<p>Just wondering - why do you necessarily think it would be better to attend an extension school of an Ivy League university than become, say, part of the regular student body elsewhere?</p>
<p>This will be my last post on the Columbia Forum. I have always wanted to attend an Ivy League College for my undergraduate education. However, personal circumstances prevented that from happening while I was in H.S., not because I fooled around. But because I was in special education classes from the second grade to the tenth grade. Thus, when I left the program, I realized that I was far behind from all of the other students. My writing and comprehensive skills were insufficent for the Honors and AP classes. I struggled throughout H.S., but it made me aware of my strengths and weakness. I graduated H.S. in 1991 and went to work at Wal-Mart for nearly a decade before begining my college studies. The experience prepared me for that. </p>
<p>However, I wasn't confident in my writing skills. So I enrolled in the toughest english/philosophy classes to overcome that. Most of my lower grades are actually "B+". However, my school doesn't give "+ or -". Not even pass/fail grades. </p>
<p>I always ask myself why I didn't dropped out of Intro. to Logic. At the time, I didn't want to have another "W" grade on my record. I really wanted to learn the subject matter because I felt that I could at least apply that knowledge to my other subjects. Unfortunately, the class became the greatest frustration of my life because my teacher didn't explain the material clearly, and my classmates were unwilling to help me out. What I thought was to be the highlight of my academic career become a permanent blackeye whenever some looks at my academic record. </p>
<p>I was asked to retake the class for a better grade. However, my professor is the only instructor who teaches the subject, and he changes the material from semester to semester. The class was the worst experience of my life. I deeply regret not taking Pre-Calculus Algebra/Trigonometry instead of Logic. </p>
<p>I have no desire to attend any other college than the ones I'm applying to. Even if it is a special program. As long as I have access to the university's resources, I am satisfied with that. I want my BA degree at an Ivy League college, one way or another. Once I set a goal for myself, I will never let it go until my goal is accomplished. </p>
<p>If going to the Harvard Extension School or Penn CGS will make my eduction a stigma in the eyes of my future employers or the MBA programs, I am ok with that. I have been in special education programs most of my academic life. So I am use to criticisms I get. </p>
<p>But, I'll see how my application status at both Harvard Extension and Penn CGS turns out. </p>
<p>As a kid, I've always wanted to attend Columbia University. But didn't have the skills in high school to get there. Columbia GS was a very rare opportunity for me to embraced my dream and my passion to ulitilzed the resources the university has to offer. I once thought to myself that if I was accepted to Columbia GS, then everything would have come full circle. However, if I was rejected, then it will be the last painful rejection that I'll receive since I applied to a total of ten different colleges, and was rejected by every single one. Here is the list of schools that I applied to over the past 5 years:</p>
<p>Brown RUE
Brown: Regular Transfer
Cornell: CAS(Twice)
Cornell: Industrial and Labor Relations
Stanford
Yale
Howard University
Rice
Columbia GS</p>
<p>There you have it. Since I was rejected by Columbia GS, I can now move on with my life. Good luck to everyone who are attending Columbia GS. I only wish that I had the opportunity to experience the academic vitality of Columbia University as well.</p>
<p>OK, so you had "personal circumstances" that prevented you from doing well in high school. Fine. Although he's not going to say so, WindowShopping had some "personal circumstances" in high school that screwed him around pretty seriously... and he ended up going to a few different colleges, getting A's, and finally deciding that New School University stank and transferring up to GS.</p>
<p>The point is, he didn't sit around making excuses for himself and explaining things away... he decided he was ready, did the best he could, did well, and earned a spot here. So it's your goal to get a BA at an ivy league college. Great. I love goals. But a decade at Wal-Mart, while honorable, isn't quite "earning it". That may sound harsh, but you're sitting here making 1000-word posts trying to convince us that you've been wronged, and it's coming across as really entitled. There's even less of a "formula" for getting into GS than there is for getting into traditional elite undergraduate schools, but nothing you've told us here is making me think you deserve that sense of entitlement and outrage. Sorry.</p>
<p>Denzera, redlinekid's post did not convey any drift of entitlement when I read it . In fact, I was excited by his desire for an education, and also to defy the
'deterministic' factors of his life. You write of the decade at Wal-Mart as though it invalidates that talent that he may possess. However, I, on the other hand, am impressed by the sheer force of his perseverance. This man is trying to change his life around, and I think that this is inspiring. I also believe that in the end he will get to his goal. Looking at his situation through the eyes of a high school student, I see a contrast between his determination to change and the hopelessness of many people after a certain age. Everyone only has their own life to live, and within the boundaries of simple humanity (not stealing, killing, hurting etc) they aren't accountable to anyone. There is no 'justice' which says that based on his previous life, he does not deserve a good future. Certainly he has done nothing bad, but rather he is trying to make his life better. And perhaps a Columbia (or other) education would also unleash a talent that society has so far cooped up in him, to the betterment of everyone. This is the model GS story.</p>
<p>I disagree. I also question whether a university of chicago prefrosh can really speak with authority on what the "model GS story" is. Regardless, your interpretation is certainly the attitude he is trying to convey. I do admire his apparently sincere desire to go to a good college and get a good education, but the snippy way in which he treated those who were offering feedback makes me think he's looking here for gratification, not advice.</p>
<p>Denzera, exactly what part of my post do you disagree with?
