Columbia College vs. School of General Studies

[ivyfaster]

<p>

GS students do not have access to classes at Teachers College. All other undergraduate divisions at Columbia may take classes at T.C.

</p>

<p>I find this dubious. You certainly can’t register for TC classes as a CC student using the normal registration system, so if it’s even possible it likely requires petitioning with documentation of exactly why a course from the graduate school is needed for your undergraduate degree. </p>

<p>

GS students do not have physical access to certain facilities which provide housing, yet students from other colleges do. Such buildings contain meeting rooms and study lounges which are systematically denied to GS students. Accordingly, GS students are often left out of important social and academic functions simply because they are denied entry.

</p>

<p>This is clearly untrue. Reserving a res hall lounge actually includes options for access by pepole without CUIDs. GS students have a CUID, so that doesn’t even matter. GS students are explicitly allowed in all CU clubs/organizations.</p>

<p>Financial aid is definitely an issue, but it’s not a matter of intentional discrimination as much as an issue with the nature of endowments. There are a, however, a few groups that do receive significant financial aid to GS.</p>

<p>

Ironically, many GS students are accomplished and professional musicians, and would like to obtain a degree in music. However, they are systematically denied the opportunity by Columbia’s administration.

</p>

<p>Obtaining a degree in music at GS is clearly possible as it is one of the standard majors available. While it would be great for the Juilliard joint program to be available, understand it’s difficult to qualify for even as a CC student. Also, as a joint program, Juilliard’s administration certainly has a hand in things as well.</p>

<p>More importantly, however, is the issue of housing management. It appears clear from walkthroughs that a CC room next to a GS room is clearly being held to a higher standard, from electronic locks to wall repair.</p>

[chrgra]

<p>For undergraduate studies at Columbia University you can follow a number of approaches. You can do the Combined Plan (3-2 plan) where you get a BA degree from Columbia College in 3 years and than get a BS from SEAS/Fu Foundation in 2 years, the Combined Plan (4-1), where you do the same thing but 4 years with CC and 1 at Fu Foundation.
As for GS, I’m not really sure, but its all on the admissions site.
As for simple double majoring within only one of the Columbia University colleges, I’m not sure because I’ve only heard about the combined plans.</p>

[exqusitely_bored]

<p>So I received a phone call on Thursday for a “quick interview” and needless to say I was a bit nervous being put on the spot like that. But I mean, that is obviously a good sign that they called right? But I did think that it was weird that the lady asked me to email her my spring grades because the mail would take too long (I live in L.A.). Email? Weird right? I have MAJOR anxiety, the waiting is driving me crazy.</p>

[Ny80]

<p>It seems very good. was that Amy???
For me they requested them (transcripts) via email.</p>

[Dretzerik]

<p>I’ll say it once, and I’ll say it again: GS is the means in which Columbia University found to keep non-traditional students from applying to Columbia College - either as students or transfer students - and to avoid paying for need-based financial aid.</p>

<p>Here’s the issue: 48% of people who apply for GS are accepted (this is SOME ivy league, eh?) The scholarship GS gives is “merit-based” - which means, they give you as much as they think you are worth. You could’ve been HS Valedictorian and get, oh say, 30% off a $40k tuition - you’re screwed anyway. If you don’t think that’s true, lol, FIND ONE PERSON who is going to GS on a full-ride. If a person is going to GS on a full-ride, that person has enough social prestige (meaning, we’re talking about a famous actress, politician, or an artist of world renown).</p>

<p>So, here’s the bottom line: Ivy League schools are TOUGH to get in, because once you do get in, they take care of you no matter how much you earn. Typically, if you earn enough you won’t worry about paying for tuition. If you don’t, you get financial aid that covers most of your costs.</p>

<p>GS is a different story! When accepting 48% of applicants, what GS says is: “You don’t have to be as good as applicants who get into real Ivy leagues, i.e. Columbia College. All you need to have is money, and we’ll wave the harsh requirement that makes the elite, well, elite!”</p>

<p>So if you apply for GS and you get in, don’t ***** about not having money or not enough financial aid. Get into Columbia College instead, or into Yale… or any other Ivy that treats non-traditional and traditional students alike. Be ready though - unlike GS, they want the best - not the only ones who can pay for their education. </p>

