Columbia College vs. School of General Studies

<p>So you are applying for a second BA? Why not just go for an MA?</p>

<p>I hated the BA program here in Armenia; it is soooo superficial, I do not feel well prepared for a MA in the USA. i actually plan to do the joint degree to get my MA from Columbia in 4 years, if I can
</p>

<p>AMorrison, maybe you, or others, know, what kind of photo would they like to get, what do they require???/</p>

<p>If you search this thread you’ll see that most people sent in a photo of themselves doing something they enjoy - not a professional head shot or anything.</p>

<p>Hey everyone!</p>

<p>I urgently neeeeeeeed to know this: is that really ok not to submit the optional essay? Might it cont against me?</p>

<p>thaaaaaaaankssssss
</p>

<p>Well, I didn’t write one. Though I did include what could be considered the “Optional Essay” with my Part 1 application to explain a grade received 5 years ago, as well as my high school diploma equivalency. I didn’t realize we’d have the optional essay in Part II when I did that.</p>

<p>heeeey</p>

<p>thanks AMorrison,</p>

<p>I was advised to include my awards and activities which are much more that three in the optional essay. I mean, should i really do that or should I pick out three MAIN awards and write only those???</p>

<p>@ goharik19</p>

<p>I didn’t submit the optional essay. I went over in word count on the first essay by about 250 words, so I didn’t take even more time to continue on the second one. If GS felt like they needed two writing samples to judge a person properly it wouldn’t be optional. If you had a good story, presented it well and did so in the first essay, then you will be fine. Trust me when I say that they would have been able to tell if you were just using the second essay as filler because you felt obligated.</p>

<p>Hey, </p>

<p>thanks, I actually decided to use the second essay toi tell them more of my activities and awards. And, I really want to know: they say the deadline is April 1; Is April 1 included as well? i mean, I can send the application ON April 1 right?</p>

<p>that’s what I will do. submit everything tomorrow. or if I can get it done tonight. I am submitting everything online now. before I was gonna do it by paper but the space is just not enough and everything has to be squeezed together to fit in. I used the second essay to explain my grades. I asked them about the photo. they said it’s really up to me. she told me that even I submit they are going to scan it into the computer and the quality is not good any way. But I might just gonna submit one, it won’t hurt anyway. good luck</p>

<p>The GS Admissions Committee says that they’ll release decisions BY May 1st for EA applicants. The wait feels interminable. Has anyone one heard anything? Gotten an interview?</p>

<p>I got a phone call from admissions on Thursday (4/1) notifying me that I’d been accepted. I’m still waiting for my admissions packet (I’m assuming it didn’t come on Friday because of the holiday). I’m really hoping it comes tomorrow, I’m so anxious to see it!</p>

<p>Hey guys!
Sorry, but *** is going on???
I applied BY April 1. I was told that is the deadline for internationals, and nothing was mentioned of the ED or EA. I am so much puzzled right now. Can anyone shed some light on my situation??? AND, I was told I will be notified in Mid MAY!</p>

<p>So anxious I am right nooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww
</p>

<p>I’m guessing there is no EA for International applications, since it isn’t mentioned on the calendar:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.gs.columbia.edu/important-dates[/url]”>http://www.gs.columbia.edu/important-dates&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Help! I am interviewing on Monday and I have no idea what to expect! I am anxious about why GS wants to interview me
 Is something lacking in my application? I think my ACT score was too low–a 29–but, I have a 4.0 GPA and (I think) excellent recommendations. Any thoughts? Advice? How long after an interview do you typically find out your admissions decision?</p>

<p>Interesting! I don’t think anyone on the board as been asked to interview yet (that applied for ED). Reading through this thread it sounded like when people were interviewed they were asked about what they did during gaps in education, or to clarify specific things about what they wrote. I didn’t see an example of someone who was interviewed and then rejected though, so it sounds like a good sign! </p>

<p>Maybe do a search of this thread to get some more info?</p>

<p>I’ll trade with you hopeful,</p>

<p>I’m an ED applicant and have yet to hear anything. I’m quite certain I’ll get rejected, as my grades are not on par with all of yours. </p>

<p>However, my advice for an interview is put yourself in their shoes: figure out what you think they will ask, and what they want to hear. Stay calm and cool, and you will do just fine</p>

<p>@gshopeful - How did the interview go?</p>

<p>AMorrision, did you use the track your app link they sent you in the email, does that give you a status on your app (accepted, waitlisted, rejected) or those are only for the document which you submit. to see if you are missing some of the doc. thanks. I am an international student and submitted everything on the 1st of April, and now time just seems like stopped and I feel everyday is passing slowly than before.:(</p>

<p>The track the application link is purely for documents, I believe they only notify you by mail or phone call.</p>

<p>thanks. Just want to know, so I wont be constantly checking. I have to wait two more weeks to get my decision.</p>