<p>ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Applicants may not simultaneously apply to the School of General
Studies and to any other undergraduate division of Columbia
University (Columbia College or the Fu Foundation School of
Engineering and Applied Science), nor are applicants eligible to apply
to the School of General Studies if in the last three years they applied to
any of these divisions and were not accepted. Applicants are admitted to
the School of General Studies as matriculated degree candidates.
Students may enroll either full- or part-time and may change their
status from semester to semester.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Window:</p>
<p>So SGS got 17% of the unrestricted funds this year...what does that roughly translate into monetarily?
[/quote]
About an additional $2,000 per year for those on GS grants, which is expected to increase annually given a recurring $1 million commitment from the general fund.</p>
<p>Window,</p>
<p>I read that as possibly saying, you must wait 3 years if you were not accepted to one of the schools other than GS. I am not sure that it means you cannot reapply if you have only applied to GS.</p>
<p>You must wait three years before reapplying to any of the three undergraduate divisions if rejected. I was informed of this when I met with the admissions director a few years back before applying.</p>
<p>Perhaps there are individual exceptions to the rule, but for clarification purposes, I'd speak with an admissions officer or the directer of admissions before going by what someone that picks up the phone in the office has to say.</p>
<p>"If rejected from GS or any of the undergraduate divisions, you have to wait three years before reapplying."</p>
<p>But could you still apply to CC or SEAS? For instance, if a 12th grader was rejected at CC then took a PG year at Exeter or Andover, would they be allowed to reapply in the fall of their PG year?</p>
<p>I've really never heard of this, unless there's some agreement in place with one of the individual admissions offices. If you're going to take a 13th "prepatory" year, why would you have applied in the first place?</p>
<p>Window,</p>
<p>That is good advice. I met with a representative from Columbia GS at a "transfer fair," and he urged me to apply ASAP... He mentioned that I could reapply if I did not get accepted. I definitely need to confirm this before taking a risk. My HS stats were poor, so I am trying to compensate with my College stats. The Columbia GS rep assured me one semester would be sufficient, but I would rather wait if I only get one shot.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>Window,
Let's say some kid really wants to matriculate to school X, Y, or Z. If they know that all three of these are reaches, they might apply to a postgraduate program at a BS instead of regular safety schools. But as you said, I'm sure the practice is rather uncommon.</p>
<p>I am a transfer applicant, and applied early in January thinking it was rolling 4-6 weeks but haven't heard anything. Have been told twice it will be several more weeks... I am assuming they haven't rejected me, yet, and are just waiting to see how many better applicants they get.... anyone think so?</p>
<p>hey gusslink, i applied in january too and i just heard on monday. it seems like everyone has gotten a call on a monday, so maybe be on the lookout after the weekend. </p>
<p>has anyone gotten status on transfer credit? how about institutional scholarshiops? i have to make my choice pretty soon and i don't want to make it without knowing all the facts from columbia first!</p>
<p>hi, i hope to seek advice from students of GS & CC, or anyone who cares to share their thoughts.</p>
<p>i am a transfer applicant who'd applied to CC and recently received correspondence asking if I would be interested in having my application reviewed by GS, since I was in the military for 2 1/2 years. Should I take up their offer? I'm 24 this year. Served mandatory military service as per required in my home country.</p>
<p>sitting on 3.93 at a cal comm college. about 60 semester units accumulated. messed up in one class and got a B for it. </p>
<p>previous HS: UK System Cambridge GCE Advanced Levels. Nothing spectacular; lacklustre but transferrable credit for lower division English requirements at most ivys. Was much much harder than comm college. 75% on exam translates into the equivalent of an A+ here. </p>
<p>decent essays, letters of recommendation. </p>
<p>why i went to comm college? universities here do not look too favourably upon UK-style education system. thus need extraordinarily amazing results to get in. Similarly, UK is highly selective about US applicants. I studied in a commonwealth country and not in the UK itself.</p>