<p>Oh, by the way - don’t feed me the BS that “GS is geared towards non-traditional students”. There is no regulation that says non-traditional students can’t apply for a regular undergraduate program. If you’re a non-traditional student and an University tells you that they strongly suggest that you apply for a specific program, what they are telling you in turn is that they DON’T WANT YOU TO APPLY FOR THE TRADITIONAL PROGRAM.</p>

<p>With that said… enjoy your GS “Ivy League” :D</p>

[Schrader]

<p>I guess the barometer of worthiness could be gauged by how a GS students performs academically when compared to Columbia College students. My understanding of the program is that GS students take the same classes, therefore their performance would be measured equally. Presumably if a GS student can compete academically, than they are worthy of their place in the “ivy league” arena. The cost thing is an issue though and does make one question how Columbia does in fact regard GS. Otherwise, I dunno why the previous poster seems to concentrate to much energy to something he repeatedly shows such much petty and long winded disdain towards.</p>

[kmhuether]

<p>I’m not going to GS nor did I apply since I’m not a “non traditional student”
But, Dretzerik, if someone’s intellectual worth is measured by how difficult their chance of admission into a school is then I guess Native Americans, Blacks and other URMs don’t get a “true ivy” since it’s easier for them to get in.</p>

<p>I don’t agree with affirmative action of any sort but I would never say that a URM isn’t a true ivy leaguer becuase it is easier for them to gain admission.</p>

[CrookedI]

<p>It’s not easier for URMs to get in considering the adverse conditions that they face from birth when compared to their more fortunate counterparts.</p>

[Epaminondas]

<p>schrader, a counterargument would be that a large number of people are able to handle the word at an Ivy League school, even excelling at academics. But the few out of that group who do get in are truly exceptional, maybe in personal qualities or extracurricular commitments.</p>

<p>just my 2 cents</p>

[Epaminondas]

<p>and Crooked, do you really want to get into the controversial topic that is AA and turn this thread into a battle zone?</p>

[CrookedI]

<p>Sure, why not?</p>

[Epaminondas]

<p>Then let’s bring it on then!!! :)</p>

<p>PS I am not fully knowledgeable on this issue and have no intention of chipping in.</p>

[CrookedI]

<p>Way to douse the flames before they started :(</p>

[Epaminondas]

<p>spin it any way you like. I was going for anticlimactic humor.</p>

[CrookedI]

<p>I spin clockwise, how about you.</p>

[Epaminondas]

<p>I don’t. I don’t want to get dizzy</p>

[searchlight22]

<p>CrookedI said</p>

<p><<it’s not=“” easier=“” for=“” urms=“” to=“” get=“” in=“” considering=“” the=“” adverse=“” conditions=“” that=“” they=“” face=“” from=“” birth=“” when=“” compared=“” their=“” more=“” fortunate=“” counterparts.=“”>></it’s></p>

<p>Sorry but I know several URMs in my community who had no adverse conditions whatsoever growing up. In fact some of them are in the wealthiest families, yet they will gladly take advantage of their URM status to gain admission into Ivy League schools. Every advantage helps. My guess is that the majority of URMs on any Ivy campus are from pretty well off families, no different than the rest of the student body.</p>

<p>The Ivies probably know they are admitting well off URMs who are really not at all “diverse”. But they still do it because they see themselves as pursuing a social mission, and they want to brag about their URM stats.</p>

[Epaminondas]

<p>^True, that’s why some people are pushing for socioeconomic diversity instead of ethnic diversity in admissions to top universities. They say that every year low income Asians and Whites are being displaced by wealthy URMs. The colleges do this because this will save them dollars (in terms of financial aid) while maintaining their “need-blind” status.</p>

[Schrader]

<p>Why does the term underrepresented minority necessarily have to have a strictly racial conotation? Cultural and personal backgrounds contribute to differences in personality and values, but race as far as I can tell is a very superficial and arbitrary distinction. Distinction on racial grounds, no matter how well intentioned, seems racist to the schrader.</p>

[jamescchen]

<p>It’s all about White Guilt. But those afflicted by White Guilt (in charge of our government and educational institutions) make sure their kids aren’t affected by the quotas. It’s always someone else’s kid that pays the price, not theirs.</p>