown Law, they even remarked how impressed they were with my turn around, and how I was able to do se well, and how I put so much dedication into finishing college. They really want to gauge your interest in law school, and most importantly, they want to see a high LSAT score attached to your LSAC file. I can’t stress enough how important your LSAT score will be. If you score in the 170+ range, you’ll get into a ton of schools with scholarship money. And while softs are nice, and might give you a slight boost, your LSAT score will make or break your competitiveness for top tier law schools.</p>

<p>Let’s just say my LSAT score was very high - well above the 90 percentile. But it wasn’t because I was a genius or anything. It was because I studied really hard, and “figured the test out.” It’s a very learnable test and you’ll have to alter the way your mind works, but it’s fun and it really challenges you to think logically. </p>

<p>I hope this helps</p>

<p>Best</p>

5

<p>Thank you so much for the prompt reply and for all the informative answers! Now that you’ve told me of all the benefits and job prospects (with a 3.8+GPA) of CGS graduates, it seems all the more difficult to make a decision! I’ve laid out two options: my first option is to study hard for the LSATs, get a decent score in the next couple of months, and apply this year, if possible. </p>

<p>The second option for me is to apply for CGS or some other institution that offers a second bachelor’s degree, secure a high GPA, build on my softs, gain work experience, then go to law school, which altogether would take me 4+ years (?). I wonder if that would, in any way, boost my candidacy for a decent law school. Law school admissions look at areas other than the LSAC index number, don’t they?</p>

<p>I’m currently reading through several blogs on law school admissions and especially on those troubled cases like mine, and they continuously suggest taking ‘extra’ classes. For some reason, I’m also reminded by my Law school advisor at my previous institution and how he reiterated that it’s best for me to take classes until I raise my GPA…I know his advice was most applicable because I was still in school at that time.</p>

<p>At this point…I really don’t know what’s the better option of the two. I’m torn between applying for law school this year and postponing my applications until after I gain work experience at a top notch firm like JP Morgan…which would only be possible after I raise my GPA through a second bachelor’s degree. </p>

6

<p>Law schools basically don’t look at ■■■■ besides LSAT, and then GPA. </p>

<p>GS is ludicrously expensive, and will take at least 3 years. I’m not seeing a return on investment for you, unless you were positive that your GPA will be 3.9+ (that’s a very small percent of Columbia students!). </p>

<p>In my opinion, this isn’t a hard decision. If you’re set on law school, spend 6 months studying for the LSAT like it’s your full time job. </p>