the part about it being admirable that someone is determined to make a better life for themselves?
that they want to do it through an education and intellectual pursuit?
that this person dares to defy the conventional wisdom of deterministic mistakes?
Or that people should have the opportunity to harness their talent rather than letting it fall through the cracks of bureaucracy?
Redlinekid didn't become "snippy", he just stood by his original belief in himself despite the 24-second all-encompassing judgment/condemnation that so many here have been passing on him.
Redlinekid, I wish you all the best.
The other two options you mentioned, Penn and Harvard, both have amazing resources. My mother's friend was an art historian at Cambridge University, Bristol, and Harvard before she decided to spend a year teaching full time at the extension school. Many faculty members teach evening classes there, as well as faculty from excellent nearby colleges (Boston University, Tufts, Wellesley, Brandeis, Emerson, MIT...Boston is full of brilliant minds)</p>
<p>Denzera, I do not think that my attending another college next year de-legitimizes what I have to say. Both my parents are in academia, and I heard from many of their colleagues about the School of General Studies. It has a history of educating those who didn't have that chance in a traditional academic setting, be it because of antisemitism or a career in ballet. It would be a shame if a newfound keenness on statistical reviews undermined their original mission.</p>
<p>Orangetree I think you are missing the mark. I was actually trying to help Redlinekid because he was obviously not told the truth about why he did not get in. Looking at his transcript makes it crystal clear why he was not admitted. This is not to take away from his efforts or hardwork but I treat people the way I like to be treated. That is to say I appreciate when people are honest with me. If he knows where the problem lies then he can fix it. I think whoever he spoke with gave him such an ambigous answer that it left him feeling hopeless.</p>
<p>But Sweetny, are struggles with grades necessarily an automatic rejection at a school where people often did not have any undergraduate education? If so, then Redlinekid should forget about GS, because it seems to have turned much more narrow-minded in its admissions policy. I hope that his desire for an education transcends GS's decision and that he does not give up the goal of a top education.</p>
<p>You are still missing it...it is not just his grades. It is his curriculum. I think he needs to take more math and science. I know I am not an admissions counselor but I believe even kids applying as freshman have taken calculus. The thing they stressed during the information session for GS was that they are looking to admit students they feel will be succesful there. His courses don't really demonstrate that ability. I also hope he continues to pursue his dreams and education. I don't think anyone on here wants him to give up. He just kept posting like he was a perfect candidate but was still rejected...that is just not the case.</p>
<p>Perhaps in that case Columbia is not the best option for him. It's true, I'm not sure if they have the core at GS, but if they do then he should look into a school without such heavy distribution requirements. It would seem by his grades that his talent lies more in the humanities than math. If that is the case, he should nurture that specific talent in an environment that allows him to.</p>
<p>The core at GS isn't exactly the same as CC, but it's also not very different (though more "gen ed" oriented than proscribed). It does require a quantitative reasoning / math course which can be passed out of with strong enough board scores, along with three science courses (one of which can be frontiers if desired).</p>
<p>When I went for an interview and presented my transcripts, the admissions officer specifically singled out the fact that I had taken both math and science courses prior to applying. It probably is true that they expect at least some background in certain areas before sending a student into Columbia classes.</p>
<p>Hi, everyone I've been checking out posts on GS for a while now & I'm now working towards getting in (hopefully) next year. From the posts it seems it's quite a task getting into SGS. My intended curriculum was similar to Redlinekid's (until now!) What is a good enuff curriculum for SGS? would appreciate as much advice as possible from y'all. Thanx</p>
<p>I think all that can be said has already been said. There is no secret formula. Take the hardest classes and the most rigorous course load you can handle. Get involved in school/community and play up some aspect of your personality or your past that you think will be an asset to the university. Be truthful in your essay, they're a bright bunch of people there and they've heard it all. They can smell BS a mile away. I cannot stress enough the fact that the essay is THE most important part of the application.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I dunno about the <em>most important</em> part... but with everything else squared away and looking like the typical GS admittee, the biggest difference maker when you're right on the margin of yes/no is probably the essay, for sure.</p>
<p>Thanx a lot GS_Banding & Denzera. someone posted something about math & science courses - not really my strong points, but willing to make the grade. I'm looking at courses like astronomy, college algebra, statistics, macroecons & logic for next semester. I'm also considering taking SAT subject tests as well any thots?</p>
<p>I am working hard on my way to apply GS on Spring 2007. After carefully read through all the threads, I still have few questions about it. </p>
<p>I am planning to apply for Spring 2008
1) Is there any difference between apply for spring and fall??