<p>Any advantage to applying to CC/ GS? Admit pool for CC is around 100, rate ~10% or so. I am aware that GS admits like up to half of their applicants. No catch? Heard that diploma is different - Latin (CC) opposed to English (GS). Comm college = unappealing to either school? I am receptive to biased opinions; just want to consider all angles. thanks. Oh, forgot to add that I have about a day and a half to inform them of my decision.</p>
<p>doubtfool,
Same here and I have accepted it on Friday. I was a bit surprised because I've merely taken a gap year. Well, to be accurate, I lost track of time and had a year and a half off...<br>
But is it true that GS admits about 50%?</p>
<p>doubtfool: If they'll let you receive a decision from CC before GS reviews it, I'd go for it. Otherwise, it's a tough choice. Chances are you'll get into GS, but you won't receive much aid. If you manage to get into CC, you'll probably get a bunch. If I were you (though the deadline for applying Fall 08 has passed), I'd go to a University of California school. They have transfer admissions guarantees from California Community Colleges and will accept all of your credits. Aim for Berkeley.</p>
<p>alpharosean: It's probably been close to 50% over the past few years, but from what I can tell, GS is pushing harder for applicants. More applicants for the same amount of spots will force the rate lower. Collegeboard listed it as 36%, last time I checked.</p>
<p>It's funny that the "average" GS student is 29, has no undergraduate degree, and presumably LESS money (how much can you have with only a high school diploma?) than the typical I-went-to-private-school-and-have-parents-helping-me-with-college CC student, yet they receive practically no aid. The non-traditional students GS claims to exist for the benefit of, have no way to finance their education.</p>
<p>In my not-so-humble opinion, Columbia can take their attitude, seven billion dollar endowment, ownership of like, 99% of the property above 110th Street, and shove it. Heck, two stops uptown at CUNY City College, you'll get a fine education for practically nothing. I think the CCNY alumnus Dean of Harvard Medical School is speaking up there in a few days. For grad, the name matters; for undergrad, the name may matter, but so do your personal qualities. Work hard and save the money for Columbia grad school.</p>
<p>every time I call they say another week... sounds like everyone else has heard... am getting frustrated because i need to make other decisions... any thoughts from anyone else?</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I just recently applied to General Studies and was wondering if anyone has any ideas on what my chances are based on my background.</p>
<p>I have attended a community college for 3.5 years now. I have a total of 44 units with a 4.0 cumulative GPA. My highschool GPA was a 3.7 on a 4.0 scale, but I was homeschooled, so I attended a community college since most colleges would not take my academic history seriously. I have taken a total of two semesters off and have attended part-time for a few semesters because of health problems with a family member. Before those problems, I received both the Dean's Honors and a scholarship for academic excellence and community service. I also was hired as a math tutor.</p>
<p>For work experience, I started teaching music lessons privately when I was 14 and taught for 6 years. I was a piano accompanist and organist (paid) for a church for 4 years and was hired as a contracted music consultant/accompanist for a high school drama company. For community service, I have worked with a police department as a volunteer for 6 years.</p>
<p>My SAT score was 1800. </p>
<p>My intended major is philosophy (if that information is helpful).</p>
<p>Thanks to anyone who responds!</p>
<p>i'm an international student from malaysia and just got admitted to columbia GS. I need advice on housing. What are my options? Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!</p>
<p>i'm an international student from malaysia and just got admitted to columbia GS. I need advice on housing. What are my options? Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!</p>
<p>You should try to get your housing ID number over the phone so that you don't have to wait for your acceptance package. Once you get your housing ID and password, you can log on to the UAH website and fill out an application. The sooner you fill that puppy out, the better your chances of getting an apartment. The cost of an apartment might seem steep, but compared to the open market in Manhattan, it'll be very very cheap. You will probably get a room in a shared apartment next to campus.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, is anyone else who applied to GS receiving emails urging them to apply? This slightly concerns me. Thanks to anyone who responds.</p>
<p>Chalk it up to really bad marketing on the part of GS. I'll assume that you've already submitted a completed application and are waiting to hear a decision?</p>