<p>I recently applied to the CGS program at BU. My grades during both freshman and sophomore years were far from satisfactory, and even though I began to do better my junior year, and recently got a 3.86 GPA for the first two quarters of senior year, my overall unweighted GPA is still 2.56. I currently take the toughest courses at my high school (APs whenever possible), and got a 1390 on SATs (700m, 690v), just to give you some background.</p>
<p>My question is:
What is the overall opinion on the CGS program from students and faculty at BU? Are students enrolled there still considered a part of Boston University? Do people seem to think of it as a “remedial” program for students who couldn’t get into regular Boston University? Are there any other distinctions between the students of CGS and the other students at BU?</p>
<p>From what I understand, you attend CGS for two years and then join the mainstream program. It is considered by many students to be a remedial program, so you might receive some flak for that, but most CGS students are indistinguishable from the rest of the pack by junior year. You are clearly a capable and intelligent student. Should you choose to attend BU's CGS, I am confident that you will excel. You will have ample opportunity to prove your merit the faculty and your peers. For you, CGS is just an "in". You are already more mature than many of its members. I'm sure the administration would be more than willing to accomodate your academic growth once you are enrolled.</p>
<p>I have a question about CGS... do you apply spacifically to CGS, or do they place you there if you almost meet the requrements. I always thought that general studies was where they put the kids that were on the borderline of getting in, and from his stats, he seems like he should be able to get in to CAS of one of the other colleges.</p>
<p>Chriss, that was my impression, too. When the adcom came to a college fair here, we asked if d should apply to cgs directly (because her scores fit better into the cgs midrange), and she said not to. It is routine for the adcoms to offer cgs admission to students who they think are capable but just don't make the cut.
That said, the info from BU does suggest students apply to the CGS if they don't yet know what they want to pursue. And, on the plus side, cgs students apparently get a lot more individual attention. It might be a nice transition...</p>
<p>My concern is the statistics- which are not readily available on the website. How many of the cgs graduates actually satisfy the criteria to be admitted into other schools later? There must be a min gpa, etc. I am sure, fantasticdan, you will do fine in this program and continue on. You clearly are very bright and capable. I am guessing that my own d, if accepted at all, will be offered admission to cgs, and i am concerned about the chances that she ultimately be accepted into her school of choice. Don't really want to pay that tuition to have her transfer to a lesser school later...</p>
<p>I applied to the College of Arts and Sciences, but i only have 1110 on my SAT's. My GPA is 3.6, and I have 8 college credits form Harvard Summer School. Would I have a better shot through CAS, or CGS?</p>
<p>CGS, but I'm pretty sure you can't apply directly to it. If they want you to be in there, they'll put you in. At least thats how it works at most other schools. But if everything else is good on your app, you might get into CAS</p>
<p>This is too important a question to rely on our opinions on this board. I'd suggest you call BU Admissions and ask about the process. My understanding is that while a college looks at your full 4 years of HS your actual GPA is based on Junior Year. So with the upswing in your hgrades and the decent SAT score you may be a good candidtae for CAS and if you don't make it then defintely CGS. Yes, there is a little joking about it (little homework supposedly which drives the other kids crazy who are up hours studying) but the kids at CGS still have higher than average stats and the assumption is that they can do the work once they get to Junior year and transfer into the "regular" programs.</p>
<p>Chriss, I have heard that students who apply to other schools (eg cas or com)and whose apps are not quite stellar enough for those schools may be offered admission into cgs. ie you need not play the strategy game wherein you would apply to cgs to increase your chances of admissions. In my d's case, she applied to com with the knowledge that she will likely be offered admission to cgs-if admitted at all.</p>
<p>dogs - right before you posted that message, I called the admissions office. As mommeleh said, you can be accepted to the CGS without directly applying.</p>
<p>Ha, I didnt know what I was doing, so I applied to CGS (though I personally would be better suited for CAS)... I looked online and they had changed it to me applying to CAS..... interesting, eh?</p>