Some people told me that it is harder to get in in spring, is that true??</p>
<p>2) Because my first universtiy is really special arts school under another country's education system (rather than my native country and US), although I did work really hard, GPA still look really bad. But I do have very some very special activities out side of school. I am currently in my frist year at community college (Boston, MA). After I spoke to admission officer from Columbia GS..he told me that I qualified to apply GS for sec. bachelor degree although I am not yet 25. So, I am seriously thinking about taking SAT subject tests to show that I do have something very strong in academic field. Will SAT subject tests help me to look good?? </p>
<p>ps. By the way, I have 3.2 GPA right now. It will be better this semester!!!</p>
<p>3) Can someone take a look at my classes...and tell me your opinion?? Sorry, I am an internation student who is really not familiar with this whole thing. It will be great if I get any kind of suggestion. </p>
<p>Fall 2006
US History II
US Goverment
Beg. Japanese
Writing ( not college level )
Reading ( not college level )</p>
<p>ps. I actually score 98 on my Toelf IBT exam but the school still forced me to take non-college reading and writing level classes because I wasn't educated under English school system for 4 years. I did complained but no use :(</p>
<p>Spring 2007
World History II
Beg. Japanese
College Writing 111
College Algebra 195</p>
<p>I am thinking about taking Hum Bio, US History I (or World History I) and College 112 in the summer. But there is no Intermediate Japanese open in my school, should I take it outside the school?? Besides, should I take 5 classes instead of 4?? Is 4 As better than 4 As 1 B???</p>
<p>I am so sorry to bother everyone here. But Columbia is my dream school from I was very small, I did love to work hard and grab every chance to get in. Please, please give me some advices. </p>
<p>Thank you for your time!!!!</p>
<p>1.) Not sure if there is a difference. I would think there is very little difference if there is any at all.
2.) SATIIs will help you if you do well in them.
3.) Your courses look OK. You should take enough classes to challenge yourself but not too many as to overload yourself.</p>
<p>Thanks for Davidng1's advise, that really helps!!!! =))</p>
<p>First off,I would like to thank everyone for making this thread so informative. In the past few days, I have become aware of the GS at CU. I am a non-traditional student, but not a traditional non-traditional student (try to say that fast). I thought I would stand a could chance of being admitted, but with these new admissions standards, I am somewhat worried. </p>
<p>Here is my scenario:</p>
<p>I graduated from college at a young age, and I continued my education with a MA degree at the same school. My graduate degree was fully funded by the university. It is a solid Tier 2 institution, and I have enjoyed my experience. However, at this juncture, I would like to pursue an entirely different field of study, and the GS seems like the perfect fit. I am planning to apply for Spring '08 in order to earn a secon bachelors (BS) in CompSci. Do they allow this at GS? I believe I would apply as a transfer student, is this correct?</p>
<p>Stats:
-20 yrs old at time of application
-ACT: 33 SATII Math: 710, SATII Writing: 710
-HS: 3.9 UW GPA, 4.3 (or 4.4, can't remember off top of head) Weighted
-UG GPA: 3.5 , Grad GPA: 3.3-3.4 (Both in Economics)
-I have been working throughout graduate school, at time of app, I will have 1.5 yrs of work experience.
-Goal: To get a BS in CompSci</p>
<p>Reasons for GS:
1. Non-trad student
2. Superior education to my current school.
3. NYC location (May possibly pursue a job on Wall Street, if I could get one)</p>
<p>Would I stand a chance in light of the new admissions standards? Thanks guys (and girls).</p>
<p>It would be good to contact GS directly to find out whether or not they would consider you for a second BS. I have no idea how admissions would view your application, but I am guessing that you would be in the running if they offer the second BS opportunity. Good luck!</p>